We recently returned to Disneyland for the first time in 17 months, and it felt incredibly magical to be back even with the added COVID precautions. The parks look and operate differently now, so I’m sharing practical tips from our visit about parking, safety procedures, food ordering, crowd patterns and more. I hope this helps if you’re planning a trip.
Who can go?
At the time of our visit, entry was limited to California residents. The parks planned to open to non-residents beginning June 15. Be sure to check current rules and reservations before you go and respect the guidelines in place.
Parking
Right now, the main on-site option is the Mickey & Friends lot. The tram service between the lot and the parks is not running, so you must walk from the lot to the entrance. Guests parking there go through temperature checks and security at a different entrance than those arriving on foot.
Because we prefer to avoid the Mickey & Friends lot, we chose to park at a nearby hotel. Two practical off-site options we found:
The Anaheim Hotel
They offered a $15 parking option if you present a specific flyer. The hotel is directly across Harbor Blvd from the Disneyland entrance, making it a very short walk to the park.
Residence Inn
We parked at the Residence Inn on a last-minute basis. It’s a slightly longer walk than the Anaheim Hotel but still close. Parking cost us $30 and we paid at a machine on departure with no issues. There’s a Coffee Bean next to the hotel if you want coffee before heading in.
When leaving, we exited the park through the same entrance we entered. Note that if you stay until closing, returning to the Mickey & Friends lot can be challenging, which is another reason to consider off-site parking.
When to get there
People gave differing advice about arrival times, but this worked well for us: we parked around 8:15 a.m., grabbed coffee and arrived at the park around 8:30 a.m. There was a long line for temperature checks, but it moved quickly. From temperature check to security and the gates took about 10 minutes.
Because the traditional rope drop ceremony isn’t happening, the park sometimes opens before the official time. We walked in early and rode several attractions with minimal waits: Snow White (10–15 minutes), It’s A Small World, Roger Rabbit and Gadget’s Go Coaster, followed by Tea Cups and Alice in Wonderland. We completed many rides by mid-morning — getting there early made a huge difference.
Which park should I do first?
If you purchase park hopper tickets, you must select a starting park when you make your reservation and you can’t hop to the other park until after 1 p.m. We began in Disneyland because it offered more rides suitable for our child. Mornings in Disney California Adventure (DCA) may be quieter since many guests prefer Disneyland first, but prioritize the park that contains your must-do attractions for the day.
We finished our Disneyland priorities in the morning and switched to DCA after lunch. We were able to do the attractions we wanted in both parks, though Radiator Springs Racers typically carries a long wait and is best done first at DCA.
Switching parks
With park hopper validation, you can change parks after 1 p.m., then move freely between parks as long as neither park has reached its capacity limit (35% during our visit). We hopped back to Disneyland briefly later in the afternoon with no issues re-entering DCA afterward.
Download the app
Download the Disneyland app before you arrive. The app is essential for mobile food orders, viewing wait times, and storing your tickets digitally. It simplifies navigating the parks under current operating procedures.
COVID safety measures
Temperature checks & security
Temperature screening is the first checkpoint and is contactless. Staff briefly scan foreheads with an infrared thermometer. After that, guests proceed to security, where plexiglass shields separate guests and security staff. Bags are screened with contactless handoffs and staff wear gloves. The process is efficient and quick.
Masks
Masks are required at all times for guests ages two and older. If a child isn’t wearing a mask, staff will confirm the child’s age before allowing entry without one. Masks may only be removed in designated dining areas while actively eating or drinking; these areas are clearly marked throughout the parks. Eating while walking or waiting in line is not permitted. Cast Members actively enforce these rules.
Physical distancing
Waiting areas for rides, food pickup and entry feature visible markers spacing groups at least six feet apart. Tables and benches are spaced accordingly. Rides are loaded in a way that keeps parties separated, with empty rows or cars between different groups depending on the attraction. While moving through crowded walkways there isn’t meaningful distancing, but masks and consistent movement helped us feel comfortable.
Sanitizing
Rides aren’t sanitized between every party, but hand sanitizer dispensers are placed at ride entrances and exits, near trash cans and throughout the parks. They are touchless and plentiful. Several outdoor sinks are also available for hand washing. Given that COVID is primarily airborne, these measures are complementary to mask use and distancing and help reduce surface germs as well.
Crowds
The parks operated at reduced capacity (about 35%). To our family, the crowd level felt similar to a typical non-peak weekday visit pre-COVID. Some areas were busier than others, but without parades or large gatherings, people tended to keep moving rather than clustering. Character appearances were static and socially distanced, which prevented crowding in focal areas.
Food
We didn’t try sit-down restaurants, so here are notes on mobile ordering and quick-service/snack options.
