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

[wabbott]

I don't even have kids but that was my early entry strategy. You could knock out all of those Fantasyland rides minus Peter Pan. That's my plan for my trip next month too.

I never saw people knocking down others during rope drop in Disneyland but I saw that in the Tokyo parks. Was wild to witness.

We ALWAYS rope drop and have done it dozens and dozens of times @ WDW and DLR over the past 6 or 8 years. Never, ever have I seen anyone pushed or knocked down.

 

[joseph821]

I think you’re the second or third person I’ve seen mention that. Interesting. Like it would have been better to have simply eliminated it completely than to announce something so lame?

Correct. It is so insulting.

 

[wendlle]

this news will never affect me because I have never stayed onsite and DL and probably never will. The prices are insane when there are great hotels nearby for less than 1/2 the cost.
I can understand why it's an annoyance to those who frequent the hotels, and the single LL is just absurd.

 

[joseph821]

Higher demand for LL = higher prices
No downside for the Mouse there. (In light of today’s announcements, Guest Feedback isn’t exactly a concern for them.)

But lower hotel resort guest occupancy will get their attention. I am betting the 1Q of 2026 Disneyland Resort Hotel occupancy will be down.

 

[OlliePop27]

Where do you usually stay and how is it? Just curious.

Recently we've been staying at the Tropicana. It's very specific to our situation where we like having a multi room suite since we have young kids. We stay at the Park View Suite right at the front of property, usually on the 3rd floor. There's an elevator with no wait, a king bed, a pull out couch, and a pull out chair. We have two bathrooms and separate space when the kids go to bed. It literally takes 5 minutes from room to security. We have easy access to tons of affordable offsite food options. We also have a balcony overlooking the monorail and the fireworks!

Yes, it is not a perfect hotel and there are pros and cons. It's been working well for us and next year will be our 4th time!

We've also stayed at both Best Westerns on Harbor. We have done Sheraton. The Fairfield and Courtyard also look like good options, but we haven't stayed there. I have a friend who likes Anaheim Hotel.

At this point in our lives we value: 1) close proximity, 2) clean rooms and bathrooms, and 3) multiple rooms.

 

[gottalovepluto]

this news will never affect me because I have never stayed onsite and DL and probably never will. The prices are insane when there are great hotels nearby for less than 1/2 the cost.
I can understand why it's an annoyance to those who frequent the hotels, and the single LL is just absurd.

Lol. As a PP pointed out, if this stops people from booking on-site guess where most will go? Most will not hop a plane to FL instead so say hello to your new booking competition!

Suspect more than one good neighbor hotel is gonna be popping bubbly tonight!

 

[joseph821]

Recently we've been staying at the Tropicana. It's very specific to our situation where we like having a multi room suite since we have young kids. We stay at the Park View Suite right at the front of property, usually on the 3rd floor. There's an elevator with no wait, a king bed, a pull out couch, and a pull out chair. We have two bathrooms and separate space when the kids go to bed. It literally takes 5 minutes from room to security. We have easy access to tons of affordable offsite food options. We also have a balcony overlooking the monorail and the fireworks!

Yes, it is not a perfect hotel and there are pros and cons. It's been working well for us and next year will be our 4th time!

We've also stayed at both Best Westerns on Harbor. We have done Sheraton. The Fairfield and Courtyard also look like good options, but we haven't stayed there. I have a friend who likes Anaheim Hotel.

At this point in our lives we value: 1) close proximity, 2) clean rooms and bathrooms, and 3) multiple rooms.

Sounds great! For multiple room suite very nice.

 

[joseph821]

Lol. As a PP pointed out, if this stops people from booking on-site guess where most will go? Most will not hop a plane to FL instead so say hello to your new booking competition!

Suspect more than one good neighbor hotel is gonna be popping bubble tonight!

I can go to WDW be there by plane in 2.5 hours! Disneyland Paris in 6.5 hours!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I can go to WDW be there by plane in 2.5 hours! Disneyland Paris in 6.5 hours!

Brag, brag, brag!

