Disneyland has a few options when it comes to their tickets. They range from 1 day at 1 park up to 6 days with park hopping (going to both parks on the same day). Disneyland tickets are always tangible – they aren’t part of your room key or “Key to Disneyland” card. Always have a spot where you have a copy of your ticket numbers on the back or take a picture of it in case you lose them!
1-Park per day, similar to the base ticket at WDW, is the cheaper option.
- As of today prices for a 1-day 1-park ticket is $80.00 for adults and $74.00 for children (ages 3-9). Ages 10 and up are adult price. 2-day 1-park tickets are $158.00 per adult and $146.00 per child.
If you want to go to both parks on the same day, you will want the Parkhopper option.
- 1-day parkhopper is $105 per adult and $99 per child. 2-day parkhopper is $173.00 per adult and $161.00 per child.
The 1-2 day tickets are going to be the same price online or at the gate. There is rarely any discount on these types of tickets.
Once you get to the 3-day parkhopper, you get the Magic Morning option for one of the days of your visit. This is on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday and lets you in an hour before posted opening time. This is the best way for Good Neighbor hotel guests to have an early entry, since resort guests can get in on ALL Magic Mornings during their stay.
- The 3-day parkhopper starts at $224 for adults and $208.00 for children. They go all the way up to a 6-day parkhopper which is $271 per adult and $251 per child.
Another option is the Southern California CityPass. This includes a 3-day parkhopper (with Magic Morning), an admission to Universal Studios- Hollywood, and Sea World- San Diego. This is a great way to get 5 days admission in one price! An adult CityPass is $279.00 and children are $239.00- just $55 and $31 more than the 3-day Parkhopper alone. 2012 CityPass no longer includes the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal park.
If you are purchasing tickets separately from hotel, you can save $10-$20.00 per ticket on the 3 day Parkhoppers and longer online with an Advance Purchase price. Just print the eTicket and take it with you as a free option or pay $5.00 to pick up at Will Call or have them mailed directly to you. Sometimes you get an even bigger discount if you purchase with your hotel and make it a package, have your travel agent check that out for you or check them out yourself.
One important note is that the tickets are only good from 13 days from their first use, so you can go a day or two to Disneyland and tour to see other things, but make sure to use them up before your 13 days end.
Annual Passes
Southern California residents get discounts on tickets, they also save $10-20.00 when purchasing online. There are also have some Annual Pass options. There are 2 specifically for So Cal residents.
- The Southern California Select has the most black out dates with 170 pre-selected admission days. They also get food, shopping and room discounts. $199.00 would be the cost for the year per person, and parking can be added to a passholder’s card.
- Southern California AP has 215 admission days chosen, as well as food, shopping and hotel discounts. $269.00 per person alone, parking can be added.
Next is the Deluxe, which is for non-Southern California residents who are traveling on non-peak times. There are still some black out dates, but only about 50 for the whole year and mostly around holidays. Also will get discounts and parking can be added. $379.00 is the price for children and adults.
Parking can be added to any of the above Annual Passes for $99.00. For those coming for the day it is $15.00 per car. After your 7th visit, you have made it worth your investment.
The last Disneyland-only AP is the Premium, which has no black out dates, has higher discount rates on food and shopping, includes parking and other subscriptions and hotel discounts. It’s the same price for anyone 3 and up: $499.00
They also offer the Premier AP, which includes both WDW and Disneyland for everyday that year and all parks!
Upgrading to an Annual Pass
If you have purchased tickets already and decide you want to upgrade to an annual pass for a later visit, you must do this BEFORE you use your last day of tickets. This means if you have a 3 day ticket, you have to do it on that 2nd day, do not wait until the last one. They will take the price you paid for your ticket and charge the difference from the annual pass you want. It will also start your annual pass on the first day of your visit, so do keep that in mind when you are deciding to do this.
Linds is a Disney fanatic which started from a young age with her first Disneyland trip at 4 years old- now married and has 4 boys, she enjoys going even more! Linds blogs at Enchanting Deals about the latest Disney specials and park, dining and resort guest tips. She loves being a Disney deal expert- to help families get to Disney and save money! Also can find her on Twitter or Facebook.
