I am staying at Grand Californian and going to Disneyland the next day. I have read that you can use your hotel key to scan in to Lightning Lane. Is that still the case even after you check out of your hotel?

I have also seen that you can use the app to scan in. Is that through RFID or does it scan a barcode?

Thanks!

Hi, it’s my first time including this experiences in my planning.

I have the next reservations but I don’t know which ones to keep, what do you guys recommend?

Our party: 5 adults - 1 child (7y)

Saturday 28 (check in) Goofy’s brunch or dinner

Sunday 29 (California adventure or Disneyland) No restaurant reservations

Monday 30 (California adventure or Disneyland) Goofys breakfast Storytellers brunch

Tuesday 31 (Disneyland) Plaza inn breakfast Storytellers breakfast Storytellers brunch

I am planning on going to Disneyland with my service dog from Dec 18-23. Will it be too crowded and miserable for me and my service dog? I had one friend tell me it would be selfish and cruel to go with my service dog, even though I explained to them that I’ll be taking lots and lots of breaks throughout the day with my service dog. He already comes with me to work and school, everywhere because I rely on him for assistance. He does well in public and crowded places, is perfectly trained etc. So I felt like maybe this friend was making a judgment about something they know nothing about.

Would you go with a service dog this upcoming week?

This may have already been shared but in case it hasn't, there's a new 3-day ticket for $67 per day deal for SoCal residents. Wish this was applicable to everyone since regular tickets are getting more expensive by the day!

My 60 days is almost here for my restaurant reservations to open up. We’re going to both DCA and Disneyland. What food reservations, if any, do I HAVE to make? I’ve never been! So I have no idea what to book! Thanks!

I have been to Disneyland before, but it's been about 15 years. Also, his is my first time going during the Christmas season. On Dec. 28-29, I'm taking my almost 4 y/o for her first trip. Everything is already booked (we're driving from Central CA and have a hotel within walking distance of the park). I'm hoping for some tips from people who have already visited with small kids, or toys on visiting during the holiday season. TIA!

Edit: We have Park Hopper passes, so we'll be going to California Adventure as well.

Hello there, I'm planning on going to Disney next year with my gf and we were thinking of buying the Socal Resident 3-day Tickets. Question is are we allowed to both use those tickets when only I am a SoCal resident? We both go to school in SoCal and I will be purchasing both tickets since I have a SoCal billing address, but is she allowed to use these tickets as well?

My bf and I are planning a trip to Disneyland. Should we take advantage of the SoCal resident discount and spread our trip for 3 days (2 days in DL 1 day in CA)? Or should we just do a one day ticket w/ park hopper. We are young and fit so we can walk a lot, but the discount is tempting…

We were just in Disney the 12-14, and decided to get tickets to go back for New Year’s Eve. What is everyone’s experience with this day at the park? Above average crowds or not too bad? I’m expecting it to be crowded just given the holiday. We are planning to stay until 2am when it closes.

Hi everyone -

I had a question about the Disney Movie Club studio tour reward. I’m not even sure if this is the right place for this post, but I’m trying to find solutions for the sake of my parents.

See - my parents have been massive Disney fans for years. Their honeymoon was to WDW, my dad has stock in Disney, I’ve been to the Florida park countless times and we’ve flown across the country to DL. One thing I’ve heard my mom talk about for /years/ is how she’s saving Disney Movie Club points so that we can all go on a trip to get a tour of Walt Disney Studios. She’s had her heart set on it for pretty much as long as the service has been around. She was planning on having us go in 2020, but then COVID struck.

I’m not that involved with Disney anymore (though it still holds a place in my heart), so I apparently missed the announcement that DMC/DMI as a service is ending. My mom told me that she ended up spending all of her points on gifts for family from what little stock they had left, and I’m just… heartbroken. My family gets by, but we’ve never been outrageously well off - just lower-middle class - so it’s devastating to know that this one thing she’s been saving for, for basically my entire life, is unattainable now.

So my question is this - what other options are there? I’ve read threads that talk about how the DMC tour is different than the regular ticketed tour - is there any way, at all, to do a tour that’s more analogous to the former? What’s the price range for it? What kind of planning goes into something like that? Any and ALL help is welcome.

Thanks in advance, everyone.

TL;DR: my mom has been planning for more than 20 years on using Disney Movie Club points to do a tour of Walt Disney Studios, and now she can’t, so I want to know what other options there are for her.

Looking at the events calendar online there’s no parades or fireworks scheduled anytime after January 7.

Is this due to post-holiday changes or is the schedule just not posted yet?

Wondering how the crowds will be Jan7-8!

My boyfriend and I are going to Disneyland and DCA on Thursday for my birthday, and I managed to get Carthay Circle reservations for us at 4 pm by being lucky, but I’d rather it be later during dinner. I also want to book lunch reservations in Disneyland at Cafe Orleans since that’s where we’ll be starting our day. When I look on the app for availability for 2 people, there’s literally nothing available, but when I change it to 3 people, suddenly every time is open. I was thinking of making a lunch reservation for 3 people and then saying our friend was coming but got sick. Is this a good hack or would they not sit us if “the whole party” couldn’t make it?

Edit: thank you so much everyone! I made lunch reservations at cafe orleans at 11am and then carthay circle lounge reservations at 2pm in case we just wanted to get a nice drink & appetizer when we park hop. Planning on banking on lamplight lounge walk up line for dinner. So excited to try these places!

Hi everyone anyone with tips for maximizing rides and the rope drop + LLMP ticket, I would love to hear ahead of my trip in a few days! Thank you!

This is probably a stupid inquiry BUT I am staying at the Disneyland Hotel for the first time ever (pardon my tears of joy) as a solo traveler.

