Know Before You Go: Ways to Navigate Disneyland® Resort

This year, Disneyland® offers fantastic experiences that showcase Disney's legacy of fun and magic. Kicking off its 70th Anniversary festivities, the Happiest Place on Earth is absolutely your must-visit theme park in 2025. If this is your first time exploring Disneyland®, you might be curious as to how people navigate the parks.

Disneyland® Resort is a massive property with multiple rides and attractions inside. True enough, navigating throughout the parks is a lot more difficult for first-timers. So, to help you fully enjoy your Disneyland® vacation, this ultimate guide is for you. We will highlight some of the unmissable spots in the resort, teach you the easiest ways to travel to Disneyland®, and help you get around the parks. Of course, we will also share with you some tips to maximize your visit.

Ready to navigate to Disneyland® with us? Let's go, FunExplorers!

Ways to go to Disneyland® Resort

There are many ways to travel to Disneyland® Resort. Here are four of the easiest ways to get to the Happiest Place on Earth.

Via car

You can absolutely drive your car to Disneyland®. If you are a first-timer, make sure to download and use the Disneyland® App to get driving directions as well as parking arrangements. If you don't have your own vehicle, renting a car is also an easy way to get to Disneyland®.

For those who want to enjoy a more hassle-free car ride to the resort, ridesharing services like Lyft or Uber are also available.

Via public transportation

Disneyland® Resort is accessible via bus. Take the Metro Rail Green Line, which will transfer you to the Metro Express Line 460 bus.

If you are coming from LAX, the "G" bus/shuttle will take you to the Aviation Station. You will then proceed to the west end of the platform, where you can board the Metro Rail Green Line. Upon arrival at the Norwalk Station, you can board the Metro Express Line 460 bus headed to the Disneyland® Resort.

Trains

For faster wait times, you can also utilize the train systems to Disneyland®. Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® and Metrolink are the most commonly used train systems of Disneyland® visitors. With The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) as their arrival point, train trips approximately take 30 minutes.

Via plane

Visitors based in faraway cities and states travel to Disneyland® Resort via plane. Here are some of the closest airports to Disneyland®:

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

• John Wayne Airport (SNA)

• Long Beach Airport (LGB)

• Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)

• Ontario International Airport (ONT)

• San Diego International Airport (SAN)

Park hours

Disneyland® Resort operating hours vary per park. Disneyland® Park typically operates from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM, while Disney California Adventure® Park is open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Note that there are sections of the park that may close earlier, especially during off-peak seasons. Download the official Disneyland® mobile app for updates and changes in park operations, events, and more.

We also recommend coming to the resort earlier during peak seasons to enjoy faster wait times and avoid long lines.

What's in Disneyland® Resort?

Disneyland® Park

This is the first theme park opened by the Walt Disney Company. Disneyland® Park offers plenty of unique, fun, and thrilling activities for all ages. Here are the top rides and attractions you should not miss when visiting Disneyland® Park:

• Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway at Mickey's Toontown

• Pirates of the Caribbean at New Orleans Square

• Millennium Falcon at Smuggler's Run at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

• Haunted Mansion at Smuggler's Square

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Frontierland

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant at Fantasyland

• Goofy's How-to-Play Yard at Mickey's Toontown

Disneyland® Park also features impressive fireworks displays and colorful parades of beloved Disney characters. Paint the Night is one of the most exciting and vibrant parades in honor of Disneyland®'s 70th Anniversary—don't miss it!

Disney California Adventure® Park

For those seeking more thrills and themed rides, Disney California Adventure® Park is the place to be. Get ready for big drops and loud, exhilarating adventures at the following rides and attractions:

• Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! at Avengers Campus

• Incredicoaster at Pixar Pier

• Grizzly River Run at Grizzly Peak

• Jessie's Critter Carousel at Pixar Pier

• Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at Cars Land

• Radiator Springs Racers at Cars Land

• Matterhorn Bobsleds at Fantasyland

Disney California Adventure® Park also hosts some of the best shows and parades in Disney Parks, including World of Color Happiness!, Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration, and the Frightfully Fun Parade.

