Our Australian / New Zealand Guide to The Disneyland Resort Anaheim

The Disneyland Resort is a recreational resort that opened in 1955 in Anaheim, California. The resort is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks and Resorts division and is home to two theme parks, three hotels and a shopping, dining, and entertainment area.

The area now known as the Disneyland Resort was developed by Walt Disney in the 1950s and for over 40 years was known simply as Disneyland. When it opened to guests in 1955, the property consisted of Disneyland, its 100-acre (0.40 km2) parking lot, and a hotel known as the Disneyland Hotel.

In 1998 on a theme park called Disney’s California Adventure; a hotel called Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, a renovation, renaming, and re-theming of the Disneyland Pacific Hotel; and an admission-free shopping and dining area called Downtown Disney.

Disney California Adventure opened on February 8, 2001 as Disney’s California Adventure Park. On May 28, 2010, it was announced through the official Disney Parks Blog that Disney’s California Adventure Park would be renamed to “Disney California Adventure.”

During the expansion, the name Disneyland Resort was coined to refer to the entire Disney complex, while the name Disneyland Park was developed to refer to the original theme park.

The Disneyland resort is definitely one of the World’s leading vacation destinations, however the  size and scope of The Disneyland Resort  can be confusing and daunting for the first time Aussie or Kiwi traveller.

The following travel tips are  an overview of what we have learnt from our frequent visits to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and are intended to provide a general guide for the first time visitor. Please email Disney Traveller directly for any detailed advice you may require for your upcoming holiday and we will endeavour to point you in the right direction.

The following “Australia / New Zealand Guide to The Disneyland Resort” is courtesy of the Disney Vacations Australia Web Site. Disney Vacations Australia keeps all Australian and New Zealand travellers up to date regarding all applicable Disney Travel Information, Deals, Specials and Discounts.

Please visit Disney Vacations Australia by clinking this link.

Enjoy!

 

WHEN SHOULD I GO

Choosing the right time to visit the Disneyland Resort has become very difficult due to Disneyland enjoying regular visitation from local Southern Californian annual passholders and the Disney company enticing travellers to visit throughout the year, with their introduced special events, festivals and travel promotions.

Weather conditions are not major factor to consider when planning your trip to the Disneyland resort as the Californian weather “plays nice” with theme parks visiters, year round.

The  major factor to consider when planning your visit is  crowds. The Disneyland Resort can become very crowded during major holidays (including Christmas, New Years, Easter, Thanksgiving Day and  Independence Day)

Our favorite times of the year to visit The Disneyland Resort are in January/early February (due to the cool weather and very low crowds), April and May (Before the summmer crowds roll in), October and November (Due to the autumn weather and Halloween Parties), and the first three weeks of December (To experience the Christmas decorations and activities throughout The Disneyland Resort).

Important Note: Substantial Construction Works Are Currently Underway at Disney California Adventure Will Continue Until Mid 2012.

HOW LONG DO I NEED

Although not as big as its “big brother” resort in Orlando, the Disneyland Resort is substantially larger that any theme park complex we have in Australia or New Zealand. The Disneyland Resort is more than a theme park and it can be a  holiday destination on its own. The resort area has two major theme parks, three on site hotels, its own shopping district and many restaurants and fast food outlets.

As we all know, it is a long way from Australia to California and as such we recommend that you allocate enough time to make the most out of your visit. For first timers to The Disneyland Resort we recommend at least allowing three  days to see the Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure. This will allow you to spend a minimum of one day in each park seeingg the major attractions and returning to the Parks to revisit your favourite attractions and shows.

To see everything that the resort has to offer, you will need to spend at least spend five days at the resort to experience all of the major and minor attractions, shows, entertainment, shopping and dining opportunities.

California is the entertainment mecca of the world and their theme parks directly benefit from their close proximity to Hollywood and the movie studio’s. Within a short drive from the Disneyland resort you will find these world renown theme parks:

• Universal Studios Hollywood
• Six Flags Magic Mountain
• Knott’s Berry Farm
• Legoland
• Seaworld
• San Diego Zoo
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park

As you can see, a seven to ten day trip to Anaheim can easily turn into a two to three week vacation, if you want to experience all the major tourist attractions within the region.

