10 Best Apps & Websites for Your Trip to Disneyland CALIFORNIA
Planning a trip to Disneyland California? Your smartphone is going to be your best friend when it comes to navigating the parks, managing your itinerary, and squeezing the most magic out of your day.
From official Disney apps to third-party apps made of pure magic, this list of the 10 must-have Disneyland apps will be your guiding light. Here’s to making your experience smoother, more fun, and stress-free (we hope!)
1. Official Disneyland App – A Must-Have for Your Trip to Disneyland California
The official Disneyland app is a must-have for any visitor. It’s your one-stop shop for everything, including park maps, attraction wait times, mobile food ordering, Lightning Lane Multi Pass purchases, and show schedules. It also allows you to link your tickets, make dining reservations, and even find the nearest restrooms.
Key Features:
- Mobile ordering for food and beverages
- Virtual queues for rides or shows when needed
- Generally navigating the park
- Lightning Lane Single Pass bookings (Radiator Springs Racers in DCA & Rise of the Resistance in Disneyland)
- Finding Characters
Pro Tip: Turn on push notifications for updates for everything from ride availability and virtual queue times to when to pick up your mobile order. You might regret it if you don’t!
2. Disney Play App
Add some extra magic to your day with the Disney Play App. This is a park-specific interactive experience that will sprinkle a little extra magic into your day. It includes games, trivia, and exclusive features tailored to the areas of the park you’re exploring.
It’s especially fun while waiting in line for rides like Space Mountain or Indiana Jones Adventure. (Although, we rarely get reliable phone service once you enter the underground tunnels for Indiana Jones. 🫣)
One of our favorite lands to use the Disney Play app in is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. You start by choosing your side, then you can take on jobs, collect credits, discover precious cargo, and even translate languages from across the galaxy!
Key Features:
- Interactive games linked to attractions
- Achievements for completing activities in the parks
- Unlockable music and trivia
- Entertainment when waiting in line
- A great fall back if you are just tired of standing in line (or if you just want to do something different)
3. Heads Up App
Waiting in line doesn’t have to include just staring at your shoes when you’ve got the Heads Up app! This charades-style, guessing game, is perfect for keeping the fun going while you wait for your favorite attractions.
When you enter the park on your trip to Disneyland California, Disney offers a free themed card pack you can use while you’re in the parks. Add in a couple of paid card packs for Avengers Campus in Disney’s California Adventure, and you’ve got the perfect way to entertain your group while waiting in some of those longer lines.
Just download the app ahead of time and get ready to have a blast guessing Disney characters, movies, and more!
Key Features:
- Themed content
- Great for kids and adults
- Two or more players
- Entertaining while waiting in line
We’ve even gone as far as to ask people (that we don’t know) near us in line to play with us. It added to the excitement and made their day a little more entertaining as well!
This app is a crowd favorite at our house while in the parks or for gatherings at home.
4. Disneyland Reservation Alert Websites
If you missed out booking your reservations as soon as they became available (60 days in advance) snagging a dining or experience reservation at Disneyland can feel like a race against time. While some love the chase, it can often feel like you have to obsessively refresh to grab your golden goose.
If that’s not your style, two amazing tools can help: MouseDining and MouseWatcher. Both services monitor Disneyland’s reservation system and send you alerts when openings pop up, giving you a better shot at securing those coveted spots at places like Blue Bayou or Oga’s Cantina.
MouseDining offers free and premium options, while MouseWatcher provides customizable alerts to suit your needs. With these tools in your pocket, you’ll never miss out on that magical reservation.
Key Features:
- Alerts when a reservation space becomes available
- Text and email options available
- Free and paid options
5. Google Maps – The Best Navigation App for a trip to Disneyland California
Even with Disneyland’s maps, Google Maps is invaluable for navigating to and from the parks. Use it to locate the best parking areas, nearby hotels, and dining options outside the park. You can also plan your routes around traffic on your way to Anaheim.
Key Features:
- Use the walking feature to help judge distance
- Compare Uber & Lyft pricing
- Find dining options outside the park
Pro Tip: Save the Disneyland Resort location and your hotel address for quick access during your trip.
