First timer question about early entry

[2kidsForMe]

Hello. The kids and I are flying to California in February to visit family, and plan on going to Disneyland for 3 days. We plan on staying at the Paradise Pier hotel. I have read about early entry, which I assume is like extra magic hours at Disney World (where we are frequent visitors). My question is: Do we need to purchase our park tickets via a room/ticket package directly through Disney in order to take advantage of the early entry option? I would like to do a room only reservation and get our tickets through a broker to save a little money, but I won't if it will eliminate that perk. Thanks!

 

[lalasmama]

All you need to take advantage of the EMH is a valid ticket and your on-site, valid room key. (These aren't tied together, like I believe they are at WDW.)

 

[Jerryp49]

Lalasmama is correct. Make sure you get a room key for everyone including the kids. For EMH they may ask to see everyones room key. Sometimes they only ask to see one room key for the entire family ,but bring them all just in case. If you check into the PPH early, before EMH , they will give you room keys even though your room may not be ready until 3pm so you can have access to EMH that morning.EMH for DCA is Sunday, Monday, Wed., and Friday. EMH for DL is Tue. ,Thur., and Sat.

Another suggestion, The entrance to DCA from the GCH during EMH gets really backed up since they only have two turnstiles. It is faster during EMH to use the main entrance into DCA.