Updated January 5, 2026
***Early Entry privileges ended permanently on January 5, 2026 for all Disneyland Resort hotel guests.
Early Entry has arrived at the Disneyland Resort.
Not Magic Morning.
Not Extra Magic Hour.
It’s a whole new world, folks.
Let’s dig in!
Basic Scoop – What is Early Entry?
Early Entry is the name given to a new privilege available to Disney Resort Guests.
Guests staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel (Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier) may enter the park 30 minutes prior to official park opening.
This isn’t the same as when guests are allowed in 30 minutes early to line up at Rope Drop. (Here’s all about Rope Drop.) Early Entry allows guests to enter at the 30 minute mark and go beyond Rope Drop to ride attractions.
This post goes into lots of detail about each of these resorts.
How Do I Prove I Have Early Entry?
You’ll need to show a valid/current room key from one of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels to use Early Entry.
How Many Days Can I Use Early Entry?
You may use Early Entry the morning after each night you stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel.
I’ve even known guests to use it on their arrival day……obviously super early……but they allowed it! (The hotel will give you a key to show if your room isn’t available yet.)
How Do I Know Which Park will be open for Early Entry?
Beginning January 20, 2024, Early Entry will take place at the following parks each week:
Disneyland Park – Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Disney California Adventure Park – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday
As always, confirm your exact timing with Disneyland’s calendar because there are changes to this occasionally. You can find that here.
Which Gate Should You Line Up At?
Any of them. Unlike before, all gates should be open.
Security Lines and When/Where to Arrive
For your best timing, arrive at your security checkpoint between 6:15am and 6:30am. Security should start checking bags by 7:00am. After security, head to the main gate.
- Disneyland Hotel guests line up at the west security point, near the Disneyland Hotel.
- Paradise Pier Hotel guests line up at the west security point, near the Disneyland Hotel.
- Grand Californian Hotel guests line up at the Downtown Disney security point, near the Brisa Courtyard (the round event spot at the hotel).
I recommend Early Entry guests who want to make the most of their Early Entry privilege line up at security between 6:15am and 6:30am. Security checks should start right at 7:00am. Get through that line and head toward the Disneyland or DCA gate.
Be at the front of the line so that when 7:30am arrives, you can walk in and start enjoying attractions immediately.
Harbor security should start allowing guests in a few minutes after 7:00am, which gives DLR hotel guests a slight advantage to line up earlier.
I do not recommend using the Grand Californian Hotel entrance into DCA. I don’t recommend using the Paradise Pier entrance, either.
The main gate is always your safest bet. (From my experience at the Grand Californian, you must line up super, super early to use these entrances. Meaning, for a 7:30am Early Entry, I would line up by 6:00am. The main gate is the way to go.)
What About Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hour?
Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hour are no longer options at the Disneyland Resort.
This post detailed how those two options worked in case you want to compare.
Attractions Open During Early Entry
The following attractions *should* be open to all guests during Early Entry:
Disneyland
- Alice in Wonderland
- Astro Orbitor
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Monorail
- Dumbo
- King Arthur Carrousel
- Mad Tea Party (teacups)
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
- Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
- Space Mountain
- Star Tours
California Adventure
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Incredicoaster
- Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
- Monster’s Inc
- Soarin’
- WEB SLINGERS
Park Strategies for Guests Staying at a Disney Resort
I recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to your early entry time so that you’re at the front of the line.
So, if you’re staying at a Disney Resort and the park opens at 8:00am, I recommend you arrive at 7:00am. Early Entry will begin at 7:30am.
I suggest you line up at the main gate for both parks. Don’t use the Grand Californian Hotel entrance into DCA. Unless you arrive super, super early, you’re better off at the main gate.
Use my tips and strategies in this post to start your day in the right direction.
Park Strategies for Guests Not Staying at a Disney Resort
I recommend arriving a full hour early to get in line at the gate. There will be lines designated for Early Entry. And, there will be lines for everyone else.
