For years, Disneyland Paris’s crown jewel — the Disneyland Hotel — has been more than just a luxury property. It’s been a symbol of Disney’s storytelling power, a place guests visit not just to sleep, but to see. But that open-door policy has suddenly come to an end, and the reaction from fans has been intense.
In what many are calling a surprising move, Disneyland Paris has now restricted access to the Disneyland Hotel. Unless you’re a paying guest or have a confirmed restaurant or experience reservation, you won’t be allowed in — not to browse the boutique, not to take photos in the lobby, and not even to sneak a look at the hotel’s famous “royal” theming.
A Palace Fit for Princesses — at a Price
The Disneyland Hotel has always been an icon of European Disney design. Sitting right above the park’s entrance gates, the pink-and-white Victorian building has welcomed guests since the resort’s 1992 debut. But in 2024, after a major multi-year refurbishment, it returned as a five-star “royal” experience — themed around Disney’s princesses, from Belle to Elsa.
The transformation didn’t just raise the visual bar — it raised the prices too. Rooms can now climb beyond €1,000 a night, and dinner at La Table de Lumière runs about €120 per person. The hotel’s second restaurant, Royal Banquet, features character dining that draws families from across the world.
But now, the lavish atmosphere that once invited anyone to take a peek has become exclusive territory. Only those staying at the hotel, dining there, or holding a booking for My Royal Dream can step inside.
Disney hasn’t announced an end date for the restriction, but it’s clear the goal is to control crowds and protect the “comfort and security” of those paying top rates to be there.
The Reaction: A Split Kingdom
The move has divided fans. Some see it as justified, arguing that the lobby and common areas have become overcrowded and chaotic. Others feel Disney has gone too far, shutting out guests who simply want to experience a bit of the magic without paying four figures for a room.
One Reddit user summed up the frustration of those who think the decision makes sense:
“I’ll be downvoted for this but If I’m spending that much cash on the experience of a ‘luxury’ hotel, then a hotel that is swarming with non guests ruins that experience – paying a premium for the benefits that even people who aren’t even staying at the park can get. It’s a hotel, not an attraction – plenty of other things to do in there without crowding the hotel lobby and blocking actual guests.”
That sentiment was echoed by another recent guest:
“We stayed there in June and were disappointed by the crowds everywhere. We couldn’t sit in the lobby the few times we wanted to. It was noisy and raucous in the lobby and outside the restaurants. Having said that, I went and walked through Marvel hotel (we had previously stayed there and I wanted to remember the smell) so I can’t really talk. But I certainly wasn’t running up and down staircases and sprawled over chairs in the lobby.”
For guests paying premium rates, it’s easy to see the frustration. After spending thousands, no one wants to fight for a seat in their own hotel lobby.
“The Lobby Should Be Accessible”
Not everyone agrees, though. Some longtime parkgoers say the policy goes too far, arguing that Disney hotels have always been part of the immersive resort experience.
One commenter expressed mixed feelings:
“I‘m conflicted by it. The lobby should be accessible as well as the shop any bar in my opinion. It wasn’t crowded at all when we went and headed to the concierge for a question. But then again I can see especially around the Christmas holidays it being crowded. Are really that much people walking around where the rooms are? I would be bothered by it as well ngl.”
Another added that even though they can’t afford the hotel, they wouldn’t feel entitled to wander around inside anyway:
“Unfortunately I can’t afford to stay at this hotel but I agree with you too, I wouldn’t dream if just wandering in to have a nose around. There’s plenty of other things to look at in the parks I’ve spent hundreds to attend.”
Still, others pushed back on the “hotel versus attraction” argument:
“A themed Hotel is always an attraction and most hotels are accessible. If I’m staying at Santa Fe, I can still use the bar in the Marvel Hotel. People that don’t even stay on site or go to the parks at all can as well. Even outside Disney I can walk in any exclusive hotel and have a drink there or look around. In my opinion bar & shop should be accessible to everyone. I wouldn’t want random people running around the floors. I get that point. Disney hotels do hand out hotel specific postcards, stickers and do treasure hunts. Why should that be denied for people who can’t afford to stay there?”
The same guest pointed out one key operational flaw behind all this:
“I get the exclusive factor but it’s also kind of poor organisation on Disneys behalf doing a princess meeting in a hotel lobby. Ofc non hotel guests will show up and crowd the place, especially because it got harder to meet them. I’m not saying it’s right to do that but it could be easily avoided.”
Crowds, Shelter-Seekers, and Security Issues
According to some, the new rule may have been inevitable. Guests have reported heavy crowds in the hotel lobby, especially during bad weather — when visitors come inside just to warm up or find a dry spot.
“We were there in September and we had a very rainy day. One of our days and it looked like people were coming in for shelter rather than looking around or going to the gift shop. It was just really busy and not very much space for guests of the hotel to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Also when we were trying to get our daughter a picture with the princesses people were jumping in and not waiting their turn some of which weren’t staying at the hotel. Things like this piss me off when we’ve spent so much to stay at the hotel but can’t enjoy it.”
And then there are security worries:
“Bit gutted as I loved going there for a glass of champagne and a chill on busy park days. I’ve recently seen someone on Facebook say they had things stolen while sitting in the lobby at the hotel. I wonder if this is something that’s been happening more so disney are trying to stop it. Wondering if it’s something to do with the gangs that hang out trying to buy tickets, possibly now going into the hotel trying to steal from people there.”
Whether theft reports were a direct trigger or not, crowding and disruptive behavior clearly influenced the decision.
“It’s a Hotel, Not an Attraction” — or Is It?
One of the most polarizing comments in the thread encapsulated the debate perfectly:
“Why should it be accessible though? It’s a hotel, not an attraction. If any hotel was getting crowded with non-guests they would put some sort of security in place to stop the place getting mobbed – especially a five star hotel. Most people who aren’t staying there or have a reservation for the restaurant aren’t spending money – they’re just nosing around to look at the place and mob the princesses when they can. The character experience is a perk for paying guests.”
The argument cuts to the core of what makes Disney unique: its hotels are attractions. Guests visit them to experience design, storytelling, and that signature sense of escapism — even if they’re not checking in for the night. But when that storytelling starts to interfere with the guest experience of those paying for exclusivity, Disney has to make a choice.
Disneyland Paris hasn’t shared whether the rule is temporary or permanent, but the change seems poised to last at least through the holidays. For those staying at the hotel, it means quieter lobbies, easier photo ops, and a calmer environment. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that Disney’s most exclusive spaces may soon be just that — exclusive.
The decision also signals a broader shift for Disney worldwide. As the company leans into high-end experiences, premium dining, and “luxury storytelling,” we’re seeing more separation between casual guests and those paying for top-tier perks.
For now, the Disneyland Hotel remains exactly what it set out to be — a royal retreat. But if you want to step inside, you’d better have a reservation… or a very expensive room key.
