Disneyland offers Early Entry for Disneyland Resort hotel guests. Each day of your stay, enter the parks 30 minutes early. Starting January 20, 2024 early entry will take place in a designated theme park. Either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park will be open early. You’ll need to check the theme park calendar for each day of your stay, read more further down. A reservation for the assigned park and proof of staying on property will be required for entry each day. Early Entry is a great way to jump start your morning. I’ve done Early Entry many times. This post includes a timetable, maps and tips to help you. Let’s break it down and discuss what’s open during this time, what if you don’t have Early Entry, what’s the best strategy and more. Plus I have videos on my YouTube channel about Early Entry with tips and strategies!
Magic Morning and Extra Magic hour are gone
Before the parks closed in March 2020 they offered Magic Morning and/or Extra Magic hour. When the parks reopened April 2021 this option never returned. It’s no longer a thing.
Disney offers Early Entry as an added perk to staying on property on both coasts. You have this added perk when you stay at any of the the three Disneyland resort hotels – Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Then over in Orlando at all of the Walt Disney World resorts.
What park offers Early Entry each day?
Hotel guests have the option to go to one park, not choose from both parks like in the past. Only Disneyland or Disney California Adventure will be open during Early Entry for hotel guests. There will be signs out each day so you know as well.
There is a park calendar letting guests know which park will be open on each day. You can find the calendar on the Disneyland website or in the Disneyland app. The days could vary, but for now it looks like this is the schedule for which park will host Early Entry.
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday – Disney California Adventure is open 30 minutes early
- Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday – Disneyland is open 30 minutes early
See below an example of the calendar in January. Find park hours and info on the home page of the Disneyland app. Scroll down to the calendar and click all hours. Then look for the date you’re going and find which park will offer Early Entry.
How will Early Entry affect rope drop and guests without Early Entry?
All guests that don’t have Early Entry still need to plan on arriving at least 45 minutes before official park hours. If the park officially opens at 8:00 a.m. everyone is allowed through the turnstiles at 7:30 a.m. to line up for rope drop. None of that changes with the addition of Early Entry access. But now with the change of only one park hosting Early Entry each day you might want to plan on going to the park that doesn’t have Early Entry if you can. In other words if you’re going on a Saturday and don’t have Early Entry access I’d suggest going to Disney California Adventure park because no other guests will be in the park prior to rope drop. But don’t change plans just for this small detail, keep reading.
During the many times that I have done Early Entry, I’ve seen that the amount of people in the parks early doest’t really affect the lines too much for those coming at park opening. If you think about it, the extra benefit is only for hotel guests at the 3 resort hotels who choose to wake up early. I don’t think it affects the guests that don’t have Early Entry (EE). And lastly not all of the attractions are open during EE. The majority of the attractions will not have a line until the park officially opens. For instance if you like to rope drop Indiana Jones you’ll still get on quickly because there are no Early Entry guests in that line when the ropes drop at 8:00 a.m.
What’s open during Early Entry?
Disneyland Park Attractions
- Alice in Wonderland
- Astro Orbitor
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Disneyland Monorail
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- King Arthur Carrousel
- Mad Tea Party
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Peter Pan
- Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
- Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
- Space Mountain
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Dining and Shopping
- Esplanade Stroller Shop
- Little Green Men Store Command
- Little Red Wagon
- Main Street Fruit Cart
- Market House
- The Star Trader
Disney California Adventure Park Attractions
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Incredicoaster
- The Little Mermaid
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
- Monsters Inc.
- Soarin’ Around the World
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
Dining and Shopping
- Cappuccino Cart
- The Collector’s Warehouse
- Esplanade Stroller Shop
- Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe
- Fillmore’s Taste-In
Touring plan suggestions during Early Entry
Not all the rides are open during Early Entry. Keep this in mind when you are coming up with a plan. Here are a few ideas depending on the interests in your group. These are just suggestions you decide what’s best for your group. But have a plan “B” because rides could be down during Early Entry that are supposed to be open for one reason or another.
Disneyland plans…
Idea #1
- Peter Pan
- Alice in Wonderland
- Head to the rope in Fantasyland closest to Galaxy’s Edge to be one of the first on Rise of the Resistance.
Idea #2
- Peter Pan
- Alice in Wonderland
- Space Mountain (you can get in line before the rope drop guests, beat the crowd)
Idea #3
- Space Mountain (you could go twice if you wanted)
- Star Tours
- Go to the Matterhorn which is not open during Early Entry to be the first on the ride when the park opens.
