Close Banner
Home / Blog / Lightning Lane and Universal Express / Frequently Asked Questions About Early Entry at Disneyland Resort

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Entry at Disneyland Resort

by Leap on April 10, 2025
59 Los Angeles

Inside This Post

Early Entry is a benefit that allows early entry access to either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park (with valid admission and park reservation) 30 minutes early, every day of your hotel stay. The parks alternate hosting Early Entry each day. Whether you're staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel, or are staying off-site, you'll want to know how this benefit works to make the very most of your day. In this post, we're tackling the main pieces of information that you need to know. We are also discussing the Early Entry schedule and how it affects guests without Early Entry benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Entry at Disneyland Resort - Entrance

Overview of Disneyland Early Entry

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Entry at Disneyland Resort - Guardians in the Morning

Every day, one theme park opens 30 minutes early. There is a schedule, but runDisney races, the CHOC Walk (Aug. 3, 2025), holidays and other events can disrupt the schedule, so you should always look at park hours for the day of your visit. The schedule may get disrupted for the Halloween Half Marathon weekend Sept. 4-7, 2024 (most likely Sept. 5-6, 2025) and the Disneyland Half Marathon in the winter (most likely Jan. 30-31, 2026).

What is the Schedule?

Check the park calendar up to six weeks in advance to see which park(s) holds Early Entry. Here is the normal schedule (subject to change):

  • Disney California Adventure Early Entry: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday
  • Disneyland Early Entry: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
  • The runDisney races can affect the schedule on Sept. 5-6, 2024, and Jan. 30-31, 2026.

You can make your park reservations up to 180 days in advance. But the park hours only display dates up to six weeks in advance. So you'll have to make an educated guess about which park to start in and then check the calendar again six weeks in advance. Don't worry about park reservation availability. If you are staying in a Disneyland Resort hotel, linking your hotel reservation to your app or account will get you easier reservations with a better pool of availability. Holidays aside, park reservations are not usually full six weeks in advance.

Always double-check the park hours for the days of your park reservations. You can do this online or on the Disneyland app (on the home screen by tapping All Hours).

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Entry at Disneyland Resort - App Screen Shot

What Is Rope Drop for All Guests?

All guests may enter the parks about 40 minutes early, but most guests will have to stop at ropes before entering any lands or accessing rides until the park officially opens. When the park opens, the ropes are dropped and all guests have full access to the theme parks. That is called Rope Drop. If entering the theme park that hosts Early Entry that day, some guests will already be in the park when the rope drops. In the theme park that does not host Early Entry, the rope droppers are the first people to access attractions. That means a true Rope Drop experience (with zero lines) is back for guests who visit the park that is NOT hosting Early Entry that day.

What Is Early Entry for Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests?

During their hotel stay (including arrival day), registered Disneyland hotel guests have the privilege of accessing one park 30 minutes before opening. With Disneyland Early Entry, on-site hotel guests can access select lands, attractions, dining and shops that are beyond the ropes for 30 minutes before Rope Drop. We will go over what this means for hotel guests and for other park guests without Early Entry access.

Guests just need to strategize where to go in the morning, whether they have early entry or not! Mornings are some of the very best times to take advantage of low wait times, so rising and shining definitely has its benefits.

All guests need a valid theme park ticket and theme park reservation to enter the park. Park hoppers need to select their starting park and can only hop to the other park after 11 a.m. Guests need to show their hotel room key or proof of stay to get access to the park, including showing registration within the Disneyland app.

Early Entry is available each day of the hotel stay. It's valid even on check-in day if guests arrive early enough!

For all of the years we've been Disney frog-natics, we've learned the best ways to get the most from these early entry hours. While things are slightly modified, we do have a few tricks in our froggy packs on how to avoid heavy crowds during these times.

Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions about Early Entry at Disneyland

Got questions about this benefit? We have answers! If you don't see your question answered in this section, be sure to drop us a comment so we can help!