Hotels

Planning to go all-out for your Disneyland® vacation? Disneyland® Resort also houses three hotels that offer elevated levels of comfort and exquisite dining to guests:

• Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

• Disneyland® Hotel

• Pixar Place Hotel

Please note that hotel reservations require separate fees and are not included in your Disneyland® tickets.

Dining spots

Disneyland® Resort parks are not just known for their popular rides. The Happiest Place on Earth is also a foodie haven, with lots of iconic food items and restaurants to try! Take the most delicious breaks at these top restaurants and snack bars in Disneyland®.

• Paseo at Downtown Disney

• Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure® Park

• Napa Rose at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

• Lamplight Lounge at Disney California Adventure® Park

• Blue Bayou Restaurant at New Orleans Square

• Centrico at Downtown Disney

Most of these restaurants are located within walking distance of your favorite rides and attractions. For iconic Disney food items, don't forget to try the refreshing Dole Whip, Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Sandwiches, and the famous Churros!

Getting around Disneyland® parks and attractions

As we mentioned earlier, Disneyland® Resort is massive, and getting around the parks can be a bit challenging. But don't sweat, because there are plenty of available ways to go to your favorite spots at the resort.

Walking

Make sure to wear soft, cushioned footwear if you wish to stroll around Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure®. There are lots of walking paths connecting parks, hotels, and Downtown Disney District. All you need is a comfortable pair of shoes, and you're good to go!

Disneyland® Railroad

An 18-minute scenic train ride around Disneyland® Park. The Disneyland® Railroad has multiple stops, including Main Street, U.S.A., New Orleans Square, Tomorrowland, and more. The best part? This relaxing ride is already included in your park admission.

Trams

These iconic (and free) trams operate between the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures. You can also spot them at the entrance to Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park.

Monorail

Another scenic journey at the Disneyland® Resort, the monorail provides a convenient trip directly into the Tomorrowland area of Disneyland® Park. While on the ride, you can enjoy captivating views of Fantasyland in Disneyland® Park, as well as Hollywood Land, Buena Vista Street, and Grizzly Peak Airfield in Disney California Adventure® Park.

Tips to maximize your Disneyland® getaway.

Purchase your Disneyland® tickets early.

When we say early, we mean in advance. Securing your Disneyland® tickets and park reservations ahead of time, and most specifically during the off-peak season, helps you score cheaper tickets and encounter fewer crowds.

Know the best time to visit Disneyland® for the most fun and magical Disney getaway.

Get those ticket add-ons!

We know how waiting in line can be frustrating. Especially if you are in a queue at your favorite rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, where guests are used to waiting in long lines. To skip the long lines, get the Lightning Lane Multi Pass. This type of pass allows you to avoid long wait times and enjoy your favorite rides and attractions without breaking a sweat.

If you wish to spend just a maximum of two days at the resort, we suggest you purchase a Park Hopper ticket. This ticket option allows guests to move freely between the parks and make the most of their Disneyland® adventure.

Utilize single rider services.

Select Disneyland® rides offer single rider lines to reduce wait times. This is perfect for solo Disney explorers and even groups who don't mind splitting up, embarking on select attractions individually.

Craft a personal itinerary.

Having your own itinerary can help you prioritize your favorite rides and attractions around the Disney parks. It will help you maximize your time for your preferred experiences and even have extra hours for new attractions to explore.

Download the official Disneyland® app.

Have an easy-peasy way to get around Disneyland® Resort by downloading the official Disneyland® app. With its oh-so-helpful features, you can definitely access Disney's fun and magic through your fingertips. With your phone as your travel buddy, you can do the following:

• Place mobile orders and check dining reservations

• Contactless payment, purchases, and ticket and passes linking

• Access show times, park hours, and more.

First time at Disneyland®? Get ready to unlock magical moments.

The Happiest Place on Earth's 70th Anniversary festivities are on a roll. Unlock colorful memories with your favorite people this year; head over to Disneyland® Resort and celebrate seven decades of fun and magic. We hope that this guide can help you navigate Disneyland® and enjoy everything the resort has to offer.

Get your discount Disneyland® tickets today for Disney-mazing deals and unlock the most magical moments. See you at Disneyland®, FunExplorers!