Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have just updated their park entry systems. If you’re heading to the parks soon, here’s what to expect when you arrive—and why the old turnstiles are officially a thing of the past.
New Gates, Same Esplanade
You’ll still walk through the central esplanade to access both parks. But instead of scanning your ticket through a turnstile, you’ll now walk through wider, sleeker automated gates designed for faster entry and better accessibility. These new entrances are touch-free, stroller-friendly, and easier to navigate for guests using mobility devices.
What to Do at the Gate
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Scan your park ticket, MagicBand+, or Disneyland app barcode.
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A built-in camera will take a photo of you (yes, you can tap to take it manually). This replaces the old Cast Member photo system.
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The gates open automatically, and you’re in.
It’s quick and painless—and no physical ticket scanning means fewer jams and lines.
Multiple Entrances Available
Depending on where you’re coming from or staying, you might not be using the main gate at all:
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Disneyland Monorail still drops you off in Tomorrowland, but only if you’ve already scanned into Disneyland or have a valid reservation.
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Grand Californian Hotel guests can enter Disney California Adventure directly from the hotel.
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Pixar Place Hotel guests have access to a walkway and security point that lets them enter near Goofy’s Sky School.
That Pixar Place entrance opens 30 minutes before official park opening and closes at 12 p.m.—so plan accordingly.
What About Kids?
Guests under 3 don’t need a ticket or reservation and won’t be scanned at the gate. Kids ages 3 and up follow the same process as adults.
Digital-Only? Not Quite
While the system is designed for app use and MagicBand+, physical tickets still work. You can scan printed tickets or plastic cards if that’s what you have. Either way, you’ll get your photo taken during the first scan, which will be linked to your ticket for re-entry checks.
Small Details, Big Improvement
As a bonus, animated clips now play at the gates: Mickey welcomes guests into Disneyland, and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit appears at the DCA gates. Not essential, but a nice bit of themed charm as you walk in.
Re-Entering Later?
Yes, you can leave and re-enter the park, as long as your reservation remains valid. Just scan back in like you did earlier—no extra steps required.
Why the Change?
This is part of a broader push toward improving park arrival flow, especially ahead of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration starting May 16. The new gates are meant to reduce entry bottlenecks and improve guest accessibility, while also modernizing a system that hasn’t changed much in decades.
