Disneyland- Mainstreet Station; day; train pulling in
  • On Jan 22, 2025
    Tiffany from WA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I'm a Magic Key holder staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel for the first time -- how do I access and use the early entry benefit? Will it automatically apply to my Magic Key for the days I'm staying at the hotel?

    Hi there, Tiffany!

    Very happy to have you here at planDisney. You are going to love staying in the magic at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. There is nothing better than being immersed in the pixie-dusted bubble. Some of my favorite moments are strolling back to our room at night with a sweet treat in hand just soaking it all in!

    The good news is that as a Guest of a Disneyland Resort Hotel, taking advantage of Early Entry is very easy as long as you have a few boxes checked off. While your Magic Key offers many, many perks during your visit, the Early Entry benefit is specifically tied to your hotel reservation. Let's make sure those boxes are checked so you can sail through those Main Entrance Gates on your park day. 

    First, you will want to ensure that your hotel reservation is connected your Disneyland account which can be done with just a tap or two in the mobile app. Head to the hamburger icon in the bottom right-hand corner and scroll to "Hotel Reservations". If you've made the reservation yourself, it's likely already here waiting for you. If not, you can manually enter the confirmation number, last name, and arrival date. 

    I'm sure this is an obvious one, but make sure that you have a valid ticket and theme park reservation linked to your account. To double check, head back to the hamburger menu in the app. This time, tap "Future Plans" and you will see all of your upcoming reservations. Only one park per day offers this perk, so you'll want to make note of that when securing your theme park reservations. Currently, Disneyland Park opens early on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays while California Adventure offers Early Entry on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. You can also check the Park Hours to see what time Early Entry starts and which park is offering it for each day of your visit.

    Next, you'll want to be sure you are checked-in to your hotel reservation. Within 5 days of your hotel stay, you can check in on the app or the website. I highly recommend checking in ahead of your arrival so you can make the most of your hotel perks! You can use the Early Entry benefit even on your check-in day! 

    If all of these boxes are checked, you should have no issues entering the parks for Early Entry. When you arrive to the gates, look for a dedicated entrance for hotel Guests. In my experience, this is pretty easy to spot, but you can always ask a Cast Member to point you in the right direction. You'll be asked to scan your hotel key card, which can be the digital key available in your app, or show your reservation details. You'll be off to enjoy those extra 30 magical minutes in no time!

    Tiffany, I hope this is helpful! When you arrive at the resort, be sure to ask for a list of activities. It's easy to be swept away and focused on our time in the parks, but the hotels always have fun things going on and can offer a hidden gem of magic. With the Lunar New Year Celebration in full swing at California Adventure, I know the hotels are getting in on the action with special offerings of their own!

    Sending you faith, trust, and pixie dust!
    Tara

thumbnail image for Tara

Meet the Panelist: Tara, Pennsylvania

Hello from Philly! Disney Parks have been my heart and soul since my 3-year old feet first hit Main Street, U.S.A. Nothing compares to the burst of pure joy, nostalgia and magic that I feel EVERY time I enter the gates! I love planning Disney vacations and have been known to convert a non-believer or two in one magical afternoon. Whether it's park days with friends, multi-generational trips, toddling around with kids or flying solo, I'm ready to help you personalize the magic at the Happiest Place On Earth! Learn More About Tara

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