Disneyland Resort will retire its popular 30-minute early park entry for hotel guests starting January 5, 2026, replacing it with one Lightning Lane attraction access per stay, according to an official announcement from Disney.
That’s right. Early access will be canceled for one free Lightning Lane (per guest) for your entire stay.
What’s Changing?
Currently, guests staying at Disneyland Resort hotels can enter one park—either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure—30 minutes before public opening. This benefit allows access to select attractions, dining, and shopping.
- Disneyland Park offers early entry on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
- Disney California Adventure opens early on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Lightning Lane Access Takes Holder
Beginning January 5, 2026, the early entry benefit ends. Instead, resort guests will receive one Lightning Lane access (operated via Disneyland’s paid skip-the-line system) to a ride within the Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection. Current attractions available include:
Disneyland Park:
- Autopia
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Haunted Mansion
- Indiana JonesTM Adventure
- “it’s a small world”
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- Space Mountain
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Disney California Adventure:
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Grizzly River Run
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
- Incredicoaster
- The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Toy Story Midway Mania!
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
This change will likely be unpopular with guests given the limited one pass per stay rule.
| Feature | Current Benefit | Starting Jan 5, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Time Access | 30-minute early park entry for hotel guests | No early entry |
| New Benefit for Hotel Guests | — | One Lightning Lane access to a Multi Pass attraction |
| Reason for Change | Low guest usage of the Early Entry benefit | Streamlining guest experience with a simplified perk |
Why the Change?
Disney officials noted low utilization of the early entry privilege as a factor in the decision to discontinue the benefit. Given this shift, the Lightning Lane access is intended to serve as an alternative perk, though it applies to just one ride per stay.
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