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Countless Guests Denied Entry to Disney, Subjected To Intense Interrogation

Have you ever been questioned for park hopping between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park? Disneyland Resort cast members sometimes interrogate guests for jumping between theme parks too quickly. Here’s why.

Park hopping is allowed and encouraged at the Southern California Disney parks as long as guests have a Magic Key Pass or eligible Park Hopper ticket. However, switching between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park can raise red flags for suspicious behavior.

Night view of Disneyland Resort's Disney California Adventure Park entrance with an illuminated sign and moon decoration above the gates, reflecting a fair yet inviting ambiance.
Credit: Joel, Flickr

A Disneyland Resort guest recently shared their experience of being questioned by cast members after walking through Disney California Adventure Park from Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa as a shortcut to Disneyland Park. From Redditor u/ORMEGA1:

“Went to the park today with my fiancé and daughter. We went to DCA first and then I had a meeting so I took it at Grand California business center. Once I finished i went thru the DCA entrance I met up with my finance and daughter after and immediately went to a Disneyland.

Once I scanned the passes the CM said ‘you were just at DCA? May I ask why you just scanned in and now you’re at this park?’

I obviously said I was at the hotel and took a meeting but curious why that popped up and what is the reason behind asking? Is it for safety measure? Or making sure no one else is scanning your ticket?” 

Although being questioned about your activities at Disneyland Resort can be intimidating, fans were quick to explain the reasoning behind the interrogation.

Disneyland Entrance, where guest was questioned about park hopping
Credit: Disney

“It’s to catch people trying to share passes,” u/afx114 commented. “I’ve been pulled aside because I hopped to the other park to get stuff out of our locker there. When scanning back into the original park they think it’s odd you’re going back and forth. A quick explanation is all it takes.”

“There’s about a 15 minute cooldown from when you scan in as a measure against people attempting to share one ticket or key,” u/forlorn_hope28 added.

Unfortunately, some Magic Key Pass holders said they were refused Disney Park entry after hopping too quickly, despite having valid reasons.

Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse Partners statue in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort
Credit: Ed Aguila, Disney Dining

They told me it was an hour and that they have to wait for a lead to come override it,” u/Heart_Flaky replied.

“Ran over to DCA to get ‘line bread’ (a sliced sourdough loaf from Aunt Cass’ to munch on while waiting to get on rides) and went back to DL,” u/minniequipperton recalled. “Got into a lengthy back and forth with a cast member who just wouldn’t accept my answer, despite seeing the loaf in my hand. I get that they have to check to make sure I’m not pass sharing, but I’m clearly the person in the picture and I’m literally carrying a loaf of bread. I couldn’t understand why she took so long to let me in. She didn’t even call a supervisor at first, just a whole bunch of questioning.”

Have you ever been questioned for hopping between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park? Let Disney Dining know 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.

9 Comments

  1. We went from Disneyland (DL) to Disney California Adventure (DCA) and immediately realized that our toddler had left their toy on a bench in DL. I ran back alone to retrieve it but was stopped by Cast Members and questioned. After explaining the situation, I was required to wait for a lead, and the entire process took over 20 minutes. Once allowed back in, I managed to stop a Cast Member who had just picked up my child’s toy and was walking away with it. The lead then advised me to wait at least 15 minutes before attempting to re-enter DCA.

    1. If Walt was alive he’d be mortified. Disneyland is NOT the happiest place in the world anymore. Do you know how many people commit suicide there? I’m sorry it’s gone forever.

  2. Line bread😂😂😂ok whatever anyways. I don’t think you can share a pass. When you get a pass or get park tickets they take your picture.

  3. They do this at other Disney Parks too. It does cut down on ticket sharing and ticket fraud. The worst ones are when the guest who buy tickets at those booths close to the parks. They are denied entry and about eighty percent have to eat the cost, because the ticket scammers took their money and ran.

  4. This is their job! People do share passes that’s why they had to implement this. So don’t blame Disney! Walt would be mortified at society in general that honest wasn’t the first choice, even I. The magic kingdom. Stop being so sensitive st requirements that society has forced Us into. We are the society. Change that and we can change regulations

  5. I’m a Magic Key holder and I had just entered DL using my MagicBand+ when I realized that my phone was missing. I knew that I had just left Turtle Talk with Crush in DCA and knew that I must have left it there. When I went to re-enter DCA, I was stopped and delayed for about ten minutes before the system allowed me to enter again.

  6. Disney has gotten ridiculous in their policies. It’s just not worth it anymore. Food Quality has gone down, Park hopping and reentry is a hassle, you are treated like a prison inmate. The magic is dead.

    1. Best to stay in one park. Disney is getting ripped off by people that do that. It is up to you to wstch your stuff and be alert. Disney has good security. My wife left her nice camea in a store there and I called lost & found days later and they return it to me.
      If people see others beating Disney system they will do it as well. Most think that Disney can afford it. If you stay in one park Disney will make a change.

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