I know it's silly, but I know check out is 11 AM, and check in is 3 PM but my flight options are not great. My concern is checking into early, or close to check in time. I don't want to be a nuisance, but figure my BEST option is getting an earlier flight and leaving my luggage w/ the front desk.

I know it's an option, but just curious what other people think? I will have a ticket for the parks on arrival day too; and maybe a Goofy's Kitchen reservation. just don't want to be a bother to an already hard working team.

Also any advise on best times for Goofy's Kitchen as a solo adult traveler?

I personally don’t see the value, but my mom expressed some interest so I might get her one for our upcoming DL trip. Since the tickets are under my account and not shared like they were at WDW, how would I link the band to her account?

EDIT: Forgot to ask the second question. If I successfully link the band to her account, will I be able to see PhotoPass pics that she taps for in my app like at WDW?

Hi Everyone, I’ll be at Disney next month and want to propose to my finance. I definitely don’t want a crowd, any good ideas for times or places? I did think about booking a night at the grand Californian to get into the park an hour earlier, so would be at the adventure park. Thanks!

Yep, I said it. I have been coming to Disneyland for 50 years. The last time I came for Christmas was 8 years ago and I promised not to come back during this time of year. I physically felt unsafe with the crowd levels. We almost got crushed walking down Main Street.

We decided to give it a try again this year and read it was nuts. I can tell you it’s not so bad. You can easily walk around. Lines are not that bad. I don’t feel like I’m going to be crushed. It’s nice.

Who has a hotel that they just love near Disney World in Orlando? We’re looking for a heated pool, free shuttles…basically a hotel that feels super fun, but also very chic, probably four stars and up.

Hi ! I will be bringing my two young kids (2 and 4 years old) to the two parks at Disneyland (Anaheim). It just occurred to me that I have no idea whether the rides will allow me to ride with both kids at the same time or whether you need to go in pairs (1 parent with 1 kid). Any insight based on previous experience? I can’t exactly leave one kid while I accompany the other one on the ride 🥲

We are in Texas and our schools don't start back until the 7th of January. We were hoping to squeeze in a few days of fun before then.

How bad are the days right after New Years? Like any day between the 1-6th of January. We went a couple of summers ago and had a blast -- it was busy but manageable.

Thanks!

I'm sure some of you may already know this, but the discounts you get from being a D23 gold member can be used at Disney Springs, Downtown Disney, various hotels/resorts, plus other Disney experiences like the Walt Disney Family museum. They're currently doing a 40% off gold memberships deal until the end of the month: https://thriftydisneygal.blog/last-chance-for-40-off-disney-d23-gold-membership/

My amazing grandma got me a $500 gift card for my trip to Disneyland this week. She ordered it on dec 1st with a delivery date of dec 7th. It arrived in seattle on the 13th and still hasn't made it to us. We leave on the 18th at 7am and we're concerned it won't arrive in time.

If it arrives to her while we are in the parks is there a way for her to text me the information and link the GC to our app/magic bands?

$500 is a substantial amount of extra spending money and it would be a shame to be unable to use it at the parks. (We're christmas shopping for everyone)

TIA!!

Looking at a 2-day trip in late January, for the Thursday and Friday (Jan 30 and 31) prior to the main races of RunDisney race weekend. Am I insane? I will not and have zero interest in anything race related, just those days worked out well timing wise with my schedule. Hotels seem priced the same as any other off-peak time.

It looks like the only thing Thursday is pre-opening Yoga and on Friday there is a pre-opening 5K, with the main race events on Saturday and Sunday after we'd be done with the parks. Do people usually go to the parks in the days prior to the 10K?

Will the parks be packed? Am I setting myself up for disaster?

Hello! Taking my two preschoolers to Disneyland/DCA second week of January (Monday-Thursday) and curious if the magic happens of any parade returns after the holiday season or is there sometimes a break with the parades ?

Also curious if there are weekday fireworks? My kids probably wouldn't make it that late anyway but just curious. Thanks!!

Outside of booking a 1 night stay at nearby hotel for the whole night what are some rest options during a 1 day trip.

Going with a senior 70+ and Ideally we would just need sonewhere to rest and lay down for 2-3 hours before heading back into the park.

Too bad they dont book hotels by the hour. Lol

Just thinking about having to pay for parking at a hotel on top of a 1 day stay is not appealing.

Hi all, With my family with are passing through Orlando and would like to visit Disney world for a day (probably not enough, but it is ok for us). Online there are only tickets for 2 days minimum, is possible to buy directly there tickets for one day only? Thanks

What are the chances that California adventure will reach capacity and park hoppers will be turned away on dec 24,25 or 26.

We reserved Disneyland those days but with park hopper. Have a dining reservation in CA on one of those days.

I’m trying to figure out some fun things to do with the kids besides go on rides. We are pass holders and my worry is that if we go on the only the rides our trips will turn stale. Any suggestions are appreciated!

Hey guys I'm planning my first trip to Disneyland to take advantage of the SoCal Ticket offer for and I had some questions.

1. I'm planning to go in January which I heard isn't too busy but is there anyway to find out which exact days will be less crowded?

2. Is Lightning Lane necessary or can I skip it if I rope drop? I live far from the park so for me to be able to get there early would requiring me getting up at like very early which I might not be able to do with my current schedule. I was thinking if I buy LL I might be able to get into the park at around 10am and be good? I have 3 days so I'm not sure if there's enough time. I'd rather either buy LL for the 3 days or rope drop and save the money, which would be better?

Thanks for your help

So Saturday I'll be heading to Disneyland but was curious on how soaked you can get on Tiana's Bayou Adventure? I'll have a poncho but I've heard that sometimes doesn't keep you dry either. Any tips on how to keep myself, shoes, and feet dry?

Edit: thank you everyone for the tips I appreciate it!!!