Disneyland© Resort in California is a truly magical place, a bucket list destination for many, and an investment to visit which is why buying discount Disneyland tickets is important.

I list reliable Disney ticket discounts, special offers, and top deals here so that you can save money and don’t have to search the internet for promo codes and coupons that don’t work.

I’m a Disney Travel Agent who helps people plan vacations to Disney theme parks. I will also walk you through the five things you need to decide to choose the right tickets, what to be aware of before you buy, and where to find the cheap Disneyland tickets that are best for your situation. If you make purchases through the links in this post, I may be compensated.

You all probably read that Disneyland just increased its prices today. You can still secure 2021 prices on 2022 tickets through authorized sellers for a very limited time — while supplies last.

What to Know About Disneyland Tickets Now

There are helpful tips in this section, but you can jump to where to look for Disneyland tickets discounts.

There is even more to know now before you buy Disneyland tickets.

Expect Enhanced Health and Safety Measures

The parks will have enhanced health and safety measures in place that you agree to abide by when purchasing admission.

Face coverings for ages 2 and older are required for all guests in indoor spaces, including some rides and attractions, except when eating or drinking. Face coverings remain optional outdoors.

Certain attractions and offerings are modified. Character greetings are from a distance. Expect some rides and attractions to be closed. We’ve been since the reopening so read my updated Disneyland tips.

Reservations Are Required — IT’s Easy to Check Dates Before You Buy

Check availability for your preferred date before buying tickets. You can check dates here (this link will open in a new window so that you can have it ready for when you look at cheaper ticket options below).

After purchasing Disneyland discount tickets, you will need to link the tickets to your Disney account for access to the reservation system. You can link your tickets online.

1-Day Tickets Are Almost Never Discounted

It’s very rare to find discounted 1-Day Disneyland tickets. Usually, the best place to buy a 1-Day ticket is directly through Disneyland Resort. Teachers, students, military, and a few other groups may be eligible for discount 1-Day passes through various organizations.

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Super steep discounts on authentic Disneyland Resort tickets do not exist, especially on 1-Day passes.

Kids Ages 2 and Under Are Free

You do not need to purchase tickets for children ages 0-2 (they also do not need reservations). Children ages 3–9 need a child ticket, while ages 10 and older require an adult ticket.

Be Aware Of Terms and Conditions

Read all terms and conditions before purchasing any Disneyland tickets. Check expiration dates, refund and transfer policies, and how you’ll receive the theme park tickets after you buy them. For example, will you need to pick them up at the Disneyland ticket booths (currently not possible), can go straight to the gate, or will they be snail mailed?

Use These Five Questions to Find the Right Ticket

Already know which ticket to buy? Jump to cheaper Disneyland ticket options.

A printed Disney California ticket held up against the Main Street U.S.A. train station facade.
A paper ticket I received after my e-ticket was scanned at the park entrance on my mobile device.

Several decisions are necessary to make before buying Disneyland tickets, especially if it’s your first time in these West coast theme parks.

Tickets are now categorized into three tiers: peak, regular, and value. Disneyland value dates are the least expensive, so it is wise to choose these if possible. However, many guests can’t be flexible with dates, and that is okay. Admission is more expensive on peak days than value days.

Disneyland Resort is home to two theme parks: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. While it’s possible to see both theme parks in one day, it’s rushed, but it can be done. At least two days is best if you can swing it, to enjoy one park fully each day.

You can choose 1-Day tickets, or multi-day ticket options include 2-Day, 3-Day, 4-Day, or 5-Day. Tickets for 3 days and longer if bought through certain authorized sellers used to include Magic Morning.

Magic Morning allowed ticket holders early entry to Disneyland Park one hour before the park opens to the general public. Magic Morning is temporarily on pause.

A sign for Extra Magic Hour and Magic Morning, a perk of some 3-day or longer Disneyland California tickets.
A sign for Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hour at Disneyland in California.

