If you are planning a Disneyland 2026 trip, we have everything you need to know right here. This year is going to be quite a frogciting time to visit Disneyland Resort. We are talking ongoing major celebrations, an all-time favorite nighttime parade, a new World of Color show, seasonal events and more. Plus, the fan-favorite festivals are back, and they are even bigger and better than ever! The hard part is deciding the best time to make that Disneyland trip in 2026. Never fear — your froggy friends are here to help you plan the most amazing Disneyland vacation. Here's what you need to know about visiting Disneyland in 2026.
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FAQs
- When is the best time to visit Disneyland? That is a complicated question to answer, and everyone is looking for something different from their trip. If you want to visit for the 70th, we recommend the first half of the year. If you want the least crowded time, consult our Los Angeles Crowd Calendar. If festivals, holidays and full entertainment are important, seek guidance from our Disneyland events post.
- When is the cheapest time to visit Disneyland? If you want the cheapest days to visit, you may be sacrificing entertainment and full park hours while being stuck with limited options mid-week. But if you purchase discount multi-day tickets or promo tickets from Undercover Tourist, you'll pay less per day than the cheapest 1-Day tickets, even if you visit on the most popular days, because those tickets have no blockout dates. Plus, you get FREE $20 Dining Dollars promo codes with every ticket.
- When is the Disneyland 70th anniversary ending? The last day of the 70th celebration is Aug. 9, 2026. But some of the major nighttime entertainment was extended. The Paint the Night parade and Wondrous Journeys run at Disneyland through Aug. 20, 2026. world of COlor Happiness ends Aug. 9, but World of Color — One returns to Disney California Adventure August 10 through the Halloween season (on nights without an Oogie Boogie Bash).
- What are the latest park hopping changes? As of June 9, 2026, you no longer need to wait until 11 a.m. to park hop if you have a Park Hopper ticket or Magic Key pass! You still need to make a park reservation and enter your starting park, but then you will be able to park hop any time.
- What's happening at Disneyland this year? There's so much fun in store this year! Hop to this post for a full list of what's coming to Disneyland in 2026 and beyond, including returning fan-favorite festivals, new character appearances and more.
Planning a Disneyland Trip in 2026
You may notice a lot of links and cross-references to other posts in this post. That's because we have so much to share about every topic, tool and celebration that all the information won't fit in one place! We promise that reading up on each of the topics that interest you will help prepare you for your Disneyland trip and make visiting in 2026 so much easier for you.
We want to point out some of the new things that have come to Disneyland in recent years. If you have not had a chance to visit in a while, they'll still be new to you!
- Disneyland kicked off its 70th anniversary celebration May 16, 2025. It runs through Aug. 9, 2026. The celebration brought a new Walt Disney animatronic to the Main Street Opera House. Walt Disney – A Magical Life features a short film about Walt Disney's life, followed by a lifelike animatronic of him talking, walking and moving. It takes place in the afternoon, starting at 2 p.m., and Mr. Lincoln is back in the morning (until 1:30 p.m).
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure opened in November 2024, and the surrounding area has been reimagined into Bayou Country.
- Pixar Place Hotel had its grand opening in early 2024.
- The former Genie+ system has been renamed to Disney Lightning Lane Pass (though it still functions the same way!). There's also a new Lightning Lane Premier Pass option for people who want to skip the line but don't want to deal with the app or scheduling rides.
- Here's a look at everything that opened at Disneyland (and other SoCal parks) in 2025 that will be waiting for you during a 2026 visit!
