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Disneyland

The Happiest Place on Earth is one of our family's favorite travel destinations. Located in Anaheim, California, Disneyland was the very first Disney destination ever built. It features two theme parks, three Disney-owned hotels, and a shopping and entertainment district called Downtown Disney. Planning a Disneyland vacation requires a little bit of work, but it's easier to master than you might imagine.

new!

2025 Annual Disneyland Guide & Tips

If you haven't been to Disneyland in awhile and are planning a trip this year, it's important to get up to date!

Read post
Disneyland Railroad by Small World

Looking for Discount Tickets for Disneyland?

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Leslie's Disneyland Tips!

  • Stay at a hotel within walking distance of the resort (there are options both on and off-property).
  • Budget for Lightning Lane at least one day of your trip to shortcut long lines.
  • A 2 or 3 day trip is just about the right length of time to be able to fully experience both parks.
  • Make time for more than just rides! Characters, entertainment, and dining are part of the experience.

Planning Your Trip

What ticket options do you really need? Where should you eat? What airport is best for trips to Anaheim? Here's where you can find the essential tips you need to plan the best Disneyland vacation ever.

  • Disneyland Park Hopper Ticket
    Analysis: Disneyland Park Hopper Tickets - Worth It or Waste of Money?
  • Disneyland Castle Wondrous Journeys Fireworks
    How to Make Disneyland Park Reservations in 2025
  • Goofys Kitchen Sign at Disneyland Hotel
    Disneyland Character Meals: The Definitive Guide
  • Flying to Disneyland - Sleeping Beauty Castle
    Everything You Need to Know About Flying to Disneyland 2025

Hotels

I've stayed in over 20 hotels in the Disneyland area - some of them more than a dozen times! You'll find my top recommendations here, plus guidance as to which hotels might work best for your family's specific needs and interests.

  • Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance Exterior Near Disneyland Square
    17 Very Best Hotels within Walking Distance to Disneyland for Families (with Map!)
  • Disneyland Hotel vs. Disney's Grand Californian
    Disneyland Hotel vs. Grand Californian: Which Is Right For Your Family?
  • Hojo Anaheim Exterior Square
    Review of the Howard Johnson Anaheim Near Disneyland
  • Westin Anaheim Resort Exterior at Sunrise
    Hotel Review: Westin Anaheim Resort Near Disneyland

Park Touring Strategies

I don't believe in standing in queues at theme parks, so I've made it my mission to find all the tricks to doing Disneyland as efficiently as possible. These posts are where I share all of my best line-skipping secrets!

  • Toy Story Midway Mania Lightning Lane Entrance at Disneyland Resort
    11 Advanced Strategies & Tips to Maximize Lightning Lane on a Disneyland Trip
  • Disneyland Tomorrowland Matterhorn and Astro Orbitor
    5 Smart Rope Drop Strategies for Disneyland
  • Aerial view of Disney California Adventure Golden Zephyr and Pixar Pal-A-Round
    5 Smart Rope Drop Strategies for Disney California Adventure
  • Star Wars Rise of the Resistance Entrance at Walt Disney World
    How to Ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Without the Wait in 2024

Visiting with Little Kids

Traveling with younger kids can present extra challenges, but Disneyland is destination that works well with babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Here are the tips you need to survive and thrive at Disneyland with littles, even when your kids may still need a nap break or come up short for thrill rides.

  • Disneyland with Toddlers - Tigger
    20 Tips for Disneyland with Toddlers
  • Top 15 Attractions in Disneyland Park for Toddlers & Preschoolers
  • Disney California Adventure Entrance
    Top 11 Attractions in Disney California Adventure Park for Toddlers & Preschoolers
  • Best Strollers for Disney: Recommendations for Disney World and Disneyland

By the Season

The offerings in Disneyland can change significantly with the time of year. From holidays to special events and anniversaries, find out what to expect during different seasons.

  • Disneyland Castle with Balloons
    Special Events at Disneyland 2026: Complete Guide for Every Season
  • Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival
    Disneyland Food & Wine Festival: Tips, Tricks, & What to Know Before You Go
  • Halloween Time at Disneyland 2025: Everything You Need to Know
  • Disneyland Holidays Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle at Night
    Complete Guide to the Holidays at Disneyland 2025

how to save big

Don't Pay Full Price for Disneyland!

I've booked my Disneyland vacations through Get Away Today for nearly a decade, and you can use them too to save on park tickets, on and off-property hotels, and more.

(Use code TYKES10 for an extra $10 off hotel + ticket package bookings.)

Explore discounts now
Get Away Today - DLR Evergreen - Tickets

Disney Deciphered Logo

Prefer to get your Disney news and tips in audio or video form? I've co-hosted the Disney Deciphered Podcast with fellow family travel and Disney expert Joe Cheung weekly since 2018. Come give us a listen!