Who Can Use Early Entry?

Guests who are checked in and currently staying at one of the three on-site Disneyland Resort hotels have the perk of Early Entry. These hotels include:

When Is Early Entry?

Early Entry is available for Disneyland hotel guests every day 30 minutes before the posted park opening time. You'll be able to access the park that is hosting Early Entry, but you must have a theme park reservation for that specific park on that day. Hotel guests may be able to go through security at 7 a.m. to access the main gates of the parks. You can enter the theme park before Early Entry even starts. The dedicated hotel guest entrances are open for Early Entry as well for the Grand Californian and Pixar Place Hotel. All hotel guests, including Disneyland Hotel guests, can use the Pixar Place gate as well.

What Lands Are Included or Excluded from Early Entry?

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Entry at Disneyland Resort - Infographic 2024 for Disneyland

Good question! We made downloadable lists of the attractions, dining options and shops available at each park during Early Entry. Keep in mind that this list is subject to change and not all these listed attractions may be operating the day you visit. Sometimes additional rides are included!

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Entry at Disneyland Resort - Infographic 2024 Disney California Adventure

Disneyland Park Early Entry allows access to select Fantasyland and Tomorrowland attractions. There is no Early Entry access to Frontierland, Adventureland, Bayou Country or Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. However, if you have a reservation for Oga's Cantina, Savi's Workshop or Droid Depot right at park opening, you can enter the park early so you can get to your reservation. Make your way to the ropes in the Hub near the entrance to Frontierland and walk to the land at Rope Drop.

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Entry at Disneyland Resort - Boys watching Mater

It is imperative to know which rides are open or not open for Early Entry. For example, since just Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are included in Early Entry at Disneyland Park, you will want to go straight to either Adventureland, Frontierland, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge or Bayou Country at Rope Drop, where guests have yet to enter. Even if Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is not open during Early Entry, it's possible that people who have Early Entry could access a closer spot near the entrance to the land (in Fantasyland) and be able to get to the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride before the rope droppers can get there.

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Entry at Disneyland Resort - Screenshot showing which park has Early EntryWhat Changes Happened in 2024?

As of Jan. 20, 2024, only one park is open early each day instead of both. The parks alternate days they host Early Entry. You can view which parks host Early Entry for each day on the Park Hours Calendar, usually six weeks in advance. You can view it online or in the Disneyland app. Hotel guests will want to reserve the park that has Early Entry if they want to take advantage of this benefit. But if getting up that early is not your jam — or you prefer to start in the other park — keep in mind that rope dropping at the other park is also pretty awesome.

What was Disneyland Magic Morning?

Disneyland Magic Morning was a benefit for any guests who purchased 3-day, 4-day or 5-day tickets (no hotel stay required). There has been no announcement about its return. It allowed people who were not staying on-site to enter the park an hour before opening for one day of the duration of their multi-day ticket or pass. It was only valid one of three days of the week for Disneyland Park, usually Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays. Disneyland Magic Morning occurred at the same time as Extra Magic Hours those days. There was no Magic Morning access to Disney California Adventure Park.

How Does Early Entry Affect Crowds?

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Entry at Disneyland Resort - Tivan Statue at Guardians

Disneyland Extra Magic Hour and Disneyland Magic Morning used to affect crowd levels. But now Early Entry is limited to just hotel guests, so it's not as noticeable. There are only three on-site hotels, and there are no Magic Morning ticket holders in the mix at this time. Basically, if you do not have Early Entry, our advice is to make your reservation for the opposite park. Rope Drop will feel like your own Early Entry!

Our frog squad has used the Early Entry benefit a few times. We stayed at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and used the special entrance to Disney California Adventure Park — we lined up around 7 a.m., an hour before the park opened. We were through security in about half an hour, right on time to enter the park and head to our first pick: Soarin'! Our group was among the very first people to take a tour around the world. Then, the fam made the call to split up. Tad and Mommy Frog headed to Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT! Leap and Lilly headed for Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. We all then walked right onto Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters.

