Welcome back to planDisney, Kalei. We're happy you brought us another great question!
My
planDisney pal Candace W. recently stayed at the
Villas at the Disneyland Hotel and was able to use the Pixar Place Hotel entrance into
Disney California Adventure in the afternoons. However, there may be times (like
Early Entry Hours or right at park opening), when this entrance is reserved for Guests staying at Pixar Place Hotel. While your hotel room key or
MagicBand+ (if linked to your hotel reservation) should work at the exclusive entrance gate at all times of the day, you may not be able to use this entrance without showing a
Pixar Place Hotel reservation to the Cast Members at the Security Area for this entrance. I suggest checking at the Front Desk of the
Disneyland Hotel on the day you arrive to see what the current policy is.
Another great option for entering California Adventure Park is the entrance at
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. I've used this entrance many times, and have never found it limited to Guests staying at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa (subject to change). To use this entrance, enter the hotel from the
Downtown Disney District right before you reach Sephora. Walk toward the hotel lobby, making a left when you get to the Great Hall. Continue past Storytellers Cafe, where you will go through security and find yourself inside Disney California Adventure Park by Grizzly Peak. How cool is that?
Kalei, to get to
Disneyland Park, you have two great options. One is to walk through the Downtown Disney District and to the Esplanade between the two theme parks. There is a security screening point right as you leave the Disneyland Hotel, so while the walk is around 15 minutes (depending on how fast you walk), you may want to give yourself extra time for security screening. The second entrance is my favorite at the Disneyland Resort. It is the Disneyland Monorail that takes you straight into Disneyland Park! The Downtown Disney District Monorail Station is a short walk from all three Disneyland Resort Hotels and is next to Star Wars™ Trading Post in the Downtown Disney District. A valid theme park admission ticket and Disneyland theme park reservation are required to use this entrance. Once you board you will be treated with an aerial view of Disney California Adventure's Buena Vista Street and Tomorrowland in Disneyland Park. The Monorail stops right inside Tomorrowland and is a great way to enter or exit the park when staying at the Disneyland Hotel.
I hope this information helps you plan a most magical visit, Kalei. Thank you for visiting us! If you have any other questions,
I'd be happy to help.
See you in the parks,
Melissa