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Have You Heard About Disneyland’s Grand Circle Tour?

One of the distinct advantages Disneyland Resort has over Walt Disney World is its rich sense of history.  From that feeling you get when walking in Walt’s footsteps down Main Street U.S.A to seeing the candle in the window at above the Fire Station indicating the private apartment where Walt used to work, the park is steeped in Disney lore and history.  Nowhere in the park is this more evidenced than in the iconic route that the Disneyland railroad takes around the park.  Undergoing refurbishments last year, the railroad has returned to its roots with an upgraded route that features breathtaking views of the Rivers of America, elevated trestles and a return to restored sites such as the dioramas of the Grand Canyon and Primeval World

Whether you’re a railroad enthusiast, a Disney historian or just like to try something new when you visit the parks, we thought we’d share the details with you of the slightly under-the-radar  The Grand Circle Tour available to book at Disneyland Resort.

What’s covered in the Grand Circle Tour? – The newest addition to Disneyland’s tour line-up The Grand Circle Tour goes behind the scenes providing visitors with a closer look into Walt’s love-affair with trains.  It includes a walk through the park where you will be regaled with stories about Walt’s train creations.  You’ll gain insights into the impact that trains had on Walt Disney’s dream from animation and film through to the creation of his beloved theme parks.  After the walking tour guests will have an opportunity to climb aboard Disneyland Railroad’s special parlor car the Lilly Belle which isn’t usually available for the public to ride!  You’ll get to explore the new scenic route along the Rivers of the America where you’ll take in landscapes inspired by America’s four majestic rivers: Mississippi, Columbia, Missouri and the Rio Grande.  You’ll discover how each landscape was carefully created right down to the rock formations.

How long is the tour ? The tour lasts approximately 2 hours long.

When does the tour take place? Unlike Walking in Walt’s Footsteps or some of the other seasonal tours on offer at Disneyland , The Grand Circle Tour only takes place on weekends. The current schedule shows offerings on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8:15 am.

What is the cost to attend? The cost to take part in this exciting railroad adventure is $85 per person.

Is there a discount for Disneyland Annual Passholders?  Yes! Part of the privilege of being a Disneyland annual passholder is that you get to save 15% off any guided tours that you book!

Do I need theme park admission to enter the park? Yes. As with all onsite tours, theme park admission is required to enter Disneyland theme park.  This must be purchased on top of the $85.00 for the tour itself.

Is the tour suitable for children? There are no age restrictions for the tour however parents should remember that it does involve a great deal of walking.  It should also be noted that guests 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult during the entire tour.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible? Yes. However, some transfers may be required.

Is there any food and drink included in the tour? Yes. As with most of Disneyland’s tours, the event includes a beverage and specially-themed treat (in this case a donut) to help get your morning off to the right start.

Are there any special keepsakes or souvenirs handed out during the tour? Yes! When you go on a Disney theme park tour you typically get a wee memento to take home with you. In this case, all the guests on the tour will receive a copy of the Disneyland Railroad map and a credential!

Where to do we report for check in? On the morning of your tour guests enter through the Disneyland Park Main Park Entrance and head to the Disneyland Tour Gardens kiosk which is left of City Hall to check in. It is recommended that arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of your tour.  Late arrivals will not be accommodated. Be sure to have your photo ID with you when you check in at the kiosk.  You will then meet your Tour Guide near the sign that says “Guided Tour Guests – Please Meet Your Tour Guide Here.”

Will the tour be cancelled if the weather is bad? Disney cautions that the tours will take place rain or shine.  Since a large portion of the tour involves walking through the park guests should always dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes!

How do I book? The tours are available to book beginning 30 days before you are due to arrive at Disney.  Booking can be made by contacting your travel agent or calling 714.781.TOUR to make a reservation.  Full payment is due at the time of booking and is non-refundable.

Does the tour accept walk-ups? Yes. If there is availability on the tour, walk-ups are accepted.

This is just one of the many incredible tours offered by Guest Services at Disneyland Resort.  If you’re heading there for Halloween also check out the details of Disneyland’s Happiest Haunts Tour !

Experience The Grand Circle Tour firsthand by planning your next Disneyland getaway.  There are still fantastic 2018 packages to be had and vacations can currently be booked through until the end of 2019.

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New-Look Grand Circle Tour of Disneyland!

Yesterday, we headed back to Disneyland for the first time since the Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America had full reopened. Wow. That’s really all I have to say. Okay, that’s not really all …I’ll probably manage to ramble on for dozens of paragraphs despite “wow” being my initial reaction.

Our last couple of visits to Disneyland have been days that we ourselves forecast to be busy on our Disneyland Crowd Calendars , and we did not have the best of times. Since we’re locals, we’ve developed something of an attitude that crowds don’t matter to us because we aren’t really in a hurry to do anything in particular. The problem is…that is not really true. No one likes crowds–some people can just tolerate them better.

This time, we elected to our our own advice, and chose what we expected to be the least-busy day before the Annual Passholder blockouts are lifted, and all hell breaks loose with locals rushing back to see Fantasmic and the Rivers of America. We booked a hotel for the night, arrived early, and stayed late. It was glorious–one of the best days we’ve had at Disneyland in a while. In this post, we’ll share some of our experiences from the visit, giving you a general update from Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in the process…

( EDIT: This was originally intended to be an all-purpose Disneyland update, but after writing 2,000+ words just about the Rivers of America and Disneyland Railroad, I’ve decided to save the other material for a dedicated update post tomorrow… )

Anyways, let’s get started with our Grand Circle Tour of Disneyland aboard the Disneyland Railroad, and our cruises along the Rivers of America!

If you read the blog much, you know I’m a pretty boring dude who likes boring stuff. Slow-moving boat rides, atmospheric attractions, and just wandering around are all things I very much enjoy.

My perfect day in the parks has less to do with how many thrilling E-Tickets I do than how relaxing, transportive of an experience I have.

Suffice to say, not having the Rivers of America and Disneyland Railroad for the last ~18 months has left a glaring void in my version of an ideal day at Disneyland. I’ve long felt that Disneyland is really lacking in the ‘relaxation’ attractions department by virtue of no longer having the PeopleMover, Carousel of Progress, and Country Bear Jamboree–this refurbishment only underscored just how lacking it is in that regard.

With these attractions down the last year-plus, Disneyland’s relaxation lineup has basically been limited to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the Tiki Room. (I don’t count the Disneyland Monorail, as it’s often too hot for that.) Yes, I realize I probably sound about 30 years older than I actually am, but get off my internet-lawn ya punk whippersnappers!

Before we start with the big changes to the backside of the Rivers of America, let’s talk about the Grand Canyon Diorama. It looks better than I’ve ever seen it. This is an unequivocal upgrade, with new light, refreshed scenes, and some nice new visual effects that enhance existing scenes while not overpowering them with flashy (but ultimately ill-fitting) tech.

This is a solid plussing with no downside (at least that I could spot), through and through. The dinosaurs are back, and they’re better than ever!

The question for me leading up to the reopening of the Rivers of America and Disneyland Railroad would be whether the re-imagined experiences lived up to the original, or felt like truncated versions of the originals. After all, these refurbishments were not born of a desire to improve the Rivers of America or Railroad. They were done out of necessity to fit the colossal Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge into space-constrained Disneyland.

As such, there were a lot of concerns that Imagineering would, at worst, be condensing the Rivers of America as quickly and cheaply as possible. Most likely, they would be in a position of having to make lemonade out of lemons, trying to sneak a few improvements into a project that was otherwise about shortening these experiences.

The end result, I think, was the best possible case: the Rivers of America has been enhanced with a more dynamic landscape that is visually engaging for the duration of the rides; one that offers more kinetic to Disneyland than its previous incarnation, and presents an overall experience that is going to be more satisfying for the majority of guests.

This may not be popular sentiment among Disneyland purists, but I believe the modifications to the Rivers of America and Disneyland Railroad are not just well-done viewed through the prism of necessary changes due to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. They are improvements even when viewed in isolation that better the overall Disneyland guest experience.

In the past, the greatest strength of the Rivers of America and Disneyland Railroad have been their transportive nature. I don’t mean that literally, despite these all being transportation attractions.

By it, I mean that they remove you from present-day Anaheim, California and take you to a different time and place.

Much like you feel transported when stepping foot onto Main Street, you feel this when taking the Grand Circle Tour of Disneyland or floating around the Rivers of America. The difference is that it’s always been more pronounced with the Railroad or Rivers. Not only are you somewhere else, but the park is moving at a slower pace.

