Welcome back to planDisney, Michelle! Your Disneyland Resort stay is just around the corner, and it sounds like you’ve already built a thoughtful plan to make the most of your visit. Let’s fine-tune a few details so you can head into your trip feeling fully prepared.
As you mentioned, Guests staying at the
Hotels of the Disneyland Resort no longer receive Early Entry. Instead, each registered hotel guest receives
one complimentary Lightning Lane entry for a select Lightning Lane Multi Pass attraction, usable at either
Disneyland Park or
Disney California Adventure Park, during their stay. This is not the full Lightning Lane Multi Pass, but rather a one-time Lightning Lane access for a single attraction.
Since you’ve already purchased
Lightning Lane Multi Pass, this added perk fits in nicely. Think of it as a bonus selection you can use strategically. It’s a great opportunity to revisit a favorite like
Incredicoaster or
Indiana Jones Adventure, or to grab a Lightning Lane for a high-demand attraction without impacting your Multi Pass plans for the day.
Even without Early Entry, I still highly recommend arriving at the gates before official park opening. Those first moments of the morning are golden, with lower wait times and a chance to experience a few headliners before the parks hit their full stride. You might start your day in Disneyland by heading toward
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the
Matterhorn, or begin in Disney California Adventure with a quick dash to
Cars Land. It’s a smooth and efficient way to build early momentum.
Here’s one more Lighting Lane Q-Tip for you! Remember, you can potentially hold more than one Lightning Lane reservation at a time. Once you’ve booked a reservation, you can’t book another until either the current reservation is used or two hours have passed since you made it. For example, if you book a
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway reservation at 9:00 a.m. for 4:00 p.m., you can still book another ride (like
Haunted Mansion) at 11:00 a.m. without losing your Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway return time. To keep track, I set alarms on my phone or watch to remind me when it’s time to book another reservation. That way I never miss out on a chance to hit up my favorite rides!
I hope this helps you feel even more confident as your visit approaches, Michelle. You’ve got a great plan in place, and with a little strategy and flexibility, you’ll be set for a truly memorable stay.
Have an incredible time stepping into the sights, sounds, and stories of Disneyland Resort!
David