Planning any Disney vacation can be challenging, but planning a visit in 2026 to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, can be even more daunting for those who haven’t been to the Southern California theme park in a while, those who typically visit Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and even first-timers to the Happiest Place on Earth.
After many visits to the Disneyland Resort over the years, and planning each of those trips myself, I’ve learned some valuable tips and tricks to make the planning process and actual vacation easy and fun for everyone. Even with all of the changes coming to the resort next year, from hotel perks to attractions closing, and more, taking a 2026 Disneyland vacation is still a good idea, and one that’s sure to be filled with plenty of magical memories. Here are the things you need to know before planning your 2026 Disneyland vacation.
Try to plan your 2026 Disneyland vacation during the slower seasons
While crowd calendars aren’t an exact science, I often look at them when planning a Disneyland trip. I like the one from MickeyVisit.com, which rates days based on factors such as single-day ticket prices, Magic Key (Disneyland’s annual pass) blockout days, historical wait time data, school calendars for the surrounding states, and special events. That said, crowd calendars aren’t an exact science, and they can be wrong. A day that shows a lighter crowd may end up being very busy. So don’t put all your Mickey Bars in one basket, trying to guarantee lower crowds for your family based on a crowd calendar.
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Some of the best times to take your 2026 Disneyland vacation are the last part of January (minus Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend), early to mid-February, early to mid-May, the end of August, the first week of November, and the time between Thanksgiving and the first full week of December. These dates often overlap with kids’ school schedules, shoulder season travel, and dates at the beginning of Disneyland’s seasonal events.
That said, some of the times you’ll want to avoid Disneyland in 2026 include the first week of January, Presidents Day weekend and the week following, Spring Break over the last week of March, Easter week, Thanksgiving week, and Christmas week. While there will be other times during the year that see larger crowds, these are often the weeks that draw the most people to the parks. If these are the only times you can travel because your kids are out of school, that’s completely fine. Just be aware that it will be busy, and make a plan for how you want to attack the day.
Our senior theme park editor’s favorite time to visit Disneyland in 2026
While slow seasons (or say, weeks) make the parks more manageable, there’s really no bad time to visit the Disneyland Resort in 2026. This year, I visited Disneyland multiple times from spring to summer and loved every second. I’ve also visited during Halloween and the holidays a handful of times. But if someone asked me what my favorite time to visit is, I’d have to say Halloween. Even if you don’t go to the extra cost Oogie Boogie Bash party at Disney California Adventure, there’s still plenty of Halloween fun to be had around the resort.
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Some of my favorite things about Disneyland during Halloween are the ride overlays for attractions like Haunted Mansion, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission — Breakout, and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. I also love the spooky decor around both parks and the hotels, seeing Mickey Mouse and his pals in their Halloween costumes, and all of the yummy treats that come with the season.
What special events are happening in 2026 at Disneyland?
Throughout the year, the Disneyland Resort hosts a variety of special events. The biggest one, Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration, kicked off in May 2025 and will run through summer 2026. You can read our full guide on the milestone anniversary here.
Additionally, the resort is known for its yearly celebrations. While the official schedules haven’t been announced as of publication, we expect the return of the Lunar New Year Festival starting in January, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival starting in February, Season of the Force starting in March, Halloween Time at Disneyland starting in August, and the holiday season starting in November.
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Throughout the year, there are also Disneyland After Dark Events, like Sweetheart’s Nite and Star Wars Nite. These extra-cost events are very popular, and we expect them to return in 2026.
How long do you need at Disneyland in 2026?
There are quite a few factors to think about when determining how long to spend at Disneyland in 2026. Are you located relatively close to the resort and can visit often, or are you traveling a long distance and may only visit once a year or less? Are you looking to get everything done at both parks, or do you want a vacation that combines theme park rides with a bit of relaxation?
No matter what direction you’re trying to go, I always suggest that people who travel a long way to Disneyland, haven’t visited in a while, or want to get a lot of things done on their trip to plan for three full days. This gives you plenty of time to ride all the attractions you may want, enjoy some of the park’s entertainment and dining options, plus have a little bit of downtime at your hotel during the day.
What perks do 2026 Disneyland hotel guests get?
Starting early next year, the perks of staying at one of the three Disneyland hotels are changing. Beginning January 5, 2026, guests who are staying at the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, or Pixar Place Hotel get one Lightning Lane entry for any eligible attraction during their stay. This takes over the 30 minutes of early park entry that will continue to be a perk from now through January 4, 2026.
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Other than the few days of early park entry or the Lightning Lane entry, there aren’t any distinct theme park perks that make staying at a Disneyland hotel different than staying at a hotel near Disneyland.
Is it worth it to stay at an on-site hotel?
Figuring out if it’s worth it to stay at an on-site Disneyland hotel is also subjective. I love staying at the three Disneyland properties, but they are expensive. All of the Disneyland Resort hotels are akin to a deluxe hotel at Walt Disney World in terms of price and amenities.
If I want to splurge and plan on balancing my time between the parks and my hotel, I opt for a room at one of the Disney properties. The Disneyland Hotel is my favorite for its cute rooms, monorail-themed pool, and ample dining. Plus, the new Disney Vacation Club tower offers more ways to stay, whether it’s with your own points or by renting points from a reputable outlet like DVC Shop or David’s Vacation Club Rentals.
What off-site hotels are the best?
For a luxury stay near Disneyland, the Westin Anaheim Resort is ideal, with comfortable rooms (some even face Disney California Adventure), a pool for a quick dip after spending time in the parks, and onsite restaurants to refuel yourself for more fun. The resort is about a 15-minute walk to Disneyland.
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My favorite budget-friendly hotel is Hotel Lulu, which is part of the Best Western hotel umbrella. The hotel is cute, with a fun beach theme. While amenities are basic, the price per night is hard to beat, especially if you plan to be in the parks all day and just need a place to sleep and shower. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Disneyland.
How to get a deal on 2026 Disneyland vacations
The first place you should look for deals on your 2026 Disneyland vacation is the offers page on the official Disneyland Resort website. Here, you’ll see all of the ticket, hotel, and bundle offers that are currently available.
As of publication, one 2026 offer is already available. Those who live in California can get a 3-day park hopper ticket for $249 (an over 50 percent savings). These tickets are valid from January 1 through May 21, 2026.