Idea #4
- Space Mountain
- Buzz Lightyear
- Go take a picture in front of the castle with no one in it before the park officially opens.
Disney California Adventure plans…
Idea #1
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Go to the Radiator Springs Racers entrance and be one of the first on the ride.
Idea #2
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
- Go to the Radiator Springs Racers entrance and be one of the first on the ride.
Idea #3
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Incredicoaster
- Go to Toy Story which is not open during Early Entry to be the first on the ride when the park opens.
Whatever you choose to do take advantage of riding attractions that build long lines later in the day. No reason to hop in line for Little Mermaid during Early Entry just because it’s open. Save that for later cause the line is usually not long for that attraction. As you can see above in the suggestions of rides, you can do 2-3 attractions before the park officially opens if you follow my strategies. Read more about timelines and when to arrive at security further below. I also made several videos documenting when to leave the hotel, where to line up, timelines and what I did during Early Entry.
Early Entry perks
There are plenty of reasons why you should take advantage of Early Entry as a hotel guest. You’ll love being in the parks before general admission, giving you the chance to enjoy popular rides with shorter wait times. The benefits of having EE are going to allow you to knock out some attractions that will have long lines later in the day. And the perk of being in the park with less people is reason enough to consider booking a room on property now. Take advantage of an empty castle backdrop and take photos. And set yourself up for short wait times for the most popular rides at park opening in each park like Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Springs Racers.
Early Entry timeline from each hotel and security tips
If you want to make the most out of your short 30 minutes you have to get up early, but it’s worth it! I have tested all the security entrances and have some preferred locations and maps to help you decide. I also have a timeline when you need to leave your room depending on which hotel you’re staying at on property. I will divide this section by hotels so you’ll know where to go at what time to make the most out of your experience. Disney’s Grand Californian guests have two security checkpoint options at this hotel. We left our room at 6:30 a.m. each morning to be first or one of the first at security. On the map below you can see two security spots. Option A – leads into Downtown Disney and Option B – is over by Grizzly River Run.
The security checkpoint into Downtown Disney (Option A) opens at 7:00 a.m. everyday. Once through security you go to the Esplanade and line up at whichever park is hosting Early Entry. Always use this option when you’re going to Disneyland. And if you’re going to Disney California Adventure and want to be the first on Guardians of the Galaxy or WEB Slingers use security Option A. The drawback to Option B is that this security point opens closer to 7:20ish. It opens at the same time as the front gates, when they start letting guests into the park. Now if you plan to go on Incredicoaster or Soarin’ Over the World first then use this security point (Option B). Watch this video for more details.
If you’re a guest staying at the Pixar Place Hotel you have two security point options as well. We left our room at 6:25 a.m. and were the first ones at security. If you’re going to Disneyland use Option A above like guests at the Grand. To get to Option A from the Pixar Place hotel, leave the hotel, use the crosswalk over to the Grand and go through this gate which requires your room key. (see photo below). Then go into the lobby of the Grand and look for the Downtown Disney security sign. It took us 7 minutes to walk from the Pixar lobby to security Option A. Watch this video for more details.
The other option for Pixar Place Hotel guests is a private entrance into Disney California Adventure. To find this entrance from the Pixar Place hotel, leave the hotel, use the crosswalk over to the Grand and go through this gate which requires your room key. (see photo below) This entrance opens at the same time as the front gates around 7:20ish. This entrance puts you into the park over by Goofy’s Sky School. So if your first attraction during Early Entry is Incredicoaster, then go this way. Otherwise this entrance takes longer to get over to the other attractions that are open during Early Entry. I don’t recommend this security point for Early Entry.
Lastly if you’re a guest staying at the Disneyland Hotel I only recommend the security checkpoint into Downtown Disney from the hotel. (see map below) This security checkpoint opens at 7:00 a.m. The line moves very quickly so if it looks long don’t worry. We left our room at 6:40 a.m. each morning.
How do they know if you have Early Entry access?
Everyone lines up at the turnstiles like normal. There is no separate line for Early Entry guests to scan into the park. Everyone is let in the gates about 30 minutes before the park opens. Then you are stopped at the rope and not allowed past a certain point unless you have Early Entry. For guests with EE you will want to look for these signs at the end of Main Street heading towards Tomorrowland.
