Welcome to planDisney, Sugeily! I’m so glad you stopped by with this question. The recent introduction of the
Lightning Lane Entry Benefit has sparked a lot of curiosity, especially for Guests staying at the
Disneyland Resort Hotels, and I’m happy to share how it works and how you might best use it during your upcoming stay at the
Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.
The Lightning Lane Entry Benefit is a perk offered to registered Guests of Disneyland Resort Hotels and provides a complimentary Lightning Lane return to be used during your stay. Each registered hotel Guest receives one Lightning Lane return total for the stay (not per day). This benefit can be used on attractions that are part of
Lightning Lane Multi Pass. (
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and
Radiator Springs Racers are not eligible as they are available via
Lightning Lane Single Pass.)
The Lightning Lane Entry Benefit becomes available at check-in, or shortly after 7:00 a.m. on your arrival day if you complete Online Check-In ahead of time. If you plan to visit a theme park on your arrival day, completing Online Check-In is a great idea so you can access the benefit as early as possible. To use it, be sure your hotel reservation is linked to your
MyDisney account in the
Disneyland app. When you’re ready to redeem the benefit, simply present the Lightning Lane barcode in the app at the eligible attraction you’ve selected.
One strategy I would recommend is pairing early park arrival with your Lightning Lane Entry Benefit. The first hour or two after opening can be a wonderful time to experience attractions via standby while wait times are still lower. Then, later in the day when crowds and wait times increase, you can use your Lightning Lane Entry Benefit to enjoy a must-do attraction with minimal waiting.
As a Guest of the Grand Californian Hotel, you also have the added convenience of the dedicated
Disney California Adventure Park entrance directly from the hotel. To use this entrance, you’ll just need to show your
theme park ticket and confirm that you have a valid
park reservation for the day.
No matter how you choose to plan your days, Sugeily, I hope your visit is filled with memorable moments and plenty of Disney magic. If you have any additional questions as your trip approaches, please don’t hesitate to visit us again here at planDisney. My fellow panelists and I are always delighted to help.
Wishing you the most magical time,
David