6. Uber AND Lyft
If you’re staying offsite or need a ride to the parks, Uber and Lyft are lifesavers. These ride share apps are especially useful for getting to and from nearby hotels or Downtown Disney or if your feet are just too tired to walk back to the hotel (because it absolutely got farther away as the day went on). If you aren’t a frequent ride share user, make sure that you preload your payment information in the app before you leave. One less thing to remember while on vacation. 😘
Pro Tip: Plan pickups by the Downtown Disney exit at designated rideshare zones for the easiest experience. Also, check both apps to compare pricing before selecting the app for each trip. Peak times = Peak Prices
7. ART Bus App
Get to Disneyland with the budget friendly way using the ART Bus App. Skip the parking price tag and let the ART (Anaheim Resort Transportation) Bus take you to Disneyland hassle-free! The ART Bus App makes it easy to plan your route, track buses in real-time, and purchase tickets straight from your phone.
With convenient stops at nearby hotels, shopping centers, and attractions, the ART bus is a budget-friendly and eco-conscious way to get to and from the parks. It’s a great option for those staying off-site or looking for a budget friendly transportation option.
Key Features:
- User friendly app
- Real time tracking
- Single Day and Multi-day passes
- Discount savings for multi-day passes
Our honest ART bus review.
8. Mobile Payment Apps (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal)
Disneyland is mostly cashless, so mobile payment apps are a must! Use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal for a quick, easy checkout on snacks, souvenirs, and meals. make sure you payment is set up before leaving for your trip to Disneyland California.
9. Disney Countdown Apps
Build excitement for your trip to Disneyland California with a countdown app! These simple apps let you create a fun, themed countdown to your Disneyland vacation. While not necessary for the park, they’re a great way to keep the magic alive while planning.
Recommended Apps:
- Countdown Star
- Dream Days
Looking for a non tech way to build excitement? This article shares some of our favorite ways to countdown to a Disney trip!
10. Spotify or Apple Music
Set the mood for your Disneyland adventure with playlists of Disney classics and park-inspired music. From Main Street ambiance to attraction soundtracks, having a curated playlist can enhance your experience during travel or while waiting in line. We tend to listen in while traveling and getting ready in our hotel room in the morning!
Pro Tip: Look up official Disneyland park playlists for an immersive soundtrack.
FAQs About Disneyland Apps
What is the best app for Disneyland wait times?
The official Disneyland app is the best tool for real-time ride wait times. It also lets you book Lightning Lane passes, mobile order food, and check showtimes—all in one place.
Do I need the Disneyland app for LighteNing Lane Multi Pass?
Yes! The Disneyland app is required to purchase and manage Lightning Lane reservations. It also allows you to check return times and make ride selections quickly, so you don’t miss out on shorter waits.
Are there any apps to help get Disneyland dining reservations?
Yes! MouseDining and MouseWatcher send alerts when hard-to-get dining reservations (like Blue Bayou or Oga’s Cantina) open up. These tools increase your chances of snagging a last-minute spot without constantly refreshing Disney’s reservation page.
What’s the best way to pass the time in long lines?
The Disney Play app offers interactive games and trivia linked to different areas of the park. Plus, the Heads Up! app(with a free Disney-themed deck) is a fun way to entertain your group while waiting for rides.
Do I need Wi-Fi or data to use these apps at Disneyland?
While Disneyland offers free Wi-Fi, it can be unreliable in crowded areas. If possible, have a good data plan to ensure you can access wait times, reservations, and Lightning Lane bookings without issues.
Can I use mobile payment apps at Disneyland?
Yes! Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted throughout the parks, making it easy to pay for food, souvenirs, and even Lightening Lane passes without carrying cash.
Is there an app for cheaper transportation to Disneyland?
Yes! The ART Bus App (Anaheim Resort Transportation) helps visitors staying off-site get to Disneyland without paying high parking fees. It offers real-time bus tracking and mobile ticket purchases.
What’s the best way to navigate to Disneyland and around Anaheim?
Google Maps is your best bet for real-time directions, walking distances, and parking info. It also helps you compare Uber and Lyft pricing if you need a rideshare option.
How can I build excitement before my Trip to Disneyland?
Download a Disney countdown app like Countdown Star or Dream Days to keep track of your trip countdown. Or, check out our favorite ways to build excitement for Disneyland from the announcement to the day you leave!
Disneyland Apps: Final Thoughts and Tips
Having the right apps on your phone can make your Disneyland trip smoother, more enjoyable, and EVEN more magical. Don’t forget to make sure your smartphone is fully charged before heading to the park, and bring a portable charger to keep essential apps running all day long.
With these 10 apps in your pocket, you’ll be ready to tackle Disneyland like a pro! Which Disneyland apps do you swear by? If you found this guide helpful, share it with a fellow Disney fan planning their next trip!