Guests with early entry privileges will go in 30 minutes prior to official park opening. I’m assuming guests without Early Entry will enter around the same time, however, you’ll be stopped at Rope Drop until official park opening.
Line up at Rope Drop and be ready to go! Use my tips and strategies in this post to start your day in the right direction. In that post, I detail how I almost never wait more than 20 minutes for any attraction. With or without Early Entry, you can do the same.
Arriving Early – Where to Park
This post details your parking options at the Disneyland Resort, where I prefer to park, when to arrive and which location will get you to the park the quickest.
Will the 3+ Day Ticket Early Admission Option Return?
I don’t know.
Prior to Covid, guests who bought a 3+ day park ticket were given one “Magic Morning”, which allowed them early entry into Disneyland Park a few days each week.
I’m not sure if the new system – Early Entry – will go beyond being available to Disney Resort guests. I’ll keep you updated on this here.
Other Helpful Info for Your Trip
Notes
- I’ll be watching the parks to see how Early Entry plays out when it starts. I’ll edit this post if my predictions are off.
- New to planning? Start with this post.
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Great post. Since I can’t upload pictures will try and describe. Curious the fastest path to Web Slingers for Early Entry since I’ve never been to DCA before and staying a the Grand. So think you end up at Carthay Circle. Again looking at the map not sure where the physical entrance to Web Slingers is or the queue. Do I go North and then make a left at Web Slingers, or do I go left thru Hollywood land into Avengers campus and to Web Slingers? Assume the first but not really sure what paths are open or not.
Hi JR.
The quickest way to WEB SLINGERS is to line up at the RSR rope drop, which is just beyond Carthay Circle. When everyone rushes to Cars Land, veer left into Avengers Campus. Follow along and turn the corner left. The attraction will be on your left.
Send me an email at casey@disneylanddaily.com if you need more clarification. I can send you park maps if that will help!
Hi Casey, How does this strategy test now that early entry is 30 minutes prior to opening opposed to the one hour EMH they had in the past? We are planning on doing your Big Kid Plan with Genie+ and Early Entry but I’m concerned that by the time we get to RSR rope drop after riding Guardians, we would be pretty far behind the crowds at rope drop. It seems from all i’ve researched, that they have been opening the gates for Rope drop at the same time as Early entry. Any thoughts or advice? We will get to the main gate an hour prior regardless… but, I’m trying to weigh in if just going to rope drop for RSR would be better than using that EE for Guardians if that would mean getting to rope drop way behind the other crowds. I guess if we try it out and the wait time for RSR is too long to make it to Toy Story return window, I can just purchase an Individual Lightning lane for it later in the day but we want to try your strategy and wondered if the shortened early “hour” makes a difference or has any effect on it. Thanks!
Hi Jill.
Use this strategy and line up for RSR in the path between Avengers Campus and Cars Land:
https://disneylanddaily.com/how-to-start-your-day-at-california-adventure/#The_DCA_Strategy_for_Big_Kids_with_Genie_and_Early_Entry
Then, if it’s still too long of a wait, skip it at this time and buy the LL later in the day.
Hope this helps!
Thank you so much! I didn’t see or notice that information before about the rope drop between Avengers Campus and Cars Land being available and was worried about backtracking. This is most helpful! We have been using your strategies religiously since 2016 and they always work!
You mentioned separate entry lines for DLR guests – is this back ? The past two years DLR hotel guests have been mixed in with anyone wanting to do regular rope drop and then once in there is a side lane for DLR guests.
I’m hoping they return with this change. I’ll keep you updated!
The mixed in lines were a mess.
Casey,
With the early entry alternating parks and still only 30 minutes, and only being able to park hop at 11, do you still think those staying on site should use the 30 extra minutes each day? We are going for five days (M-F) over spring break and wonder if we should forfeit early entry one CA day to take advantage of overall low morning crowds at DL (so instead of CA/DL/CA/DL/CA start the last two at DL). Hope this makes sense and thank you in advance. We have been following your advice for years and you haven’t been wrong yet!
Hi, Elissa.
