Disneyland Is Reopening April 30 — What to Know Before You Go

After being closed for well over a year, Disneyland will finally reopen its gates on April 30, 2021. Stringent California guidelines have kept the theme parks shuttered since last March, but the easing of some restrictions has finally enabled California theme parks to begin reopening. Today, Disney released detailed info about the upcoming reopening of the “Happiest Place on Earth.” Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning a visit to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. 

Who Can Visit

California’s tiered reopening guidelines currently require theme parks to restrict capacity and to limit attendance to California residents only. Gov. Newsom announced today that California aims to retire the tiered statewide system and fully reopen its economy June 15, provided certain metrics are met, so it’s possible this could be the earliest date out-of-state guests are permitted to visit Disneyland’s two theme parks, though that date is always subject to change.

Since November, Disneyland has introduced creative ways to get guests back into Disney California Adventure, one of the resort’s two theme parks, by opening up parts of the park to shopping and dining, and with a special (now sold-out) ticketed event, “A Touch of Disney.” Out-of-state guests were not restricted from entering Disney California Adventure as part of these events but will be when the park officially reopens as a theme park. 

Disneyland Partners Statue
Photo by Brooke Geiger McDonald

Reservations Required

Similar to Walt Disney World’s Park Pass reservation system, Disneyland will use a new theme park reservation system to manage capacity. Both a theme park reservation and valid admission ticket for the same park on the same date will be required for guests ages 3 and up to visit. 

The theme park reservation system launches April 12 for guests with existing theme park tickets to make reservations. Beginning April 15, Disneyland ticket sales will open for new ticket sales. On April 9, current theme park ticket holders can check available days for 1-day tickets. 

How to Make a Disneyland Theme Park Reservation

Guests will need to link their valid theme park tickets on their Disney account online before accessing the reservation system. Then, to make a theme park reservation: 

1. Access the theme park reservation system, which will open no earlier than 8am PT on April 12. 

2. Create your party.

3. Select the day and theme park you’d like to visit.

4. Review and confirm your visit. 

Guests with multi-day tickets need to make a separate theme park reservation for each day of their visit. 

Image courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Can I Park Hop? 

When making reservations, guests with Park Hopper tickets should choose the theme park where they want to start their day. They will be able to visit the other park beginning at 1p.m. that day. 

Disney California Adventure Park
Disney California Adventure Park. Photo by Brooke Geiger McDonald

What’s Open in the Parks?

Like Walt Disney World, Disneyland will reopen without some of the offerings that were once the hallmark of a Disneyland visit. Parades and nighttime spectaculars, character meet-and-greets, FastPass and Disney MaxPass services, and Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hours have all been suspended for the time being. California’s theme park reopening guidelines include special guidance with restrictions on time and capacity indoors in restaurants, in queues, and on rides. Here are the attractions, dining locations, and shops that will be reopen with Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

Disneyland Park Attractions and Entertainment

  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Astro Orbitor
  • Autopia
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Casey Jr. Circus Train
  • Disneyland Railroad
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Gadget’s Go Coaster
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Indiana Jones™ Adventure
  • “it’s a small world”
  • King Arthur Carrousel
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Main Street Vehicles
  • Mark Twain Riverboat
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
  • Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
  • Space Mountain
  • Splash Mountain
  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – will utilize virtual queue, more details to come
  • Surprise Character Sightings
  • Tarzan’s Treehouse™
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Disneyland Park Dining

  • Bengal Barbecue
  • Café Orleans
  • Churros
  • French Market Restaurant
  • Galactic Grill
  • Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor
  • Ice Cream Carts
  • Jolly Holiday Bakery Café
  • Little Red Wagon
  • Market House
  • Milk Stand
  • Mint Julep Bar
  • Plaza Inn
  • Popcorn
  • Red Rose Taverne
  • River Belle Terrace
  • Ronto Roasters
  • Ship to Shore Marketplace
  • Stage Door Café
  • The Tropical Hideaway