Timeline of Major Disneyland Events for Your Disneyland 2026 Trip
We have two toadally hopful posts on What's Coming to Disneyland and the full list of Disneyland events. Our Best Times to Go to Disneyland post points out everything you need to know for each season, from entertainment and events to potentially shorter hours or after-hours parties. But let’s quickly look at the timeline for major official events, openings, times that major shows return from refurbishment and important details here (some of these events overlap) for 2026:
- Now through Aug. 9, 2026: Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration
- Jan. 21, 2026: Kids' Summer $50 Park Hopper ticket goes on sale (for summer 2026 visits)
- Feb. 6, 2026: Disney California Adventure celebrates 25 years with new outfits for Mickey and Minnie, Soarin' Over California and more
- March 22, 2026: Bluey's Best Day Ever! debuts in Disneyland Park, featuring Bluey and Bingo from "Bluey," and will continue through the rest of the year
- April 28 - June 1, 2026: Limited-time run of Hyperspace Mountain ride overlay of Space Mountain
- April 29, 2026: The timeline in Galaxy's Edge expands to include additional Star Wars eras. Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker have arrived on Black Spire Outpost, and you may notice a few other changes around Batuu.
- May 22, 2026: First day of new adventures in additional destinations with Mandalorian and Grogu on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and launch of Kids Rule Summer entertainment
- July 2, 2026: First day of Soarin' Across America
- July 3-5, 2026: Fourth of July fireworks
- July 17, 2026: Disneyland's 76th birthday
- Through Aug. 20, 2026: Paint the Night parade and Wondrous Journeys
- Aug. 10 through Halloween season: World of Color — One on select nights when DCA is open normal hours.
- Aug. 21 - Oct. 31, 2026: Halloween Time
- Nov. 18, 2026: Holiday Time begins (likely runs through the first week of January, but exact date TBD)
- 2027 (exact date TBD): Monsters Inc. closes to make way for a new Avatar Land. This year is your last chance to ride it.
There are many smaller events you can find in our events post (such as Dapper Day and Gay Days and Disneyland After Dark events), but these are the biggest festivals, celebrations, ticket deals and openings to celebrate during the remainder of this year.
What's Coming to Disneyland?
Looking ahead, we have some new rides under construction or in the works over the next few months and years:
- Disney California Adventure turns 25! Look for Mickey and Minnie in new outfits, the return of Soarin' Over California and special treats and merchandise commemorating the opening of the park, as well as the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Downtown Disney, for a limited time as of Feb. 6, 2026.
- Bluey's Best Day Ever! is a new show at the Fantasyland Theatre as of March 22, 2026. See Bluey, Bingo and friends as they bring Bluey episodes to life throughout the day.
- May 22, 2026 — On the same day as "The Mandalorian and Grogu" releases in theaters, you can go on a new mission featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. The Lucasfilm team uses Epic's Unreal Engine to create some of the virtual sets for "The Mandalorian" and the ride. You'll be able to fly with Mando and Grogu on thrilling and dangerous missions to new locations such as Bespin, Endor and Coruscant. This is the way!
- Soarin' Across America is making its debut in Disney California Adventure on July 2, 2026! The brand-new version of this ride will take guests over the beautiful natural beauty of the United States and its iconic cityscapes, all in celebration of the nation's 250th birthday. (Soarin' Over California runs Feb. 6 through June 30, 2026.)
- Avengers Campus has two new rides coming, but we do not have opening dates. Construction is underway for Avengers: Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab.
- An Avatar Land, with a new ride, is coming to Disney California Adventure. It's inspired by “Avatar: The Way of Water” as well as upcoming Avatar films. It brings Pandora to life in a brand-new way. Construction means the closure of Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! and construction in the Hollywood Backlot area. The ride closure has been pushed back to 2027.
- Construction begins in fall 2026 for the first-ever "Coco" ride at Disney California Adventure.
- New dining and retail options are coming to Downtown Disney, including Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby and lululemon.
- There are five Disneyland After Dark events in 2026. Our blog post has all the dates and ticket information. Keep in mind Disneyland Park closes at 8 p.m. to day guests on all party dates.
Our What's Coming to Disneyland post has all the details on these new rides and attractions.
A few locations are coming off extended refurbishments in 2026, as well:
- Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is updating and expanding its club lounge.
- The hotel itself is in the middle of a refresh in room design. Some rooms are already updated.
