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Disneyland Tickets

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Tips for Buying Tickets

Where to get the best deals on Disneyland tickets and where NOT to buy them.

Tips to Beat the Lines at Disneyland

Tips for Using Tickets

Once you’ve got them, you’ll want to know these tips to really get your money’s worth.


Tips for Using Your Disneyland Tickets

disneyland ticket tips

Remember these? They phased them out in 1982.

You know all about buying discount disneyland tickets. Now you’ll want to read these 12 tips for using them. Here you go!

1.  Disneyland tickets expire.

disneyland tickets expire

They expire 13 days after your first use.  So for example, don’t think you can go to Disneyland on June 1, go to Mexico for a couple weeks, then drive back up and use the rest of your Parkhopper on June 15.  You will be denied entry.  🙁  

They also expire in general, whether you have begun to use it or not.  Check your ticket for the date.  It may vary depending where you bought it.

2.  Magic Mornings: how to use them.

magic morning

“Magic Mornings” allow you to enter Disneyland Park before the park opens to the public.  What are Magic Mornings?

  • They are for people who have at least 3-Day ParkHoppers or CityPASSes
  • They are available for Disneyland on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday.
  • They are available for Disney California Adventure on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. 
  • You choose which park and which day to use it.
  • It gets you into a few specific parts of the park— not the entire park.  

3.  “Parkhopper” means you can hop between both parks.

With a “ParkHopper” ticket,  you can visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure both on the same day.  You can go back and forth between them as many times you want.  It’s fun to have this flexibility

However, if you want to save some money and don’t mind spending the whole day at one park, buy a 1-Park-Per-Day ticket.  On a typical 3-Day pass, you’ll save $40

4.  World of Color admission is included.

world of color

World of Color Admission is included with your Disneyland tickets.  What is it? Essentially it’s a water show with fire, fountains, lasers, music, and animated images. It takes place outdoors at Disney California Adventure Park on the lagoon (“Paradise Bay”).  Read more about World of Color and how to get the best seats to view it.

5.  Sharing tickets happens.

disneyland ticket tips

For the record, Disney’s eTicket Terms & Conditions state, “Tickets are nontransferable and must be used by the same person on any and all days.”

But between you and me, I hear one ticket can be used by different people. Just not on the same day. For example, say you’re going to Disneyland and have a friend in the area who wants to join you for a day. If one person in your family opts to stay home that day, your friend can use their ticket.

6.  You can upgrade your ticket after you’ve started using it.

boletos

For example, say you have a 3-day Park Hopper ticket and halfway into your trip, you decide that you would like to stay an extra day. Go to the Disneyland gate and upgrade to a 4-day ticket before it expires. You’ll pay only the difference in price between the 3 and 4-day ticket, instead of paying much more for a one-day ticket. Same if you want to upgrade to an Annual Pass!

7.  Lines 13, 20, or 21 move fastest at the Disneyland entrance.

line

I don’t know why.  They just do. See more tips to beat the lines.

8.  FastPasses will save you tons of time.

Fast pass

FastPass is a free ticket system within Disneyland that you will definitely want to use. 

9.  You probably won’t need ID for your kids.

disneyland tips

The fine print on the tickets says you’ll need government ID for every guest, but don’t stress if your kids don’t have passports. Generally Disneyland will let you vouch for your kids’ ages. Sometimes they may ask the children directly how old they are. Honor system people!

10.  What to do if you lose your Disneyland ticket.

Disneyland City Hall

Disney states they are not responsible for lost or stolen tickets.

However, they also say that if you forget your Disney’s eTicket, visit Guest Services at the Main Entrance Will Call window with the credit card used to purchase your tickets and a photo I.D. such as a driver’s license or passport. They may be able to re-issue your tickets.

11.  You can re-enter the park.

disneyland tickets

You’ll need a hand stamp AND your Parkhopper ticket for re-entry.

So if you leave Disneyland and plan to return later that day, don’t ditch your ticket in your hotel and expect your hand stamp to get you back in. (Now you’ll have it ready so you’re not one of those people digging in their bag, checking their pockets, searching for it, holding up the line.)

12.  Avoid lanyard ticket holders.

lanyard

You know, those ones that hang around your neck? They are notorious for snapping off and getting lost. Keep your tickets in a deep and/or zippered pocket instead.

Welcome!

Corn dog

I’m Kathy! I collect all the Disneyland tips in one place for your next trip so you can spend MORE time having fun, LESS time in line, and get the BEST deals. I live in California with my husband and labradoodle. My 2 sons in the photos here are now in college.