Disneyland to End Early Entry Perk in 2026, Offering One Lightning Lane Instead
Disneyland Resort will retire its popular 30-minute early park entry for hotel guests starting January 5, 2026, replacing it with one Lightning Lane attraction access per stay, according to an official announcement from Disney.
That’s right. Early access will be canceled for one free Lightning Lane (per guest) for your entire stay.
What’s Changing?
Currently, guests staying at Disneyland Resort hotels can enter one park—either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure—30 minutes before public opening. This benefit allows access to select attractions, dining, and shopping.
Disneyland Park offers early entry on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
Disney California Adventure opens early on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Lightning Lane Access Takes Holder
Beginning January 5, 2026, the early entry benefit ends. Instead, resort guests will receive one Lightning Lane access (operated via Disneyland’s paid skip-the-line system) to a ride within the Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection. Current attractions available include:
Disneyland Park:
Autopia
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Haunted Mansion
Indiana JonesTM Adventure
“it's a small world”
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
Space Mountain
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Disney California Adventure:
Goofy's Sky School
Grizzly River Run
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Incredicoaster
The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
Soarin' Around the World
Toy Story Midway Mania!
WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
Why the Change?
Disney officials noted low utilization of the early entry privilege as a factor in the decision to discontinue the benefit. Given this shift, the Lightning Lane access is intended to serve as an alternative perk, though it applies to just one ride per stay.
This change will likely be unpopular with guests given the limited one pass per stay rule.
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