This is all essentially the antithesis of modern-day Los Angeles, a concrete jungle full of buildings, bustling with people…and traffic. Disneyland in general provided a nice change-of-pace from the population centers of Southern California, and that’s probably why it has always resonated with locals. In this regard, the Rivers and Railroad have long been the pure ‘escapist’ options for locals.

I think this is as true than it has ever been, and will only become ‘more’ true in the future. The problem is one of expectations and modern sensibilities, I suppose. Even if Angelenos and other locals need a respite from their ordinary day-to-day, the Rivers of America and Disneyland Railroad pre-refurbishment did not compute. At least, not for many guests.

On the ‘back stretch’ mostly filled with untamed wilderness, guests would routinely check out; you could spot a sea of people glued to their phone screens, as if seeking an escape from their escape.

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure why. Perhaps it was a matter of expectations? For the contemporary price of park tickets, they didn’t expect to be transported to the frontier? (Griffith Park and the Santa Monica Mountains offer free escapes from urban life.) Perhaps it’s a matter of modern attention spans? People in general do not savor the tranquil moments like they once did?

Like I said, I cannot begin to explain the ‘why’ of it. If anything, I would expect things like the Rivers of America and Disneyland Railroad to be more important to (local) guests now than ever before. Based upon first-hand experiences and guest feedback, I do not believe that’s actually the case. Unfortunately, what I want to be true (Country Bear Jamboree is beloved by all!) and what I actually observe (it’s not.) are often very different.

In light of that, I think the re-imagined Rivers of America and Disneyland Railroad deliver an experience that better caters to modern-day guests. While definitely not as transportive as before, these things do an exceptional job of meeting guests halfway. The Rivers of America and Railroad still feature their transportive character, while increasing the portions that are visually-engaging and stimulating.

I’m a fan of this departure in style. In my opinion, the best railroad any Disney park has ever done is the Western River Railroad at Tokyo Disneyland, which benefits heavily from weaving guests through remote stretches as well as over its Adventureland, Westernland, and Critter Country. The visuals combined with kinetic energy make that such a different and more dynamic attraction–both for guests on it and those walking throughout the lands.

The changes at Disneyland seem made in that mold, at least to the degree possible. It’s low-key stimulation (if that’s a thing), but it’s enough to keep (most) people off of their phones and fully immersed in the scenery.

Guest buy-in is essential for suspension of disbelief, and I think the enhancements make these experiences more conducive to buy-in.

The rides are more engaging in the sense that there’s more interesting scenery and nuggets of detail to enjoy. At the same time, this was accomplished deftly and with a sense of restraint: Imagineers did not go overboard, shoehorning in some contrived story or attempting to constantly entertain every guest, even those with the shortest of attention spans.

It still feels like you’re traveling back in time to the American Frontier, but with more to see along with way and a greater energy to it. Whereas before, these were passive, leisurely experiences that removed you from modern civilization (to the extent that guests bought into them), now you feel more like you’re at the precipice of an adventure.

The re-imagined Rivers of America is not perfect. Aside from it not being quite as transportive, the biggest criticism is that it has a sense of new-ness to it.

The easy response here is, “well duh, it is.” However, I think Imagineering has done a better job of creating additions that feel their age from the get-go.

Cars Land is a great example of this. Even from the moment it opened, it had an exceptional, lived-in quality to it. There was no feeling that it would need to mature or grow into its faux-age. It already felt like Route 66 of a bygone era and I think it maintains that same feeling today.

By contrast, there are aspects of the Rivers of America that seem like they will rely on natural aging and maturation to be fully realized. The foliage is the obvious example of this, and should look great within a few years–probably just in time for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

The walkways are another example. From the pavement to the handrails, it just feels new. It’s tough to totally put your finger on why, but it just does. Again, this should be taken care of with a few years of wear, so it’s hardly a glaring issue from my perspective.

My guess would be that this project did not have the same financial resources as something like Cars Land, so the same fixation on artificial aging would’ve meant less money on the rock work, gags, etc.

The other criticism is a temporary one: that you can plainly see Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge construction towering in the background, as well as the Mickey & Friends parking structure.

This definitely pulls you out of it from time to time while walking through New Orleans Square or cruising the Rivers of America right now, and will probably diminish a first-timer’s opinion of the new-look Rivers.

Maybe I’m I’m being overly-positive, but I prefer to think of this as a future asset.

Those bits of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge framework you can see rising over the tree line in the background today? A year from now, that will be rock work. When viewed from New Orleans Square, the backside of the Rivers of America will align with the landscape of that faraway planet to create the illusion of grandiose mountains and waterfalls in the American frontier.

There is no reason to believe that Star Wars rock work will be anything short of exceptional (Imagineering is at the height of its rock work game right now). The results should be stunning, and easily trick the eye into believing the Rivers of America exist on the edge of a stunning, layered landscape that continues in the distance.

All things considered, I am very satisfied with the modifications made to the Rivers of America and Disneyland Railroad. While I personally found the old, lengthier experiences very satisfying and a nice change of pace, I think what was done amounts to positives that will make these attractions more approachable and enjoyable for the general public. I’m definitely a fan of the gains in terms of kinetic energy and scenery achieved through the rerouting of the River and Railroad, too. Finally, I think it’ll be fascinating to watch this area of the park mature and improve, which should make it look even better in a few years (even before you consider the grandiosity that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge should add). It’s great to have the Rivers of America and Disneyland Railroad back, but the enhancements were worth the wait.

If you’re preparing for a Disneyland trip, check out our other planning posts, including how to save money on Disneyland tickets , our Disney packing tips , tips for booking a hotel (off-site or on-site), where to dine , and a number of other things, check out our comprehensive Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide !

Your Thoughts

Do you agree or disagree with our assessment of the new-look Rivers of America and/or Disneyland Railroad’s route and scenery? If you’ve experienced these areas, what’s your take on how the changes impact them? Any other thoughts about how these attractions impact the overall vibe and energy at Disneyland? Any questions? Hearing your feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts or questions below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

In the first sentence of the 3rd paragraph, there is a typo “our our own”.

So many questions. Should I sit on the right side or the left side of the train car? or just repeat-ride? (because I already plan to.) I don’t want to miss anything! Per my phone conversation with CM yesterday, the actual “TOUR” must be booked as a walk-up, which disappoints me (such limited space.) I will only visit the park for 2 days in September, so I will attempt to schedule the “tour” for Day 2. Since RoA was closed for refurb during my Jan. 2017 visit, I was disappointed to miss out on riding the train as part of the nostalgic trip. (Prior visit was 1970 at age 6!) Never dreamed I would be offered a chance to return to DL so soon. I am thrilled & can’t wait to enjoy RoA and all that it has to offer! Your blog helped tremendously with planning my Jan 2017 (thank you!!)

I believe the seats on the Disneyland railroad all face sideways toward the right of the car and out toward the scenery, so you don’t have to choose left or right, every seat has the same view.

No. There is a consist called “Holiday 1” with excursion style seating. The benches face forward. It was added before the Grand Canyon diorama was built.

As a true “old guy” (my first trip to Disneyland was in 1956 when I was 5 years old) I think the changes made to the Rivers of America are great, especially as seen from the water. The additions of wildlife, Native Americans, waterfalls and bridges are definitely river-centric (if that’s a word) and best viewed from one of the boats. As for the train ride, aside from the worthwhile updates to the Grand Canyon past & present, the rest of the ride is not as much fun as before. All the additions face the water and the big to-do about the train making a left turn is just that, a left turn (Big whoop!). However, it’s still a pleasant & relaxing trip and a great way to re-charge your batteries after a long day.

I agree with you to an extent. Some of the wildlife and Native Americans (namely, the Shaman) are not quite as visible from the Railroad, but others are right up close to you. Even though you’re behind them, you’re only a few feet away, which is cool. I enjoyed that, and also the waterfalls, going over Frontierland, etc.

I don’t know why Disneyland hyped up the “first left turn!” so much. Part of me thinks it was tongue-in-cheek…but it sure seems like some of it was sincere. I completely agree with you that it’s a ‘big whoop’ thing. Not even worth mentioning, IMO.

We went on the train this past weekend, it was the longest line we stood in! We, too, were very impressed with both the Primeval World upgrades which were nice and not over the top, and the landscaping between the New Orleans Square and Toontown stations. Admittedly, we went at night so I couldn’t see everything, but it looked more polished and less like I was touring the behind the stuff in the park which is what it looked like to me before. There were several waterfalls and animals which made it look like it wasn’t just an afterthought. Wish they’d do more of that between Main Street station and New Orleans Square station! Perhaps that can be their next upgrade!