Our advice is to allow at least a day for each theme park you want to visit and then add a few rest days in your itinerary. For example if you want to visit the Disneyland Park, California Adventure Park, Universal Studios Hollywood and Seaworld, allow for four  park days and three rest days. This will ensure that you are not exhausted and will allow you to explore the local shopping, minor attractions and enjoy some down time around the resort.

Don’t forget to make time to  visit the wonderful non theme park attractions in Southern California also. Downtown LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Rodeo Drive, Mann’s Chinese Theatre, Olvera Street and the LA Farmers Markets are only a short drive from The Disneyland Resort.

WHAT TICKETS DO I PURCHASE

Buying tickets to The Disneyland Resort can be confusing due to the many options Disney offers to their guests. You can check out the official ticket options here, but this is what we recommend for first time Aussie travellers.

Prior to  booking your tickets or package you will need to determine what you want to see and how you are planning to visit the parks. Disneyland calls their tickets Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets that enable you to visit both Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park on the same day.

The more days you pay for, the less you pay per day. Depending on length of ticket purchased (usually 3-6 days), the average price per day is less than half the price of the same single-day ticket if you decide to purchase a series of single day tickets for the length of your stay.

In addition to choosing the number of days (from 1 to 6) of your ticket, you can add Bonus Tickets include one Magic Morning early admission to Disneyland Park. The Magic Morning early admission tickets include one Magic Morning admission for early entry into a designated theme park. A Magic Morning early entry admission allows access to a designated Disneyland Resort theme park before the park opens to the general public. While not available daily, the feature will be available multiple times per week.

Our advice is to buy a Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket for as many days as you are planning to be in the immediate vicinity of the Disneyland Resort. For example the difference between a 3 Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket ($186 + Tax)  and a 6 Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket($216 + tax) is only $30 extra or $10 per day inclusive of rides, entertainment and attractions to visit one of Disney’s theme parks. At only $10 a day to revisit the Disneyland or California Adventure Them Parks this can be a lifesaver if you want a cheap day out or need to fins something to do one evening after a hard days shopping in LA!

Disney FASTPASS System

Wouldn’t it be great if you could cut your wait time for some of your favorite attractions? Now you can!

When you buy your Disney tickets they include  Disney’s complimentary FASTPASS Service that saves your place in line for an attraction while you enjoy the rest of the theme park.

To use Disney’s FASTPASS service simply:

• Look for the “Disney’s FASTPASS Distribution” sign near the entrance of an attraction.
• Check the “Return Time” displayed on the sign.
• The sign will indicate the time you would return to enjoy the attraction using a FASTPASS ticket.
• For attractions, the return time is a one-hour window (e.g., 1:10 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.), so you don’t have to be there exactly at a given time. For shows, your return time will be for a specific performance.
• If the return time is one that works for you, just insert your admission ticket into the Disney’s FASTPASS Service machine. (You may use your Disneyland Resort admission ticket, readmission ticket, Disney Resort Hotel keycard or Annual Passport.)
• A FASTPASS ticket will emerge with your return time printed on it. Now you’re free to go and enjoy the rest of the theme park!
• Go back to the FASTPASS ticketholder entrance when your return time rolls around, show your ticket to the Cast Member and enjoy the attraction with a minimal wait.

This great service can save you hours when utilised correctly. Please email Disney Traveller if you would like additional information regarding the FASTPASS system.

Our recommendation is to use the Disney FASTPASS system whenever it is available. There is no reason to wait in very long lines if you use the FASTPASS system to its full advantage. Please email us at Disney Traveller, if you require additional information of FASTPASS and avoiding long waits in line.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY

When planning a Disneyland Resort vacation you need to make one initial decision before requesting quotations and comparing resorts and that is to decide whether you want to stay at a Disney Resort Hotel (Onsite) or stay with another hotel / motel chain (Offsite). There are advantages and disadvantages with both options, but the two major factors in your decision will likely be room capacity and price.

Staying Onsite With Disney

A vacation at a Disneyland Resort hotel is a “magical” experience. And their hotels offer outstanding benefits designed to provide Guests with a convenient, hassle-free and relaxing stay:

If you are looking to be immersed in the Disney “magic”  and don’t mind paying a premium to enjoy it, staying onsite is a fantastic option.