- Storytellers Cafe was refurbished in 2025.
- Napa Rose, home of the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures, reopened from an extensive refurbishment Feb. 6, 2026.
Always consult our Disneyland Refurbishments & Closings post when planning your trip.
Knowing the Disneyland calendar can help you pinpoint when to visit based on the entertainment and decorations in the park. Halloween Time kicks off late summer with Oogie Boogie Bash party nights as of mid-August 2026.
The "Wondrous Journeys" nighttime spectacular and the Paint the Night Parade are back in early 2026 through summer. Wondrous Journeys is a projection show midweek, with accompanying fireworks Friday through Sunday night, then nightly for periods such as spring break and summer. The World of Color Happiness! show runs through the entire 70th anniversary.
New Experiences and Experiences That Recently Returned
Let's take a look at some rides and experiences that recently returned to Disneyland that you may want to add to your 2026 Disneyland trip wish list:
- Fantasmic! (returned with some changes in 2024)
- New characters appear in Avengers Campus and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
- New character dining themed holiday or seasonal meals are at Goofy's Kitchen and Storytellers Cafe
- A new Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! show in Disney California Adventure (look for a Halloween version during Halloween Time!)
- Walt Disney — A Magical Life opened at the Main Street Opera House on July 17, 2025. You can see it after 2 p.m. Abraham Lincoln is back in the mornings.
- Many new restaurants have opened in Downtown Disney, including Din Tai Fung, Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita — and more to come in 2026!
- New shopping experiences have opened in Downtown Disney, including Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Sweets
- Disney's Pixar Place Hotel opened in January 2024 (and you can book for a discount through Undercover Tourist, including Club Level rooms)
- Disneyland Hotel Villas opened at Disneyland Resort, and you can also book those through Undercover Tourist to save even more on your stay
- Disneyland Hotel has a new High Key Club Lounge (for club-level rooms) and additional club-level rooms (which you can now book through Undercover Tourist)
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure opened with Bayou Country and a new restaurant — Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree — as of Nov. 15, 2024
- Haunted Mansion has a new queue with so many large and tiny details to look at!
- "it's a small world" got a third and final verse as of July 17, 2025. Plus, you can see new Miguel and Alebrije Dante dolls (from "Coco") in the Latin American room as of May 2025.
Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration
Running May 16, 2025, through Aug. 9, 2026, the Disneyland 70th brings a lot of new and popular returning entertainment to the parks. Here are a few big things hoppening during the 70th's final months:
- Wondrous Journeys projection show with fireworks on select nights through Aug. 20
- Paint the Night nighttime parade through Aug. 20 — check out our guide to the best Disneyland shows!
- New character outfits at Disneyland Park
- New World of Color Happiness! show at Disney California Adventure through Aug. 9 (Aug. 10 through Halloween is World of Color — One)
- Projection shows on "it's a small world" and Carthay Circle
- Celebrate Happy character cavalcade in Disneyland Park
- Special food, beverage and merchandise
- Additional attractions and exhibits, including Walt Disney — A Magical Life
Disneyland Crowds in 2026
No matter when you visit Disneyland, you are in for a truly magical time! Want to avoid crowds? Our Best Times to Visit Disneyland post and our Crowd Calendar help predict the most crowded and least crowded days to visit based on historical data. The busiest times are during holidays, school breaks and on the cheapest days to visit. That being said, summer is surprisingly less crowded than you'd think. The busier seasons tend to be early October, holidays and late winter/early spring, when there are a lot of festivals going on. August is one of the least crowded times to visit, and you get summer entertainment or sometimes even Halloween Time!
Tools to Skip the Lines and Avoid Crowds
Even if you can't avoid the crowds, we can help you feel less affected by them. Here are a few tools we think are worth using to manage your day. Many may seem new to you if you have not visited Disneyland in a few years, but they help you operate outside of the crowds and make it feel like a less-crowded day for you.
- Mobile Order — Skip the food lines by using the Disneyland app to order food with Mobile Order.
