Studying the map
by LauraBelle V. Hime

Before you arrive, check park hours by calling 714-781-4565 or by going online to https://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/park-hours/. Hotel guests may also consult the park maps and times guides on arrival. Park hours are typically published up to about five weeks in advance (sometimes less). Once you know the park hours for your trip, write them on the appropriate PassPocket (Deluxe version only) or note them in your trip plan at http://disneyplanner.com/, or through the menu on the righthand side of this page. Don’t be surprised if the park hours change on short notice. Fortunately, most changes are for longer hours.

Study the descriptions and maps to familiarize yourself with the names and themes of the lands before you arrive. Check out the LIVE! versions of our Disneyland Park (page 94) and Disney California Adventure (page 122) maps. We've also provided handy touring plans and attractions charts for Disneyland Park (page 93) and Disney California Adventure (page 121). 

The print version of our guide book has handy, fold-out, full-color maps for both parks—on the inside of each map are our favorite touring plans and a list of attractions. Feel free to pull them out and take them along with you to the park for quick reference. Some readers even like to laminate them!

Check the Tip Board at the end of the main thoroughfare in each park. These tip boards are continuously updated with wait times and closings—even openings or sneak peeks of new attractions. Or install the free Disneyland app on your cell phone to check wait times, maps, park tickets, and more.

Plan your visit around the things that are most important to you or require advance planning (like restaurant seatings or show times). If you’re just not sure, you can use our favorite touring plans included in each park description as a starting point. Or make your own touring plan based on the “must-see” attractions on your list. In general, though, we feel it is more enjoyable to “go with the flow” from attraction to attraction within each park.

Disneyland now has free Wi-Fi available in particular spots in the parks, as well as the Esplanade. Wi-Fi spots are indicated on park guidemaps. Locations include at Disneyland Park include  Main Street (Guest relations kiosk/wait time board and Partners statue/central hub, Tomorrowland (outside Star Wars Launch Bay), Fantasyland (between Matterhorn and Tomorrowland Terrace seating area and Fantasia Gardens, near Edelweiss Snacks), Frontierland (Rancho del Zocalo seating area/Zocalo Park), and New Orleans Square (at the edge of Rivers of America, near raft docks)—note that there is currently no Wi-Fi offered in Adventureland, Critter Country, or Mickey's Toontown. Locations at Disney California Adventure include Buena Vista Street (Guest relations kiosk/wait time board), Grizzly Peak (Outside Soarin' and near restrooms at border of Paradise Pier section), Paradise Pier (Paradise Gardens seating area and Cove Bar and adjacent boardwalk), Pacific Wharf (outside Ghirardelli soda fountain), Cars Land (Flo's V-8 Cafe north and south seating area), and Hollywood Land (between Backlot Stage and restrooms)—note that there is currently no Wi-Fi offered in a bug's land, or the south end of Hollywood Land near the Guardians of the Galaxy ride. 

Understanding and Using the Attraction Descriptions and Ratings

PassPorter’s custom-designed attraction charts include background, trivia, tips, restrictions, queues, and accessibility details. We’ve organized these details into a consistent format so you can find what you need at a glance. Below is a key to our charts, along with notes and details. Enjoy!

Description Key

Each bar has an empty checkbox on the corner—use it to check off the attractions you want to visit. Map coordinates work with our park maps to help you find the attractions. The bar color indicates the attraction's target audience, as follows: 

FP indicates a FASTPASS ride, while the next icon shows the attraction has a height requirement.

Our ratings are on the far end. A-OK! means it's approved as kid-friendly. The four boxes on the right show ratings on a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (don't miss!). The first is Jennifer's rating, the second is Dave's, the third is Ginger's, and the last is our Readers' rating. We offer our personal ratings to show how opinions vary. You can also use our ratings as a point of reference—Jennifer appreciates good theming and dislikes sudden spins or drops, while Dave and Ginger both enjoy thrill rides.