Disneyland is the Happiest Place On Earth. Be sure to learn how to make the most of your trip by reading the Disneyland Training series. You can also browse all the articles I have posted in an easy to use outline. And if you are ready to book your trip, be sure to read about the perks of using an authorized Disney vacation planner (plus it’s FREE!).
Leigh says
We have family in California. May have to hop over to Disneyland!
Elizabeth says
Thanks so much, Kristin!
Emily M says
I love how the price of tickets hardly goes up the more days you spend! Makes a long vacation affordable!
Karen says
This is good to know. I was aware of the Florida pricing, but it’s been a while since I’ve been to CA:)
Jean says
If you live in CA, I would recommend checking their website to see if you qualify for the discounted SoCal deals. I don’t consider myself to live in SoCa (I’m central coast), yet my zip code qualifies…. so double check! Saved us a bunch last year.
Kathleen says
Please note that even SoCal residents can buy the Deluxe Passport.
“Next is the Deluxe, which is for non-Southern California residents who are traveling on non-peak times”
Kay says
Thanks for writing this. I am planning a trip with my kids this year. :)
Kathleen says
You should really include the early entry to California Adventures when you stay at the Grand California info on this portion of the training. And during the summer Costco sells a Disney admission that is an AMAZING deal!!!
Michele says
On upgrading a ticket to annual pass, you may want to ask a cast member if you can do it on any of the days the pass is valid, up until closing time on the last day of use. We did this a couple of years ago. We bought our tickets in advance and on the last day, we went to the ticket booth and upgraded. This way we didn’t have to pay the entire amount upfront. My husband and I have had premium passes for the past 6 years. We did the AP upgrade on our kids tickets. We get them deluxe since we get the good discounts and parking included on our passes.
They do sell black-out day passes on a first-come, first-served basis when APs are blacked out. Last time we did it, it was $50 each pass, but it may have gone up.
Monique says
where does one buy the citypass?
Kathleen says
Southern California CityPass includes admission to Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and a 3-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Bonus Ticket for $279 and you can buy it on the Disneyland website.
Cindy says
You can buy yhem on thier website, we bought ours on Costco.com for like $30 cheaper a ticket. BUT that was in 2006 so I am not sure if they still sell them there or not. The Go Card also has a website to but thier tickets. Both Citypass and GO Cards are available in different cities but I think that they offer the most with the Southern CA/San Diego cards.
Cindy says
We did the citypass. We went for 10 days and did Legoland also Stinks it doesn’t include the Zoo becuase that is an amazing Zoo. We had plenty of time for all the parks and driving back and forth from San Diego. There is a card called the San Diego GoCard that has a bunch of attrractions on it and you buy it for 3 5 or 7 days. Haven’t really looked into it much but Sea World, Legoland and a lot of the museums in Balboa Park are in it. Don’t forget if you are visiting from another part of the country and have annual passes to Six Flags or Cedar Fair parks u can use them at thier parks out there.
Sarah Reynaga says
The Deluxe pass blackout dates include all Saturdays during the summer too which is a real bummer!
Kathleen says
That’s exactly why we ended up with Deluxe passports. We tend to go impromptu and don’t want to worry about black-out dates. Since this summer we have been close to 25 times. Love Disneyland.
Beth says
The 3 day park hoppers are actually a little cheaper right now through May-only $199 for adults.
And there’s a 3 day park hopper for SoCal residents for only $144!!
Debbie says
Approaching this subject, don’t know if it’s allowed. I have heard that some people buy the 5 day passes and use only 3 days, then sell the rest of the days to other people. Is this possible??
Laura Williams says
This is not possible according to the terms and conditions of the tickets. The tickets are non-transferable and say so directly on the ticket. If you are caught with someone else’s tickets they will be confiscated and you will be denied entrance. Many people try to sell used tickets (or half used) on craigslist and ebay and then when the buyers try to use the tickets Cast Members will ask them questions about the number of days they have already used or which dates they have already been to the park and if the user doesn’t know the correct answers they will be denied entrance. I don’t recommend it.
Debbie says
Good to know. Thanks.