Park Hopper tickets provide entrance to both parks on the same day. Currently, Park Hopper hours start at 1 p.m. and end at closing time. When you make a reservation to use Park Hopper tickets, you’ll choose your starting park.

Which virtual queue you wish to join determines which park you should choose to enter first. The park you enter first gives you two shots at reservations at 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. for the virtual queue ride in that park. You will only be able to use the noontime slot for virtual queue attempts in the second park.

I recommend making your first park Disneyland if you would like two chances for Rise of the Resistance reservations. Make your first park Disney California Adventure if you prefer two chances for WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure.

The park entrances are next to each other, so it doesn’t take long to walk from one to the other. This makes park hopping a breeze.

Here is some length of stay advice. If all you have is one day and there are rides and attractions you’d like to experience at both parks, buy a 1-Day Park Hopper. If you are staying for two days, a 2-Day 1-Park Per Day ticket will allow you to spend a full day in each park. Those of you on longer visits, can either visit one park per day or bounce between them to re-ride favorite rides on a whim for the entire ticket duration.

If you buy a 1-Park Per Day ticket and decide to upgrade it to a Park Hopper, you can do this at the park. Also, multi-day tickets do not need to be used on consecutive days, but they do expire if not used fully within 13 days of first use (be sure to read all terms and conditions).

Disney MaxPass allowed pass holders to make Disney FASTPASS selections, for entry into shorter ride queues, through the Disneyland app on a mobile device. Both MaxPass and FASTPASS have been retired.

Instead, the new Disney Genie app will be available to guests in fall 2021. It will be free to download and will help guests navigate their way through the park with recommended itineraries to help you map out your day.

Then, there’s the paid Disney Genie+ Service. You can pay $20 per day per ticket to choose the next available time to arrive at attractions and rides using the new Lightning Lane entrance. You can hold one selection at a time. This is similar to how the old MaxPass worked.

You’ll also be able to pay for Individual Attraction Selections where you can schedule a time to arrive at up to two popular attractions each day using the Lightning Lane entrance. Pricing isn’t yet announced.

So, you’ll want to think about how to navigate both parks without the ability to skip lines. Do you park hop to find the shortest lines or do you try to tackle lines in one park each day?

And, you’ll want to consider whether you’ll upgrade your ticket to include Disney Genie+ or Individual Attraction Selections when they become available.

Now that you know what ticket type you need, you have one final decision. Which reliable method for buying cheap tickets for Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park should you use? You’ll have that answer after reading through my options.

Make sure that you are buying Disneyland tickets from a Disneyland Authorized Ticket Seller. This is the number one most important rule. Tickets to “The Happiest Place on Earth” are an investment. Like many high-value goods, they can be subject to counterfeiting and unfair pricing. Also, do not ever buy a partially used pass, “rent” a pass, or go shopping for discounted tickets at places like Craigslist or eBay.

1. Discounted Park Hopper and 1-Park Per Day Tickets – LIMITED TIME OFFER

Act now to secure tickets at 2021 prices for 2022 and beyond. The expiry date on these tickets is 1/12/23.

A banner showcasing the 2021 ticket deal.

I work with aRes Travel, a San Diego based, Disneyland Authorized Ticket Seller where you can purchase discounted tickets without a membership or belonging to a special group. They often have the best prices when it comes to discount tickets on theme parks across the United States.

aRes Travel is also known for excellent customer service as they have agents that you can call. Tickets are delivered electronically seconds after your purchase. This means you can go straight to the gate with an e-ticket or printed ticket (your choice) and skip the ticket booth.

(Normally, all 3-Day, 4-Day, and 5-Day tickets purchased through them include one-day access to Magic Morning, which is temporarily not available.)

There is a $2 convenience fee per ticket, but you will still likely come out ahead with their cheap ticket prices.

PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING

You do not need to select a start date when you purchase these tickets. Here’s how it works.