By then, the park was about to open, so we made our way to Radiator Springs Racers and were on within 20 minutes. (When we exited, the wait was 90 minutes!) We finished our morning with breakfast at Pym Test Kitchen and said hello to the Wasp. With full bellies and a thrilling start, we then headed back to the hotel to swim. All before 10 a.m.! TLDR: Using early entry, within 30 minutes, we were able to conquer 3 rides and hop in line for a fourth!

We've also visited at park opening, spending time at the park that was not hosting Early Entry. We followed our park plan and encountered no crowds or lines for the first hour of park opening. It can be more crowded at peak times, though. The Pixar Place Hotel park entrance put us right near Pixar Pier. It was like having our own Early Entry experience!

When rope dropping at the park that hosts Early Entry, we recommend starting at rides or lands that are not open during Early Entry.

How Does Lightning Lane Multi Pass Work with Early Entry?

All guests can purchase and start reserving Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections upon entering a theme park. This can also be done during Early Entry! While you can book and reserve Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections, return times will not begin until after the park officially opens.

Tips for Early Entry at Disneyland Resort

We delve deeper into strategy in our Early Entry tips post, but generally, here are some of the most important tips to keep in mind — whether you have Early Entry or not!

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Entry at Disneyland Resort - Cast Member with Early Entry Sign

Arrive Early

Being early means getting to the park gates earlier than Early Entry. Why? You don't want to spend your half-hour in line waiting in security lines or at the touchpoints. And if you don't have Early Entry, this means you'll be one of the first to enter at Rope Drop.

Ride Attractions Not Included with Lightning Lane Multi Pass

Use Early Entry to ride attractions that are not included with Lightning Lane Multi Pass but tend to have longer lines later in the day. Some of these include Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Alice in Wonderland at Disneyland Park, as well as Pixar Pal-A-Round at Disney California Adventure. If you won't be using Lightning Lane Multi Pass, try to tackle Space Mountain, Soarin' Around the World, WEB SLINGERS or Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!

Use the Disneyland App to Check Wait Times

Be sure to have the Disneyland app on hand so you can see which rides are open and how long the wait times are in real time. This goes for both Early Entry guests and any guest once the park opens!

Hop in Line for the Most In-Demand Ride Just Before Rope Drop

Why not at the start of Early Entry? If everyone heads to the most in-demand attraction at the start of Early Entry, you might spend your half an hour in one line. Instead, walk on a few other rides, then hop in line. Maybe all the other Early Entry people will have moved on. Then you'll be in line before the park opens to everyone else.

We cover the best morning plans for each park in our Rope Drop Strategies posts:

Rope Droppers Should Head to Rides Not Open During Early Entry

At Disneyland, Early Entry allows access to select rides in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. So you'll want to head in the opposite direction toward Adventureland, Frontierland and Bayou Country. Maybe even Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, if that's a priority. Some Early Entry guests may try to line up in Fantasyland, which gets them closer than the rope droppers once the park opens! But if you are visiting when there is no Early Entry, you'll have less competition.

If you start in the park without Early Entry, you'll have a lot less competition for rides in the morning! If you can move quickly, this is a great day to head to Peter Pan's Flight or Radiator Springs Racers (depending on the park you choose).

Rope Droppers Should Make a Park Reservation for the Park NOT Hosting Early Entry

When the park opens, you are entering a toadally empty park at Rope Drop. All the Early Entry people will be in the other park, giving you full access to the park with the lowest possible crowds. If you Rope Drop the park with Early Entry, double the amount of hotel guests will already be in that park.

Don't Stress

Trying to figure out which park to reserve? Many factors play into the decision of which park to start your day in. This is regardless of whether the park hosts Early Entry or not. Whether you have Early Entry or arrive at Rope Drop, you are going to have a magical morning. During a recent Pixar Place Hotel stay, we booked a Disney California Aventure start. It was not an Early Entry day for that park. We hopped in at Rope Drop and had no lines at all for the first hour and a half. (And that dedicated entrance for the hotel is a game changer!) It was a great start to our day, so don't be afraid to pick the "wrong park."