I agree with a few of the other posters here…The Mark Twain photograph is beautiful! I pretty much forgot everything you wrote after seeing it (just kidding, great article). Out of curiosity, which camera did you use?

Thanks Tom, an article like this is adding to my excitement in my timing for my first DL trip…I have done WDW 26 times in my life and get very nostalgic of its ability to remove me from my current time and life and into something else, and I hope to experience that in california. I will be going with my family november 4-9 and dedicating two days to each park. Again, your articles are seriously adding to my excitement and hopes for an amazing experience at the original parks.

That photo of the Mark Twain with the sun behind it is absolutely spectacular!

My little nerd heart is so excited! We were disappointed that the train was down last time we were there. It’s one of my favorite parts of the park. We purposely get on it and ride it all the way around the park once and stay on until we want to get off for our next foray because we enjoy the ride so much. I’m glad it hasn’t been diminished and I’m looking forward to checking it out next summer. Also: I think seeing the bits of Star Wars construction could be a bit fun… of course I’m a bit nosey so any sneak peeks work for me 🙂

My family always finds the time to do the same, once all the way around and then off at our next destination :).

Heading there in two weeks, and after “reading” your post with me my 3 year old is now begging to go see everything in your photos!

That sunset photo of the Mark Twain is stunning!

I agree, it is one of the most atmospheric Disneyland photos I have ever seen. I may have touched the photo on my laptop screen in the hope that I would be transported into the scene! Sadly it didn’t work.

I love posts like these! It has been so long since I have ridden on the train! The dinosaurs look amazing, and the new path of the train looks very well done as well. I am curious about the “left hand turn” Disney Parks Blog had been emphasizing, but the new water front by Hungry Bear Restaurant just looks amazing. Can’t wait to read your DLR update post soon!

I took a lot of your advice when booking our honeymoon. We went to Disney World (DLR is our main park), and we had a lot of fun, but the biggest thing we did was buy artwork at Epcot. It was pricey, but we ended up buying a Disneyland Railroad piece, and it looks like an old advertisement, with “Primeval World” and dinosaurs. My husband loves trains, and I am super nostalgic for Disneyland, especially the railroad. It was one of the few things in WDW that was Disneyland themed. We had it wrapped and we carried it on the plane. We have it hanging in our house, one of your best pieces of advice I have taken from your blog!

Now I can’t wait to ride the train again, the last three trips we have taken Rivers of America has been closed.

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VIP Tours Returning to Disneyland, What You Need To Know

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Disney’s fans are on the edge of their seat anticipating the return of  “The happiest place on Earth”.  In less than a month, the gates of Disneyland and California Adventure will finally be open and many Guests are preparing to enter in style with the VIP package! We’ve found just what Disneyland is offering for its grand return and here’s what we know!

Disneyland VIP Tours

Whether it’s your first time in Disneyland or you’ve become a Disney veteran and know every twist and turn of the park, there is absolutely nothing like your own private tour guide giving you the ultimate experience. Disneyland VIP tour guides have the inside scoop on stories and give you priority access to attractions and entertainment.

Here’s a quick description on the Disneyland website about this exclusive VIP package,

Hassle-Free Planning – After you dream up your family’s perfect day at the parks, your concierge will help design a customized, flexible day based on your specific needs and priorities―even including your dining reservations! Priority Access – Enjoy expedited access to over 30 Disneyland Resort attractions, Character Greetings and shows! Reserved Seating – Maximize the magic with VIP viewing and seating for select parades, stage shows and nighttime spectaculars. Disney PhotoPass – Get unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads for the day—and share these memories with family and friends! You’ll even be able to access photos taken on select attractions and during select Character dining experiences. Magic Shots are also included. VIP Service – Delight in Disney’s acclaimed hospitality and attention to detail with your own personal guide helping with your needs and entertaining your family with insider tips and stories throughout the day. Credit: Disney

We are thrilled to announce that Disneyland’s VIP service will be available to Guests when the parks reopen!

Keep in mind that although Disney is preparing for the reopening, some attractions will not be available, including Matterhorn Bobsleds, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, and Jungle Cruise.

Currently, in Walt Disney World, FastPasses are suspended. but purchasing the VIP package still gives you the chance to cut the long lines. Since FASTPASS and MaxPass are also suspended at Disneyland during the phased reopening, if maximizing your time in the parks is important, then maybe adding the VIP package is right for you.

So what does a VIP cost? For just a minimum of 7 hours, this exclusive tour can cost anywhere from USD 425 to USD 650 per hour, depending on the season for you and up to 9 Guests. On top of those costs, Guests must also purchase a theme park ticket.

With that in mind, I think if you’re a huge Disney fan, that enjoys behind the scene stories of Walt and Disneyland, or maybe riding as many attractions as possible without having to wait is important to you and your family, this could be a bucket list option.

Related: Is It Worth It? VIP Tours at Disney World That Cost Thousands

Unavailable Tours in Disneyland

Disneyland does offer more than just one VIP tour, but with the current opening soon, these are the following that will not be available as of April 30th.

• Disney’s Happiest Haunts Tour
• The Grand Circle Tour
• “Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort” Guided Tour
• “Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps” Guided Tour

Check the official Disneyland website for more information on these specific tours. Guests can also contact Disney Special Activities at [email protected] or call (714) 300-7710.

If you’re planning your very first Disneyland trip, and are interested in learning more and being first in line, then perhaps a VIP Tour Guide could be the ticket to a wonderful introduction to the park. Contact a travel agent to find out more about what you can expect when planning a VIP tour and how you can enjoy your time at the parks soon!

Would you add Disneyland’s VIP tour to your bucket list? Let us know in the comments below!

In need of some guidance on planning your next Disneyland trip? Our friends at Academy Travel can help! 

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All Aboard the Grand Circle Tour

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The Disneyland Resort currently offers several walking tours at Disneyland Park. As a fan of Disney history, including both the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney himself, I periodically join a tour for a change of pace. Recently, I boarded the trains of Disneyland Park to experience the Grand Circle Tour.

RESERVING THE RAILS

I made my reservations as soon as I could, which was 30 days prior to my chosen date. (Guests can call 714-781-TOUR to make reservations). The cost is $85 per person regardless of age, and, as an Annual Passport holder, I received 15% off the price (the cost is in addition to any park entrance fee; Disney Visa cardholders get the same discount). Guests younger than 18 must be with an adult during the tour. Walk-up reservations are accepted as there is usually space available. The walking tour party is maybe 20 guests or less.

DEPARTING THE STATION

My best friend and I arrived at Disneyland Tour Gardens kiosk (next to Main Street U.S.A.'s City Hall) 15 minutes prior to the tour kick-off time. (Remember to bring your ID and confirmation number given upon making reservations). A cast member welcomed us and bid us to sit at tables to wait. While standing by, guests were given a special treat — a decorative donut for some quick energy before our 2-1/2 hour walking excursion. (If guests need a gluten-free option, fruit is available).

Once the group passengers arrived, we were ready to board the train tour. Our conductor for the day gave us audio components for listening purposes. We began our trip on Main Street U.S.A. with a bit of Walt Disney backstory and how his love of trains eventually filtered into his first theme park. As a youth, he engrossed himself in the train world while working as a "news butcher" selling cigarettes and snacks to passengers boarding and disembarking the trains. He hung around enough to learn from willing engineers to drive the steam engines.

Our first stop was at Disneyana and the Disney Gallery, which is currently housing a train exhibit in the lobby adjacent to The Disneyland Story Presents Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. This exhibit is a great starting point to learn about the train influence inside Disneyland regardless if you take the walking tour or not.

The first two-thirds portion of the tour consisted of historical information and a few audio tracks of Walt Disney himself talking about his love for trains. It was a terrific experience listening to him joyfully recall the Carolwood Pacific Railroad. This was his miniature working model installed in his backyard home complete with a steam engine named Lilly Belle, after Walt's wife Lillian Disney.

LAYING THE TRACKS

Walt has always said Disneyland "all started with a mouse." If you backtrack prior to Mickey Mouse's 1928 film debut, you'll find that Walt's train enthusiasm actually played a part of Disneyland's conception, too. Take in the fact that Mickey was conceptualized on a train ride and go from there. Walt surrounded himself with other train aficionados including a few of his prominent animators including Ward Kimball and Ollie Johnston who helped influence his Carolwood Pacific Railroad. I'm not a Disney historian like fellow MousePlanet contributor Jim Korkis, so I won't go into an in-depth article about Walt's life and his love of trains. But, I did get from the tour a quick peek into how much of Walt's railway love really is embedded in Disneyland lore.