  1. Check park reservation availability.
  2. Buy your aRes Travel Disneyland tickets.
  3. Link your aRes Travel ticket to your Disney Account. You can do this after signing into the Disneyland app or by visiting StartYourDisneylandExperience.com.
  4. Create your party.
  5. Choose your date and theme park. (If using Park Hopper tickets, choose the first theme park you’d like to visit.)
  6. Confirm your reservation.

That’s it! Most tickets expire 13 days after first use or January 12, 2022, whichever occurs first.

2. Disneyland California Resident Tickets

California residents can visit Disneyland at a discounted price during certain dates of the year. The promotion for 2021 Disneyland California resident tickets just ended.

Disney also offered California resident tickets at the beginning of 2020, before the parks closed. The deadline to use these has been extended to December 16, 2021. Some blockout dates apply that include November 28-17, 2021.

Southern California residents can save by purchasing certain annual passes which I have outlined in detail below.

3. Discount Combo Tickets with Nearby Theme Parks

Save even more by bundling already cheap Disneyland tickets with tickets to theme parks in Los Angeles and Orange County.

FUN FACT

Did you know that Knott’s Berry Farm is only 20 minutes (without traffic) from Disneyland?

4. Magic Key — New Annual Pass Program!

Finally! Disneyland annual passes have been rebranded and reconfigured. Formerly called Annual Passports, the new Magic Key passes are available. Guests may choose from four tiers.

No matter the tier, passholders will be required to make reservations to visit Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Only a certain number of reservations can be held at one time. And, what that number is depends on the pass type (and there are strict no-show rules you will not want to violate).

Be sure to read all of the terms and conditions of the new annual pass program before purchasing (especially blockout dates), but here are a couple of highlights per pass.

Dream Key

Price: $1399 ($102/month for 12 months after $179 one-time payment for California residents)

  • Up to six park reservations can be held at a time
  • 20% off select merchandise
  • 15% offf select food & beverage
  • Theme park parking included
  • No blockout dates. See the access calendar.

Believe Key

Price: $949 ($65/month for 12 months after a $179 one-time payment for California residents)

  • Up to six park reservations can be held at a time
  • 10% off select merchandise
  • 10% off select food and beverage
  • 50% off theme park parking
  • Blockout dates include peak weekends and holidays (all of winter break, for example). See the access calendar.

Enchant Key

Price: $649 ($40/month for 12 months after a $179 one-time payment for California residents)

  • Up to 4 park reservations can be held at a time
  • 10% off select merchandise
  • 10% off select food and beverage
  • Blockout dates include most weekends, most summer dates, and holidays (all of winter break, for example). See the access calendar.

Imagine Key

This annual pass is only available to Southern California residents in zip codes 90000–93599.

Price: $399 (19/month after a one-time $179 payment to Southern California residents)

  • Up to 2 park reservations can be held at a time
  • 10% off select merchandise
  • 10% off select food and beverage
  • Blockout dates include most weekends, Fridays, most summer dates, and holidays (all of winter break, for example). See the access calendar.

5. Book a Disneyland Vacation Package

It’s also possible to save even more money by bundling your hotel with discount Disneyland tickets in a vacation package. There are many excellent hotels near Disneyland to choose from, including the Good Neighbor Hotels that are Disney-approved.

Not only will you save money on your hotel and admission, but you’ll also receive a three- or five-day Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) unlimited use pass so that you can get around the Disneyland Resort and nearby Anaheim area for free.

Look for PRICE DROP alerts when you browse the packages below!

SHOP VACATION PACKAGES

6. AAA Disneyland Tickets

Disneyland Resort offers slight special discounts to AAA members on 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, and 5-day tickets. Ticket prices offered by others methods on this list might be more advantageous.

7. Military Discounts

There are several substantial, special Disneyland tickets with military discounts for active and retired U.S. military personnel. The current offer is for 3-day and 4-day tickets and they do not include Magic Morning. You can also check your U.S. military base ticket office as what they offer might be less than what you can buy directly through Disneyland.