We are still learning about this service. Have a tip for using Disneyland Early Entry? Share in the comments below. And be sure to get a jump on saving on a Disneyland Resort hotel stay or discount Disneyland Resort tickets when you book through your favorite frogs at Undercover Tourist!

Related: All of the Not-to-Miss Disneyland Rides, Shows and Food

Related: All of the Magical Reasons to Stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel

Keep hopping!

Keep hopping, Leap!
View Comments

Comments

Mar 7, 2024 at 5:51 a.m.
Amy Says...

Hoping for some advice. We are staying at the Disney Grand and going two days next week, single park tickets (Wednesday/Saturday). Even though Wednesday is early access is for CA Adventures, I'm thinking that Disneyland is much less crowded on a Wednesday instead of trying to go to that park on a Saturday. Should we do Wednesday: Disneyland, and Saturday: CA Ad? Or stick with the early-entry benefits.

Reply
Mar 8, 2024 at 2:50 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Amy!

We'd suggest sticking with Early Entry, as one other thing to consider is that Disney California Adventure has the Food & Wine Festival going on, which may make the park busier on a Saturday versus a weekday.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Dec 4, 2023 at 2:26 p.m.
Emma Says...

I'm so stressed about this early entry change! We've booked now for spring break and have had to make reservations not knowing which parks will be early entry on which days! I just hope that I'll be able to cancel and change when theyre announced !

Reply
Dec 20, 2023 at 9:14 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Emma!

We've been keeping an eye on this, and so far, while the calendar only goes out as far as Jan. 31 at the moment, we've started to notice a pattern. We're seeing Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday for DCA and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for Disneyland Park (although they are switched during the Half Marathon Weekend, so special events could affect the Early Entry schedule). However, it's always best to double-check as it gets closer to your visit (schedules are typically released up to 6 weeks in advance), as it's subject to change. Also, on-site hotel guests usually have good availability when it comes to theme park reservations, if you need to switch days.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 4, 2023 at 3:29 a.m.
Hayley Says...

Does the early magic hours for hotel guests include checkout day??

Reply
Sep 5, 2023 at 9:52 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Hayley!

The Early Entry benefit covers any dates of your hotel stay, including check-in and checkout days.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jul 24, 2023 at 12:19 p.m.
Kieran Says...

Can you catch the monorail to Tomorrowland during early entry? Thanks!

Reply
Jul 24, 2023 at 2:48 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Kieran!

Yes, the Monorail is open during Early Entry so you can head straight to Tomorrowland.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Apr 12, 2023 at 6:51 p.m.
Alicia Says...

I know since January overnight self-parking is complimentary to Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels at Walt Disney World Resort. AND Standard theme park parking is included for registered Guests of Disney Resort hotels. My question is if you book a hotel through Undercover Tourist do these still apply since you are not booking through Disney World. Also do you still get early entry as well. Thanks.

Reply
Apr 13, 2023 at 8:43 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Alicia!

Absolutely! All of the above still applies when you book through Undercover Tourist :)

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Apr 3, 2023 at 6:05 a.m.
Shay Says...

How would it work to use the early entry on arrival day prior to check-in?

Reply
Apr 4, 2023 at 1:42 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Shay!

You can use Early Entry on your day of check-in, as long as you've already checked in — whether that's stopping by the hotel or using the Direct-to-Room online service through the Disneyland app (within five days of your arrival).

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Aug 10, 2022 at 12:21 a.m.
Ginnie Says...

We are staying at Disneyland Hotel, will all our guests need a key to show to take advantage of early morning entry? How do they check for all our guests. I know I show the hotel reservation in the app, but do they need to see each guest on the reservation or that we just have one? We use WDW often and they just scan the band and ask how many in party. Is it the same?

