You’re going to have a ton of questions while planning your first trip to the Disneyland Resort in California and that’s okay. With the constant updates to rides, dining plans, transportation, reservations, etc., it’s difficult to keep it all straight and know what is the most up-to-date information.
Luckily for you, I’m obsessed with finding the answer to every Disneyland question and I’ve put them all together to help you plan your perfect trip.
This post will continue to be added to, so save it for reference because as days pass and with Bob Iger coming back on board as Disney CEO, there are sure to be a ton of upcoming changes.
This post is all about the top questions (FAQs) about the Disneyland Resort.
FAQs Dining, Food and Beverage
What Food Can You Bring Into Disneyland?
Guests are allowed to bring outside food and drinks into Disneyland and California Adventure. The rules are, no glass containers and no alcoholic beverages.
Disneyland does offer a picnic dining area in the Esplanade but you can also enjoy your packed food inside the parks as well. Disneyland doesn’t allow large coolers for food, so keep it to a minimum or try to spread items between a few insulated lunch boxes.
How Do I Order a Birthday Cake for Our Dining Reservation at Disneyland?
Disneyland offers cake delivery to Disney Resort restaurants. Guests can pre-order a special Disney celebration cake to be delivered to participating full-service restaurants in the parks or a Disney Resort Hotel.
Cake orders are recommended at the time of reservation booking but they suggest at least 3 days in advance. Participating restaurants do offer same-day cakes but they may have limited quantity.
Participating Restaurants:
- Blue Bayou Restaurant
- Cafe Orleans
- Lamplight Lounge
- River Belle Terrace
- Wine Country Trattoria
What Time Can You Start Mobile Ordering at Disneyland?
You can start mobile ordering as early as 8 AM. You don’t even have to be in the parks to submit your mobile order. This is great for early mornings when you can book your breakfast on the way to the park and have it ready when you arrive.
What Happens if You Miss Your Mobile Order Window at Disneyland?
If you miss your mobile order window for food pickup, you can still have the restaurant prepare your meal. You will need to speak with a cast member at the pickup window so they know to prepare your order since the original pickup time has passed.
If you forget to pick up your food altogether, Disney will cancel the order at the end of the day when the restaurant closes.
Can You Pay Cash When You Mobile Order at Disneyland?
Due to mobile ordering being contactless, you cannot pay with cash for mobile ordering. If you would like to pay for your meal with cash, you will need to order when you arrive at the restaurant.
You can use a credit card and/or gift card on the Disneyland App to apply to your mobile ordering purchases.
Can You Get Free Water at Disneyland?
Yes, you can ask for free water at any quick-service or full-service restaurant at Disneyland. At quick-service locations, you don’t have to be dining there to ask for water; you can go straight to the counter and ask for a cup of water or a cup of ice.
Does Disney Let You Refill Water Bottles?
You can refill your water bottles at restaurants all day by asking for a cup of ice water. There are also water bottle filling stations and drinking fountains throughout the park.
Can I Bring A Glass Water Bottle To Disneyland?
No, you cannot bring any glass bottles or containers into Disneyland. Try packing a reusable plastic or stainless steel bottle instead and use silicone bags or plastic containers for your food.
Is Popcorn Vegan at Disneyland?
Yes, the popcorn available at Disneyland carts is vegan. Please check the pre-packaged popcorn sold in stores for their ingredients list to make sure they are vegan before purchasing.
Are Disneyland Churros Vegan?
No, the Disneyland churros contain eggs and are not vegan but they are vegetarian-friendly.
Are Micke Waffles Vegan at Disneyland?
No, the Mickey waffles at Disneyland are not vegan but at most full-service restaurants that serve the waffles you can order a vegan (allergy-friendly) option.
Tickets & Reservations
Do You Have to Pay for Each Ride at Disneyland?
No, you don’t have to pay to ride each ride at Disneyland. All rides are included with the price of your ticket. When the parks reopened after Covid, Disney did cancel the free FastPass perk that was available to all guests. This is now a separately ticketed item you can add to your daily ticket, called Genie Plus. Genie Plus replaced Fastpass and will give you access to a shorter line with minimal wait. Prices vary by day due to Disney’s flex pricing. Genie Plus usually runs $20-$25 a day per person, with popular rides added as an a la carte option for $15-$30 per ride, per person.
