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Disneyland to Discontinue Early Entry Perk for Hotel Guests

Empty Disneyland street at dawn with Sleeping Beauty Castle in view

News Summary

Disneyland has announced the discontinuation of its Early Entry perk for hotel guests starting January 5, 2026. This decision affects patrons of the Disneyland Resort Hotels, including Disney’s Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel, who previously benefited from early access to the parks. Instead, guests will receive a complimentary Lightning Lane pass for one ride during their stay. Disneyland hopes that this new offering will enhance guest experiences amidst changing attendance trends.

Disneyland has announced that it will discontinue its Early Entry perk for hotel guests starting January 5, 2026. This change will affect patrons staying at the three Disneyland Resort Hotels: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel.

The Early Entry perk allowed hotel guests to access both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure 30 minutes before the official park opening time. The last day for utilizing the Early Entry benefit will be January 4, 2026.

Beginning January 5, 2026, hotel guests will instead receive a single complimentary Lightning Lane pass, which can be used for one ride during their stay. Each Lightning Lane pass will be available for one-time use per guest, regardless of the length of their stay in the hotel.

Disneyland officials indicated that the majority of hotel guests were not fully utilizing the Early Entry benefit, which had undergone changes over the years. Initially, the Early Entry perk, known as Extra Magic Hour, provided guests with an hour of advance access. However, this was reduced to the current 30-minute option following the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for park operations, which began in 2021. Early Entry has been an attractive feature for guests considering on-property accommodations, but shifting demand patterns prompted a reevaluation of its effectiveness.

As part of the new arrangement, guests can still enjoy Lightning Lane entries for popular attractions, including Space Mountain and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, during their visit. The goal of this new offering is to provide hotel guests with more flexibility when planning their park outings, as they may have previously faced challenges due to reservation requirements that limited their ability to enter during Early Entry hours.

The hotel guests’ perks page on the Disneyland website has been updated to reflect these impending changes. In addition to the Early Entry policy adjustment, Disneyland will also close a dedicated entrance for guests of Pixar Place Hotel into Disney California Adventure due to low usage.

Industry experts have voiced concerns regarding how the reduction of Early Entry may impact hotel demand and overall guest satisfaction. The shift from Early Entry to Lightning Lane access seeks to maintain attraction levels for potential visitors and is part of a broader attempt to reconfigure guest experiences in light of changing attendance trends.

In conclusion, while Disneyland hopes that the new Lightning Lane offerings will enhance the overall visiting experience, it remains to be seen how these changes will affect hotel bookings and guest preferences over the long term. The revision of hotel guest perks will undoubtedly be monitored closely as the implementation date approaches.

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Additional Resources

Disneyland to Discontinue Early Entry Perk for Hotel Guests

Anaheim Staff Writer
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer

Anaheim Staff Writer The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.

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