Staying Offsite

If staying with Disney is not right for you, the local area surroundingThe Walt Disney World hashundreds  of hotels, motels, apartments and vacation homes options available. Unlike Walt Disney World, many of these resorts are in easy walking distance of the Disney Resort and theme parks. This is great news for Australian and New Zealand travellers as there are many great offsite  hotels that can cater for any traveller’s requirements.

Staying offsite can provide a better range of accommodation for the same or a lower price, access to better deals and discounts, the opportunity of seeing the “real” Anaheim and its suburbs and easier access to non Disney shopping, restaurants and attractions.

Disadvantages of staying offsite are access to the theme parks, negotiating peak hour traffic getting to and from the parks, parking, security and safety concerns, a reduced quality of service, a poorer level of amenities at some resorts and the need to rent a vehicle. Unlike Walt Disney World in orlando though, many of these issues are diminished with some research, common sense and planning.

We have dual recommendations for Aussie and Kiwi’s staying at the Disneyland Resort.

• For first time visitors with young children that don’t mind paying high rates to  is to experience it all, we recommend that you stay at an onsite Disney Hotel . Disney’s onsite inclusions allow guests to totally relax and enjoy their holiday without the distractions of the outside world.
• However, we strongly recommend that all other travellers explore the options available offsite. Due to the close proximity of many of these hotels to the Disneyland Resort and the massive price difference compared to Disney, it is difficult to justify the high costs of accommodation that Disney provides onsite. But you need to do you homework and ensure that book accommodation that is suitable for your entire travelling party (especially kids), that the accommodation is safe, clean and within a easy walk of The Disneyland Resort. Please email us at Disney Traveller, if you require additional information about accomodation options and recommendations.

 

Our resort recommendations are:

 

Onsite: The Disneyland Hotel

Offsite: Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in The Anaheim Resort

Each of these resorts are wonderfully themed, well maintained,good  value for money and captures the magic of visiting Disney.

WHAT WILL IT COST

Visiting Disney is not cheap, but it can be value for money. Indicative cost for a family for four including seven nights accommodation and a six day park pass is:

• Onsite at the Grand Californian Hotel: $4364 ($155pp / Per Day)
  
• Offsite at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in The Anaheim Resort: $1564 ($55pp / Per Day)

It really is important when visiting the Disney Parks to break down your costs to a per person / per day rate. A vacation to Disney includes all of your rides, attractions and entertainment. Apart from meals, all other costs associated with your holiday are optional.

When traveling to The Disneyland Resort is ESSENTIAL to be aware of the latest deals, offers and discounts being offered. Many deals can save you up to 40% of the rack rates for accommodation and offers such as free gift cards and ticket upgrades are also frequently offered.

Make sure that you subscribe to the Disney Traveller Blog today and bookmark our Disney Traveller Travel Information Page to be kept up to date on all available updates. This advice is essential, as many of these offers are not advertised in Australia and definitely will NOT be offered by our Australian travel wholesalers (such as the airlines) and many local travel agents.

If you want to save time, money and hassle when booking your next Disney vacation follow us on TWITTER and FACEBOOK to be informed as soon as discounts, offers and Disney travel news articles are released. All subscriptions to Disney Traveller are free and you can find all of our subscription options here.

 

 

WILL I NEED A CAR

No, you will not “need” a car, but on occasion it may be convenient to rent one. If you are planning on staying at or near The Disneyland Resort and only spending time on Disney property there is absolutely no need to rent a car.

However, if you would like to leave Disney property to explore Southern California and its attractions or intend to stay further offsite, a rental vehicle will assist you greatly. Although many of the offsite hotels have shuttle buses to Disney, these shuttles run on certain schedules, have varying levels of reliability and are often overcrowded. Remember though that all of the themeparks chage for parking if you are not staying onsite (some charge even if you are staying on site) to be sure to include hidden charges such as parking, tolls, fuel and insurances into your rental budgets.

Vehicle rentals can be heavily discounted in Anaheim, so ensure that you email Disney Traveller if you would like access to a list of discount codes you can use to save hundreds of dollars on car rentals.

One last thing to factor to consider when deciding on transportation options is that Americans drive of the opposite side of the road to Australians and  have substantially more vehicles on their roads. If you are not a confident driver, we strongly recommend not renting a vehicle and using other forms of transportation such as Disney, chauffeur driven vehicles (Town Cars and Limousines) and shuttle buses.