The original track installed around Disneyland Park was a mile-and-a-half, roughly a six-minute ride. The cars were originally slatted so seats were added in 1959 for a more comfortable guest experience. Over the years, a few more alterations have contributed to the Disneyland Railroad. The two dioramas — The Grand Canyon and Primeval World — were added in 1958 and 1966 respectively. And, in 2016, the railroad went through a huge overhaul to make way for the newest land — Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The track was shortened and a few special effects added to the two existing dioramas.

READY TO RIDE THE RAILS

Our group seemed to enjoy the audio portion of the tour, learning about Disneyland's Railway history, but like me, most were eager to get to the tour's highlight — riding the special VIP coach car, the Lilly Belle. This car is the last remaining car from Disneyland's opening day. Lillian Disney herself helped design and decorate the car when it was decided the coach would be a VIP destination. Few have the opportunity to board the car so of course our tour group had cameras in hand ready to climb aboard.

While we rode the full-circle around Disneyland Park, our host narrated the history of the Lilly Belle and the engines of the Park. Currently, five engines are housed at Disneyland Park — Ernest S. Marsh, E.P. Ripley, C.K. Holliday, Fred Gurley, and Ward Kimball. All but Kimball were past executives of Atchison, Topeka, and/or Sante Fe Railways. Disney trivia enthusiasts will be thrilled to know Jiminy Cricket is embellished on Kimball's engine; Kimball, of course, being the cricket's animator.

CONTINUING THE JOURNEY

Once we disembarked at Main Street Station, we returned to our starting point and returned the audio components. At the conclusion, we were given a few collectible pieces to take with us on our next travels.

Overall, I found the Grand Circle Tour informative and, of course, the highlight was riding aboard the Lilly Belle VIP car. But, I'm not sure I could justify spending the fee for this particular tour if I wasn't so excited to ride the VIP coach. As aforementioned, the exhibit offers a glimpse into the Disneyland Park train history as does the Main Street Station itself. Stop by the locations for historical artifacts and collectibles pertaining to the Disneyland Railway system.

There are several other tours from which to choose to get more for your money. I highly recommend either the "Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps" Guided Tour or Holidays at the Disneyland Resort walking tour. Both offer a bit more than the Grand Circle Tour. Call reservations at 714-781-8687 for more information.

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Disneyland Launches “Grand Circle Tour” Guided Tour

DLRR inauguration with Engine #1

With the Disneyland Railroad once again open, the Disneyland Resort has added a new guided tour to their lineup. “The Grand Circle Tour” is a new tour that highlights the important role trains play at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.

Guests will enjoy a beverage and an exclusive, themed donut before the tour, during which they will learn about Walt’s love for trains and even climb aboard Disneyland’s VIP car, the Lilly Belle. The tour will cost $85, and discounts will apply.

A soft launch began on July 29, running on weekends at 8:15 a.m. Reservations can be booked at Tour Gardens; space is limited.

How To Ride the Lilly Belle at Disneyland

The Lilly Belle at Disneyland is a unique and exclusive experience that offers an intimate connection to the park’s history and Walt Disney’s passion for trains. Named after Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian Disney, the Lilly Belle is a luxurious Victorian-styled train car that was originally designed as a VIP perk in the parks. In this comprehensive guide, we will take a deep dive into the history of the Lilly Belle, how to increase your chances of riding it, and what to expect during the ride.

To ride the Lilly Belle at Disneyland, plan to arrive at the park gates an hour before park opening, head straight to the train station, and be one of the first 14 people in line in the morning. Then, politely inquire with a conductor if the Lilly Belle is running that day. If you get a spot on the Lilly Belle, ask for a souvenir ticket and sign the guest book. Please note that the Lilly Belle may not run on days with heavy rain, high heat, or incredibly high crowds.

The History of the Lilly Belle

The Lilly Belle has a rich and fascinating history that is intertwined with Walt Disney’s love for trains. It was part of the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, a miniature steam-powered train that Walt Disney built in his backyard in 1950. The train and its tracks were popular among celebrities, neighbors, and studio friends of the Disney family.

The original Lilly Belle and its freight cars have been on display at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco since 2009. Disneyland Railroad features a traditional ornate Victorian Era parlor car, also named the Lilly Belle, which was introduced in 1974. This car, designed by Lillian Disney herself, has been used to ferry VIPs, Club 33 members, and those who take the park’s up-charge Grand Circle Tour.

How To Access the Lilly Belle

The Lilly Belle is not always available for rides. It may not run on days with heavy rain, high heat, or incredibly high crowds. However, regular Disneyland guests may sometimes have the opportunity to ride the Lilly Belle if they arrive early in the morning and it is running that day.

To increase your chances of riding the Lilly Belle, follow these steps:

• Arrive early: Plan to arrive at the park gates an hour before park opening to be inside for Rope Drop.
• Head straight to the train station: Once inside the park, go directly to the train station without getting distracted.
• Be one of the first in line: You need to be one of the first 14 people in line in the morning to get a reservation on the Lilly Belle.
• Inquire with a conductor: Ask a conductor if the Lilly Belle is running that day. Remember to be polite, as they don’t have to give you a spot to ride.
• Get a souvenir ticket and sign the guest book: If you get a spot on the Lilly Belle, ask for a souvenir ticket and sign the guest book.

What To Expect During the Ride

The Lilly Belle offers a luxurious and exclusive experience. The Victorian-styled car features varnished mahogany paneling, velour curtains and seats, a floral-patterned wool rug, and Disney family pictures, all personally overseen by Lillian Disney herself.

While riding the Lilly Belle, you can enjoy the beautiful interior, learn about the car’s history, and appreciate the attention to detail in its design. A conductor will ride with you, answering questions and providing the history of the car.

Riding the Lilly Belle at Disneyland is a rare and exclusive experience that offers a unique connection to the park’s history and Walt Disney’s passion for trains. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can increase your chances of riding this luxurious and historic train car, adding an extra layer of magic and exclusivity to your Disneyland visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the grand circle tour.

The Grand Circle Tour is a two-hour guided tour of Disneyland Park where guests can learn about the history of the Disneyland Railroad and Walt Disney’s love for trains. The tour includes a ride on the Lilly Belle, if it’s running that day.

How long does the ride on the Lilly Belle last?

The ride on the Lilly Belle takes around 20 minutes. It’s a grand circle tour around Disneyland Park, which includes stops at New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, and Tomorrowland.

Is there an extra charge for riding the Lilly Belle?

No, there is no extra charge for riding the Lilly Belle. However, it’s only available to a limited number of guests each day, and priority is given to those on the Grand Circle Tour, which does require an additional fee.

Can I ride the Lilly Belle if I am not a member of Club 33 or a VIP?

Yes, even if you’re not a member of Club 33 or a VIP, you can still ride the Lilly Belle. It’s available to regular guests, but it’s best to arrive early and ask a conductor for availability.

Is the Lilly Belle wheelchair accessible?

Unfortunately, due to the historic design of the Lilly Belle, it is not wheelchair accessible.

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Introduction | Attraction | Touring Tips | Kids/Characters | Dining | Shopping | Interesting Facts

INTRODUCTION

Board an old-fashioned steam train for a 20 minute grand-circle tour around Disneyland, with stops at Main Street, U.S.A., New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, and Tomorrowland.

Walt Disney developed a love of trains at an early age. When he was a young adult, he built a half-mile scale model railway in his backyard that he called the “Carolwood Pacific Railroad.” The Disneyland Railroad was one of the first attractions he planned for his new park.

Disneyland has featured vintage, and actually steam-powered, trains since it opened in 1955. One of the first things Disneyland visitors see as they approach the park is the Main Street train station – and the train’s steam whistle may be one of the first sounds they hear.

Guests may board the Disneyland Railroad at any of its four stations: Main Street, U.S.A. , New Orleans Square , Mickey’s Toontown , and Tomorrowland . Guests may disembark at any of these stations, or stay on board for the full grand-circle tour – or even longer. The full tour takes about 20 minutes and features a recorded narration describing the sights along the way.

Between the Tomorrowland Station and the Main Street, U.S.A. station are the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas . Against a painted backdrop of the Grand Canyon, the display includes examples of many of the plants and animals that are found in the canyon and along its rim, from mountain sheep and deer to porcupines, skunks, and mountain lions.

In the Primeval World diorama, a dramatic score plays in the background while audio-animatonic brontosauruses eat peacefully, a family of triceratops plays, and in the thrilling conclusion, a stegosaurus battles a tyrannosaurus rex while surrounded by a stream of molten lava.

