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For Frequent Disneyland Visitors, Theme Park Entry Just Got Easier

Magic Key holders and Park Hopper ticketholders at Disneyland Resort are about to gain a level of flexibility that hasn’t existed since before the pandemic. The change to the theme park reservation system at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park is only three weeks away.

What’s Changing on June 9

Disney California Adventure DCA Food & Wine Festival with Disneyland guests as closures are experienced.
Credit: Disney

Disneyland Resort announced on May 19 that the 11:00 a.m. Park Hopping restriction will be eliminated effective June 9, 2026. Since Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park reopened following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, guests holding Park Hopper tickets or Magic Key passes have been required to wait until 11:00 a.m. before crossing the esplanade into the other park. That six-year-old rule is going away.

Theme park journalist Scott Gustin broke the news on X (formerly known as Twitter):

NEW: Disneyland is eliminating the 11 a.m. Park Hopper restriction starting June 9.
With this change, guests with Park Hopper tickets and Magic Key passes will be able to move between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure at any time, subject to park availability.

On days when either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park reaches capacity, hopping into the full park may still be off the table, regardless of ticket type. Magic Key holders remain subject to their pass’s blockout dates, during which neither reservations nor Park Hopping are permitted.

The Tap-In Requirement Is Also Disappearing

Two cars on Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure.
Credit: Disney

The time restriction isn’t the only change landing on June 9. Disneyland Resort is simultaneously removing the requirement that guests physically scan into their reserved park before hopping to the other. Under the current system, a guest with a Disney California Adventure Park reservation must tap into that park before heading across to Disneyland Park. Starting June 9, that sequential requirement no longer applies.

Update: When the change takes effect June 9, guests will still need to select a first park on their park reservation, but they will not need to first tap into their starting park before hopping.

This update means a guest with a Disney California Adventure reservation and a Park Hopper ticket could theoretically enter Disneyland first, subject to availability.

Guests will still need to designate a starting theme park when making their reservation. What they won’t need to do is actually scan it in before entering the other park. In practical terms, that means a guest who reserved Disney California Adventure Park but finds themselves closer to the Disneyland Park entrance could walk straight in — subject to availability — without the detour.

Reservations Still Required

Crowds of people walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park
Credit: Michael Gray, Flickr

The announcement stops short of eliminating the theme park reservation system entirely. Disneyland Resort has not signaled any plans to drop the reservation requirement altogether, meaning guests will still need to plan ahead and secure a reservation before arriving.

Should Disneyland Resort eliminate park reservations altogether? Share your thoughts with Disney Dining in the comments! 

Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

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