Hi Thomas,
Thanks for stopping by planDisney! Your Disneyland Resort vacation is right around the corner!
I made a trip to Downtown Disney yesterday and made a point to swing by the Grand Californian to speak with a Cast Member about your question. They let me know that guests staying at Pixar Place are welcome to use the Grand Californian entrance to California Adventure. You should cross Disneyland Drive at Paradise Way and enter through the lobby of the Grand Californian Hotel. A Cast Member will be happy to further direct you to the California Adventure Entrance from there.
If you have not visited the parks in the last year, there are
new turnstiles at all entrances to Disneyland and California Adventure. You’ll approach the turnstile and scan each ticket (most likely from the Disneyland mobile app). As each ticket is scanned, the Guest using it will take a photo directly on the screen. It’s a good idea to
familiarize yourself with this updated process so you can start your adventure as quickly as possible!
I also asked about the
new offer for Disneyland Resort hotel guests in 2026. Starting January 5, 2026, guests staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel will receive one entry to one eligible
Lightning Lane Multi Pass attraction at either park. Hopefully, we will get more clarity on how to redeem these Lightning Lane reservations and whether guests are eligible for one each day of their stay (pending a valid park ticket and park reservation) or if guests receive one complimentary Lightning Lane for the entirety of their stay. I recommend checking the website in the new year and keeping an eye on the
Disney Parks Blog for more information.
I also noticed that your trip will be in March. If your trip extends to March 6, the
Food & Wine Festival will be taking place at California Adventure. The festival is a paradise for any foodie, with over 100 food and drink options to sample. You can purchase a
Sip and Savor Pass to save on sampling either eight or four different items (excluding alcoholic beverages). Keep an eye on the
Disney Parks Blog for the 2026 festival guide, which will hopefully be released sometime in February 2026.
I hope this information is helpful, Thomas! If you have more questions or need help with any other part of your trip, feel free to reach out to me or any of my fellow planDisney panelists. We’d love to share more tips and sprinkle a little pixie dust on your vacation.
Catch you in the parks!
—Melinda