I do think it’s worth it still, but since you have 5 days, follow what you want to do and start the last 2 at Disneyland.
Since it’s only 30 minutes, it’s not hugely impactful so you’ll be good.
Have the best time!
Hi Casey – I have a similar question to Elissa but we only have 3 days… We are staying at Grand Californian in June with 3 day park hopper with Genie+. We have big kids (13 and 11) and want to do 2 days at DL and 1 at DCA but our days are Mon (a DCA early entry day), Tues (a DL early entry day), Wed (a DCA early entry day). So…do we do early entry every day we can, meaning we’ll start at DCA Mon and Wed while starting at DL only on Tuesday. And then park hop to get over to DL, likely on Monday? Our priority is DL the first day and seems we could waste time park hopping but at the same time, it’s also a waste to not use early entry (which of course was also a major reason to stay at a DL hotel). Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions!
Good question! If it were me, I would stick to using early entry each day. 2 at DCA and 1 at Disneyland. Hop on your DCA day once you got lots done.
In fact, you should really only be at DCA the full day you have planned and then the morning you have the second early entry. The rest would be ideal at Disneyland since there’s more to do.
Use my strategies and they will help:
https://disneylanddaily.com/how-to-start-your-day-at-the-disneyland-resort/
Let me know what other questions you have!
Thank you! That helps me plan and yes, I will consult your strategies!
Hi Casey!
We are considering doing RSR very first thing at EE/Rope Drop. Staying on-site. I know this ride may not be open reliably, but willing to take the chance. We are not Guardians fans, so will not do that ride.
What is the quickest/fastest/short cut to be among the first in line?
What do you recommend we pivot to, if it is down? Just staying in CarsLand?
And, if we pivot to Incredicoaster early in AM, can we ride it 2-3x without having to use our paid G+?
Thanks!
Hi Victor.
Go for it. I’ve been on RSR at rope drop many times.
Check out this plan:
https://disneylanddaily.com/how-to-start-your-day-at-california-adventure/#The_DCA_Strategy_for_Big_Kids_with_Genie_and_Early_Entry
Arrive at security at 6:15am for a 7:00am security opening. You should be first at the main gate with that timing.
If it’s down, I would pivot to Incredicoaster. You shouldn’t have any problem riding it several times standby early in the day.
Let me know what other questions you have!
Just used the early entry option at the Grand Californian and went through the entrance there into DCA. I went down at 6:15 and I was the only person in line for about 15 minutes when a few more people came. I got in line with my empty stroller and had the rest of my family meet me in line at 7:00. They let us go through security at 7:15 and stopped us for rope drop before getting on the main walkway. Then we started walking at 7:30 and went right past little mermaid and headed straight to Web Slingers. Rode that and then went over to Radiator Springs Racers (it was about 7:50 now) and waited about 5 minutes to get in. Then we went straight over to Guardians and waited for about 5 minutes in line. It was a great morning and the Grand Californian entry worked awesome for us but I did get there really early and I was the first person in line. The other nice thing about that entry point is there is a coffee shop right around the corner so you can send someone to get coffee while in line.
Oh good info, Jen! Thank you.
I don’t recommend using that entrance because it can be unpredictable, but you did so well. I’ll be watching it more now! I appreciate your comment.
Of course! And thank you! Thanks to your advice and direction I was able to use early entry rope drop with my three kids to be the first ones on Space Mountain for 2 days in a row! Keep up the good work – you helped us so much!
You made my day. Thank you.
HI there, We are headed there next week! (January 2023). The hotel says that we can get on the monorail to enter the park for early entry- taking us straight to tomorrow land. Do you think this is true and would you recommend this? Also could you clarify for me- that genie plus does not include Rise of the resistance or Radiator springs? Those are our two favorites- wondering a good strategy for riding these as many times as we can! Thanks for all you do- we’ve used your blog to help plan THREE trips now! You’re the best!
Hi Leslie.
The monorail is open for Early Entry. I recommend the main gate however because the monorail can be unpredictable. If you’re serious about rope drop, go to the main gate.