Main Street Station — Located above Town Square at the beginning of Main Street, just inside Disneyland’s main entrance. Climb the stairs up to the railway platform.

New Orleans Square — The station is located at the back of New Orleans Square behind the French Market .

Mickey’s Toowntown — The Toontown station is located outside of Toontown next to the Fantasyland Theater .

Tomorrowland Station — This station can be difficult to find. Take the path between the Autopia and Star Wars Launch Bay past the gift kiosk, and the Tomorrowland Station is located at the end of the path.

TOURING TIPS

The railroad usually runs until just before the evening’s fireworks. In fact, the elevated Main Street station is a terrific, and extremely popular, fireworks and parade viewing area.

There are some good views of the Rivers of America from the train, including the Mike Fink’s cabin, wildlife, and the Native American chief on horseback.

Wheelchair/ECV users should be aware that boarding instructions differ at the different railroad stations. There is no ramp or elevator at the Main Street, U.S.A. station, so you must be able to climb the stairs to board there. At the other stations proceed up the exit ramp — a limited number of wheelchairs and ECVs can be loaded onto the last car.

Strollers are permitted in the railroad cars, but must be folded.

The seats are wooden benches with backs . On most of the trains the seats face sideways, giving you a good view of the sights along the way.

Handheld Captioning Devices from Guest Services can be used here.

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

There are no doors on the cars, and children should be seated towards the inside, away from the open doorways.

INTERESTING FACTS

There are five trains on the Disneyland Railroad: the C.K. Holliday , E.P. Ripley , Ernest Marsh , Fred Gurley , and Ward Kimball .

The fancy “caboose” at the end of one of the trains is actually a Victorian parlor car called the Lilly Belle , after Walt Disney’s wife Lillian. It’s lavishly decorated in the Victorian style, and normally available only for use by Disney’s VIP guests, though occasionally guests are being allowed to ride. The Lilly Belle was in service from 1976 until 1996 and returned in January 2006 after an extensive rehab.

The locomotives are powered by steam, which means they must periodically fill the boilers with water. There is a functional water tower at the New Orleans Square Station, and the trains will occasionally make longer stops there while they take on water.

Many of the audio-animatronic dinosaurs in the Primeval World diorama came from the Magic Skyway attraction, developed by Disney for the Ford Pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair.

In honor of Disneyland’s 50th anniversary a “Hidden Mickey” was placed on the roof of the Main Street, U.S.A. train station.

If you have comments or tips to share with others about touring Disneyland, please email us . Thank you.

Will Disneyland Railroad make me motion sick?

The motion level is Low. Gentle train ride. Details on handling motion sensitivity on your visit

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Want a Peek Inside One of the Most Exclusive Attractions in Disneyland?!

By Rachel Franko 8 Comments

The Disneyland Railroad is one of the most iconic attractions in Disneyland, greeting guests as soon as they enter the park.

Disneyland Train Station

And, although the steam-blowing, horn-whistling trains are available for everyone to ride, there’s a passenger car that’s a bit of secret. Only a few lucky guests are able to ride the Lilly Belle — and we just happened to be one of them (which means YOU get to take a look inside, too)!

[Read more…]

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Things to Try at Disneyland That You Probably Have Never Done

T here is a lot that Disneyland is known for as well as plenty of secrets to discover. For all the many ways you can enjoy this unique and significant park, here are some simple things to try at Disneyland that you have probably never done.

Ride Jingles on King Arthur’s Carousel

King Arthur’s Carousel is the beloved piece of classic kinetic energy that hits you from the Castle as you enter Disneyland’s incredible Fantasyland. There is a lot to do and many secrets to discover in this ultra-packed land, but one fun thing to do before you stray too far is to ride the Carousel which is a symbolic recreation of Walt Disney’s inspiration behind his magical park. Jingles is a special horse dedicated to Julie Andrews, who played Mary Poppins.

Explore the many decks of the Mark Twain Riverboat

The Mark Twain is one of the jewels of Disneyland. The steamboat alone is one of the things to try at Disneyland if you never have. It’s a beautiful historical representation of a bygone era. The scenic tour around the Rivers of America is a real treat.

The Mark Twain is one of three unique ways to explore the banks of Tom Sawyer Island and the surrounding frontier, but there are actually four different decks that provide individual experiences of the attraction. From the sun deck to Promenade Deck, to Even the Pilot House, there is much to enjoy. You may be able to sound the whistle or steer the boat.

Ride in the Lily Belle Parlor Car on the Disneyland Railroad

Five trains circle the Disneyland Railroad at any given time. Occasionally, you may see the Lily Belle parlor car trailing one of them. It’s a presidential car that entertains foreign dignitaries and is even available as part of Disneyland’s Grand Circle Tour package, which includes plenty of historical information about Walt Disney. If you ever get an opportunity to ride in this luxurious car, be sure to take it and enjoy your travels around the Happiest Place on Earth.

Go to the Flag Retreat

It’s rare that anybody would be wandering around Town Square at 4:15 and it’s not general knowledge, but there is a daily flag retreat ceremony that is worth the break in your day. The ceremony includes a band and the National Anthem as the flag is taken down for the evening.

It’s great to pair this event with a viewing of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Both are things to try at Disneyland if you are feeling particularly patriotic.

Get the High Score on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

As you head into Tomorrowland, there are some fun things to do, but something everybody can enjoy is a spin on the Buzz Lightyear dark ride. This competitive shooting target ride can be beaten by following a few basic tricks. First, try and sit on the left side for the best access to high-ranking targets. Next, learn what targets will score you the most points.

Diamonds are high at 5,000 points, but triangles are better with 10,000 a point value. You can hit the same target multiple times. So, if you can score more points by firing away at a closer target, do it!

Splurge on a Walking TOur

Disneyland has many splurges, but one you might not have done is doing a walking tour . Join a Castmember to walk throughout the Park and learn the back stories to rides and structures. Walking Tours often have perks like limited edition buttons and seeing behind-the-scenes area that regular guests don’t have access to.

DISCOUNT DISNEY TICKETS

My favorite Disney-approved re-seller,  Get Away Today, offers the best Disney discount tickets around. In addition to great discount prices, their customer service is top-notch. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a wonderful experience and they are on-call to help you during your vacation if you need them.

Buying tickets from Get Away Today is easy and convenient since all their tickets are sent electronically. You can take their vouchers and head straight to the gate without waiting in ticket booth lines. They also offer layaway plans so you can pay off your vacation over time. Don’t forget to mention THIS BLISS LIFE for your discount!

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The post Things to Try at Disneyland That You Probably Have Never Done appeared first on This Bliss Life .

Disneyland's Lilly Belle Car: How to Ride 

The Lily Belle train car, named after Walt's wife and designed by her, is a must see Disneyland Secret. This secret train car has become less of a secret in recent years so it's key to be on top of your game to score a ride on this historic piece of Disney history. SWIPE UP to learn how to ride the Lilly Belle Car at Disneyland! 

How to Ride for FREE

Once you are in the park, make a beeline right for the train station. Don't get distracted. Don't take pictures. Don't, as hard as it may be, hug Dale on your way. Keep your eyes on the prize. SWIPE UP to get a complete guide to Disneyland's Lilly Belle Car! 

Try to Be the First in Line

Then you may receive a spot on the Lily Belle! The train car holds 14 people so if it's only making one run that day then only 14 people will get that spot. You will find out from the conductor when the park officially opens. SWIPE UP to get a complete guide to Disneyland's Lilly Belle Car! 

The Grand Circle Tour

The Grand Circle Tour is a train themed tour beginning with a walking portion where you will learn about Walt Disney's love for trains and how that history is incorporated into the parks. After the walking tour, you will climb aboard the Lily Belle for your full circle ride around Disneyland. SWIPE UP to get a complete guide to Disneyland's Lilly Belle Car! 

Lily Belle Car History 

The Lilly Belle car is the last remaining train car from the opening day of Disneyland. Previously the Grand Canyon viewing car, the Lilly Belle was converted when the Disneyland Transportation Superintendent decided that Disneyland needed a special VIP car. SWIPE UP to get a complete guide to Disneyland's Lilly Belle Car! 

Swipe up to get a complete guide to Disneyland's Lily Belle Car!

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Disneyland Ticket Prices 2024 – Updated With Increased Prices

Disneyland ticket prices have changed dramatically over the years since the park’s opening in 1955. When Disneyland opened, admission was only $1 for adults and 50 cents for children, with each attraction charging at their location. Disneyland has stayed true to Walt’s vision that it will “never be completed” with so many new experiences and features constantly being added, and Disneyland ticket prices have in turn climbed over the years as the resort has expanded and grown in its offerings.