8. Costco Disneyland Tickets

The cheap Disneyland tickets Costco sells aren’t available anymore when shopping online or in stores. Instead, they offer Disney vacation packages.

9. Group Ticket Discounts

Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park offer discounts for groups of 15 or more from qualified nonprofit organizations. You’ll need to call to secure the discount.

10. Disneyland Student Discounts

College students can check with their Student Union to see if there are Disneyland tickets discounts available to them. Sometimes college students, depending on the university, can receive small savings on one day Disneyland tickets.

The Disney Imagination Campus Program also offers discounts for groups of kids ages 3-22 tied to themed educational programming. Although the park has reopened, the performing arts workshops and performance experiences are expected to return in late fall of 2021.

We have done this with my daughter’s Girl Scout troop. The kids spent about three hours behind the scenes with Disney chefs learning about the culinary side of Disney California Adventure. They then spent the rest of the day enjoying rides and attractions as if they had a 1-Day 1-Park Per Day ticket. Parent chaperones also received a Disneyland tickets discount but did not need to attend the class.

11. Teacher Discounts

It’s worth checking your state’s education association to see if park discounts and cheaper tickets are available to you. These tend to come and go.

The California Teacher’s Association, for example, will occasionally offer Disneyland ticket deals for its members.

12. Credit Card Rewards Programs

Every once in a while, major credit card companies like Chase offer cardholders the ability to use Ultimate Rewards points to purchase Disneyland tickets and vacations.

As a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder, I can tell you that this offer hasn’t been available in some time. The same goes for American Express Platinum, another of my favorite travel credit cards.

However, frequent visitors to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort may want to consider a Disney Premier Visa Card. Cardholders earn Disney Rewards with purchases that can be redeemed for Disneyland tickets and vacation packages. Be sure to read the terms and conditions to understand how to earn and redeem points for Disney offers.

Special Disneyland Resort Experiences: Upgrades & Holidays

Guests take photos in front of the Millennium Falcon inside of Disneyland's Star Wars: A Galaxy's Edge.
Millennium Falcon at Star Wars: A Galaxy’s Edge inside Disneyland Park.

VIP Packages

For those looking for a VIP experience, Disneyland Resort now offers various packages that include a concierge to plan park itineraries, priority ride access, reserved seating, and more.

Holiday Celebrations

One of the best times to visit Disneyland Resort is during the holiday season, including Halloween. Several rides including the Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise take on a Christmas or Halloween theme, special treats become available throughout the Disney parks, and much more.

Extra Magic Hour – Temporarily Unavailable

If staying overnight in Anaheim on a Disneyland vacation, I am a big advocate of choosing a Disneyland Resort hotel.

One of the main reasons is Extra Magic Hour. Registered guests of the Disneyland Resort hotels enter Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park one full hour before the parks open to the general public on select days.

See also: Theme Park Luxe: Disney’s Grand California Resort and Spa

This means that if you’re staying one night, you’ll get to enjoy Extra Magic Hour on the day you check-in and the day that you check out. Select rides, dining, and attractions in one park per day are open for Extra Magic Hour.

I do advise checking the calendar in advance of booking a hotel so that you know which park is open early on which day. Star Wars: A Galaxy’s Edge is not available for Extra Magic Hour, but again, you’ll already be in the park when it opens to the public so will have a head start on other guests.

See also: 10 Reasons to Visit Disneyland Resort During the Holidays

Tips for Disneyland Parking

There are various parking options for guests visiting Disneyland Resort, all detailed on the Disneyland website. At the time of this writing, the fee for self-parking a standard car for the day is $25, and preferred parking (closer to the elevators and escalators) for a standard car is $40.

You can upgrade pre-purchased parking at a parking lot toll booth for an extra $15 if you change your mind and would like preferred parking.

What to Expect at Disneyland Now

The information below is already covered above, based on state requirements, on the Disneyland Resort website, and similar to health and safety measures in place at Walt Disney World. They are worth going over again so that you are fully aware of what to expect.