You’re right about RSR and Rise. Here’s how to do Rise during Early Entry:
https://disneylanddaily.com/how-to-start-your-day-at-disneyland/#The_Disneyland_Strategy_for_Big_Kids_with_Early_Entry
Then go at 6pm that evening to ride again, as that’s usually the best wait time. (60 minutes)
For DCA, here’s your plan:
https://disneylanddaily.com/how-to-start-your-day-at-california-adventure/#The_DCA_Strategy_for_Big_Kids_with_Early_Entry
Consider Single Rider for additional rides on RSR.
Let me know how else I can help!
Hi Casey – I’m curious if you have any recommendations for how to fit breakfast into your park strategies without losing too much time. With lining up at 6:30am to get into the parks, I’m not sure we’ll have time before to eat breakfast (or if places in Downtown Disney will even be open that early). Are there places you recommend for grabbing breakfast without getting behind on the strategies? Thank you for all your work and your amazing website!
Not many. Coffee House at the Disneyland Hotel opens at 6:00am, but that’s only helpful if you’re staying there or nearby.
I often made my kids little breakfast bags to give everyone a start to the day with plans to pause around 10:00am for a snack or breakfast.
Oops! Replied too soon!
Bags included a granola bar, piece of fruit, string cheese and water.
Have fun Emily!
Hi Casey and Emily- You could try doing a mobile order at Starbucks and having a designated person pick it up while the rest get in line. It’s worked for us in the past.
Thanks Katie! I appreciate your help.
I will have Early Entry for my upcoming trip in November. I typically rope drop Radiator Springs or ROTR to get those done in the morning and typically have great success. I know they are not included in early entry, so where should I position myself and at what time to be at those rides with the regular rope drop crew? This complicates my strategy lol!
Here you go:
https://disneylanddaily.com/how-to-start-your-day-at-california-adventure/#The_DCA_Strategy_for_Big_Kids_with_Early_Entry
I detail exactly what to do in that post. Have fun!
You are so right about the Grand Californian entry point being terrible for early entry. It’s a total bust. Always go to the main gates. You will beat the crowds there if you go through hotel security at downtown disney. They hold back other guests until 7:15 so you can get to the gates before the crowds. Check with your hotel security checkpoint to see what time they open. You don’t want to spend a bunch of time waiting for security to open but you do want to be there at least 10-15 minutes before security opens.
All true!
From the you tube videos I’ve seen – I think they are not using the early entry gates into the park anymore. You can go through any gate. They start processing everyone at around 7:25 and then early entry folks show their Disneyland app for their hotel reservation (not their room key) – and then get past the ropes and everyone else is held at the ropes. This is important because they let hotel guests through security before people coming through other locations and hotel guests do not need to line up at only two gates – they can spread out to all gates which gives them a bit advantage to get on rides at 7:30
Thank you!
Hello Casey. I just read on another disneyland blog that resort hotel guests do not have a separate Early Entrance turnstile but must line up with all the other guests to get into the park and then on main street hotel guests are allowed into the open areas and the non hotel guests line up at rope drop. It was stated that doing it like this takes away from the full 30 minutes hotel guests should be allowed to have. Do you know anything about this? Or will you be experiencing early entry firsthand in the coming days? I will rely on your experience more. Thank you for creating a fantastic Disneyland resource.
I heard this recently. I won’t be there until late next week for D23. I’m sorry!
My advice is to arrive between 6:15am and 6:30am for security and then go straight to the gate. This will allow you to be at the front of the line. Then, on your way!
Let me know if you have any other questions. I’ll do my best to help. I appreciate your kind words!
Me again! I’m querying whether anyone has utilized the Monorail to access the park at EE. Since we will be staying at the DL Hotel, it would be nice to hop on that at 7:30 to get into the park! I suppose it depends on what kind of line there is ~7AM at the DD Monorail station, but I’m hoping to hear about actual experiences about using the Monorail for EE vs. Main Gate.