In recent years, Disneyland introduced a tiered pricing system for 1-Day tickets to help manage increased demand at the parks and crowd levels, and there are also different ticket options available for Multi-Day and Park Hopping experiences. We will break down current ticket Disneyland pricing, the types of Disneyland tickets, special event ticket prices, ticket details for Magic Key holders, Disneyland military ticket pricing, and California resident tickets, and more.

This page is specifically meant overview of all standard ticket prices. There are worthwhile savings available on advance purchase tickets. Be sure to read our guide to discount Disneyland tickets for all the info on how to save or CLICK HERE to buy lowest priced tickets now!

Get exclusive access to prices on hotel & tickets just for Mickey Visit subscribers. Don't miss our travel hacks newsletter!

In this planning guide:

Why Are Disneyland Ticket Prices So Expensive?

Disneyland typically raises their ticket prices once a year for most ticket types, including 1-Day, Multi-Day, and Park Hopper, and 1 Park Per Day tickets, and the most recent Disneyland price increase is effective as of October 11 of last year (with new prices reflected below). These price increases lead many to the question “Why are Disneyland tickets so expensive?”

One reason that Disneyland ticket prices are expensive is due to increasing demand. Disneyland has an attendance of about 18 million guests per year! When the park is in the highest demand, ticket prices will be higher, and when the demand is lower, Disney will try to entice guests with promotions. The need to adjust to higher demand is seen in Disneyland’s introduction of the tiered ticket system with prices that reflect how crowded the parks are, and this helps the park to better balance the times when guests will visit.

Another reason why Disneyland is so expensive is the incredible quality of experiences offered at the park. Disney Parks operate at the highest theme park standards and boast safety, efficiency, incredible service, and quality in every experience and attraction, which is what makes the parks so magical.

Maintaining this atmosphere comes at a cost, especially with new experiences always being added. In the last five years alone, there has been an incredible amount of new and reimagined lands introduced to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, with Avengers Campus, Pixar Pier, Galaxy’s Edge, and the Toontown reimagining. New rides at Disneyland are always being added along with the introduction of other exciting experiences, making for a higher-value experience at the parks that is reflected in its pricing.

Disneyland Ticket Prices 2024

The cost of a Disneyland ticket depends on which ticket type you’re purchasing: whether it’s a single park vs. Park Hopper ticket or a 1-Day vs. Multi-Day ticket. The cost of a 1-Day ticket will vary depending on what tier it is, and as of the new Disneyland price increase starting on October 11 of last year, these will range between $104 and $194 for adults and between $98 and $183 for children for 1 Park Per Day. Multi-Day tickets are offered for 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, and 5-day tickets.

Pricing is also different for adults and children, with adults considered 10+ years old, children considered ages 3-9 years old, and children ages 2 and under not requiring a ticket.

1-Day Disneyland Ticket Prices

For 1-Day trips to 1 Park Per Day (a day at either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure), pricing is broken into various ticket tiers: Tier 0, Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4, Tier 5, and Tier 6, with Tier 0 being the least expensive and Tier 6 being the most expensive. Days that have higher demand, like busy seasons and holidays, will usually be higher tier and more costly for 1-Day tickets. When you buy a 1-Day ticket, it will be valid for the date you selected or another date in the same or lower tier. For this reason, those who purchase a Tier 6 ticket will have the most flexibility. We get asked if Disneyland tickets are refundable . Click for all details.

When planning your visit, you can find a calendar with pricing on the Disneyland website to see the tiers and pricing of each day of the month. Pricing will vary by month and date, and tickets will cost more on days with peak crowds and during weekends.

For example, all days of the crowded month of October of this year are clustered within Tiers 4-6. October is projected to be the busiest season of this year (and one of the worst Disneyland months to avoid if you hate crowd s), with prices for 1-Day tickets reflecting this.

Prices will also reflect the slower seasons at Disneyland as well. Disney recently made a change in their ticket pricing that offers more dates for lower-tier tickets across the calendar year than ever before.

Below is a breakdown of the pricing per tier for 1-Day Disneyland tickets for 1 Park Per Day:

Disneyland 1-Day Pricing (1 Park Per Day)

Disneyland Multi-Day Ticket Prices

There are also tickets available for multiple days at one park for 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, and 5-day visits. It’s difficult to fit everything you want to do into a single day at Disneyland, especially if you are planning on visiting both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. While it might be unavoidable to plan anything longer than a 1-Day trip, you will get a much more relaxed experience with a Multi-Day ticket and the opportunity to enjoy everything the parks have to offer you, which is why this option is appealing to many guests. If you know that you’ll be planning to visit Disneyland for several days, the Multi-Day tickets are worth it due to how much they save you in price per day.

These Multi-Day tickets cost the same for any dates you visit:

Disneyland Multi-Day Ticket Pricing

You can also read our thoughts on how many days you need to visit Disneyland for here .

Disneyland Park Hopper Ticket Prices

Disneyland Park Hopper tickets allow you to go back and forth between the parks during your visit. Park Hopper tickets are available for 1-Day tickets (in their respective tiers for $65 more per ticket) or Multi-Day (2-Day, 3-Day, 4-Day, and 5-Day) tickets at varying add-on costs. You can see our full analysis of whether Disneyland park hopper tickets are worth it .

When you book your Park Hopper ticket, you’ll get to choose which park you’d like to start out in (Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure). After 11am, you can enjoy either park. In the table below, you can find Park Hopper ticket pricing for both 1-Day tickets in their various tiers and Multi-Day.

In the past, Park Hopper tickets for 2-Day, 3-Day, 4-Day, and 5-Day tickets cost $60 more per ticket than a 1 Park Per Day Multi-Day ticket, but as of the new Disneyland price increase, Park Hopper add-on costs will vary per trip length. The Park Hopper add-on for 2-Day tickets costs an additional $65 per ticket, while the add-on for 3-Day and 4-Day tickets costs an additional $70 per ticket, and the add-on for a 5-Day ticket costs an additional $75 per ticket. You can see this reflected in the table below.

Disneyland Park Hopper Ticket Pricing (1 Day and Multi-Day)

Is Disneyland Park Hopping Worth it? 

Given that Disney California Adventure is located right across from Disneyland, it’s incredibly convenient and fast to get from park to park on foot. If you are only visiting for one day, Park Hopping is worth it to experience as much as possible in both parks. If you’re visiting for multiple days, it might make more sense to spend an entire day in each of the parks enjoying the attractions and entertainment. If you do decide to visit one park at a time, be sure to check out our Disney California Adventure 1-Day Itinerary and Disneyland 1-Day Itinerary .

Whether or not Park Hopping is worth it also depends on which experiences you’d like to prioritize during your time at the parks. Personally, I have an equal amount of favorite rides at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure , so I like to start my 1-Day Park Hopper ticket out at Disneyland catching the high-demand rides first with the Disneyland morning touring strategy and then enjoy the attractions at Disney California Adventure in the afternoon.

Are Disneyland Tickets More Expensive At the Gate?

Disneyland tickets are not more expensive at the gate. However, while you can certainly buy Disneyland tickets at the gate, there is the danger of showing up without a park reservation. The Disneyland theme park reservation system requires guests to have both a park reservation and a valid ticket for the same date for each day their visit is planned for.

Because you need tickets in order to make a park reservation, buying tickets at the gate is risky because you might not be able to access the park if it doesn’t have space.

Though the Disneyland site will not give you a discount in advance, there are discounts on 2-5 day Disneyland tickets which we detail here .

Disneyland Special Event Tickets

Oogie Boogie Bash Tickets

Disneyland also offers special ticketed themed events like Oogie Boogie Bash where guests can dress up and experience character meet-and-greets, entertainment like parades, shows, and treat trails, and more. Oogie Boogie Bash parties are offered on multiple nights at Disney California Adventure, and prices vary depending on the date. Guests are admitted to the park at 3pm, and the event takes place from 6-11pm.

This year, Oogie Boogie Bash prices ranged from $134-189 per person, with the more expensive dates reflecting crowd levels in the past. For Oogie Boogie Bash, the peak price of $189 is on the day of and day before Halloween, with the Sunday parties costing more than weekdays and prices increasing the closer the parties get to the height of the busy Halloween season.

Because obtaining these special event tickets can be so competitive, you might be left with only the more expensive nights by the time it’s your turn in the queue. This year, tickets sold out extremely quickly. With this year’s ticket prices, Oogie Boogie Bash for a family of three is costing anywhere between $402 and $567 depending on which night you go.