Thanks!

Reply
Aug 15, 2022 at 8:24 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Ginnie!

Generally, you can show your reservation in the Disneyland app and they'll ask how many are in your party. This, of course, is subject to change, but this is what we recently experienced :)

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Jul 2, 2022 at 8:51 p.m.
Allan Says...

So basically, rope drop is dead after Aug.8th. It's like Disney was just waiting for me to confirm my trip, Aug 8 - 12, to say hey let's start then! lol!! It figures. Anyways, no rope drop I guess?

Reply
Jul 5, 2022 at 2:47 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Allan!

It's hard to say exactly how Early Entry will impact morning crowds and rope drop until it actually happens. However, the key will be finding out which areas that the Early Entry hotel guests will have access to (which we don’t know yet) and going the opposite way at rope drop. For instance, if they only have access in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, head in the opposite direction to Frontierland and Adventureland (always a good place to start anyway). Hop back for more details once it is in place!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jun 30, 2022 at 12:57 p.m.
Kelsey Says...

How will the early entry starting August 8th impact crowds for those that aren’t at a Disneyland hotel? Is it better to move our trip before it starts?

Reply
Jun 30, 2022 at 8:55 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Kelsey!

It will be hard to say for sure until then, but we think that, due to the fact there are only three hotels and so far, there hasn't been any announcement of an Early Entry addition to other tickets, this may affect crowds less than it used to. Plus, it is spread out over both parks each day. So while there will be people in the park already at rope drop, we don't think it will have a major impact.

The key will be finding out which areas that the Early Entry hotel guests will have access to (which we don't know yet) and going the opposite way at rope drop. For instance, if they start in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, head to Frontierland and Adventureland (always a good place to start anyway). Hop back for more details once it is in place.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Feb 7, 2022 at 8:15 a.m.
Johanna Says...

Are extra magic hours for Disneyland Hotel guests back for 2022?

Reply
Feb 7, 2022 at 9:09 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Johanna!

Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hour offerings have not returned yet at Disneyland.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jun 14, 2021 at 7:19 p.m.
Gwen Says...

Is the Extra Magic Hour valid on the day I check out from the Disney hotel (check out is 11 am)? Thanks,

Reply
Jun 14, 2021 at 2:28 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Gwen!

Currently, Extra Magic Hour offerings have been temporarily suspended, but yes, it normally covers every day of your hotel stay.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jun 15, 2021 at 4:14 p.m.
Gwen Joan Mah Says...

Many thanks!

Reply
Jun 15, 2021 at 11:23 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

You're welcome, Gwen! Hoppy to help :)

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Oct 31, 2020 at 8:58 p.m.
Bonbon Says...

Any tips on finding the correct line for Magic Morning entry? The last time we went to DL we were there an hour prior to open, hoping to use our Magic Morning. The lines were already hundreds of persons deep! There was no roped off line, or cast members, or a sign, or any indication where the end of the Magic Morning line was. I know it says Magic Morning above one of the turn styles, but there were so many people already in the lines, we could not see from far away which one was the correct line. I'm sure people just got into any line regardless... Any suggestions (besides get there 2 hours early)?

Reply
Nov 3, 2020 at 10:39 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Bonbon!

We know those morning crowds that were related to people coming early to access Boarding Groups for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance! They were so confusing and stressful to all of us. The Magic Morning turnstile locations did vary, but if you could split the turnstiles in half, the Magic Morning turnstiles were generally all on the right half of the Esplanade from the middle over towards the stroller rentals. The back of those lines reached the Disney California Adventure gates too! We have no magic ball, but we are predicting (hoping) we will not see those kinds of lines again (outside of holidays). Disneyland has not made any announcements about changes, but we know that Disney World is testing a new system for acquiring Boarding Groups that does not require guests to be in the park. If that system comes to Disneyland, most people will not arrive that early to be in the park. Plus, reduced capacity in the parks will limit crowds for an unknown period of time. Until Disneyland reopens, we will not know exactly what will be in store for those morning, but we will be there to figure it out and come up with the best solutions for beating the crowds at that time.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Feb 20, 2020 at 6:35 a.m.
Andie Says...