 

[LizzyS]

I was planning on staying at the GCH for the first time next year, but upon seeing the lowest priced room (see photo attached) and now this, absolutely forget it. I was already out at this pricing; I stayed in Greenwich Village in NYC last Fall in the $500 something range per night, there's zero chance I'm paying this to stay in Anaheim with no real benefits.

 

[BrianL]

I don't even have kids but that was my early entry strategy. You could knock out all of those Fantasyland rides minus Peter Pan. That's my plan for my trip next month too.

I never saw people knocking down others during rope drop in Disneyland but I saw that in the Tokyo parks. Was wild to witness.

That's surprising. I found people in Tokyo to generally have so much decoume - not jsut at Disney either! While I have never seen anyone knock someone down, I do feel like Disneyland rope drop is the most unruly that I ahve experienced, though there was one time though at Animal Kingdom, when Flight of Passage was very new, we were held on that bridge and it felt like a riot was going to break out! One older guy was shoving his way through the crowd though.

 

[joseph821]

I was planning on staying at the GCH for the first time next year, but upon seeing the lowest priced room (see photo attached) and now this, absolutely forget it. I was already out at this pricing; I stayed in Greenwich Village in NYC last Fall in the $500 something range per night, there's zero chance I'm paying this to stay in Anaheim with no real benefits.

What dates/month was this? Just curious

 

[Stank]

lol… one LL for the entire stay?

lol…your avatar could literally not be more apt for this reply

 

[Stank]

Is this another brilliant move by Josh D’Amaro? Most overrated parks & resorts exec of all time. I literally have never understood why he had any of the hype he does. Cast members like a smile and a ‘hello’ from a boss? Uhhhhokaaay???

 

[LizzyS]

What dates/month was this? Just curious

September 11th-14th, 2026- Gay Days, I believe

 

[joseph821]

September 11th-14th, 2026- Gay Days, I believe

OK/ There is usually a sale of 10 to 25%. I say usually. But yikes they hiked the hotel rates high for 2026 compared to 2025. Thanks.

 

[Smugpugmug]

That's surprising. I found people in Tokyo to generally have so much decoume - not jsut at Disney either! While I have never seen anyone knock someone down, I do feel like Disneyland rope drop is the most unruly that I ahve experienced, though there was one time though at Animal Kingdom, when Flight of Passage was very new, we were held on that bridge and it felt like a riot was going to break out! One older guy was shoving his way through the crowd though.

It happened during early entry in Disneysea. Saw a mother with her son knocked over while running to the Frozen ride in Fantasy Springs. It's not that serious, I promise. This was back when you needed a standby pass for that and couldn't just wait in line.

Good to know that Disneyland early entry is hectic. I haven't been in 6 years so in a way it's all new to me. SO much has changed from what I've read on these boards.

 

[LizzyS]

OK/ There is usually a sale of 10 to 25%. I say usually. But yikes they hiked the hotel rates high for 2026 compared to 2025. Thanks.

I appreciate that info, but that is not enough to make me even think about it! I was really expecting $500-600 for a standard room, not rounding towards $900.

 

[ComeToSocialize]

I wonder how much of this is due to guest dissatisfaction with EE because of the mess at security. Rather than fix the underlying problem (security opening too late with too few lines with antiquated metal detectors) they just get rid of EE. Which will then just push the mess to regular rope drop.

Evening hours would solve the whole security fiasco btw!

 

[BrianL]

It happened during early entry in Disneysea. Saw a mother with her son knocked over while running to the Frozen ride in Fantasy Springs. It's not that serious, I promise. This was back when you needed a standby pass for that and couldn't just wait in line.

Good to know that Disneyland early entry is hectic. I haven't been in 6 years so in a way it's all new to me. SO much has changed from what I've read on these boards.

Ah - I went well before Fantasy Springs was opened. People were so polite in Tokyo!

My last go at DL rope drop was a bit rough. I was with a friend who had never been to any Disney park. He's a bit of a slow mover with a bad knee, and I feel like I almost got him killed! We were trying to go to HM too, not even Rise, so it shouldn't have been so tough. I felt bad about it.