As a historic side, when I was a kid, we stayed at Disney’s Vacationland and KOA campgrounds, which were located where the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures now stand. Our daily routine was to walk to the Disneyland Hotel and take the Monorail into the park, and then back the same way each night.
https://www.yesterland.com/vacationland.html
Hi David.
I haven’t used it, but someone commented on this post that she was on Space Mountain by 7:35am after riding the Monorail in.
Here’s that post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02XdXMeeWF5mRsuNMNQ5QCQ8uUabEiktyLezQcSpuVYGm3LvzwRhKrq5pNA2HUtRw3l&id=100064707248072
Hi Casey – I know you have answered my question elsewhere but I seriously cannot find where the response is (and Ive spent days and hours scouring your articles and comments sections) and I am hoping I can have you reply here again and my question has been updated a bit as well. I also I tried responding on the one post I can that you replied to find but no matter how I try to answer your question there, its like the response disappears. I apologize for being a pain! I hope you’re still willing to help me out as you legit have the BEST advice Ive seen out there!
So my deets:
We are 3 adults staying OFF PROPERTY so we will will not have access to Early Entry but plan on doing ROPE DROP to CLOSE with no breaks (we did 10 days at Disney World this way and yes we are tired but we rest when we are back home to recoup lol we are die hard I promise).
We will have DAS and with the DAS they now allow us to chose two Advance DAS Ride Reservations 30 days B4 our trip (there are some rides we cant pick from, but Im not 100% certain which ones those are but Im guessing ROR or ones you have to pay for LL access to).
Because we like BOTH Little Kids Rides and Big Kid Rides we want to try and fit in as many (if not all) open rides as possible in 1.5 days in the park (no Hopper either).
(1) Whats the best way to morph the plans here into one that will let us do ALL the rides in 1.5 days at DLP?
(2)What land should we rope drop – Im thinking either Frontierland or Adventureland and if I start with these lands how to I best navigate the rest of the attractions/lands to get them all in?
(3)What should our two Preselected DAS selections be each day and about what time should I try for?
(4) And as soon as I check into the park which Genie + attractions should we pick upon entering DLP to best make the most of our time?
(4)What order would you say we should tackle each land/attraction (but also keeping an eye on the MDE/Tip Boards for wait times?
Again, I appreciate all your time and energy in all you do to help us make the most awesome of trips!
No worries, Stacy!
Let’s take a look at your questions:
(1) Whats the best way to morph the plans here into one that will let us do ALL the rides in 1.5 days at DLP? This link details how to structure your day with a list of attractions to follow:
https://disneylanddaily.com/how-to-start-your-day-at-disneyland/#The_Disneyland_Strategy_for_Big_Kids_with_Genie
(2)What land should we rope drop – Im thinking either Frontierland or Adventureland and if I start with these lands how to I best navigate the rest of the attractions/lands to get them all in? – Tomorrowland! I explain more in that post I linked above.
(3)What should our two Preselected DAS selections be each day and about what time should I try for? – I recommend using my strategies first, as they’re more effective than DAS. Then, fill in with DAS as needed when crowds arrive. Choose two favorites for pre-selection and then follow my plans as they are.
(4) And as soon as I check into the park which Genie + attractions should we pick upon entering DLP to best make the most of our time? – This is detailed in that link, above.
(5)What order would you say we should tackle each land/attraction (but also keeping an eye on the MDE/Tip Boards for wait times? – Also in that link, above.
You’re in great shape, girl! My strategies with Genie+ along with DAS will ensure you see and do everything you want. Let me know what questions remain.
What about the entering through the gate for Disney Paradise Pier guests? Any idea if this line also gets backed up?
I have not tried it. Anyone else?
Great site Casey. We have onsite accommodation in September when there is a special event on, and California Adventure closes at 6pm. So… is this an indication that the park will be less busy that day? We plan to do 1 day in each park and want to maximize EE for both. If our favorite side, we think, with an almost 5 year old, is California Adventure should we go on the day it closes at 6, stay all day, and be done by 6. Then do Disneyland side the next day with a break at the hotel in the middle of the day and go back at night? I figured visitors would book Disneyland park over California adventure if they have a choice due to the early close?
