Disney Drops Early Park Admission: Game-Changing Move for Theme Park Guests?
What This Means for You
Disneyland nearly broke the internet today with the announcement that early park admission would be eliminated (with a twist) and that thousands of guests would ride the attractions differently in the future.
Disneyland Does Away With Early Park Admission? Yes, but With a Twist
Disneyland is about to flip the script on one of its most well-known perks for hotel guests, and it’s bound to stir up mixed emotions. Beginning January 5, 2026, a brand-new benefit will replace the long-running Early Theme Park Entry program, reshaping how visitors plan their days in the parks.
For decades, the idea of slipping through the gates 30 minutes before the crowds was a badge of honor for early risers who booked on-site stays. But that quiet morning stroll down Main Street is about to become history. In its place? A complimentary Lightning Lane entry for every guest staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel.
So, is this a fair trade—or a downgrade? Let’s break down exactly what’s happening, how to use the new perk, and why it matters.
What’s New at Disneyland Resort on January 5
Disney has confirmed that hotel guests will now receive one free Lightning Lane redemption for a Multi Pass attraction of their choice during their stay. Each person listed on the reservation qualifies, as long as they also have valid admission and a park reservation.
NEW: Starting Jan. 5, all guests staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel will receive one complimentary Lightning Lane entry for a Multi Pass attraction of their choice. Also NEW: Beginning Jan. 5, Disneyland Resort will end the Early Theme Park Entry program. The one Lightning Lane entry will be available to each guest on the reservation with valid park admission and a park reservation. Limit one per guest, per stay. DVC reservations do qualify. Good Neighbor Hotel bookings do not qualify. Disneyland officials said the Early Theme Park Entry benefit was not widely used, prompting the shift to the Lightning Lane entry benefit beginning in Jan. 5. – @ScottGustin on X
NEW: Starting Jan. 5, all guests staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel will receive one complimentary Lightning Lane entry for a Multi Pass attraction of their choice.
Also NEW: Beginning Jan. 5, Disneyland Resort will end the Early Theme Park Entry program.
The one Lightning… pic.twitter.com/GkH05O0QSO
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) August 20, 2025
Important details:
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Disney Vacation Club reservations do qualify.
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Good Neighbor Hotels are not included.
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The benefit is limited to one Lightning Lane per guest, per stay (not per day).
At the same time, Early Theme Park Entry—which granted hotel guests access to the parks 30 minutes before official opening—will be discontinued. Disney explained that the program “was not widely used,” leading to this new approach.
Making the Most of Your Free Lightning Lane
While the perk might sound simple, using it wisely can make a huge difference in your experience.
Best strategies include:
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Redeeming it on the rides with the longest waits (Space Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, Radiator Springs Racers).
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Saving it for peak afternoon crowds instead of the morning, when lines are shorter.
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Booking early in the Disneyland app to avoid missing out on popular attractions.
For groups, there’s also the option to stack your perks—if everyone chooses the same ride, you can skip a headliner line together, turning a high-demand attraction into a stress-free family memory.
Insider Tips Guests Need to Know
Veteran visitors will tell you: timing is everything. A few hidden hacks can stretch this perk further than it looks at first glance:
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Pair it with Multi Pass to double down on skipping lines.
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Coordinate with dining times—reserve your Lightning Lane right before a meal to avoid wasting precious park minutes.
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Stay flexible in case a chosen attraction temporarily closes; you’ll usually be offered an alternate option.
Why Fans Are Split on the Change
The reaction from Disneyland fans has been divided. For those who never used Early Entry, this is a major win. Families who prefer to sleep in or start the day slowly will now have a built-in way to avoid at least one long wait.
But for dedicated parkgoers, the loss of Early Entry is significant. That extra half-hour often meant multiple rides with little to no wait, especially at the most in-demand attractions. Social media is already buzzing with debates about whether this is an upgrade or a downgrade for hotel guests.
Historically, Disney has adjusted perks to reflect guest behavior, and this move suggests the company believes flexibility beats tradition in today’s travel landscape.
Final Takeaway
This change boils down to one question: are you an early riser or not? If you thrived on Early Entry, you may feel the sting. But if you value flexibility, or simply want a guaranteed way to skip a big line, the free Lightning Lane could prove more useful than the old system.
Either way, starting January 5, every Disneyland hotel stay will come with a new decision: where to spend your one golden ticket.
This is a definite downgrade, but even the current Early Entry program is a downgrade. The old Extra Magic Hour was fantastic for everyone! If you stayed at a resort hotel, you got one full hour in a single park. That meant that if you wanted to sleep in, you simply chose a different park. For locals and other guests, you could plan around which park had EMH. This new 30-minute EE may help spread resort guests around, but it means there is basically no reason for non-resort guests to rope drop again, EVER. No matter what park you choose, there will already be hordes of resort guests. I miss EMH.