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Patreon

Even More Disneyland Posts

  • Disneyland Entrance 70th Anniversary Decor
    How Californians Can Visit Disneyland for 3 Days for Less than the Price of 1 Day
  • Oogie Boogie Bash Disneyland - Oogie Boogie Close Up
    Oogie Boogie Bash 2025: 15 Tips for Disneyland's Halloween Party
  • Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration in 2025-2026
    Cheat Sheet to Disneyland's 70th Anniversary Celebration
  • Disneyland Space Mountain at Night
    Ultimate 2025 Disneyland Guide: Planning & Touring Tips
  • Lunar New Year Festival at Disney California Adventure
    Disneyland Lunar New Year Celebration 2025: Everything You Need to Know
  • Lightning Lane Walt Disney World Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway
    Hot Takes on Disney's New $400+ Lightning Lane Premier Pass
  • Disneyland Pixar Fest Sign and Ticket 2024
    Pixar Fest at Disneyland 2024: Everything You Need to Know
  • MagicBand+ at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom
    Disney MagicBands & New MagicBand+: Top 17 Questions Answered
  • Disney Genie+ & Lightning Lane at Disneyland: 17 Frequently Asked Questions Answered
  • Avengers Campus Disneyland Entrance Sign
    Avengers Campus at Disneyland: Complete Guide, Tips, & Strategies
  • Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway El Capitoon Theater Exterior Disneyland
    Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway at Disneyland: How-to-Ride Tips & Ride Guide
  • The Viv Hotel Anaheim Marriott Tribute Portfolio Exterior
    Hotel Review of The Viv Hotel, Anaheim near Disneyland (formerly Radisson Blu Anaheim)
  • WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure Ride Entrance in Avengers Campus
    How to Ride WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure at Disneyland Without the Wait
  • How You Need to Do Disneyland Differently in 2021: Tips from the Reopened Parks
  • Disneyland Pedestrian Entrance
    Disneyland Reopening is Coming April 30, 2021!
  • Disney
    Disneyland is Closed (Indefinitely): Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered
  • Disneyland Magic Happens - Mickey Mouse opening float
    What’s New at Disneyland: Spring and Summer 2020 Guide
  • Disneyland at Dusk - Sleeping Beauty Castle
    Best Credit Cards for Disney Travelers
  • Star Wars Galaxys Edge Tips Disneyland - Millennium Falcon Lights at Night
    Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Tips & Touring Strategies at Disneyland
  • Star Wars Galaxy's Edge Chewbacca
    What Disney Got Right (and Wrong) with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
  • Star Wars Galaxys Edge - Millennium Falcon Overlook
    Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland: Video Tour & First Look Photos
  • Star Wars Galaxys Edge Fun Facts - Beauty Shot
    11 Fun Facts About Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland
  • Disneyland MaxPass Redeem Fastpass with Smartphone
    Top 21 Disneyland MaxPass Questions Answered
  • Disneyland Pixar Fest with Toddlers and Preschoolers - Incredibles
    Best Things to Do at Disneyland's Pixar Fest with Toddlers & Preschoolers
  • Disneyland Rider Switch with MaxPass - Matterhorn and Fantasyland View
    The Big Changes to Disneyland Rider Switch That Nobody Noticed
  • Tokyo DisneySea - Journey to the Center of the Earth
    10 Unique Disney Attractions Around the World Every Disney Fan Needs to Ride
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Mission BREAKOUT - Ride Exterior
    Disneyland’s Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! - First Look & Insider Tips
  • New at Disneyland 2017 - Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout
    What's New at Disneyland 2017 - Spring & Summer Guide
  • Things to Do with Preschoolers at Disneyland Disney Junior Live on Stage
    Disneyland with Preschoolers: 25 Fun Things to Do (That Aren't Rides!)
  • Travel Hacking Disney - Cinderella Castle
    Travel Hacking Basics to Save For Your Family's Disney Vacation
  • Surf's Up! Breakfast with Mickey Buffet
    Surf's Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends at Disneyland's Paradise Pier Hotel: 7 Things to Know
  • Grand Legacy at the Park Exterior View
    Grand Legacy at the Park Hotel Review: Staying Across the Street from Disneyland
  • Off Property at Disneyland - Caslte
    Value & Convenience of Off-Property Hotels at Disneyland
  • Looking for a date night spot at DIsneyland? Find out why the Blue Bayou Restaurant is the perfect spot for a couple's night out and get tips for getting a reservation.
    Disneyland Date Night: Blue Bayou Restaurant Review
  • Top 7 Disneyland Apps
    7 Must-Have Disneyland Apps
  • Top 7 Money Saving Tips for Disneyland
  • Ultimate Disney Daypack Packing List
    Packing List for Your Disney Daypack (Free Printable!)
  • Disney Attraction Prize Fight: Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World Versions of Shared Rides
    Disney Attraction Prize Fight: Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World Versions of Shared Rides
  • Disneyland 1983; 60 Days to 60 Years
    Disneyland in 1983 and the Transformation of Fantasyland: #60DaysTo60Years
  • Trader Sam's Disneyland vs Walt Disney World
    A Tale of Two Tiki Bars: Comparing Trader Sam’s at Disneyland & Walt Disney World

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Welcome!

Welcome! I'm Leslie Harvey, a mom of two (ages 16 and 12) based in the San Francisco Bay Area who loves to travel. Trips With Tykes is a family travel blog devoted to simplifying the logistics of traveling with kids of all ages. With a little knowledge of airline rules & good planning, family travel can be really rewarding, even if it still involves the occasional battle with TSA over your toddler's juice box.

More about me

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