- Rope Drop or Staying Until Park Close — The shortest wait times of the day are in the first hour of park opening and the last two hours before the parks close. Take a break or have a long sit-down lunch midday so you can power through the evening hours. We offer rope drop strategies for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
- (New in 2026!) Free Lightning Lane — As of Jan. 5, 2026, checked-in Disneyland Resort hotel guests will get one Lightning Lane entry to a Lightning Lane Multi Pass attraction during their resort stay (replaces Early Entry).
- Park Itineraries — We have Disneyland park itineraries to help you navigate the parks and find the rides with the shortest wait times of the day. Knowing where to go first can save you time and help you get the most done.
- Virtual Queue — You can use the virtual queue (accessible within the Disneyland app) to access the viewing area for World of Color at noon (with valid park admission and a theme park reservation; guests must either have a Park Hopper ticket or a base ticket with admission to Disney California Adventure Park).
- Single Rider — A few rides allow guests ages 7 and up to skip the line by filling in empty seats. Parties will be split up.
- Dining Reservations or Walk-Up List — Make advance dining reservations up to 60 days in advance. If you can't get the reservation you want, try joining the walk-up list in the Disneyland app when you are in the restaurant's vicinity.
- Disney Genie — This free service in the Disneyland app can help you plan an itinerary that helps you find the shortest lines. Don't get Disney Genie confused with the paid Lightning Lane Multi Pass service. Genie can help people new to Disneyland decide where to go next or alert them to upcoming shows and parades they want to see. You can get started in planning your day under "My Day" in the Disneyland app.
Add-on Tools for a Fee
Then, there are a few services and tools available that come with a price.
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass — You can purchase a ticket with Lightning Lane Multi Pass (recommended) or purchase the service after entering a theme park each day. (It can sell out on busy days.) You get to access the Lightning Lane and skip the standard queue for select rides. You'll make ride selections through the Disneyland app. Our Lightning Lane Multi Pass tips and tricks post has more details. Lightning Lane Multi Pass purchased same-day is on a variable pricing schedule, but you can save by purchasing tickets with Lightning Lane Multi Pass already included through Undercover Tourist. As of Jan. 5, 2026, Disneyland hotel guests can get one included Lightning Lane entry to a Lightning Lane Multi Pass attraction during their resort stay.
- Lightning Lane Single Pass — A few premium rides (such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Springs Racers) in each park also have a Lightning Lane but are not included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass. You can skip the free standby line for these by paying for them individually. Our Lightning Lane Multi Pass FAQ post has more details on Lightning Lane Single Pass.
- Lightning Lane Premier Pass — The new Lightning Lane Premier Pass includes one-time access to all the Single Pass and Multi Pass rides. You do not have to schedule them. It does come at a higher cost (up to $449) per person per day.
- Dining Packages — You can purchase dining packages that include reserved spots for parades and shows. Some of them are really hopful in terms of saving time and stress. We break down the pros and cons and discuss which ones we think are toadally worth it in our dining packages post.
- MagicBand+ — Disney World fans may be used to this wearable technology, but MagicBands are still fairly new at Disneyland. You can link a MagicBand+ to your Disneyland ticket and simply tap it to enter the park, enter a Lightning Lane and get your PhotoPass photos from a photographer. The bands also interact with some rides, shows and park locations to enhance your experience. You can even use a MagicBand+ to hunt for bounty in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Save time and your phone battery by using a MagicBand. Note: The sale of MagicBands is being phased out at Disneyland, but if you have one, you can still use it.
- Disneyland Tours — Some Disneyland tours include some skip-the-line Lightning Lane access to select attractions and maybe even a reserved place to watch a parade or fireworks.
Theme Park Reservations and Park Hopping
You still need a theme park reservation for your Disneyland trip in 2026. Disneyland remains high in demand, but reservations are limited. That means reservations can fill up in advance for popular times. Plan ahead, but keep in mind that the reservation calendar can change. So if you have your heart set on a date, just keep checking in case something opens up.
