What to Do If Disneyland Tickets Are Sold Out?

Disneyland is a popular destination, meaning if you plan a last-minute trip, you might not be able to get tickets to see the parks. 

But, what can you do in that situation?

Unfortunately, if Disneyland is sold out for the day or days you want to visit, there isn’t really anything you can do to get into the park. However, you can still visit the Downtown Disney District to get a taste of what Disneyland has to offer. 

Is There a Way to Get Into the Disneyland Parks if They’re Sold Out?

If Disneyland’s parks are sold out for a specific day, you can not get into them. 

But, just because the date you want to visit the park is sold out, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t go on that day. 

It isn’t too uncommon for people to cancel their park reservations, meaning that a space could open on your desired day. 

Yet, if your trip is coming up soon, you’ll want to check Disneyland’s Theme Park Reservation Availability Calendar frequently. 

Otherwise, someone could easily take any available reservations that pop up. 

Are There Places I Can Go in Disneyland Without a Ticket?

If you cannot get a Disneyland ticket for the day you’ll be in Anaheim, you can always just stop by the Downtown Disney District. 

The Downtown Disney District is free to enter, and you don’t have to have a ticket because it is outside the park gates. 

What Is in the Downtown Disney District?

Although there are no rides in the Downtown Disney District, you and your family can still get a taste of Disneyland when you visit. 

The area mainly contains shops and restaurants, but there are also some other entertainment options you can try out. 

To give you an idea of what you can find there and to allow you to decide whether it’s worth visiting, I’ll go ahead and list out the establishments in the district. 

The shops in Downtown Disney include: 

• The Star Wars Trading Post – Accessories, Toys, Apparel, Collectibles, and Art 
• The Glasshouse Balloon Company 
• The LEGO Store – Toys 
• Disney’s Pin Traders – Pins
• KAMAN’s Art Shoppes Inc. 
• The Sunglas Icon Cart 
• WonderGround Gallery – Gifts, Art, Houseware, Pins, and Collectibles 
• Disney Home – Houseware and Gifts 
• Lovepop – Gifts, Art, Collectibles, and Houseware 
• Pelé Soccer – Accessories and Apparel 
• The Disney Dress Shop 
• California Sole – Accessories and Apparel 
• Sephora 
• PANDORA Jewelry 
• Curl Surf – Apparel and Accessories 
• World of Disney – Pins, Gifts, Apparel, Toys, Accessories, and Houseware 

The restaurants in Downtown Disney are: 

• Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs 
• California Churro Company 
• Taqueria at Tortilla Jo’s – Mexican Cuisine 
• Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen – Cajun/Creole Cuisine 
• CrazyShake 
• Uva Bar and Cafe – Multiple Cuisines 
• Sprinkles – Cupcakes and Cookies 
• Catal Restaurant – Multiple Cuisines 
• Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes – American Cuisine
• Ballast Point Brewing Company – American Cuisine
• Wetzel’s Pretzels 
• Marceline’s Confectionary 
• Salt and Straw – Ice Cream 
• Jamba 
• Napolini Pizzeria – Italian Cuisine 
• Naples Ristorante e Bar – Italian Cuisine 
• Starbucks 

And the other entertainment options you’ll find in Downtown Disney are: 

• Flambeaux’s Jazz Club 
• Splitsville Luxury Lanes 
• The Kingpin Stage 

Where Is the Downtown Disney District?

You will find the Downtown Disney District on the west side of Disneyland’s park entrances on Disneyland Drive. 

To get there, you must cross the walking bridge in front of the Disneyland Hotel.

Attractions Near Disneyland 

If you can’t go to Disneyland on the day you chose or at all, you can always check out the attractions near the Disneyland Resort. 

Family Attractions in Garden Grove

Garden Grove, California, is just to the south of Anaheim and is a great place to explore if you can’t make it to Disneyland or you need some time to fill before you can get to the park. 

Some of the best family attractions in Garden Grove include: 

• The GEM Theater – A live performance theater 
• Atlantis Play Center – An underwater-themed playground that includes splash pads 
• Stanley Ranch Museum and Historical Village – Includes the garage that Walt Disney used as his studio 
• Great Wolf Lodge – Hotel resort with an indoor waterpark 

Family Attractions in Orange 

Located on the opposite side of I-5 from Disneyland, Orange is a popular tourist destination in Southern California. 

The best family attractions in Orange include: 

• Orange County Zoo – A 477-acre zoo that’s mostly home to plants and animals of the Southwestern US
• Irvine Park Railroad – Has a train ride, paddle boat rentals, and pony rides
• Old Towne Orange – Contains tons of shops, restaurants, and more 

Family Attractions in Fullerton 

Situated north of Anaheim, Fullerton is one of the many flourishing cultural centers of Southern California. 

Top family attractions in Fullerton include: 

• Fullerton Arboretum – Gardens full of endangered species 
• Downtown Plaza – Has a playground and splash area for children and is next to the Fullerton Museum Center 
• Wild Goose Escapes – Several escape rooms that are great for older children 

Other Theme Parks in Southern California 

If you’re taking a trip to Southern California but can’t get into Disneyland, then why not try one of the area’s other great theme parks. 

Knott’s Berry Farm (Buena Park)

Just a ten-minute drive from Disneyland sits Knott’s Berry Farm, one of California’s most famous amusement parks. 

Beginning as a berry farm in the 1920s, Knott’s Berry Farm has grown into a vast park, complete with all the rides and fun of any other outdoor amusement center. 

Here, you can take on some of the most thrilling rides in the state as well as go back to the past with their authentic 19th-century Wild West town. 

Or, you can try out the delicious food that still attracts tons of tourists every year. 

Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia)

If you want exciting rides, look no further than Six Flags Magic Mountain. 

Following in classic Six Flags fashion, Magic Mountain contains some of the most thrilling rides you will ever experience. 

Or, if you have young kids or just aren’t much of a roller coaster fan, you can try the tamer attractions, like the Whistlestop Train or Yosemite Sam’s Flight School. 

And, of course, the park has entertainment and dining options as well as plenty of places to get souvenirs. 

Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City)

For all those movie lovers out there, Universal Studios Hollywood has long had the best studio tour in the country. 

It’s here that you can see props and sets from some of the greatest films of all time, such as Jaws, King Kong, and Psycho. 

But, the tour isn’t the only attraction that Universal Studios Hollywood offers. 

You can also try out any of the park’s hair-raising rides, immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter, or meet some of TV’s greatest characters, like Homer Simpson, Shrek, and Scooby-Doo. 

And if all that isn’t enough, Universal has shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences too. 

SeaWorld San Diego (San Diego) 

If you’re looking for something a bit different from the standard amusement park, why not visit SeaWorld San Diego. 

Along with the enormous rollercoasters and other exciting rides, you’ll get to see all of the marine animals that live at the park, like otters, dolphins, and whales. 

Plus, if you come at certain times of the year, you can chill out to some live music. 

Conclusion

Sadly, if Disneyland is sold out, your only option is to wait and see if someone else cancels so you can get their spot. 

But, if you can’t visit Disneyland on the day you want, you can always just try out some of the other great attractions that Southern California has to offer.