One of the only reasons to stay in a Disney-owned hotel at one of their theme parks is for the extras.
The hotels are fine, but there's nothing so special that makes them worth the significantly extra price.
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It's the perks that make it worth it.
When my kids were little, we usually stayed at the Disneyland Hotel or the Disneyland Pixar Place (formerly the Paradise Pier) because it was easy to get the kids back to their rooms for naps on the monorail or shuttle, and because we got early park entrance.
Even getting a 30-minute jump ahead of most visitors meant we could get at least one more ride on Space Mountain or the Matterhorn each day.
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It was absolutely worth the extra $100 a night (or even a little more).
Once naps weren't an issue, the “rope drop” for early park entrance was the big draw, especially as the kids got older and wanted to ride all the rides, again and again.
Now Disneyland is making a major change to one of its most recognizable hotel perks, effective Jan. 5, 2026.
Disneyland getting rid of early theme park entry in 2026
Guests staying at Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, or Pixar Place Hotel will no longer enjoy early theme park entry, which allowed them to access select attractions 30 minutes before the general public.
In its place, each guest will receive one Lightning Lane redemption per stay (yes, per stay, not per day), which can be used for popular rides like Space Mountain, Matterhorn Bobsleds, or Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, depending on availability.
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At first glance, this appears to be a simple swap of perks.
But a closer look reveals how Disney (DIS) responds to changing guest habits, operational realities, and revenue opportunities.
Why early entry didn't work at Disneyland
Disney's own analysis showed that many hotel guests were not taking full advantage of early entry. Guests reported that the designated park schedule often did not align with their plans, and younger children or travelers who prefer sleeping in were unlikely to use the perk consistently.
Families visiting both parks over several days sometimes found that early entry at one park was inconvenient or simply not relevant to their itinerary.
Disneyland focused on operational efficiency
Early entry is also a significant cost for Disney, requiring extra staffing and resources: ride operators, security, and shops must open earlier each morning, even when only a fraction of hotel guests participate.
Lightning Lane, by contrast, integrates seamlessly into Disney's existing skip-the-line system. It allows the company to manage guest flow more efficiently, optimize staffing, and reinforce a system that also generates revenue through paid upgrades.
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For families who never managed to use early entry effectively, this may feel like an upgrade.
It's also a way to introduce hotel guests to the Lightning Lane concept and condition them to see the add-on as a central part of the park experience.
Disneyland change points to broader industry trends
Disney is not alone in rethinking traditional perks. Theme parks are moving away from time-based advantages that require early mornings and rigid schedules, and instead offering flexible, demand-based services that better reflect modern guest behavior.
The change represents a trade-off: less frequent exclusivity, but more flexibility and potential efficiency in navigating the park.
For Disneyland, it's a calculated decision that balances guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, and revenue strategy. And revenue for The Walt Disney Company is way up.
At the company's most recent earnings call, the company reported park attendance, hotel bookings, and spending on merchandise and food were all up from the previous year.
The Walt Disney Company Experiences Division by the numbers:
- Domestic theme park division climbed 22 percent from a year earlier, to $1.7 billion.
- Revenue increased 10 percent, to $6.4 billion
“We have more expansions underway around the world in our parks and experiences than at any other time in our history. With ambitious plans ahead for all our businesses, we’re not done building, and we are excited for Disney’s future,” The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger said during the August 6 announcement.
If you want to take advantage of Disneyland's early entrance perk, the last day to do it is January 4, 2026.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a trip.)
Make a free appointment with TheStreet’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