Over in Disney California Adventure you can go towards Carthay Circle or go left down Hollywood Blvd.
You will have to show your hotel reservation in the Disneyland app to have access into the EE area. Or you will scan your Disney property hotel key to prove you’re an onsite guest as shown below.
Monorail open during Early Entry
Hotel guests can take advantage of the Monorail open during Early Entry. This is a great way to head into the parks. The Monorail drops you off in Tomorrowland near Finding Nemo. But by the time you get on the Monorail and ride over into the parks you’ve lost about 15 minutes of your 30 minute advantage.
So while this is a great idea to use it as transportation to and from the park, I wouldn’t use it thinking you’ll get a very big head start. They won’t let guests on the Monorail until just at 30 minutes before the park opens. Read more on why I love to use the Monorail for other reasons on this post.
How will Early Entry affect rope drop and touring plans?
You could plan to go to rides that won’t already have a line with EE guests. But I wouldn’t change my rope drop strategy. The rush of Early Entry hotel guests will be at the start of Early Entry. Thirty minutes into the day only a few attractions will have a line. Those EE guests have dispersed over many rides and lines are already moving. There will not be a huge difference in lines with the implementation of Early Entry don’t worry! Read up on my how to fit in all the rides in one day at Disneyland or over at Disney California Adventure. 
There is one exception to this rule. Even though Radiator Springs Racers is not open during Early Entry, the guests in the park early with access can get lined up for that ride. So the line is already long by the time regular guests get into the park. I don’t recommend going to Racers at rope drop on the days when Disney California Adventure offers Early Entry. In other words on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday you can rope drop Radiator Springs Racers because you’re not competing with Early Entry guests. More information about how to rope drop Racers found here.
Early Entry follow up and thoughts
I have done many trips that include Early Entry to help my readers know how to plan for and strategize as an Early Entry guest. And I’ve stayed at all 3 Disney properties to test touring plans and know how to help. I’ve also learned how this can affect your trip if your don’t have Early Entry. I am here to report some of things that will help you on your visit!
- Go to Peter Pan first if it’s on your list and you have Early Entry access. You can then knock out most of Fantasyland in the 30 minutes cause there are like no lines! But if you don’t have Early Entry, DON’T go to Peter Pan first. In fact I never recommend going to Peter Pan first!
- If you have EE you can line up for Rise of the Resistance at the rope near Red Rose Tavern. Be there by 7:50 a.m. and follow the crowd. You barely beat the rope drop group coming from the hub. But remember this approach is risky cause the attraction is sometimes closed when the park opens. Read more about when I recommend riding Rise of the Resistance.
- Have a plan B in place. I headed to Space Mountain first and it was closed, so I lost precious time, but quickly readjusted my plan.
- There is a PhotoPass photographer in front of the castle. This is a great time to get a photo with little to no one in the background.
- Check the app during Early Entry for wait times and see if an attraction is temporarily closed.
- Use the front gates of Disney California Adventure to get in for Early Entry even if you’re a guest staying at the Grand Californian. It takes longer to get through security over on the hotel exclusive entrance side by Grizzly River Run.
- Only Grand Californian guests can use the hotel entrance into Disney California Adventure on Early Entry mornings.
- Plan to leave your Disney hotel room at the times I recommended above. Since there is no dedicated entrance for Early Entry guests you’re standing in line with other guests who are there for rope drop. The further you are back in line takes away from your extra 30 minutes in the park.
- Early Entry guests definitely have an advantage over the rope drop crowd to get on Radiator Springs Racers first. Just make sure you’re over at the attraction by 7:55 a.m. to be first in line. Beware this attraction is sometimes closed when the park opens, it was on one of the days I was there testing strategies. So we went to Guardians of the Galaxy quickly before the park officially opened.
Overall my experience using Early Entry was so worth it. I would recommend doing as many Fantasyland rides as you can during those 30 minutes and then get in line for Matterhorn, Big Thunder Mountain or head to Space Mountain before the park officially opens.
Staying on property at the Disneyland Resort is magical. And with the added benefit of Early Entry now is the time to check out one of the three hotels on property. Read more about each hotel Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel &. Spa, Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place Hotel.
Helpful tips to plan your trip…
MagicBand+ now available at Disneyland, worth it?
Tips and help on entertainment in both parks… Fantasmic, fireworks, parade and World of Color.
