Buying the Right Disneyland Tickets for Your Trip

• Lyn Prince
• Jul 24, 2025
• 4 min read

Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Planning a trip to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California?One of the most important (and often confusing) steps is figuring out which tickets to buy. With multiple ticket types, add‑ons, seasonal pricing, and reservation requirements, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know so you can confidently purchase the right Disneyland tickets for your trip—saving you time, money, and stress.

Step 1: Understand Disneyland Resort’s Two Parks

Disneyland Resort is home to two theme parks:

• 🏰 Disneyland Park – The original Magic Kingdom with classic attractions and nine themed lands.

🏰 Disneyland Park – The original Magic Kingdom with classic attractions and nine themed lands.

• 🎢 Disney California Adventure Park – A modern park with Pixar, Marvel, and California‑themed lands.

🎢 Disney California Adventure Park – A modern park with Pixar, Marvel, and California‑themed lands.

Your ticket must cover one or both of these parks.

Step 2: Choose Between 1‑Park Per Day and Park Hopper Tickets

1‑Park Per Day Tickets

• You pick one park (Disneyland or DCA) per day.

You pick one park (Disneyland or DCA) per day.

• Great for first‑timers who want a slower pace.

Great for first‑timers who want a slower pace.

• Lower cost than Park Hopper tickets.

Lower cost than Park Hopper tickets.

• You can leave and re‑enter the same park during the day.

You can leave and re‑enter the same park during the day.

💡 Who should choose this?

• Families with young kids who don’t want to rush.

Families with young kids who don’t want to rush.

• Guests visiting for multiple days (you can dedicate one day per park).

Guests visiting for multiple days (you can dedicate one day per park).

• Budget‑conscious travelers.

Budget‑conscious travelers.

Park Hopper Tickets

• Visit both parks on the same day.

Visit both parks on the same day.

• You must start at the park you reserve for the morning.

You must start at the park you reserve for the morning.

• After 11:00 AM, you can hop between parks as much as you’d like.

After 11:00 AM, you can hop between parks as much as you’d like.

💡 Who should choose this?

• Short trips (1–2 days) where you want to experience highlights of both parks.

Short trips (1–2 days) where you want to experience highlights of both parks.

• Guests who love flexibility and want to bounce between parks for rides, dining, or entertainment.

Guests who love flexibility and want to bounce between parks for rides, dining, or entertainment.

• Veterans or frequent visitors looking to maximize time.

Veterans or frequent visitors looking to maximize time.

Step 3: Decide How Many Days You Need

Disneyland tickets range from 1 to 5 days. The more days you buy, the lower the per-day cost.

Days

Who it’s best for

Notes

1 Day

Quick trips, locals

Choose Park Hopper if you want both parks

2 Days

Balanced trips

1 day per park or mix with Hopper

3 Days

Most popular option

Allows time to revisit favorites

4–5 Days

Longer vacations, families

See everything at a relaxed pace

💡 Pro Tip: Multi‑day tickets do not have to be used consecutively, but must be used within 13 days of first use.

Step 4: Where to Buy Tickets

Buy Direct from Disneyland

• Through the Disneyland website or Disneyland app

Through the Disneyland website or Disneyland app

• Guarantees authenticity and instant linking to your account.

Guarantees authenticity and instant linking to your account.

• Allows you to make park reservations immediately after purchase.

Allows you to make park reservations immediately after purchase.

Authorized Third‑Party Sellers

• Your Travel Agent!

Your Travel Agent!

• Examples: Undercover Tourist, Get Away Today, Costco Travel (for packages).

Examples: Undercover Tourist, Get Away Today, Costco Travel (for packages).

• Sometimes offer small discounts or perks (like extra day specials).

Sometimes offer small discounts or perks (like extra day specials).

• Always ensure the seller is Disney‑authorized to avoid scams.

Always ensure the seller is Disney‑authorized to avoid scams.

Avoid

• Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or unknown resellers. Disneyland tickets are non‑transferable—if you buy a used ticket, it WILL be invalid.

Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or unknown resellers. Disneyland tickets are non‑transferable—if you buy a used ticket, it WILL be invalid.

Step 5: Make Your Park Reservations

Every guest needs a theme park reservation in addition to a valid ticket.

How to reserve:

• Log into your Disney account after purchasing tickets.

Log into your Disney account after purchasing tickets.

• Use the Park Reservation tool to select your starting park and date.

Use the Park Reservation tool to select your starting park and date.

• Park hopping is only available after 11:00 AM.

Park hopping is only available after 11:00 AM.

💡 Reservations fill up on peak days—book as soon as you buy tickets.

Step 6: Consider Add‑Ons

✨ Lightning Lane Multi‑Pass

• Starting at $30–$35 per person per day (price varies).

Starting at $30–$35 per person per day (price varies).

• Lets you skip long standby lines at 20+ attractions.

Lets you skip long standby lines at 20+ attractions.

• Can be purchased in advance or day‑of.

Can be purchased in advance or day‑of.

📱 MagicBand+

• Optional wearable device that syncs with the app.

Optional wearable device that syncs with the app.

• Makes Lightning Lane tapping, photos, and more easier.

Makes Lightning Lane tapping, photos, and more easier.

📸 Disney PhotoPass+

• Unlimited digital downloads of ride and character photos.

Unlimited digital downloads of ride and character photos.

• Included with Lightning Lane Multi‑Pass, or sold separately.

Included with Lightning Lane Multi‑Pass, or sold separately.

Step 7: Know About S