While every child dreams of going to Disneyland (1313 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, CA), many parents view the Happiest Place on Earth as anything but. If the crowds and long lines aren’t enough to test your sanity, just buying tickets to the iconic resort is sometimes a trying experience because the park offers an overwhelming host of options. Learn all you need to know about Disneyland's complex ticketing system before you arrive, as well as some helpful tips for saving money, to lower the stress level of a Disneyland vacation.

Kids younger than 3 don’t need tickets to enter Disneyland. Those between the ages of 3 and 9 qualify for a child’s rate, and visitors age 10 and up pay the regular adult fare.

Disneyland offers tickets for one- to five-day admissions. Choose from three types of one-day tickets, starting with the peak category, which gives you access to the park any day of the year. One-day regular tickets can be used only on certain days, while one-day value tickets feature the most blackout days. Restricted days usually take place during the park’s busiest times, such as holidays and summer weekends. You’ll find a list of blackout dates on the Disneyland website.

Purchase a three- to five-day ticket online and you’ll enjoy one Magic Morning, a perk that allows early admission to Disneyland Resort. All multi-day tickets must be used within 13 days of the first use. Tickets can be used either at Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park, unless you purchase a Park Hopper ticket, which allows you to visit both parks on the same day.

Disneyland changes their rates frequently, but as of May 2017, the cheapest available ticket is the single park, one-day value ticket which runs about $90 for kids and $100 for adults. One-day regular and peak tickets range from $110 to $125 for adults and $105 to $120 for kids. You’ll save some money on the multi-day tickets for each additional day you stay. For example, two-day adult tickets start at $99 a day, and five-day tickets are about $60 a day. You’ll score around a $5-per-day savings on your child’s multi-day pass. Make any ticket a Park Hopper ticket by adding around $45 to the overall price of a kid’s ticket and $60 for adults.

Disneyland’s three hotels and more than 40 nearby hotels offer special packages with discounted rooms, free food and complimentary souvenirs. The packages also include park tickets at the regular price.

Buy a Southern California Pass and you’ll receive a three-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket and one-day tickets for LEGOLAND California Resort and SeaWorld San Diego. You’ll save nearly 30 percent off regular prices. The pass costs around $325 for kids ages 3 to 9 and $350 for visitors ages 10 and up.

AAA members save between $5 and $10 by purchasing tickets in person at one of the agency’s nearly 80 Southern California offices. Costco members can also book vacation packages through the Costco Travel website. While the packages don’t usually include discounted tickets, you’ll save between 15 and 20 percent off your room and get a Disney gift card to spend at the park.

Some ticket brokers will rent multi-day passes to multiple people at prices that are cheaper than one-day tickets, but Disneyland prohibits that practice. You’ll be photographed on the first day of using a multi-day pass to ensure you'll be the only one using it from that day forward.