Create a 10-Day Multi-Interest Trip: Disney, Concerts, and National Park Permits

Combine theme-park thrills, a major residency, and a permit-only canyon — without the planning chaos

Feeling overwhelmed by fragmented bookings, hidden fees, and permit headaches? This 10-day blueprint shows you exactly what to reserve, when to lock it in, and how to stitch Disney plus concerts and a Havasupai permits-protected hike into one smooth trip in 2026.

Quick overview: the trip in one paragraph

Fly into Southern California for three days at Disneyland/California Adventure (take advantage of 2026 park updates and multi-day ticket pricing), hop to Las Vegas for a Sphere residency concert night (high-demand residencies like Phish continue through spring 2026), then head east to northern Arizona to hike into Havasupai Falls on secured permits. This plan balances energy, travel time, and the permit-driven constraints of Havasupai.

Why this blueprint matters in 2026

Trends that change the game this year:

• Disney expansion momentum: Disneyland and Walt Disney World keep rolling out new lands and premium experiences in 2026—so demand for park dates and Genie+/Lightning Lane-style add-ons is higher during milestone seasons. (See major 2025–2026 park rollouts and new attractions.)
• Residency-era concerts: Major acts are favoring extended residencies (Sphere, 2026 lineups), making single-night tickets scarce but enabling multi-night scheduling for travelers. Rolling Stone confirms high-profile Sphere runs in early 2026.
• New Havasupai permit rules: The Havasupai Tribe updated its system in January 2026—scrapping the old lottery and adding a $40 early-access option (Jan 21–31 for early applicants). Transfers are more restricted, so your permit is now one of the most rigid booking anchors in your trip.

“The Havasupai Tribe now allows early-access permit applications for an extra $40 and is phasing out permit transfers.” — Outside Online, Jan 15, 2026

Core planning principle (inverted-pyramid): lock scarcity first

Order your reservations by scarcity and transferability. That keeps your trip flexible and avoids losing non-transferable permits or high-demand tickets.

1. Havasupai permit (most constrained; non-transferable in 2026).
2. Concert residency tickets (Sphere residencies sell fast; secure verified seats or resale early).
3. Flights — open-jaw / multi-city (arrive in LAX/Anaheim — depart from Phoenix or LAS — reduces backtracking).
4. Rental car(s) (one-way fees vs. regional drop charges; reserve after flights).
5. Disney multi-day tickets & accommodations (book ahead for park reservations, special events, and Genie+ add-ons).
6. Havasupai travel logistics (trailhead lodging, mule/packer options, permit confirmation).
7. Travel insurance and contingencies (cover non-refundable tickets and remote-visit evacuations).

10-Day Sample Itinerary (multi-interest, multi-city)

Below is a practical, travel-tested day-by-day blueprint you can copy and tweak. Times are estimates; always build buffer time for permit or flight changes.

Day 0 (Pre-trip checklist)

• Confirm Havasupai permit and download/print permit confirmation. Set calendar reminders for mandatory check-in windows.
• Confirm concert tickets via verified sources (Ticketmaster/artist fan club/SeatGeek verified). Save PDFs to your phone and cloud.
• Check Disney park reservation policy and ticket add-on availability for your dates.
• Book travel insurance covering remote rescue and trip interruption.

Day 1 — Arrival & unwind (Anaheim/LAX)

• Fly into LAX or John Wayne (SNA). Pick up rental car if driving to Anaheim; otherwise use hotel shuttles or rideshare.
• Stay near Disneyland Resort for convenience — Downtown Disney for food without a park ticket that evening.
• Buy groceries for the Havasupai portion now (freeze-dried meals, high-calorie snacks, electrolytes).

Days 2–3 — Disneyland + California Adventure

• Use a multi-day ticket and prioritize a Park Hopper on day 3 if you want both parks. In 2026, three-day passes spread fixed costs across more park time.
• Reserve Lightning Lanes/Genie+ add-ons early in the morning to reduce wait times on headline rides (especially new 2025–26 attractions).
• Booking tip: arrive at rope drop for the most popular new rides and use single-rider lines where possible to save time.

Day 4 — Travel to Las Vegas

• Drive (~4–5 hours) or take a short flight LAX–LAS. Driving gives more gear control if you packed hiking items; flights speed transfers but add bag hassle.
• Check into a hotel with good parking or rideshare access to the Sphere (the Sphere neighborhood can have heavy traffic on show nights).