Disneyland App
Can You Link Disney Gift Cards to Your App?
You cannot currently add Disney gift cards to the My Disney Experience App. Gift cards can be used online to purchase tickets, at restaurants to purchase food and drinks, and in-store and online on ShopDisney.com to purchase souvenirs.
You can also apply your gift cards to Disneyland Resort hotels and stroller and wheelchair rentals.
You can enter your Disney gift card information during payment for mobile ordering in the Disneyland app. So even though you can’t use it as a stored payment method, like Apple Pay, you can still use it as a payment method for individual purchases through the app.
Gift Cards
Where are Disney Gift Cards Not Accepted?
Disney gift cards are not accepted at third-party restaurants and stores on Disney property. Also, some carts may not accept Disney gift cards if they are not set up with card readers.
Can I Pay For My Disneyland Hotel with Gift Cards?
Yes, you can pay for your stay at any Disneyland Resort hotel using your Disney gift cards. Gift cards can be added to the bill during or at the end of your stay.
Disneyland Transportation
What Transportation Does Disneyland Offer?
Disneyland has a few transportation options for getting to the parks. Guests can schedule and book a ride on the Disneyland bus from the airport to the Disneyland hotel, guests can also take the train, or public bus, ride share or drive a personal vehicle.
Please note that Disneyland does not offer complimentary transportation around Anaheim or to/from the airport.
The surrounding hotels do partner with Anaheim and they use the ART Bus, but you do need to pay per person to ride this bus and it can be very unreliable at night.
Are Strollers Allowed at Disneyland?
Yes, strollers are allowed at Disneyland. Guests can rent one at the parks for $18/day or you can bring your own. Be aware, there are limitations on the size of the stroller you can bring in. Strollers can be no bigger than 31 inches (79cm) wide and 52 inches (172cm) long. Stroller wagons are no longer allowed in Disney parks.
Can You Ride the Disneyland Monorail without A Ticket?
Only guests with a ticket or annual pass for Disneyland Park can ride on the monorail. Aside from the Park ticket, there is no additional cost. Guests need to show a valid Disneyland ticket or Annual pass for that day to board at the Downtown Disney entrance.
Disneyland Hours
How Early Can You Get to Disneyland Before They Open?
The Disneyland parking lot opens an hour before the earliest park opening. The parks usually open at 8 AM, so parking will open at 7 AM. I have seen it open as early as 6:30 AM.
Disneyland Hotel guests do get early access to the parks. Hotel guests have access 30 minutes earlier but sometimes if crowds are high the do start letting hotel guests in earlier and then park guests in around 30 minutes to official opening.
Every morning inside the park there is an official “rope drop” and that is at the exact time of park opening and is when guests can begin to walk freely around the park. Until that time, even if you enter early you will need to stay on Mainstreet.
Disneyland Hotel
Which Disneyland Hotel Has Direct Access to the Park?
Two of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels have direct access to California Adventure Park. The first hotel with direct access to California Adventure Park is Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. A gorgeous craftsman-style hotel, with large hearths and gorgeous greenery. This hotel is the premiere or Deluxe level hotel for Disneyland; rooms range in price from $300 – $1000/night. The entrance takes you toward the front of the park near Grizzly River Rapids.
The second hotel with direct access to California Adventure is Paradise Pier Hotel. This entrance is brand new and only opened in mid-2022. The entrance is across the street from the hotel to the right of the Grand Californian Hotel Entrance. This hotel guest entrance takes you further into the park near Mickey’s Silly Symphony ride.
While anyone can use the park entrance/exit for the Grand Californian Hotel, only Paradise Pier Hotel guests can use their entrance. This hotel will also soon become the Pixar Pier Hotel.
Are Tickets Included With Disneyland Hotels?
No, tickets are not automatically included when you purchase a night at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. You can purchase park tickets as part of a package with your hotel though.
I hope this post helped to answer a few questions you have about your upcoming trip. If there are any questions that weren’t answered please add them to the comments I would love to help to answer and add them to the post for future reference.
It’s always good practice to have a game plan for Disney days but also remember that you’re there to have fun and enjoy time with friends and family. Enjoy that time, whatever long lines and ride closures are happening around you.
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