Hi there, Tom!
Welcome back to planDisney. I am so glad my planDisney pals answered your previous questions, and now it is my turn!
There isn't an exact time for those magical turnstiles to start letting Guests into the theme parks at Disneyland Resort. However, Guests with valid theme park tickets and park reservations can often enter the parks about 30 minutes before park opening in my experience. Guests not staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel can hang out on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park or Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure Park until the ropes are dropped when the park officially opens. Keep in mind that Guests must pass through a security checkpoint before getting in line at the main entrance. The security checkpoints often open about an hour before the park opens. I suggest arriving early if you hope to be one of the first Guests in the park. Entrance and security times can change at any time.
Early Entry for Guests staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel is currently available at one theme park each day and alternates between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Check the
Disneyland mobile app or the
Disneyland website to see which theme park has Early Entry each day of your visit. Guests staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel who want to visit the Early Entry park of the day usually enter through the same turnstiles as other Guests. They can then proceed to the Early Entry entrance within the theme parks, which are typically marked with signs. The Disneyland Monorail is my favorite way to take advantage of Early Entry (when available)! It drops you off in the middle of Tomorrowland in Disneyland Park, making it easy to hop on Space Mountain or Fantasyland attractions.
Tom, I hope you have a wonderful vacation! You are arriving just in time to celebrate the
holidays at Disneyland, my most favorite time of year!
Magic Happens!
Jen