I visit Disneyland monthly and stay for several days each time. This means I keep my tips accurate and up-to-date.
If you’ve read up on Disneyland vacations from various sources, chances are you’ve ran into some things that are no longer relevant in 2026. Let’s put the old advice to rest and get you the stuff that matters.
Disneyland Resort is open every day of the year with all of your favorites! But new ways of doing things are shaking up the laid back days of the past, including theme park capacity restrictions and many paid upgrades.
Disneyland has often been called a locals park. But locals continue to move toward other area theme parks with every new price increase and calendar restriction. This type of operations means everyone, including Magic Keyholders, now need to plan almost everything in advance.
You can’t go whenever you please or just drop in for a bit after work like old times. Disneyland is STILL requiring reservation, unlike Walt Disney World. Don’t get confused.
5. See Which Rides and Shows are Closed in Advance
It’s disappointing to see some of your favorite attractions are closed during your visit, but I think knowing beforehand can help squash most disappointments. Check out my list of what’s closed here.
Before You Go to Disneyland
These are some must dos in semi-advance of your Disneyland visit. There’s no time crunch like the tips above, but definitely do these before you arrive at the gate for a smoother trip.
6. Download the Disneyland App
Grab the official Disneyland App, there’s so much it can do for you! And you’ll need it for things like mobile ordering, Lightning Lane and joining Virtual Queues, which we’ll discuss next.
7. Add your Payment Method to the Disneyland App
Storing a preferred credit card, Disney Rewards Visa, or Disney Gift Card prevents scrambling when you need to make a purchase. After you add your Credit Card, get accustomed to using the app for placing mobile orders. It’s much like any other mobile order food app. You can test it out now—just don’t go so far as paying for your meal.
8. Buy Disney gift cards at a Discount
I love using gift cards, you can use them for so many things and even save 5% with the Target trick. Just buy your Disney gift cards with your Target red card for an extra 5% off. And now you can finally use them as a stored payment method right in the app (new in 2026!).
Your phone will be in use a ton at Disneyland and a portable charger will be your friend. I like using FuelRods so I can swap them out at Disneyland for free. You can even buy FuelRods in advance for cheaper than you can get them in the parks.
A lot has changed in the last year or two. Here are a few tips to help you during your Disneyland day.
16. Don’t Rely on What Used to Work
Lines, queues and wait times. It’s all about the new Lightning Lane system and you’ll need a solid plan for what you want to ride and when. If nothing else, go land by land and take your time working your way through Disneyland and California Adventure while making use of Lightning Lanes.
17. Utilize Disney PhotoPass
PhotoPass photographers are all over Disneyland Resort. It’s one of my favorite ways to get awesome family photos. PhotoPass includes access to their special “Magic Shots” throughout the resort. Plus, PhotoPass pictures are included with Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can download them for free.
18. Keep Your Eyes Open for Characters to Meet
There will be lots of opportunities to take pictures with Disneyland characters as long as you know where to find them. Use the app for character locations and see where I like to meet up with them here.
19. Mobile Order for Optimal Eat Times
Yup, grabbing a churro on the go to your next ride IS happening. Dive in to your favorite Disneyland snacks here. Place you meal orders via mobile order earlier in the day to secure a desirable time for your family to eat. Here’s the HOW & WHEN of this food hack.
Elevate Your Disneyland Day
In the past, it took time or money to get the best seat in the house.
I am all about that upgrade when it comes to things that really matter like the World of Color Dessert Party (took so much convincing from you guys on this one!) and front row viewing for things like Fantasmic and my favorite Disneyland parades.
Here are some more special tips that’ll bring magical moments you won’t want to miss.
20. Lighting of Sleeping Beauty Castle
Each night Sleeping Beauty Castle comes even more alive when the lights come on. Be there right when they come on (ask a Cast Member or check the app for current time) or stop for more pictures in front after the lights are on.
21. Lighting of Cars Land in California Adventure
Every day at sunset, the lights come on and the familiar tune of “life could be a dream” (Sh-boom by The Crew Cuts) plays over Car Land.
Have you heard the term Magical Moments or Cast Compliment? Magical Moments are special, pixie-dusted happenings that seem to appear out of nowhere at Disneyland Resort. They can come from a Cast Member, a Disney character, another guest or even YOU!
Many people love to buy a ballon and give it as a gift to someone else or pay for someone’s popcorn behind them in line. Make magic happen and enjoy your Disneyland vacation a bit more.
For Cast Compliments, it’s easy! You can now submit a Cast Compliment on the Disneyland app. Use the search function to find the form and fill out as much information as you can.
These comments really matter in their career advancement. I try to do at least one for each visit.
Have something to add to this list? Email me jessica@thehappiestblogonearth.com
2026 is your year of celebrations and new beginnings at Disneyland—let’s keep in touch so I can keep adding and refining my list of the most important Disneyland tips for 2026, especially as we conclude the celebration of Disneyland’s 70th Birthday!