Meals
Most full meal options must be ordered via the Disneyland app. Not all dining locations are open and menus are reduced. Pickup arrival windows can fill up quickly, so it’s wise to place orders early—ideally when you first enter the park. You can also place orders while in the park. If you delay ordering, you may face long waits for available pickup windows.
Placing meal orders early saved us time and stress. When the pickup window opened we tapped to confirm, one person collected the food while another secured a table, and we ate without waiting in long lines.
Snacks & treats
Snack availability is more limited. Some snack carts are closed, some treats require mobile pre-order and others are available for walk-up. A few examples:
- Churros, popcorn and ice cream: Available for walk-up in several locations. We walked up to the churro cart by Midway Mania in DCA with no line.
- Mickey pretzels: At the time, these were available at Ship to Shore Marketplace in Frontierland, which had a long walk-up line.
- Dole Whip, bakery items and margaritas: Some of these are mobile-order-only. Check the app for availability and reserve pickup windows early in the day if a specific treat matters to you.
- Candy shop items: Sweet treats like cake pops and toffees were available inside candy shops; selection was limited compared to pre-COVID.
Popular items can sell out even if pre-ordered, so plan early for must-have snacks.
Dining areas
Designated dining areas (tables, benches and some curbs) are where you may remove your mask to eat. They are clearly marked and plentiful. Finding a spot may require asking politely if a nearby table is free or being willing to wait a few minutes for someone to finish.
Wait times & line protocols
Use the Disneyland app for wait times; they were generally accurate. Queue lines are clearly marked with distancing and many lines extend outdoors, which can make them look long but they often move steadily. Cast Members usually stand near line ends to direct guests. Before about 10:30 a.m. we experienced very short waits; later in the day average waits on non-headliner rides were around 20–30 minutes, with the most popular attractions reaching 45–60+ minutes. Lines tended to ease later in the evening.
Character greetings
There are no close-up character meet-and-greets. Characters are positioned throughout the parks for socially distanced interactions and photo opportunities. During our visit we encountered characters at locations such as the train station on Main Street, Toontown, The Golden Horseshoe, near It’s A Small World, the Royal Courtyard, Carthay Circle in DCA, Pixar Pier and near The Little Mermaid in DCA.
Shows & parades
Live shows and parades were paused to prevent crowding. Some smaller, limited attractions like Turtle Talk with Crush operated with safety measures in place. Areas that would normally host crowds remained closed unless tied to an active attraction.
What to bring
Stroller: We used a large stroller to store backpacks and essentials. It made moving around easier and gave us storage for snacks and spare clothes.
Snacks: Bring easy snacks since some food options require planning and mobile ordering.
Water bottles: Reusable bottles are handy. Refill stations are available in the parks.
Backup charger: The Disneyland app is essential, so bring a portable charger. Disneyland also rents swap-and-go chargers at kiosks if you prefer.
Hand sanitizer & wipes: Helpful even though stations are plentiful in the parks.
Extra masks: Bring spares in case masks get dirty or wet.
Layers & extra clothes: Mornings and evenings can be cool and it’s smart to carry a change of clothes for little ones.
Rides we rode
For reference, our child is four and 41″ tall, which allowed us to enjoy some 40″+ attractions. Our favorites (and recommended highlights) included:
Disneyland:
- It’s A Small World**
- Mad Tea Party**
- Alice in Wonderland
- Dumbo**
- Snow White’s Enchanted Wish**
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- King Arthur’s Carousel
- Casey Jr. Circus Train
- Autopia
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Haunted Mansion**
- Pirates of the Caribbean
We also tried Roger Rabbit’s CarToon Spin (a bit rough for some of us) and Gadget’s Go Coaster, which was faster than expected for a Toontown ride.
DCA:
- Monster’s Inc Mike & Sulley To The Rescue**
- Toy Story Midway Mania**
- The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure**
- Jessie’s Critter Carousel
- Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
- Jumpin’ Jellyfish
- Soarin’ Around the World**
Radiator Springs Racers often has long waits. For that ride, head to DCA first thing if it’s a priority.
Legacy passholder discounts
Former passholders retain access to a legacy discount program but may need to link the discount code to their account ahead of time. If you qualify, check official guidance for steps to connect your discount before purchasing tickets or merchandise.
Our overall experience
We had a wonderful day and felt the safety measures were both thoughtful and effective. Cast Members worked hard to enforce rules and keep guests safe. Even without shows and parades, we rode many attractions and felt the magic of the parks. Planning ahead—especially for mobile food orders and early arrival—made the day run smoothly. We left grateful for the experience and for the Cast Members who made it possible.
p.s. While some tips may change over time, I also have a guide on visiting Disneyland with a one-year-old for those traveling with very young children.