I like your plan, Dan. Use the shorter day for DCA.
Use this post for how to start each day:
https://disneylanddaily.com/how-to-start-your-day-at-the-disneyland-resort/
Good Morning Casey
Many thanks for the information re Early Entry. Will use in November when there with the family.
Do you know what is happening with MAGIC KEYS ? Our Dream Key renewal date has pasted the 40 day renew window and we cannot get any response from DLR.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Take care.
Best Regards.
Reginald KEETLEY.
I wish I knew, Reginald! I need to renew. I’m watching every day.
Do you know which areas of the two parks will be open during EE? Thanks
Not officially. I’ll be watching today!
Thanks for all this useful info! I’ll be staying at the Grand Californian (bucket list!) and I was wondering why you recommend not using the Grand Californian Hotel entrance into DCA?
Hi, there.
I’ve tried it many times and haven’t had good luck with it. I’ve even had friends use the GCH entrance to DCA while I went to the main gate and with each try, the main gate was always the best.
If you really want to take advantage of this option, I recommend arriving a full hour prior to your Early Entry time. Meaning, if your time is at 7:30am, arrive by 6:30am. That’s the safest way to ensure you won’t stand in line for a long time. Enjoy your stay! It’s such a lovely experience.
Thanks for this! Will there be a separate rope drop area for Early Entry, or will you just be allowed in the gate right at 7:30? I’ll have early entry in September and am trying to figure out how avoid the rope drop crowds and get to Webslingers ASAP after early entry. Also: do you recommend against the Grand Californian entrance because it gets too crowded?
Yes. Unless you intend to arrive a full hour early – meaning at 6:30am for a 7:30am Early Entry time – the main gate is the best option. The line can get super long quite quickly.
There shouldn’t be a Rope Drop for Early Entry guests. You should be able to walk in at 7:30am and bypass the Rope Drop guests. There will be cast members with signs showing Early Entry guests where to proceed.
Have the best time!
Thanks for this update. I’m been enjoying your website – you have created a great resource! I’m a longtime DL fan (and former JC Skipper), my last DL visits were in ’18, ’10 and ’01, so I’m no longer a regular, and lots has changed! Anyway, I suggest you mine your other pages to update EE where you otherwise list EMH or MM. It will be interesting to see whether this remains only for DLR hotel guests – it certainly is a perk that we’re looking forward to!
Appreciate it David! On my list to update everything from EMH and MM. Hopefully soon.
So cool that you were a skipper!
Do you know if you’ll still need to show a room key to enter early?
Hi Beth.
Yes, you will need to show a room key for Early Entry. Enjoy!
I’m reading that once Magic Bands are operational at DLR, then we can use that in lieu of a room key. Casey, I look forward to hearing about the evolution of Magic Bands, and how EE works in practice starting next week. I suspect you’ll be staying at an on-site hotel in the near future to research how EE works in practice at DLR.
I’ll keep you updated! And I’m headed to Orlando tomorrow to try out the new MagicBands. Lots of fun ahead.
Hey Casey, we are staying at Pixar Place for our vacation (Between Xmas/NY). Pixar Place guests have a dedicated entrance to DCA. Do you know if it is available for early entry? If so, would you recommend using this for early entry or the main entrance still?
Thank you!
Hi Chris!
It should be available for early entry, but I usually recommend the main gate just in case these other options aren’t exactly on time. Where are y’all going first?
Thanks Casey, will hit the main gate for Early Entry, then use the Pixar entry as we come and go throughout the day. We’ll head to Guardians first (family favourite) before lining up for Radiator Springs. Love your itineraries – they always work so well for us! We’re heading over to Disney World straight after (first time), so we’ll be sure to follow your itineraries there too – Thank you so much!!!
Main gate is better for Guardians all around.
Y’all have the best time!