Day 5 — Concert Residency (Sphere)

• Arrive early for the Sphere experience — many residencies include pre-show installations and timed entry.
• Use a fast-lane rideshare drop-off or on-site parking to reduce walk/queue time.
• If the residency has multiple nights, consider attending two if you’re a superfAN — often the setlists vary significantly.

Day 6 — Buffer day in Vegas

• Use this day to rest, exchange gear, or swap a show ticket if needed. Vegas is a convenient pivot city before the long drive east.
• Pick up any last-minute hiking supplies and confirm trailhead logistics (mule service, helicopter restrictions, local transit options).

Day 7 — Drive toward Havasupai trailhead; overnight near trailhead

• Drive to the area nearest the Hualapai Hilltop trailhead — options include Kingman, Peach Springs, or Flagstaff depending on your route and timing.
• Book a hotel or campsite near the trailhead so you can start early the next morning. Fuel up and eat carbohydrate-rich meals.

Day 8 — Hike 10 miles to Supai / set camp

• The Havasupai trail is roughly 10 miles down to the village/campsites — plan early starts and carry a lightweight pack. Expect full-day trekking.
• Follow tribal rules for campsite setup and water treatment. Confirm whether mule or packer services are operating for your date.

Day 9 — Explore Havasupai Falls

• Spend a full day at the waterfalls — swimming, short hikes, and photography. Respect the area and local guidelines.
• Tip: Bring a small dry bag for your camera and a compact water purifier for refill needs.

Day 10 — Hike out & return travel

• Start early to hike out. Plan 6–8 hours back to the trailhead depending on pace.
• Drive from the trailhead to your departure airport (PHX or LAS) or spend an extra night near the airport to avoid same-day travel risks.

Booking order — detailed checklist (actionable)

1. Havasupai permit: Apply during the tribe’s booking window. In 2026, there's an early-access application period (Jan 21–31) for an extra fee — use it if your dates are outside the regular opening. Always read the tribe’s confirmation email for arrival windows and non-transferable rules.
2. Concert tickets: Join artist fan clubs or presales, use verified resale platforms, and lock seats within 24–72 hours of release if you can. For Sphere residencies, aim to buy within initial onsale and avoid speculative low-priced resales that might be fraudulent.
3. Flights (multi-city/open-jaw): Book after securing Havasupai and concert tickets. Example: LAX in / PHX out, or LAX in / LAS out depending on cheapest routing and one-way car rental availability.
4. Car rental: If you drive to Havasupai, consider renting in LAS and dropping in PHX (or vice versa). Check one-way fees and unlimited mileage; reserve an SUV if you plan to carry hiking gear.
5. Disney tickets: Buy multi-day passes with park reservations and add Genie+/Lightning Lane options as needed. Lock dining reservations 60–90 days out for character meals and must-eat spots.
6. Hotels & Local Transport: Use free-cancellation rates and map distances to minimize transit time on arrival days.
7. Insurance: Buy policy that covers remote trekking evacuations; confirm pre-existing condition and adventure-activity coverage.

Transport planning & multi-city travel tips

• Open-jaw flights: Always more efficient for multi-destination trips. Example: fly into LAX, out of PHX or LAS.
• Driving vs flying between cities: Drive if you want gear control and scenic stops; fly to save time. Factor in rental one-way fees and local road conditions.
• Airport to trailhead strategy: If flying into Phoenix, plan a 3–4 hour drive to the Havasupai staging points; if flying into Las Vegas, the drive is similar but allows a concert stop.
• Last-mile for Havasupai: The Hualapai Hilltop trailhead requires a short local drive on narrow roads. Confirm cell coverage and fuel stations — they can be sparse.

Cost-saving moves (practical)

• Book Havasupai permit early — ticket scarcity drives resale scams. The $40 early-access fee (2026) is often cheaper than losing time to a later sale.
• Use multi-day Disney passes and visit midweek when crowds and add-on costs are lower.
• Bundle flights+car smartly: Price out adding a single one-way rental to a multi-city flight versus two separate rentals; sometimes the airline/car combo is cheaper.
• Buy concert tickets early: Early verified seats beat dynamic Sphere pricing. If your schedule is flexible, pick midweek shows for lower prices.
• Opt for grocery stops: Food at Disneyland and Vegas is costly; buy snacks for hikes and bring them for park days where allowed.
• Use loyalty programs: Hotels and rental car status can reduce fees and provide late checkout—use them to protect buffer days around the Havasupai hike.