Hi,

We bought our four day passes for one park per day at the gate assuming that one Magic Morning was included with our admission as on our previous trips. To our dismay we do not see anything listed on our tickets that says we get one Magic Morning. Did Disneyland Resort change their policy and only passes purchased online get one Magic Morning?

Feeling very disheartened. Thanks.

Reply
Feb 20, 2020 at 3:22 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Andie!

All 3- 4- and 5- day tickets come with one Magic Morning. Check the schedule and arrive early for Magic Morning that day and it will automagically be electronically tied to your ticket when you scan in. Hope this helps!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jan 16, 2020 at 12:38 a.m.
Bonnie Says...

Hi, We have had multi day tickets with magic morning hour, but when we arrived at the park entrance (1 hour early) the lines were already long and we could not figure out where to go, in order to use our Magic Morning admission and get through the gate without rudely cutting through other people in line (who may also have had early admission, for all we knew) So: how do we actually get IN, as in, Through The Gate, when there are already lines formed? Is there a special Early Admission Gate and segregated line somewhere that doesn't fill up with regular ticket holders? We want to try Magic Morning hour again, but are worried all the gate entrances will be crowded even earlier when Rise of Resistance opens. Thanks for any info.

Reply
Jan 21, 2020 at 4:20 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Bonnie!

There are turnstiles just for Magic Morning! Look to the sides (this week, they've been to the far right hand side). If you cannot find them, have a cast member point you in the right direction. There are a lot of people right now, but you should be able to get in from the sides and there should be a sign above the turnstiles to help guide you.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 12, 2019 at 6:53 p.m.
Kim Cobb Says...

If checking into the Disneyland Hotel on a Monday can you take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour at California Adventure Park that day as well?

Reply
Sep 12, 2019 at 4:18 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Kim!

Extra Magic Hour is good every day of your stay, including the day of check-in! You'll need to coordinate with the front desk before hopping to the park to get your key card. While your room may not be ready, the bell desk will be hoppy to keep your luggage.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Jul 14, 2019 at 8:27 p.m.
Angela Says...

Great info! Thank you!

On the days of Oogie Boogie Bash in DCA, is the park slower on those mornings because those who purchase the Bash tickets can't arrive until 3pm or so?

Reply
Jul 15, 2019 at 4:19 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Angela!

The morning will definitely be slower than the afternoon when party guests start to mix in. There may be fewer people visiting in the morning because 1-day ticket buyers may avoid that park that day due to the shorter regular hours. Enjoy!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Jun 29, 2019 at 9:42 a.m.
Mike Says...

Hi,

If you are in Disneyland park during magic morning and are intending to hop over the DCA after the first hour (or two), with maxpass, can you reserve rides in DCA whilst you are still in the Disneyland park?

Many thanks

Mike

Reply
Jul 1, 2019 at 11:38 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Mike,

Yes, you sure can! Enjoy!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
May 20, 2019 at 11:25 p.m.
Jen A Says...

Question about extra magic hour/magic morning. Once you get through the turnstiles I understand ght people with MM and EMH go one way and other park guests wait at rope for rope

Drop. But how do they keep track of who has EMH and MM after they go through turnstiles? Who monitors that and how? Just curious. Coming in sept and staying at GC. Can’t wait

Reply
May 22, 2019 at 9:35 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jen!

Everyone can walk into the park and then into Disneyland at the Hub (where the entrances to lands are), and at Disney California Adventure at different points on the streets to each land there are ropes. People with the Extra Magic Hours and Magic Morning (with either hotel keys or the appropriate tickets) can get past the ropes. Other guests cannot. When the park officially opens there will be an announcement and the ropes will “drop” or be pulled back and everyone else can enter the lands. Hope this helps! Have a frogtastic trip!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Apr 27, 2019 at 3:20 a.m.
Melanie Says...