HOW CAN I PLAN TO MAXIMISE MY TIME IN THE PARKS

As time = money, it is essential that you maximize your time in the Disney theme parks. We have net people that will never return to Disney due to the long queues, big crowds and their perceived poor return on their travel investment travel dollars.

This never has to be the case and if you follow these easy steps, you will considerably reduce wait times, maximize your time in the Disney theme parks and get great value for the investment that you make in your holiday.

Step 1 / Travel Dates

Choose your travel dates carefully! As discussed in our accommodation section, stay away from major United States Holidays and school vacation periods.

For example, the difference between attending The Disneyland Resort during Christmas week or the second week in January can save you over two hours wait per attraction!

Please email Disney Traveller if you would like additional information regarding when to travel.

Step 2 / Disney FASTPASS System

Wouldn’t it be great if you could cut your wait time for some of your favorite attractions? Now you can!

When you buy your Disney tickets they include  Disney’s complimentary FASTPASS Service that saves your place in line for an attraction while you enjoy the rest of the theme park.

To use Disney’s FASTPASS service simply:

• Look for the “Disney’s FASTPASS Distribution” sign near the entrance of an attraction.
• Check the “Return Time” displayed on the sign.
• The sign will indicate the time you would return to enjoy the attraction using a FASTPASS ticket.
• For attractions, the return time is a one-hour window (e.g., 1:10 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.), so you don’t have to be there exactly at a given time. For shows, your return time will be for a specific performance.
• If the return time is one that works for you, just insert your admission ticket into the Disney’s FASTPASS Service machine. (You may use your Disneyland Resort admission ticket, readmission ticket, Disney Resort Hotel keycard or Annual Passport.)
• A FASTPASS ticket will emerge with your return time printed on it. Now you’re free to go and enjoy the rest of the theme park!
• Go back to the FASTPASS ticketholder entrance when your return time rolls around, show your ticket to the Cast Member and enjoy the attraction with a minimal wait.

This great service can save you hours when utilised correctly. Please email Disney Traveller if you would like additional information regarding the FASTPASS system.

Our recommendation is to use the Disney FASTPASS system whenever it is available. There is no reason to wait in very long lines if you use the FASTPASS system to its full advantage. Please email us at Disney Traveller, if you require additional information of FASTPASS and avoiding long waits in line.

 

Step 3 / Have A Park Touring Plan

The biggest mistake first timers make when visiting The Disneyland resort is to turn up  without any plan of action of what they want to see and what order they are planning to see the attractions and entertainment. With so much on offer it is essential to pre-plan out your day to ensure that you see everything you want to experience.

Please email Disney Traveller if you would like additional information regarding available tour plans of the parks.

Step 4 / Make Your Dining Reservations 60 Days In Advance

Yep,60  days in advance. Seems crazy doesn’t it, but it is essential! Due to the popularity of The Disney World Resort, it is very difficult to make same day reservations at the Disney restaurants.  As Disney does not want to disappoint travellers to the resort, Disney starts taking these  bookings for their restaurants 60 days prior to the dining date.

It is common for the more popular restaurants to completely book out a few days after the 60 day booking window commences, so make sure that you book your preferred dining EARLY!

The Disneyland Resort serves up much more than just delicious crowd favorites like burgers, pizza, corn dogs, ice cream, churros and turkey legs. From healthy snacks to signature dining, the Disneyland Resort offers a surprising collection of dining experiences. You’ll find something perfect for every taste and any budget!

A World of Flavors

Sample foods from a wide variety of cuisines including classic American, Italian, Creole, Mexican and Asian. Dine at quick-service restaurants, walkup kiosks and table-service restaurants. Healthy selections and vegetarian options are available at select venues.

Table Service Meals

For a relaxing sit-down meal, the Disneyland Resort offers fantastic casual dining restaurants at both Parks, the Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Plan your next adventure as you relax, spend time with your family and share a great meal together.

Special and Unique Dining

Special and unique dining restaurants feature extensively themed settings that transport you to another place and time. Dine riverside under the nighttime sky — even when the sun is shining — at the Blue Bayou, or feast on delicious food, as well as the sights and sound of a tropical jungle, at Rainforest Café, plus much more.

