Are you planning a trip to the Disneyland Resort and wondering if you can upgrade your Disneyland tickets? With several ticket types available, including single-day, multi-day, Park Hopper, and annual passes, upgrading provides more flexibility and savings on future visits to the Happiest Place on Earth.
This complete guide will cover everything you need to know about upgrading your Disneyland tickets via the Disneyland app, website, or directly at the park ticket booths. You’ll also learn when you can upgrade tickets, factors to consider before upgrading, and answers to frequently asked questions.
So if you want to unlock more of the Disney magic by extending your Disneyland vacation beyond a single day, upgrading your theme park tickets can help make that possible!
What Ticket Upgrade Options Exist at the Disneyland Resort?
The Disneyland Resort offers ticket upgrades for the following popular theme park ticket types:
Single-Day Tickets
Single-day tickets grant access to either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park for one day. These are ideal if you are planning a quick 1-day visit or want a small taste of the Disney magic.
Single-day tickets can be upgraded to multi-day tickets to extend your Disneyland access. You can also add the Park Hopper option which allows visiting both parks in the same day.
Multi-Day Tickets
Multi-day tickets are a great option if you want to spend more than one day enjoying the attractions and entertainment at the Disneyland Resort. The standard multi-day tickets allow entry for a specified number of days, usually 2 to 5 days, to one or both theme parks.
Multi-day Disneyland tickets can also be upgraded to add the Park Hopper option. This gives you the flexibility to visit both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on the same day.
Park Hopper Tickets
Park Hopper tickets grant you access to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on the same day. You can visit one park in the morning and then “hop” to the other park in the afternoon/evening. It’s a terrific upgrade if you want to experience attractions in both parks.
Park Hopper tickets can be upgraded to Disneyland annual passes, providing even more value if you plan on visiting frequently.
Annual Passes – Now Magic Keys
Disneyland annual passes, now called Magic Keys, offer unlimited theme park access for an entire year. It’s the perfect way to experience Disney magic again and again. The Magic Key program has four pass types: Dream Key, Believe Key, Enchant Key, and Imagine Key.
Annual passes can be upgraded from single-day tickets, multi-day tickets, or Park Hopper tickets. It’s the ultimate upgrade for frequent Disneyland visitors.
How Does Upgrading Disneyland Tickets Work?
Upgrading your Disneyland tickets is a smooth and straightforward process. You can upgrade tickets through the Disneyland app, on the Disneyland website, or at the park ticket booths.
Upgrade Disneyland Tickets via the Disneyland App
The Disneyland app makes upgrading tickets easy:
- Download the Disneyland app to your smartphone and login to your Disney account
- Go to the “Tickets and Passes” section in the app menu
- Link your ticket to your account by scanning the barcode or entering the ticket ID number
- Once linked, select the “Upgrade Ticket” option and choose your desired upgraded ticket type
- Complete the upgrade transaction within the app
Upgrading via the Disneyland app is simple and convenient, allowing you to unlock new ticket benefits and perks right from your phone.
Upgrade Tickets on the Disneyland Website
Similarly, you can upgrade Disneyland tickets on the official Disneyland website:
- Visit the tickets page on the Disneyland website
- Choose the “Upgrade Tickets” section
- Link your current Disneyland ticket by entering the ticket ID number
- Select your preferred ticket upgrade from the available options
- Follow the instructions to complete your upgrade purchase on the website
After finishing the upgrade, the new ticket benefits will automatically be linked to your Disney account.
Upgrade In-Person at Disneyland Park Ticket Booths
To upgrade tickets at the Disneyland Resort, visit any ticket booth located around park entrances:
- Present your original ticket to the cast member at the ticket booth window
- Request your desired ticket upgrade type
- Complete the upgrade transaction at the booth and get your new upgraded tickets
Upgrading at the ticket booths allows you to immediately enjoy the benefits of your new tickets for the remainder of your Disneyland vacation. It’s an easy process that can help unlock more of that Disney magic!
When Can I Upgrade My Disneyland Theme Park Tickets?
Knowing the upgrade deadlines for different Disneyland ticket types is important:
- Single-day tickets must be upgraded by midnight on the date of your visit to Disneyland. So if you want to upgrade a 1-day ticket, be sure to do it before the day is over.
- Multi-day tickets can be upgraded any time on or before the final valid ticket date. For a 2 or 3-day ticket as an example, you would need to upgrade before the last noted valid day.
- Wholly unused tickets can be upgraded at any time, even after expiration. But you must visit an onsite ticket booth to upgrade wholly unused tickets.
So in summary:
- Single-day: Upgrade by midnight on date of visit
- Multi-day: Upgrade by last valid ticket day
- Wholly unused: Can upgrade anytime at ticket booth
Knowing these upgrade deadlines will ensure you are able to extend your Disneyland access and maximize the value of your theme park tickets.
What Factors Should I Consider Before Upgrading Disneyland Tickets?
While upgrading your Disneyland tickets can certainly add more magic to your trip, here are some important factors to consider beforehand:
How Frequently You Visit Disneyland
If you only plan on visiting Disneyland once or twice in a year, upgrading all the way to an annual pass may not provide enough value. But for frequent visitors, a Magic Key annual pass could make sense and offer savings.
Seasonal and Tier Pricing
Disneyland ticket prices vary by season and are divided into tiers based on expected demand. Note that higher season or higher tier tickets will not receive a refund if used on lower demand dates.
Annual Passholder Benefits
Magic Key annual passes come with discounts on dining, hotels, and merchandise, along with free parking and access to exclusive passholder events. Evaluate whether you will utilize these perks before upgrading to a Magic Key.
Theme Park Reservations
An important consideration – upgraded Disneyland ticket types will require booking new theme park reservations, as your original reservations will be cancelled. So check reservation availability before upgrading your tickets.
Considering these key factors will help determine if upgrading your Disneyland tickets is the right decision before unlocking those extra benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Upgrading Disneyland Tickets
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about upgrading theme park tickets at the Disneyland Resort:
Can I upgrade my Disneyland ticket at the gate or entrance?
Yes, you can absolutely upgrade your Disneyland theme park tickets at the gate! To upgrade at the park entrance, simply visit one of the main ticket booths located in the Downtown Disney esplanade between the two theme parks. There you can speak with a cast member and upgrade to a valid ticket with greater benefits.
Can I upgrade my single-day Disneyland ticket to the Park Hopper option?
Upgrading your 1-day 1-park Disneyland ticket to a Park Hopper is easy to do. You can add the Park Hopper either online via the Disneyland app or website, or in person at the ticket booths in the esplanade before entering the parks. With the Park Hopper, you’ll be able to visit both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure on the same day!
How much does it cost to upgrade Disneyland theme park tickets?
The cost to upgrade your Disneyland tickets depends on which new ticket type you choose. Generally, you will pay the difference between what was originally paid for the old ticket and the current full-price gate cost of the new upgraded ticket on the day you upgrade. Disneyland annual Magic Key passes have four set price options.
The Bottom Lines
Making the decision to upgrade your Disneyland Resort theme park tickets provides a world of expanded benefits, convenience, and savings. With the ability to extend your Disneyland vacation and access across multiple days, you can experience extra pixie dust and magical memories.
Whether you choose to upgrade to a Park Hopper, a multi-day ticket, or even a Magic Key annual pass, embrace the flexibility and perks you unlock with Disneyland ticket upgrades. Enjoy the Happiest Place on Earth to the fullest and maximize the magic for the entire family!
