How To Prepare For Your First Trip Back To Disneyland

Excited to get back into the parks? A churro calling your name? Can’t wait for the parades, character greets, attractions, and the sights and smells as you walk down Main Street U.S.A? Me too! But first, let’s dive into how to prepare for your trip back to Disneyland and what you need to know before planning your trip.

Ticket Sales and Reservations

Disney has announced that the reservation system for both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure park will launch on April 12, no earlier than 8AM PT. In order to enter either park you must have a valid reservation and ticket. A ticket is required to make a reservation.

Guests who already have valid tickets may check for available dates as early as April 9, but cannot make a reservation until April 12. Guests who currently do not have a valid ticket will have to wait to make a reservation until tickets go on sale April 15. Tickets are currently only available for California residents. Proof of California residency may also be required. 

Information on Disney ticket pricing has recently been released and is based on a five tier ticket system starting at $104 for an adult ticket. Both ticket sales and reservations can be made on the Disneyland website.

What About Legacy Passholders?

What does this mean for Legacy Passholders, formerly known as Annual Passholders? The Disney Annual Passholder program was discontinued back in January. Legacy Passholders have still been able to enjoy a few perks while the parks were closed. Legacy Passholders have been able to get discounts on select food and merchandise, as well as special buttons and magnets at the sold out A Touch of Disney event which was held at Disney California’s Adventure park. Unfortunately the discount is set to expire on April 30, 2021, the same day the parks are scheduled to reopen.

Former passholders no longer have valid tickets or access to the parks through the passholder program. Many former passholders will have to purchase tickets beginning April 15, along with most other California residents who currently do not have valid tickets. Legacy Passholders, such as myself, are still anxiously awaiting details of what a new passholder program may look like.

FASTPASS and Disney MaxPass

As of now, the Disneyland theme parks doe not plan on having the FASTPASS and Disney MaxPass services available for purchase or use during the reopening. We will be sure to keep you updated on this as new information becomes available.

Rides and Attractions

As we await with much anticipation for the theme parks reopening and to hop on our favorite rides yet again, it is important to remember that not all rides, experiences and attractions will be available when the parks reopen. Disneyland also has currently suspended parades and shows, such as night-time spectaculars and events. This is to avoid large crowds as they phase into the reopening of the parks and follow current CDC guidelines.

Character meet and greets will also be temporarily unavailable during this time. Although a hug from our favorite character may not be able to happen, they will still be in the parks to entertain and for guests to enjoy.

Here’s a list of the rides and attractions that are scheduled to be open at Disneyland and California Adventure:

Disneyland

• Alice in Wonderland
• Astro Orbitor
• Autopia
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Casey Jr. Circus Train
• Disneyland Railroad
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Gadget’s Go Coaster
• Haunted Mansion
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• “it’s a small world”
• King Arthur Carrousel
• Mad Tea Party
• Main Street Vehicles
• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
• Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – will utilize virtual queue
• Surprise Character Sightings
• Tarzan’s Treehouse
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

California Adventure

• Games of Pixar Pier
• Goofy’s Sky School
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Incredicoaster
• Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
• Jessie’s Critter Carousel
• Jumpin’ Jellyfish
• Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• Pixar Pal-A-Round – Non-Swinging
• Pixar Pal-A-Round – Swinging
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Silly Symphony Swings
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Surprise Character Sightings
• The Little Mermaid Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Toy Story Midway Mania!
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Safety Measures

Of course there will also be several safety measures the park will be taking to ensure guests’ safety. These will be very similar to what we’ve seen at the Walt Disney World Resort. Guests will need to adhere to the following safety rules while at the parks and Downtown Disney.

Face Masks

Face Masks will be required to be worn at all times for all guests ages 2 and up. Masks can be removed only when eating or drinking while stationary in a designated area or while swimming.

Temperature Checks

Guests will be required to have their temperature screened upon entering the Disney Parks and Downtown Disney. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 F or more will not be allowed entry and neither will their party.

Social Distancing

Throughout Disneyland, California Adventure and Downtown Disney guests will be expected to maintain appropriate distancing from other guests. 

Due to the year long closure of the parks, restrictions and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a trip to the parks may look and feel different than before. But there will still be plenty of opportunities for magical moments and memories to be made during the historic reopening of the Disneyland theme parks.

Will you be returning to the parks right away? Do you currently have valid tickets? What are you most looking forward to  when the Disneyland gates finally open on April 30, 2021? Let us know in the comments below.

Written by

Brittney Malina

Contributing Writer

Brittney has been going to Disneyland since she was 3 years old. She has had a deep love for all things Disney ever since. Now as a wife and mother of two, she gets to share the love with her family and re-live the Disney magic through her children’s eyes. Brittney is a Legacy Passholder and you can find her walking down Main Street, U.S.A. with a churro or iced coffee in hand.