Disneyland Eliminates Early Entry for Resort Hotel Guests Beginning January 5, 2026

joseph821

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https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-admission-options/

Early Entry at the Disneyland Resort​

LocatedinDisneyland Resort
Prior to January 5, 2026: Guests who are checked in and staying at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels can take advantage of 30-minute early entry to a designated theme park every day of their hotel stay to enjoy select attractions, dining and shopping locations.

Each day, either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park will open early:

  • Disneyland Park: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
  • Disney California Adventure Park: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
Please check the theme park calendar for park opening times.

Starting January 5, 2026: Guests who are checked in and staying at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels can instead take advantage of one Lightning Lane entry to a Lightning Lane Multi Pass attraction during their Resort stay.

Valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same park on the same date are also required for Guests (ages 3+). Park reservations are limited, subject to availability and not guaranteed. Lightning Lane Multi Pass entry benefit for hotel guests is subject to attraction availability and restrictions, including the Lightning Lane Multi Pass terms and conditions.

Available During Early Entry – Through January 4, 2026​

During early entry admission, Guests may enjoy the following offerings.

Disneyland Park Attractions

Disneyland Park Dining and Shopping

Disney California Adventure Park Attractions

Disney California Adventure Park Dining and Shopping

All offerings may vary and are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice, and not guaranteed. To learn about any closures or long-term refurbishments, please check for the latest details about attractions, dining and shopping online or via the Disneyland app.

Know Before You Go​

  • The early entry benefit is only for Guests who are checked in and currently staying at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels at the time of their early entry admission to a theme park, prior to January 5, 2026.
  • The Lightning Lane entry benefit is available to Guests who are checked in and staying at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels on or after January 5, 2026.
  • To enjoy early entry admission or the Lightning Lane entry benefit, as applicable, a Guest (age 3+) must be checked in and staying at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels and have valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same park on the same date.
  • Link theme park tickets or passes, theme park reservations and hotel reservations to the Disneyland app to show verification of these requirements. To view Tickets and Passes in the app, select “My Tickets & Passes” in the menu (≡). To view hotel dates of stay, select “Hotel Reservations”.
  • Guests with one-park-per-day tickets must spend the day at the same park where they are enjoying the early entry period.
  • Guests with a Park Hopper ticket can enjoy early entry in that day’s designated theme park and may cross over and switch between parks on the same day beginning at 11:00 AM, subject to park capacity.
  • Applicable theme parks, days and times of operation, attractions, services and offerings for the early entry benefit may vary and are subject to change, availability, capacity and cancellation without notice, and not guaranteed.
  • Lightning Lane Multi Pass entry benefit for hotel guests is subject to attraction availability and restrictions, including the Lightning Lane Multi Pass terms and conditions.
 
Wow, that is a huge change! Do you get one Lightning Lane for each day you have a hotel reservation? I might have missed where it clarifies that.
No one LL per guest per stay. Essentially each registered guest gets 1 LL.
And Disney World keeps their Early Entry. Outrageous!
 
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Who the heck comes up with these crap ideas? Pay a ridiculous price to stay at a Disney Hotel and enjoy your 1 lighting lane.
My guess is that they feel they can sell the hotel rooms without any additional perk. They moved from 7 days/wk at both parks to alternating days, then eliminated it completely. It saves a lot of staff wages if they open both parks at 8 am.
 
You can blame Iger. WDW keeps their early entry. Watch Disneyland Resort Hotel occupancy drop. It is outrageous.
I wonder if its a test for WDW as well

I mean if people are willing to spend the same...Disney is saving millions doing this....so I really wonder if this to see if they can do this at other parks as well to cut costs
 
I wonder if its a test for WDW as well

I mean if people are willing to spend the same...Disney is saving millions doing this....so I really wonder if this to see if they can do this at other parks as well to cut costs
It might be a test. WDW has 4 parks. If they cut at WDW, Orlando has plenty of offsite hotels to receive guests -- they would be very happy!
 
So what Perk do you actually getting for staying at a Disney hotel now? Disney bubble? The rooms arent any better then many of the good neighbor hotels. What are you paying for?

Its been 15 years since I stayed in a Disney Hotel and it was a one and done for us and that was when there was early entry etc.

Every trip since we have stayed offsite and saved a ton of money we could use towards other things. I guess I dont get it.
 
My guess is that they feel they can sell the hotel rooms without any additional perk. They moved from 7 days/wk at both parks to alternating days, then eliminated it completely. It saves a lot of staff wages if they open both parks at 8 am.
I wonder if they will expand operating hours during regular days. Like DL to 12 Midnight DCA to 11PM. Cutting wages is one thing. You can get better hotel deals offsite and forgo the one LL!
 












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