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

[LAS2AMS]

Walking into the EPCOT International Gateway when you are used to DL security makes you feel like you are getting away with something…. and yes… THE EYEGLASS CASE!

Because DL is a local’s park, people bring too much crap in. Lately the trend has been the Mega Strollers and wagons (which are allowed only for special need children but people know they can just say that). The machines used at WDW aren’t effective in screening tons of crap and will set off an alarm anyway.* So until something better is designed, we’re stuck with this set-up.

*there’s also a greater concern at DLR in people bringing weapons into the park

 

[KEK1]

Wow. Flabbergasted by this decision. We booked DVC points to stay at the GCH in April, which are non refundable. Coming from Australia it’s our once/decade DL trip. Bringing a friend who has never experienced any Disney parks. Already hard to explain to her why the hotel was so $$$$ now this.. ((

 

[tarheelalum]

Disney’s greed knows no bounds.

 

[MartyParty]

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'm a bit late to the pile one. Makes me sad to hear early entry going away at Disneyland. It was 1 hour both parks. Then 30 minutes alternating parks.

LKing, totally agree with your cost savings comment. My grump is that the parks have been the cash machine for the overall Disney company for a while. This feels like squeezing the balloon of cash out of Disneyland into something else not park related. On a positive thought, if it's to save spend for helping to pay for Disneyland Forward that would be ok. I doubt it though. Disneyland Forward should pay for itself via additional guests coming through the park gate.

Having early entry even if for only 30 minutes was incentive to stay at a Disney property.

 

[reddog21]

Disney’s greed knows no bounds.

I don't disagree but don't you think that more the corporate culture in the US rather than specific to Disney.

 

[xdan0920]

WOW. I am shocked by this, and it really takes a lot to be shocked by TWDC these days.

 

[bakofarmgirl]

will they start to charge for it?

 

[gottalovepluto]

will they start to charge for it?

If that was the plan they wouldn’t have stated it was under untilized. You don’t dump on something you want to sell.

 

[DLRExpert]

Now the nearby hotels will raise their prices because they are no longer at a disadvantage.

 

[bakofarmgirl]

but if its a locals park maybe itd be more utilized and theyd make more money which is a big motivator

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

will they start to charge for it?

I don't think so. If I understand DLR's argument is that the staff costs are too much, and demand doesn't exist. So, if people aren't showing up for free, why would they show up for a price?

I have deep feeling that TWDC will begin pushing WDW and DLR to move to a ticket system for rides in addition to current park admission. They have already started down this road by removing free Fastpass, changes to DAS, ILL and multiple tiers or LLMP and LLPP. Now that they have eliminated EE, it makes it far more easy to just tell people that they need to buy a ticket book (virtually through the App) and have people pay for their rides after admission costs.

The timing would be perfect with the 70th anniversary too. They could find some talentless marketing CM to start a whole new marketing campaign that this is an effort to return to Walt's roots of charging for each attraction and that it is sustainable. Because so many (especially younger adults) will do anything for sustainability.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

Now the nearby hotels will raise their prices because they are no longer at a disadvantage.

True. Increased demand will cause higher prices. Perhaps they will also have mandatory length of booking, if you book with our hotel you are required to book 3 nights minimum whether you want stay 3 nights or not? I hope this won't be the case but I fear it is coming.