  • Face coverings must be work by everyone ages 2 and above in indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status.
  • Reservations are required even if you purchase Magic Key annual passes. This helps the parks monitor and limit theme park capacity. It’s easy to make reservations through Disneyland whether you purchase admission with them or through an authorized seller.
  • Offerings are temporarily modified. Select attractions, experiences, services, entertainment, and amenities will be closed or modified to monitor capacity. Parades and large gathering events are temporarily unavailable.
  • Character greetings are from a distance.
  • Guests are encouraged to forego cash and use contactless payment methods such as Apple Pay or credit cards.
  • You can read more about what to expect during your visit.

FAQs About Disneyland Tickets

These are the questions about discount Disneyland tickets and park happenings that land in my inbox the most.

When is Disneyland reopening?

Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park reopened on April 30, 2021 to California residents only. Out-of-state residents are also now allowed to visit as of June 15, 2021.

What if I bought tickets before the parks closed?

You can learn more about how Disneyland is handling current ticket holders. Rest assured that park ticket expirations have been extended but your ticket may have blockout dates.

Unused promotional 1-Day tickets that are set to expire on December 31, 2020 or March 31, 2021 will have their expirations extended to December 16, 2021.

Wholly unused, non-promotional multi-day tickets that expire on January 12, 2021 or April 13, 2021 will also have the expiration date extended to December 16, 2021, and the ticket will expire 13 days after first use or on December 16, 2021, whichever occurs first. 

If you had a multi-day ticket and used your first visit between February 28, 2020 and March 13, 2020 but did not reach the ticket’s maximum number of uses, you will have the 13-day expiration period of their ticket extended to December 16, 2021.  

What happens to my annual pass while the parks are closed?

The Annual Passport program was retired. Eligible annual passholders received refunds. There is no need to contact Disney for a refund as it should have been processed automatically (mine was).

Can I use my Disney World annual pass at Disneyland?

No. You can’t use a Disney World annual pass or ticket at Disneyland. They are two separate resorts with their own ticketing systems.

How do I make a Disneyland reservation?

Making Disneyland reservations is easy to do on the app or through their website.

Where can I find cheap Disneyland tickets?

You can find 2-Day or longer Disneyland ticket discounts through authorized ticket sellers that are available to the general public. You may have certain memberships that offer cheap tickets, such as Costco or AAA. Alternatively, some guests may qualify for a military discount or resident discount, too. 

How do I use my aRes Travel Disneyland ticket?

Before purchasing, check advanced reservation availability for your desired dates. Purchase your discount Disneyland tickets and then link them to a Disney account to access the reservation system. Select the day you’d like to visit and you’re all set!

Can you buy Disneyland tickets at the gate?

Disneyland tickets are not currently sold at the gates.

You can buy Disneyland tickets at the gate during normal times, but gate prices are not discounted.

How do I get free Disneyland tickets?

Free Disneyland tickets are difficult to come by. Members of the media are eligible for two free Park Hopper tickets every 12 months (with some date restrictions) for journalistic purposes. If you know a Cast Member with courtesy tickets, you might be in luck.

Disneyland Resort does occasionally give out free tickets via radio, news, and other media promotions in its primary markets. You can also redeem Disney Rewards points earned with the Disney Premier Visa Card for free tickets.

How much are tickets for Disneyland? 

There are four things that influence the price of Disneyland tickets:

  1. The date that you choose to visit matters as there are now three pricing tiers tied to anticipated occupancy. You’ll choose peak, regular, or value dates.
  2. How many days you choose to visit the parks (choose one through five days).
  3. Whether you choose 1-Park Per Day or Park Hopper tickets.
  4. Whether you add MaxPass (temporarily not available)to the cost of your ticket.

How much ARE one-day Disneyland tickets? 

If you want a one-day pass, you have the choice of peak ($154/ages), regular, or value season dates. The price will vary based on the day you visit and whether you choose a 1-Park Per Day ticket (starts at $104/ages 10+) or a Park Hopper ticket (starts at $154/ages 10+).