While it may be temping to buy a ticket to enjoy the park for the first half of the day, keep in mind that you’ll be getting a high quality experience with shorter wait times for rides during the event. We recommend saving the money that it would cost to get a ticket during the day and make the most of the time included in the pre-event park mix-in and event itself if you also have other days at the resort around the party.

Disneyland After Dark Tickets

Disneyland After Dark is a series of separately ticketed nighttime after-hours events offered by Disneyland and Disney California Adventure that feature themed entertainment, special foods, merchandise, character meet-and-greets, the opportunity to ride attractions with low wait times, and more. Disneyland After Dark events this year have included Star Wars Nite , Throwback Nite, Pride Nite , Princess Nite, and Sweethearts’ Nite. These events last four hours, and guests also have the opportunity to explore the parks for 3 hours beforehand.

These are separately ticketed events that tend to sell out quickly, and costs typically range from $129-169 per person depending on the night. For example, the Throwback Nite this year cost $129 on April 18th and $145 on April 20th, and Star Wars Nite ranged in price from $149-$169 and had the highest price of $169 on May the 4th (Star Wars Day).

While these tickets seem expensive, they are approximately in the same cost range as a Tier 2 to Tier 5 1-Day ticket for adults. These events also include incredible, unique opportunities that you won’t get to experience in a typical day at the park, especially if you are interested in the theming.

Disneyland Military Tickets

Disneyland offers specially priced Disney tickets to active and retired U.S. military personnel.

Below, you can see an example of an offer for 3-day and 4-day Disney Military Promotional Park Hopper Tickets. These are available for purchase through their participating US military base ticket office. Tickets can be bought by service members or their spouses, and tickets can be purchased for themselves or family and friends, with valid military I.D. required for purchase and use.

• 3-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket: $245
• 3-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket with Disney Genie+ Service: $320
• 4-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket: $280
• 4-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket with Disney Genie+ Service: $380

Service members and their families should absolutely take advantage of this offer. This is the option my Navy family always goes with, as it’s hard to beat this pricing!

California Resident Ticket Offers

Disneyland occasionally has California Resident ticket offers.

You can see an example of a past ticket offer for California residents living in zip codes 90000-96199, where they could choose between two options for a 3-day, 1-park per day ticket: a Monday to Thursday ticket offer and a Monday to Sunday ticket offer between June 12 through September 28, 2023. Park Hopper and Genie+ upgrades are also available.

For the California Resident ticket offers, it’s required to give proof of residency with a valid government-issued photo ID. For the current offer, the pricing is as follows:

California Resident (Monday to Thursday) Ticket Offer 

• 3-Day (Monday to Thursday), 1-Park Per Day Ticket – $249
• 3-day, Park Hopper for $309
• 3-day, 1 Park ticket with Genie+ for $324
• 3-day, Park Hopper ticket with Genie+ for $384

California Resident (Monday to Sunday) Ticket Offer 

• 3-Day (Monday to Sunday), 1-Park Per Day Ticket – $299
• 3-day, Park Hopper for $359
• 3-day, 1 Park ticket with Genie+ for $374
• 3-day, Park Hopper ticket with Genie+ for $434

Magic Key Passes Ticket Prices

The Disneyland Resort Magic Key Program is Disneyland’s annual passholder program that offers four tiers of Magic Keys with various levels of discounts and perks as well as reservation-based admission to the park outside of blockout dates (which is when a pass type is not valid for park admission). In order of the most offerings to the more basic offerings, the tiers are the Inspire Key, Believe Key, Enchant Key, and Imagine Key. While the higher tiers are the most expensive, they offer more valuable benefits, while the lowest tiers are subject to more limitations and blockout dates but come at a more affordable cost.

People wonder when Magic Key Annual Passes will go on sale again . Here’s what you need to know!

Which tier is right for you will depend on how much you plan to visit the parks throughout the year. If you are a local and are planning to visit frequently, you might opt for a tier with more benefits. We’ll break down the pricing and benefits of each type of Magic Key below. As of the recent Disneyland price increase, all Magic Key pass types have adjusted in price.

Inspire Key- $1,649

The Inspire Key is the highest tier with limited blockout dates, discounts on merchandise and dining, and standard parking included. The benefits of the Inspire Key are below:

• The ability to hold up to 6 theme park reservations at a time
• 20% off the purchase of Disney Genie+ service on days when you use your pass for park admission
• Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads
• Up to 20% off select merchandise and up to 15% off select dining
• Standard theme park parking included (excluding blockout dates, at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure and Toy Story Parking Area)

Believe Key-$1,249  – Available for renewal only 

Guests with the Believe Key can enjoy less blockout dates with significant discounts on parking, dining, and merchandise. Currently, the Believe Key is only available for renewal. The benefits of the Believe Key are below:

• Hold up to 6 theme park reservations at a time
• Up to 10% off select merchandise and up to 10% off select dining
• 20% off the purchase of Disney Genie+ service on days when you use your pass for admission to the park.
• Unlimited PhotoPass digital photo downloads
• 50% off standard theme park parking (excluding blockout dates, at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure and Toy Story Parking Area)

Enchant Key – $849 – Available for renewal only

The Enchant Key has more blockout dates than the Believe Key and Inspire Key, and it allows you to hold up to 4 park reservations at a time. Currently, the Enchant Key is only available for renewal. The benefits of the Enchant Key are below:

• Hold up to 4 theme park reservations at a time
• 20% off the purchase of Disney Genie+ service on days when you use your pass for admission to the park
• 25% off standard theme park parking at the Toy Story Parking Area (excluding blockout dates)

Imagine Key -$499  – Available for renewal only for Southern California Residents living in zip codes 90000 to 93599

The Imagine Key is subject to the most blockout dates for busy seasons, but it’s exclusively offered to Southern California Residents. The benefits of the Imagine Key are below:

• Hold up to 2 park reservations at a time
• 20% off the purchase of Disney Genie+ service on days you use your pass for admission

Is It Worth It To Get a Magic Key Pass?

If you are planning on visiting Disneyland several times a year, it might be worth it to consider a pass and the advantages it will offer you. A major benefit of the passes is their discounts on dining, merchandise, and parking. With parking and dining in particular adding up so easily, the benefits of these discounts and the other perks offered by the passes can be worth the cost. This also means you can avoid the current price of Disneyland ticket prices and lock in admission for a year at the current rate.

Disneyland Ticket and Hotel Discounts

There are a few different ways to access Disneyland discount ticket prices, which we detail in our guide to discount Disneyland ticket deals . Disneyland also releases hotel discounts on stays at a Disneyland Resort hotels throughout the year, with special discounts offered to Magic Key holders, military service members, and Disney Visa cardmembers. You can read more details about Disneyland hotel discounts and current offerings in our guide to Disneyland Resort hotel discounts in 2024.

Additional Disneyland Costs to Consider

While Disneyland ticket prices are a big part of your trip’s expenses, there are also other day-to-day costs to consider at Disneyland. These include hotels, parking, dining, souvenirs, paid services in the park, and more. Some of these are larger expenses, while others are smaller ones that can add up if you’re not careful. You can read all of this summarized in our guide to the cost of a Disneyland vacation here .

Parking: If you’re driving from out of town or decide to get a rental car for your trip, parking at Disneyland can be a significant expense. As of Disneyland’s recent price increase, the cost of Disneyland theme park parking is $35 per vehicle for standard parking and $55 per vehicle for preferred parking. This can quickly add up, and if you are enjoying a 5-day trip, Disneyland parking can end up costing between $175 and $275.

If you are driving from out of town for a one-day trip, parking can be an unavoidable cost, but if you are staying at a hotel during your trip, we recommend utilizing an Uber/Lyft or ART shuttle unless you are planning on using a rental car to explore the surrounding area and drive to places other than to and from the parks. The ART shuttle offers one-way fares that cost $4 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $1.50 for children (ages 3-9) and seniors (ages 65+), a 1-day pass that costs $6 for adults and $2.50 for children and seniors, a 3-day pass $16 for adults and $3.50 for children and seniors, and a 5-day pass that costs $25 for adults and $5.50 for children and seniors.

Dining: Disneyland offers Quick Service and Table Service dining options at the parks. How much food will cost for a trip to Disneyland will depend on the price point of each dining location you choose to eat at. On the Disneyland website, each dining option will have a $ sign that represents the typical cost:

• $- ($14.99 dollars and under per adult)
• $$-($15 to $34.99 per adult)
• $$$-($35 to $59.99 per adult)
• $$$$-(over $60 per adult)

You can save on dining at Disneyland by eating breakfast outside of the parks, finding cheap but filling meals , splitting portions, or bringing your own food into the park . Disneyland dining packages and dessert parties are also offered for shows and parades, which give guests a meal and reserved viewing areas.

