What are Extra Magic Hours?
Extra Magic Hours get you entry into Disneyland Park or California Adventure Park one hour prior to regular park opening. Enjoy early, uncrowded, glorious access to select rides, stores, dining, and entertainment inside the park before the parks open to the general public. Keep in mind however, that not all of the attractions will be open during Extra Magic Hours. Currently, at Disneyland Park, Extra Magic Hour only includes access to Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. Normally, almost all of California Adventure, including Cars Land, is open to Extra Magic Hour guests.
Who is Eligible for Extra Magic Hours?
Extra Magic Hours are only available to guests staying in Disneyland Resort Hotels.
Disneyland Resort Hotels include:
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
Hotel guests can use Extra Magic Hours to get early access to the parks every day of their stay. You read that right, hotel guests get into one of the parks before the general public every day! They must have valid park tickets and an active hotel room key card to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours.
When are Extra Magic Hours?
Right now, Disneyland is offering Extra Magic Hours one hour prior to regular park opening on the following days:
Disneyland Park: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
Disney California Adventure Park: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays
*Check the Extra Magic Hour schedule here before you head to the parks. Sometimes they switch up the days due to special events
When Should I Arrive?
In order to get the most out of Extra Magic Hour, Disneyland Resort recommends arriving at the park at least 15 minutes before the start of Extra Magic Hour. Also allow 15-20 minutes to walk to the park depending on which resort you are staying at. So, if Extra Magic Hour start at 09:00am, plan on leaving your hotel room at around 08:30am. Do not show up late to the park that is offering Extra Magic Hour! If you’re not exactly a morning person, and do not intend to take advantage of Extra Magic Hour, it would be wiser to go to the park not offering them that day in order to avoid the Extra Magic Hour crowds.
Are The Parks More Crowded on Extra Magic Hour Mornings?
Absolutely, yes! The park with Extra Magic Hour that morning is almost always more crowded for the duration of the day. This is because Disneyland Resort Hotel guests take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour and then stay at that park. If you have a ParkHopper ticket, a good strategy for managing the crowds would be to go to Disneyland Park for Extra Magic Hour and then head over to California Adventure at its regular opening time. Since everyone staying on property will still be at the Extra Magic Hour park, you will have a very nice and not-so-crowded first hour or so at the other park.
Get up early and get going! You won’t regret getting to the parks before the crowds arrive. Enjoy riding some of your favorite rides with no wait and enjoy the “extra magic!”