Hiya, Donna! Welcome to planDisney!
Just like one of my favorite pals, Figment, from EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort, you’ve sparked a wonderful curiosity—and I’m so glad you stopped by planDisney to ask about the brand-new Lightning Lane benefit coming to Disneyland Resort hotel Guests!
Beginning January 5, 2026, Guests staying at one of the
Disneyland Resort hotels will receive one Lightning Lane entry to a participating attraction at
Disneyland Park or
Disney California Adventure Park during their Resort stay. This magical perk replaces Early Entry, and it’s such a fun way to kick off your park day with a little extra pixie dust.
Now, about your question on split stays (for example, moving from the
Disneyland Hotel to
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa during the same visit). The Disneyland Resort hasn’t yet released definitive details on how Lightning Lane entries will be distributed in those situations. One of my fellow planDisney panelists spoke with a friendly Cast Member, who explained that it’s possible each hotel reservation could come with its own Lightning Lane entry. In that case, Guests might receive one entry per hotel reservation rather than just one for the entire visit. However, since this benefit is brand new and set to launch in 2026, I’d recommend keeping an eye on the
Disneyland website or confirming directly with the front desk of the hotel when you arrive. That way, you’ll have the most up-to-date and official guidance.
Since you’re interested in Lightning Lane, you may also want to consider adding the
Lightning Lane Multi Pass service to your visit. It grants you access to the Lightning Lane entrances for some of the most popular attractions at both parks—like
Space Mountain,
Indiana Jones Adventure, and even
Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! This service helps you save precious time waiting in line so you can enjoy even more magic in your day. Even better, it includes unlimited
Disney PhotoPass digital downloads for the day, so you’ll be able to capture and keep all those magical memories without an extra cost.
Donna, I know waiting for final details can feel a bit like standing in line for your favorite attraction, but rest assured that magic is in the making. For the most up-to-date news, the
Disney Parks Blog is usually the very first place Disney shares exciting announcements—so be sure to watch it closely as January approaches.
Wishing you a stay sprinkled with extra enchantment!
Cody