Hotels: There are three Disneyland-owned hotels, Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa , the Disneyland Hotel , and the Paradise Pier Hotel (transforming into Pixar Place Hotel ). The Disneyland Resort hotels come at a higher price per night, and there is a great variety of hotels near Disneyland (including both cheap and luxury options) to choose from. Disneyland offers discounts for Disneyland Resort hotels that range from 10% to 25% depending on the time of year.

Genie+: This paid service enables you to book Lightning Lanes for the most popular rides at the park, skipping the long line once per ride per day. To use Lightning Lanes, every member of your group needs to have Genie+ purchased. As of the recent Disneyland price increase, the pre-arrival pricing has changed to $30 and the day-of pricing will start at $30 but may vary depending on how crowded the parks are/when you are visiting. This cost can add up over several days, especially if you have a larger group and are enjoying a longer trip.

Individual Lightning Lanes:  Individual Lightning Lanes are offered for the most high-demand rides at both parks, and they are offered at an a la carte rate (not included with your Genie+ purchase). There is a limit of 2 attractions per day for purchasing Individual Lightning Lanes. Costs will fluctuate, but attractions usually are between $15-25 per person. You can read our guide on Individual Lightning Lanes at Disneyland and see which rides it’s worth the price for in our guide.

Stroller Rental: Stroller rental at Disneyland costs $18.00 per day for one stroller and $36.00 per day for a double stroller. However, we recommend bringing your own stroller or renting one outside of Disneyland, as you have to return them when you leave and can’t use them for traveling to and from the park at the beginning and end of the day when they might be much needed.

Souvenirs : Souvenirs can be a sneaky expense that add up across several days at the parks if you’re not careful. A helpful way to combat overspending is to buy Disney souvenirs ahead of time at a cheaper price, establish a souvenir budget for the parks, or only purchase souvenirs on the last day of your trip to prevent impulsive purchases. Also, make sure you are prepared with any necessities ahead of time so that you don’t need to make any unexpected purchases—use our ultimate Disneyland packing list to make sure you have everything you need in your bag.

Universal Studios Hollywood Ticket Prices : With the addition of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World , many more guests are considering adding a day at Universal Studios Hollywood. If you decided to add this on to your Disneyland tickets, you’ll need to both consider the price of the Universal tickets, the price of transportation from Disneyland to Universal , and the price of the popular Universal Express Pass .

Plan Your Disney Vacation Today!

For the best resource and helpful information for planning your Disney trip, make sure to subscribe to our FREE Deals newsletter​. We’ll provide you with helpful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere. You can find more information on planning your vacation here:

• 30 Budget Tips to Save Big Bucks on Your Disneyland Vacation
• Disneyland Crowd Calendar – Best Times to Visit Disneyland in 2024
• Big Hero 6 San Fransokyo Coming to California Adventure – Opening, Construction Update, Details
• Mobile Ordering at Disneyland Guide! Order Food From the Disneyland App
• How to do Disneyland in Summer 2024 | Tips for a cool, magical adventure

Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.

About Emily Midgley

Emily Midgley is a writer and educator from San Diego, California. She graduated from Hamilton College with a BA in English and a concentration in Creative Writing. She was introduced to Disneyland when she was two and has been hooked ever since! At Mickey Visit and Disney Dose, she will keep you updated on all things to do with Disneyland Park and California Adventure. Her favorite rides are Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, Space Mountain, and Rise of the Resistance. She loves Marvel (especially Guardians of the Galaxy) and lives and breathes anything to do with Star Wars.

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4 comments add your comment

You have made your prices so high that I can’t take my great grandchildren there for a once in a lifetime visit, shame on you !!!!

I appreciate the clear structure that guides readers through the content.

How come you don’t offer passes for seniors who are handicapped and cannot go on rides? I want to go to Disney with my grandchildren but shouldn’t have to pay full price for a Park Pass or a Hopper Pass.

I agree! We have wanted to take our family for years before we die! A life time dream of ours with our 13 grandchildren and our 10 children. But not now, I grew up in California in the 60’s and it was dreams come true that I wanted to share with my family! Just so sad to spend all of our retirement on a family vacation of a lifetime 😭 We missed out I guess.

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MOSCOW TOPOGRAPHY

Moscow has developed in circles around the original historical center. Today, Muscovites divide their city into four road rings. The first one, Bulvarnoye Koltso (Boulevard Ring), contains the very center of the city, the Kremlin, as well as the Red Square and some other tourist attractions. The second ring road draws a circle with a diameter of around five kilometers around the Kremlin and covers what is considered the city center. The area is referred to as  Sadovoye koltso , the Garden Ring. The Third Transport Ring ( TTK ) is a high-speed freeway. The fourth ring is enclosed by the Moscow Automobile Ring Road ( MKAD ). The MKAD is the official city boundary, although there are huge areas outside the ring that are also officially part of the city area.

MOSCOW CLIMATE

December: -10 °C January: -10 °C February: -15 °C

March: -1 °C April: 5 °C May: 14 °C

June: 17 °C July: 20 °C August: 19 °C

September: 10 °C October: 5 °C November: -1 °C

Winter in Moscow usually goes by with lack of sunshine and the long dark nights. The first snow usually appears in the middle of November, but the most snowy months are January and February.

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Mains are Europlug (two-pole), voltage is 220V and frequency is 50Hz. Total bills for building maintenance, electricity, gas, water and telephone services are around 6000 rubles (€60.24) per month. All bills can be paid via internet.

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In Moscow, the main forms of public transport are metro, bus and trolleybus. The Metro stations are renowned for their elegant and grand decor, and the Metro services are frequent and efficient, but during the daytime stations and trains are usually overcrowded. Choose first or last coaches since they are often less crowded. Passes for one or two trips can be purchased via ticket machines (cash and coins only). Tickets cost about 55 rubles (€0.55) for one journey. Tickets are valid at the Metro, bus, trolleybus, tram and monorail. It is better to purchase multi-ride pass, using it is more profitable.

-> Read our main articles about surface public transport and Moscow Metro

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Uber is available in Moscow as it’s local competitors: Gett , Yandex.Taxi (local leader) or Wheely (use a promo code “WEHEARTMOSCOW” to get 1000 rubles (€10.04) discount at your first Wheely ride). All of them provide iOS and Android apps allowing to order a cab using an online map of Moscow.

-> Read our main article about taxi in Moscow

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There are four major mobile-network providers in Moscow: Beeline , MTS , MegaFon and TELE2 , offering similar services and coverage. 15Gb 3G/LTE data plan costs about 600 rubles (€6.02) per month. Prepaid or contract micro-SIM and nano-SIM cards are available in almost every provider store.

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Major TV-providers in Moscow are Rostelecom (default in-flat provider), Beeline (Microsoft Mediaroom platform), NTV Plus (official broadcaster of Russian Football Championship) and MGTS . All of them offer wide range of different language channels including BBC World News, CNN International, France 24, Deutsche Welle, Russia Today and others. Some sport events are available for watching online at Match TV site (HD available).

FM RADIO IN MOSCOW

Jazz: Radio Jazz (89.1 FM) Pop: Europa Plus (106.2 FM), Love Radio (106.6 FM), Chocolate (98.0 FM) Rock: Maximum (103.7 FM), ROCK FM (95.2 FM) Electronic: Megapolis FM (89.5 FM) English-language: Capital FM (105.3 FM)

Most stations are streaming online at MOSKVA.FM .

INTERNET AT HOME IN MOSCOW

Major internet providers in Moscow are Rostelecom (Ethernet), MGTS (PON) and Beeline  (Ethernet or LTE). Average price for fast 60 Mbps internet is 400 rubles (€4.02) per month.

BANKING IN RUSSIA

ATMs are available in almost every street. Most provide 24 hour access. Largest banks are Sberbank , Alfa-Bank and Raiffeisen Bank . Also, Tinkoff bank has grew up in recent years.

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The four Grand Slams, the two tours and Saudi Arabia are all hoping to revamp tennis

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

Tennis could be on the verge of massive structural change if one of two separate proposals formulated by the four Grand Slam tournaments and the WTA and ATP professional tours ends up moving forward. There is plenty of discussion happening now behind closed doors about the sport’s future. Negotiations involve the various governing bodies, tournaments, players, agents and Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund. The idea set forth by the four majors would get rid of the current WTA-ATP structure and create a new Premier Tour for roughly 100 women and 100 men and a lower-level Contenders Tour for roughly 200 women and 200 men. All events would have women and men and pay equal prize money.

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