Packing essentials & safety checklist

• Layered clothing for parks and desert nights — temperatures swing widely in Arizona.
• Lightweight backpack (25–35L) for the Havasupai hike, water purification system, and a 3–4L hydration capacity.
• Comfortable hiking shoes, trekking poles, blister kit, and a small dry bag for electronics.
• Concert/nightlife: earplugs, phone battery pack, small crossbody bag for security lanes.
• Offline maps and printed confirmations (Havasupai may have limited cell service).

Contingency planning & tips to avoid common traps

• Non-transferable permits: With Havasupai tightening transfers in 2026, don’t assume you can swap dates — lock your itinerary first.
• Reserve buffer days: One buffer day either side of Havasupai reduces missed-flight risk after a long hike out.
• Watch resale fraud: Buy concert tickets only from verified sellers; Sphere residencies frequently attract counterfeit listings.
• Refund policies: Choose refundable hotel rates until the Havasupai permit and concert are both confirmed.
• Local rules: Respect Havasupai tribal rules on camping, fires, and waste — violations can result in fines or removal.

Mini case study: How Sarah combined Disneyland, a Sphere residency, and Havasupai in 2025–26

Sarah wanted a family trip that balanced kid-friendly parks, a must-see jam-band residency, and an epic waterfall hike. Her booking order:

1. Locked Havasupai permits in the early-access window in January 2026.
2. Secured concert tickets during the artist presale via fan club registration.
3. Booked open-jaw flights (LAX in / PHX out) and reserved a single one-way rental with unlimited miles.
4. Used three-day Disney tickets with park hopper and reserved character dining 60 days ahead.

Result: Two adults and a teenager completed full park days, enjoyed a Sphere residency night, and spent 48 hours at Havasupai without stress. Her secret: relentless early booking for the permit and using refundable hotels for flexibility.

Final checklist before you go

• Havasupai permit confirmed and printed.
• Concert tickets in a verified app and saved to cloud.
• Flights matching multi-city plan and rental car with one-way option reserved.
• Disney park reservations and add-ons purchased; dining reservations confirmed.
• Travel insurance purchased with adventure-travel coverage.
• Packing list completed and emergency contacts shared with a trip buddy.

Why this approach works

This model prioritizes the items you cannot replace (Havasupai permits and Sphere residency seats) and layers the more flexible pieces around them. It reduces backtracking with smart open-jaw flights, uses buffer days to absorb delays, and leverages 2026 booking tools like presales, verified resale platforms, and tribe-managed permit windows.

Resources & where to check updates (trusted sources)

• Havasupai Tribe Tourism Office website — follow for permit windows and policy changes (early-access details announced Jan 15, 2026).
• Artist / Sphere box office pages and verified resale platforms (Rolling Stone covered Sphere residencies in Jan 2026).
• Disney Parks official site for 2026 updates and the Disneyland app for park reservations, ride status, and Genie+ options.
• Flight and rental comparisons: Google Flights, Kayak, and specialized multi-city search tools.

Parting actionable takeaways

• Book Havasupai permits first. Treat them as the trip anchor—no transfers in 2026 means earlier is safer.
• Secure residency tickets next. Use presales and verified platforms to avoid fraud and price inflation.
• Use open-jaw flights and one-way rentals to avoid inefficient backtracking and keep travel days lower-stress.
• Pack for three contexts: theme-park comfort + concert night + remote backcountry — and plan buffer days.
• Buy insurance that covers remote rescues and non-refundable concert/permitted hikes.

Ready to build your custom 10-day multi-interest trip?

Use this blueprint as your master checklist: lock the Havasupai permit, secure your concert seats, then arrange flights and park days. Want a printable itinerary or a personalized booking order based on your dates and departure city? Click to download our free 10-day trip planner or start a tailored consultation with our travel concierge at booked.life — we’ll map routes, estimate costs, and hold key reservations while you focus on the fun.

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