Signature Dining

If you’re looking for an especially memorable dining experience, take advantage of one of the signature dining restaurants. Napa Rose and Steakhouse 55 are destinations all by themselves. Each venue features a gourmet menu and an exceptional selection of world-class wines.

Character Dining

In addition to all of the great food, where else can your family share a meal with some very special Disney Characters? Disney Character Dining is perfect for birthdays, celebrations or simply to put a smile on the faces of your family’s own little characters.

Bars and Lounges

Disneyland Park does not serve alcoholic beverages, but adults wishing to enjoy beer, wine or a cocktail will find a variety of bars and lounges at Disney California Adventure Park, the Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort.

Nibble on appetizers and take in the view of Paradise Bay at Cove Bar, people watch from Uva Bar, or celebrate the end of an unforgettable day with a magnificent glass of wine at the Napa Rose lounge.

Please also remember that guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase alcoholic beverages in the United States.

Disney Dining Plan

Enjoy the convenience of the Disney Dining Plan. Available exclusively as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company Vacation Package, the Disney Dining Plan allows you to pay for meals with vouchers instead of cash, including Character Dining options.

Dining Reservations

Remember to plan ahead and you may be able to save time waiting for a meal. Reservations may be arranged for many restaurants by contacting Disney Dining up to 60 days in advance.

Our recommended Authorized Disney Travel Planners can book your Advanced Dining Reservations for you. This great free service can save you hours when utilized correctly. Please email Disney Traveller if you would like additional information regarding our recommended Authorized Disney Travel Planners and the Advanced Dining Reservations System.

THE FINAL NOTE ON SAVING MONEY, TIME AND FRUSTRATION

The Disneyland Resort and Southern California are a travellers paradise with so many options for all types of holiday makers, but it can be extremely expensive, time consuming and frustrating for the first time visitor.

Disney Traveller is committed that all Aussie and New Zealand travellers are supplied with all the information, assistance and guidance required to have a memorable, cost effective holiday that everybody enjoys.

When traveling to The Disneyland Resort it is ESSENTIAL to be aware of the latest deals, offers and discounts being offered. Many deals can save you up to 40% of the rack rates for accommodation and offers such as free dining and ticket upgrades are also frequently offered.

Make sure that you subscribe to the Disney Traveller Blog today and bookmark our Disney Traveller Travel Information Page to be kept up to date on all available updates. This advice is essential, as many of these offers are not advertised in Australia / New Zealand and definitely will NOT be offered by our Australian / New Zealand travel wholesalers (such as the airlines) and many local travel agents.

If you want to save time, money and hassle when booking your next Disney vacation follow us on TWITTER and FACEBOOK to be informed as soon as discounts, offers and Disney travel news articles are released. All subscriptions to Disney Traveller are free and you can find all of our subscription options here.

Finally, please help us spread the word to other Australian / New Zealand travellers. Please spread the word through Facebook, twitter and email about our site and blog to your friends, family and work associates. Your support will allow us to help all International travellers save money, time and frustration during their next vacation to a Disney theme park or on a Disney cruise.

 

Our Free Guides For The Disneyland Resort Anaheim

The following links provide access to our popular free Disney Traveller travel guides for the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

These travel guides will assist Australian, New Zealand and all international travellers to access essential travel information that is required to research their holiday, save money, make a vacation booking, plan for their pending trip and most importantly enjoy their next vacation to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

• Our International Travellers Guide For The Disneyland Resort
• Our International Travellers Guide For The Disneyland Park
• Our international Travellers Guide For Disney’s California Adventure Park
• Our international Travellers Guide For Downtown Disney (Disneyland) Overview
• Our International Travellers Guide For Disneyland Resort Entertainment
• Our Australian / New Zealand Guide to Disneyland

How To Saving Money and Time & Hassle When Booking Your Next Disney Vacation Or Cruise

 

The  above  “Australia / New Zealand guide to The Disneyland Resort” is courtesy of the Disney Vacations Australia Web Site. Disney Vacations Australia keeps all Australian and New Zealand travellers up to date in regards to all applicable Disney Travel Information, Deals, Specials and Discounts.

Please  subscribe to Disney Vacations Australia by clinking this link.