Have questions about what exactly the 2020 Disneyland SoCal Resident ticket discount is? Well, you’ve come to the right place! This post will tell you everything you need to know about how to buy this ticket, who can buy it, how much it costs, what you can use it for, how much money exactly you will save, and more!
The first question everyone seems to ask once they’ve decided to visit the Disneyland Resort is,
“How can I get a discount on the tickets?”
Typically, I’m sorry to say, Disney doesn’t offer much of a discount on their tickets. It used to be that you could find discounted tickets through organizations like AAA, or through HR benefits groups like Great Work Perks. But those discounts have gone the way of the good dinosaur especially as the Disneyland Resort has become even more popular to visit than ever before. (See: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge).
In recent years, Disney has been offering discounted tickets in the winter/spring for residents of Southern California. However, the details change from year to year and it’s never guaranteed that they’ll keep offering them each year.
So when Disney announced recently that they’d be offering their Disneyland SoCal Resident ticket discount again this year, it was exciting news, but also set off a bunch of questions about what exactly this year’s ticket offer included and how it could be used. So I figured it’d be helpful to have all the FAQs about this discounted Disney ticket in one place!
Here is everything you need to know about the 2020 Disneyland SoCal Resident ticket:
How much does it cost and how many days can I use it?
The Disneyland SoCal Resident Ticket has a few different price tiers depending on what you want to use it for:
#1: 3-day ticket (1 park per day – no park hopping) = $199
#2: 3-day ticket (1 park per day – no park hopping) WITH Disney MaxPass = $244
#3: 3-day Park Hopper ticket (can “hop” between Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park as many times as you’d like in one day) = $254
#4: 3-day Park Hopper ticket WITH Disney MaxPass = $299
Can I use this ticket for Disneyland park AND Disney California Adventure Park?
Yes, this ticket is valid for both parks. However, if you buy the 3-day (1 park per day) ticket, you can only use it to visit one of the parks per day. If you buy the 3-day Park Hopper ticket, you can use it to visit both parks on the same day. Please note that this ticket is only valid at the California parks and cannot be used for any of the Florida parks at Walt Disney World!
What is Disney MaxPass and why would I pay extra for it?
Disney MaxPass is an add-on feature that is also available with other non-discounted Disneyland resort tickets and Annual Passes. It allows you to make FASTPASS selections for popular rides from anywhere within the parks using your smart phone. Without Disney MaxPass, park visitors can still get FASTPASS selections, but must physically visit the FASTPASS distribution location by their desired ride in order to do so.
Basically, Disney MaxPass saves you time and walking, and is ideal if you plan to do all the FASTPASS rides and are on a tight schedule.
Is there a discount if I’m buying this ticket for a child?
Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be a child discount. However, perhaps it’s a comfort to know you’re already getting a significant discount on this ticket as it is, and the child discount on Disneyland tickets isn’t that much to begin with (like literally $20 off a 3-day 1-park-per-day ticket). Also, Disney defines “child” as being between ages 3-9 (with anyone 2 years old and younger allowed in free), so there’s really only 6 years in which a child ticket discount would even apply.
How much of a discount am I getting on this ticket?
Disneyland recently switched over to a tiered pricing system, where park tickets cost different amounts based on which day you are visiting. So popular dates like holidays and summer time are pricier than low season and certain mid-week dates. That said, when buying a multi-day ticket like this one, the price doesn’t change though the use-by date might.
A regular 3 day (1 park per day) ticket that expires 13 days after its first use or on January 21, 2021 whichever comes first costs $300 for an adult, $280 for a child ages 3-9.
A 3-day Park Hopper tickets with the same usage/expiration rules costs $355 for an adult, $335 for a child ages 3-9.
And regardless of which ticket you buy, if you add Disney MaxPass it costs $45 per ticket for ages 10+.
So basically, the 2020 Disneyland SoCal Resident Ticket saves you at least $101 per adult, $81 per child, when compared to a comparable 3-day ticket. And it also doesn’t require you to use all 3 days within a two week period, so you can spread your visits out over the course of this winter/spring.
Additionally, the cheapest Annual Passport is the Disney Southern California Select Annual Passport, which costs $399 for ages 3+ and includes blockout dates like holidays and every weekend date of the year.
What else does the 2020 Disneyland SoCal Resident ticket discount get me?
As if it weren’t already a great deal, this ticket also offers you one usage of Magic Morning Early Access. This is something that Annual Passholders do not get. It is typically offered to Disneyland Resort hotel guests and for certain multi-day tickets such as the one I price-compared above.
Magic Morning Early Access allows you to enter Disneyland park on a select day before regular visitors and ride certain attractions before the crowds set in. It’s a great way to check off a bunch of rides first thing in the morning and reduce your wait time for the rest of the day.
When does the 2020 Disneyland SoCal Resident ticket expire?
You can use it anytime between now and May 21, 2020. Please note that the last day to buy the 2020 Disneyland SoCal Resident ticket is May 18, 2020.
Do I have to be a SoCal Resident?
Yes, according to their website, you must show proof of Southern California residency in zip codes 90000-93599 or Northern Baja residency in zip codes 21000-22999 both for purchase and for admission. That means you must have a government-issued ID with one of these zip codes on it to show at the Main Entrance to either Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure park if you’re using this discounted ticket.
Can I use one day and let my friends use the other days on the ticket?
No, this ticket must be used by the same person for all three days. Upon entering through the park turnstiles for the first time, the Cast Member at the gate will take your photo which will be associated with the ticket. If you leave the park and re-enter on the same day, or return another day to use the ticket, the photo will pop up when the ticket is scanned.
My personal advice: don’t try to scam the system. If Disney catches you trying to share your ticket with another user, they can confiscate it even if there are unused days left, and ban you for one year to life from ever entering the parks! Just. Not. Worth. It.
Are there any blackout dates?
No, but as I mentioned above, the ticket expires May 21, 2020. So make sure you know exactly when you plan to visit the Disneyland Resort before buying the ticket and that it’s not after that date!
How can I buy this ticket?
You can buy the ticket in person at a Disneyland resort ticket booth at the Main Entrance esplanade, through the Disneyland app on your smart phone, or online via their website here: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/offers-discounts/southern-california-tickets/
Wondering what to do once you’re at the Disneyland resort? Check out my post on how to visit Disneyland for the first time!
Does it expire 13 days after the first use? You compared it to that ticket in your pricing/savings question, but I didn’t see THIS as a question asked… thanks!
Nope, it does not expire after 13 days of first use. I did mention this in my post, but it’s within the question about how much a discount this ticket is compared to the regular 3-day ticket.
This one doesn’t require you to use all 3 days within a two week period, so you can spread your visits out over the course of this winter/spring. Basically, you can use it any three days between now and May 21, 2020.
Hope this helps and thanks for your comment!
Super confused..I thought I had to use so cal disney ticket within 13 days(3 days).
With this particular ticket you do not need to use the days consecutively and it is valid from now until May 21.
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