How much does a three-day ticket to the park cost?

The cost of a three-day ticket will depend on where and when you purchase it.

In addition, it used to be that if you purchased a three-day ticket online in advance, Magic Morning early entrance was added to it. This perk is temporarily not available. Three-day tickets purchased the day of at the gate did not offer early admission. 

What kind of annual passes are available? 

Annual passes are being retired so, currently, there are no annual passes available for Disneyland.

Disneyland Resort calls its annual passes “Annual Passports.” There were five different passports available: Disney Southern California Select Passport, Disney Flex Passport, Disney Deluxe Passport, Disney Signature Passport, and Disney Signature Plus Passport. Each one had its unique perks, including discounts on dining and merchandise. 

How much are tickets when you go through AAA?

The AAA Disneyland tickets discount is slight, often $8–$14 off the regular price for members only.

Does Disneyland offer senior or AARP discounts?

Unfortunately, Disneyland does not currently offer senior discounts or AARP discounts.

Is There a Canada Resident Discount?

At the time of this writing, there is not a Canadian resident special offer for discount Disneyland tickets. There was a special offer back in 2020 that was 20% off of a 4-day or longer ticket.

What is a Park Hopper ticket for Disneyland? 

A Park Hopper ticket grants you admission into both Disneyland Park and Disneyland California Adventure Park on the same day so that you do not need two separate tickets to visit the two parks.

Your Park Hopper ticket will be scanned by gate attendants every time you enter a park, which can be as many times as you please throughout the duration of your eligible ticket.

Park Hopper hours are 1 p.m. to closing, which means that you can switch parks during these hours only. Make reservations for the first park that you intend to visit.

How else do I go to Disneyland for cheap?

Purchasing discounted tickets is a start, however, I have additional advice for ways to save money at Disneyland that include dining, souvenirs, budget management tips, and more discounts.

Can you buy Disneyland tickets at the Disney store?

You can buy Disneyland tickets at select Disney Stores. Availability varies by location. You’ll need to check with yours to make sure that you can purchase in-store.

Will there be a price increase in 2022?

The price of Disneyland tickets over the years has done nothing but go up. Price increases usually happen in January or February.

Where can you park for free? 

General Disneyland parking costs $25. If you’re looking to save on parking, see if your hotel offers a free shuttle to the park. Also, some Magic Key levels include free parking. 

Can I Buy a Combo Ticket with Universal Studios Hollywood?

Yes! You can pair tickets to the two popular California theme parks in a combo ticket.

How do you buy cheap Disneyland tickets? Be sure to read my full Disneyland Resort Guide.

See also how to buy:

Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).

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12 Comments

  1. Great information but I only want to go to Disney for 1 day and Universal for 1 day, what do you suggest? Thanks.

    Reply

    1. I think the only option is to buy individually (unless you are doing a lot of other sightseeing). I have a little bit of a discount on Universal Studios but Disney almost never discounts the one-day pass.

      Reply

    1. Yes! There are discounted 2-day, 1 park per day tickets and 2-day park hopper tickets on aRes here – https://reservations.arestravel.com/attraction/single/10244/18

      Reply

  3. Buy Target giftcards @ 10% discounts at Cardpool and use those to puchase disneyland giftcards = 10% on disney tickets, merch & @ disney store

    Reply

    1. The tickets that don’t have a “limited time offer” green button near them are valid until December 2020 (scroll down). Thanks!

      Reply

  5. Hello! I am trying to figure out how to get notified when Disneyland tickets and online reservations become available for booking. We want to go in May for my Husband’s 40th birthday, and without literally checking the internet every day, is there another way to perhaps sign up for an alert of some kind to be notified when Disneyland opens ticket sales?

    Thanks so much

    Reply

    1. I wish I had the answer for you! I am a Disney Travel Agent so will be notified as soon as it happens and will post it here. Trust me, we are all anxiously waiting!

      Reply