Disneyland Park Shops

  • Adventureland Bazaar
  • Balloons
  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
  • Black Spire Outfitters
  • Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen
  • Creature Stall
  • Cristal d’Orleans
  • Crystal Arts
  • Disney Clothiers, Ltd.
  • Disney Showcase
  • Disneyana
  • Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities
  • Droid Depot
  • Emporium
  • First Order Cargo
  • Glow Carts
  • “it’s a small world” Toy Shop
  • Kaman’s Art Shoppe
  • Le Mascarade d’Orleans
  • Little Green Men Store Command
  • The Mad Hatter in Fantasyland
  • Main Street Magic Shop
  • Pieces of Eight
  • Pioneer Mercantile
  • Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers
  • The Star Trader
  • Toydarian Toymaker

Disney California Adventure Park Attractions and Entertainment

  • Games of Pixar Pier
  • Goofy’s Sky School
  • Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
  • Incredicoaster
  • Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
  • Jessie’s Critter Carousel
  • Jumpin’ Jellyfish
  • Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
  • Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
  • Pixar Pal-A-Round – Non-Swinging
  • Pixar Pal-A-Round – Swinging
  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • Silly Symphony Swings
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Surprise Character Sightings
  • The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
  • Toy Story Midway Mania!
  • Turtle Talk with Crush

Disney California Adventure Park Dining

  • Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats
  • Angry Dogs
  • Award Wieners
  • Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining
  • Churros
  • Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
  • Cozy Cone Motel – Cones 1-3 (Churros, Ice Cream, Cone-coctions)
  • Cappuccino Cart
  • Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe
  • Flo’s V8 Cafe
  • Ghirardelli® Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
  • Hollywood Lounge
  • Ice Cream Carts
  • Lamplight Lounge
  • Pacific Wharf Distribution Co.
  • Popcorn
  • Poultry Palace
  • Rita’s Baja Blenders
  • Señor Buzz Churros
  • Smokejumpers Grill
  • Sonoma Terrace
  • Studio Catering Co.

Disney California Adventure Park Shops

  • Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats
  • Angry Dogs
  • Award Wieners
  • Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining
  • Churros
  • Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
  • Cozy Cone Motel – Cones 1-3 (Churros, Ice Cream, Cone-coctions)
  • Cappuccino Cart
  • Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe
  • Flo’s V8 Cafe
  • Ghirardelli® Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
  • Hollywood Lounge
  • Ice Cream Carts
  • Lamplight Lounge
  • Pacific Wharf Distribution Co.
  • Popcorn
  • Poultry Palace
  • Rita’s Baja Blenders
  • Señor Buzz Churros
  • Smokejumpers Grill
  • Sonoma Terrace
  • Studio Catering Co.

Dining Reservations

Booking for select dining locations will reopen April 22 and future dining reservations will be able to book 60 days in advance on Disneyland.com and on the Disneyland app. 

The hottest dining ticket in town will no doubt be Blue Bayou, one of Disneyland Park’s oldest and most famous restaurants. It was announced that the restaurant will become only the second location ever to serve alcohol within Disneyland Park.

Where to Stay

Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa will be the first Disneyland Resort to reopen on April 29, 2021 and will begin taking reservations on April 15. The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa will reopen to Disney Vacation Club members and guests on May 2, 2021. While Disneyland’s other resorts, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel, will remain closed for now, there are many wonderful “Good Neighbor” hotels nearby that have struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic and look forward to welcoming more guests back with Disneyland’s reopening.

Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa. Photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort.

Safety First

Temperature screenings will be required at entry and all guests ages 2 and up must wear a mask at all times except when actively eating or drinking while stationary and physically distanced from other guests. Reduced capacity, distance markers and guidelines, mobile order for dining, and reduced contact payment options are all in place to further support guest and Cast Member health and safety.

As the situation is constantly changing, be sure to consult Disneyland’s website for updates before you visit.


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Brooke Geiger McDonald is the National Content Director of Make It Better Media Group. A Chicago native, she has worked for publications like O, The Oprah Magazine and SHAPE Magazine and her work has appeared in Parents, TravelPulse, Attractions Magazine, MSN, Disney Food Blog, and more. At home, she is outnumbered by her husband and two sons, and the four of them are certifiable Disney and Star Wars fanatics, always counting down the days to their next Disney vacation. Her favorite nonprofits to support include The Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago and organizations focused on environmental conservation and combatting climate change, such as the Environmental Defense Fund and Shedd Aquarium.Follow her on Instagram @brookegmcdonald and Twitter @BrookeGMcDonald.

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