As of June 9, 2026, park hopping is allowed as early as park opening, after you enter your first park (reservation still needed), instead of having to wait until 11 a.m. Through June 8, 2026, you can only hop back and forth after 11 a.m.
Lock in a good Disneyland ticket deal well before your visit and then use it to reserve your dates once they become available. You can book up to 240 days in advance, but you can purchase tickets from Undercover Tourist well before that. When purchasing a multi-day Disneyland ticket, you might want to add an extra day to your Disneyland visit this year, because all these events and celebrations and new experiences are just the icing on the cake. (The cake is all the great rides and shows that are already part of a normal day at Disneyland!) You'll want to allow enough time to see and do it all.
We normally recommend at least three days to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, but we are upping that to recommending four days in 2026 if you want to enjoy all of the entertainment and rides. So much is hoppening!
Early Closures and After Dark Events in 2026
Disneyland is open pretty late most days of the year. However, there are occasional times that the park closes earlier than usual for Disneyland After Dark parties or private events. Some early closures we know in advance, while others we do not see until the hours are posted up to six weeks in advance. That’s why you always want to double-check the park hours as your visit approaches, in case you want to switch your days around or switch park reservations to the park that is open later. Here are times we know you may encounter early closing hours in 2026:
- Pride Nite — Disneyland Park closes at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16 and Thursday, June 18
- Grad Nites — Disney California Adventure closes at 9 p.m. on these dates: May 20, 21, 28, 29 & 31 and June 3, 5, 7, 10 & 12
- Oogie Boogie Bash (DCA) — Watch out for early closing hours on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Halloween (plus a few Saturdays) during Halloween Time in August, September and October at Disney California Adventure (select nights from Aug. 18 to Oct. 31, 2026).
Keep in mind that some of these days that close early can see low crowds in the morning, as people may avoid visiting that park that day. The park with early closing hours can be a great place to start your day when you have a park hopper ticket.
Sometimes there are shorter park hours in the fall (especially the week leading up to Holiday Time) or in January, so be aware of that, and keep checking the park hours as your visit approaches.
Planning for Disneyland Weather
One thing to consider when planning a Disneyland trip is the weather. Luckily, we have a whole month-by-month guide to Disneyland weather. You could encounter rain in the winter months and very hot days in late summer. But for the most part, SoCal has a sunny, dry climate. Be sure to check the weather report as your visit draws near to find out if you need an umbrella, a sweatshirt or shorts. Layers are always in fashion at Disneyland, with a sweatshirt for morning and night, and short sleeves (or thin, long sleeves) during the day.
Tips for Planning a Disneyland Trip
Here's what you can do to best prepare for your Disneyland 2026 trip:
- Determine when to visit and how many days to spend in the parks. For multi-day trips, plan a rest day in the middle if you can. Spend it at the beach, pool or doing hotel character dining.
- Buy tickets and book a hotel room in advance.
- Make theme park reservations up to 240 days in advance. Note that park-hopping time restrictions are getting rolled back starting June 9, 2026, but you still need a reservation for your first park.
- Make dining reservations up to 60 days in advance.
- Check the entertainment calendar a few weeks to a few days in advance to plan out your must-see shows (and check park hours at that time too).
- Keep an eye out for early closures or special events you want to attend and may need to purchase separate tickets for.
- Check out our park plans to plot out when to ride your must-do rides.
- Read up on any festival guides, foodie guides and virtual queues if applicable.
- Look at the weather forecast a few days before your trip to plan when to pack (layers are always a good idea).
- Arrive early to the theme parks, take a break midday if you can (book a lunch table-service reservation and see a show if you can't leave the park) and stay late!
- Research where to stay at Disneyland.
Do you have any other questions about planning a Disneyland trip in 2026? Please drop them in the comments section below.
Related: The Best Times to Visit Disneyland
Related: Full ~Frogtastic~ Guide to Disneyland Events
Hoppy planning!
