Disneyland is located in Anaheim, southern California. The Disneyland Resort is open every day of the year. It originally opened in 1955 and now attracts over 50,000 visitors daily, over 18 million yearly visitors. What each of these visitors wants to know for planning their visit is what time does Disneyland open and close?
The Disneyland Resort has two theme parks – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure – and spans 500 acres. Each park has slightly different opening and closing times, which can vary by the day of the week and time of the year.
This article will discuss the Disneyland theme park hours and when you should arrive at Disneyland. We will answer your questions about what time does Disneyland open in Anaheim? As well as details about parking lot opening times, early entry, closing times, and dining reservation opening times.
Keep reading to learn more about planning arrival and departure times for your Disneyland itinerary.
What time does Disneyland open during the week?
The Disneyland opening and closing times can be reduced on weekdays as the parks are less crowded. Typically Disneyland Park opens at 8:00 AM during the week, and Disney California Adventure Park opens at 8:00 AM also.
If you have a Disneyland Park Hopper, you cannot access the park you are hopping to until 11:00 AM.
Are you visiting at the start of the week and wondering what time does Disneyland open on Mondays? Both Disneyland theme parks typically open at 8:00 AM on Mondays.
What is rope drop at Disneyland? The time a Disneyland theme park opens for the day is known as “rope drop.” Historically Disney used ropes to close off sections of the theme parks and prevent guests from entering. Hence, when a Disneyland theme park is opened, the rope is “dropped.”
The best time to visit the Disneyland theme parks is at rope drop, first thing in the morning when the park opens. When to arrive at Disneyland? To get inside the theme park for the rope drop, you must park your car and walk inside the park at least 30 to 60 minutes before opening time. The Disney parks get busier as the day progresses; the lines are much longer in the afternoons, and wait times increase with the crowds.
Are you wondering what time does Disneyland open in California or when I should visit Disneyland with my children? Read this article to learn more about the Best Time to Visit Disneyland.
What time does Disneyland open on weekends?
The Disneyland theme parks are always more crowded on weekends, so opening hours are extended on Saturdays and often on Fridays and Sundays.
What time does Disneyland open on Saturday and Sunday? Disneyland opens at 8:00 AM on the weekends, but Disneyland Park will typically stay open later – until 11:00 PM or 12:00 AM to accommodate the crowds.
Since Disneyland opening and closing times can vary due to special events, it’s always important to double-check times using this Disneyland Hours and Events Calendar. There is a Daily View and a 5-Day View, and you can change the date up to 6 weeks in advance.
In addition to Disneyland Park Hours, you can also see details about Events, Parades, Fireworks, Shows & Entertainment, and what’s closed for refurbishment during your visit.
Closing Time
What time does Disneyland close? Well, this depends on which Disneyland theme park you’re visiting. Typically Disney California Adventure will close earlier, often closing at 10:00 PM.
If you’re wondering what time is Disneyland open till, or how late does Disneyland stay open? Disneyland Park usually stays open later; during the week, it will close at 11:00 PM, and on the weekends, it closes at 12:00 AM.
Guests at Disneyland Park can usually remain on Main Street USA to shop at Disney stores until 1 hour after the park closing time.
There are days when Disneyland will close early for regular park visitors due to private events. On such occasions, you may be able to purchase tickets to attend a special event, such as Disneyland After Dark parties or the Oogie Boogie Bash at Halloween, when the park stays open late.
Early Entry
What time does Disneyland open for hotel guests? One of the perks of staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel is that guests can enjoy “magic hours,” also known as early entry admission to the parks.
What time does Disneyland open for early entry? Take advantage of admission 30 minutes before regular park opening hours. Guests with early entry access receive admission to selected attractions, shopping, and dining locations.
For example, if regular park hours opened at 8:00 AM, then early entry would be for 30 minutes priors, from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM.
What time does the Disneyland parking lot open?
When visiting the Disneyland theme parks, parking is available at Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures and the Toy Story Parking Area.
The Disneyland parking lots open 60 minutes before the earliest theme park opening time. For example, if Disneyland Park opens at 8:00 AM and Disney California Adventure opens at 9:00 AM, the parking locations will open at 7:00 AM.
The entire area is walkable if you stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel, so you are within easy walking distance from the Disneyland theme parks.
Dining Reservations
Disneyland dining reservations begin 60 days in advance for the restaurants at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, the Downtown Disney District, and Disneyland Resort hotels.
What time does Disneyland open dining reservations? Exactly 60 days from your check-in date, you can begin making Disneyland dining reservations online from 6:00 AM.
Another perk of being a Disneyland Resort hotel guest is that dining reservations for your entire visit open up 60 days before your check-in date. Other visitors staying off-property in non-Disney accommodations will have to make dining reservations day by day.
Lightning Lane
When can you book lightning lane at Disneyland? The quick answer is that it depends on where you’re staying!
Disneyland Resort hotel guests can purchase individual Lightning Lane admission from 7:00 AM on the day of their visit. All other guests’ first purchase is available during regular park opening hours.
Read this article to learn more about how Lightning Lane works at Disneyland.
Disneyland Planning Guide
Would you like a step-by-step process for planning a Disneyland vacation with your family? Get our Disneyland Planning Guide with Printable Worksheets to help you plan a fun, easy, stress-free, magical vacation to Disneyland in California. It includes our best tips for visiting Disneyland with children. The 75 printable pages include Disneyland vacation planning information, Disneyland vacation planner templates, and printable worksheets.
Summary
If you’re wondering at what time does Disneyland open, it’s typically at 8:00 AM. But it’s essential to be aware that Disneyland opening and closing times vary by the day of the week and time of the year; they are also impacted by special event times. Hopefully, this guide has given you a good overview of Disneyland’s opening times to help you plan your visit.
Watch this Video about Rope Drop Strategy at Disneyland
For more about family travel, check out these posts:
Top 10 Best Things to do at Downtown Disney
When Is The Best Time To Visit Disneyland?
Disneyland Planning Guide with Printable Worksheets
Games To Play In Line At Disney
Which Is Better, Disney World Or Disneyland?
Can You Bring Food Into Disneyland?
Where To Stay at Disneyland California?
How Many Days in Disneyland?
How does the Lightning Lane work at Disneyland?
Disneyland Tips for Families
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Ruth Hutchins grew up in England and now lives in North Carolina with her husband, Doug, and their two young daughters. They always loved to travel, but once having children everything changed because family travel is more complicated. Traveling with a baby may feel overwhelming to new parents. Travel with a toddler can really test your patience, and traveling with kids can lead to utter chaos. However, travel with your little ones doesn’t have to be that stressful or exhausting. On the BE Family Travel blog Ruth shares her parenting wins, and even epic failures about traveling with kids. She provides resources to help you feel empowered to plan a family vacation and travel with your children.