Hi,

Heading to DL in August. Wanting to get a photo infront of the castle with the least amount of people. Do you think a Magic morning or a morning without MM and EMH will be less busy?

So if we go on a Sunday (without MM and EMH) but arrive 30 mins prior to park opening... would this be as good as a magic morning?

Really after that castle shot without people in it! Thanks!

Reply
Apr 30, 2019 at 2:43 p.m.
Devon Donell Says...

the castle is currently being worked on pics have been kinda lame

just letting u know

Reply
Apr 29, 2019 at 1:56 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Melanie!

You can go for a Magic Morning or a regular day at Rope Drop. A Sunday without EMH and MM is a great idea — Just be in the park before Rope Drop and be one of the first people past the ropes and you should have a clear shot. That is the emptiest time of the day for the castle.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Nov 19, 2018 at 12:50 a.m.
Jenn D Says...

We have a magic morning with our 3 day pass. We want to save our magic morning for the last day. How early can we enter the parks the other two days without "triggering" the magic morning feature?

Reply
Nov 29, 2018 at 6:13 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jenn!

No worries. Magic Morning is only triggered if you enter through a Magic Morning turnstile before park opening. Since they sometimes let both Magic Morning and regular park guests in during the 30 minutes before park opening (but regular park guests stay behind a rope), just be sure to look above the gate where you enter and do not go in through the Magic Morning entrance the other two mornings. I wouldn’t hurt to specify that to the person who scans your ticket just to be sure.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Aug 4, 2018 at 3:26 p.m.
karisa Says...

Are you able to get fastpasses during extra magic hour? Or are they not available until the actual park opening?

Reply
Aug 7, 2018 at 12:02 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Karisa,

Yes, you can reserve FASTPASS during Extra Magic Hour, although the first available return times seem to be once the park officially opens. But it’s great to get a head start on them because you can book your second and third passes before and just after park opening as well. Park Hoppers can reserve for either park, even if the other park is not open for EMH yet!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jun 30, 2018 at 3:03 a.m.
David Says...

Are all attractions available during later August weekdays when California schools have already started? Also, are "Magic Morning" crowds still an issue during those days?

Reply
Jul 6, 2018 at 12:40 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi David!

All the attractions (as long as they are not undergoing refurbishment) are still available through September 3. It’s possible for Haunted Mansion to close before then to get it ready for Halloween time, which starts September 7. Magic Morning is not a terrible issue normally, and it will probably be about the same as it normally is through the end of August.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Feb 23, 2018 at 2:30 a.m.
AbleRiot Says...

Question: Visiting in May for 2 days for the first time. Planning to do day 1 at CA and Day 2 at DL, since my folks will meet up with us that day, which so happens to fall on a Thursday. Since we do not have early entry, can we still book a character breakfast at Park Inn at DL before the park opens to us (and everyone else?). Or we will not be permitted to enter the DL and book breakfast until official park opening to the general public?

Reply
Mar 5, 2018 at 1:52 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi there!

You will be able to enter the park early if you have a dining reservation.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Dec 14, 2017 at 5:02 a.m.
Jlg Says...

I'm so confused! We've never done Disneyland (have done Disney World countless times) do we not get magic bands with all of our tickets, reservations, fastpasses etc? Talking about "keys" and specific fast pass locations has me all jumbled! We're stopping in LA on our way to Aulani. Staying at Grand Californian and doing one day of park hopping. We'll be there on a Thursday in July, which from the sound of it, may be horribly crowded? Where do we start? What are the CA must do attractions? I don't want our experience to be a bad one! This just seems so different from Florida! Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

Reply
Dec 19, 2017 at 12:06 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi there,

MagicBands are not used at Disneyland Resort. Paper tickets are still in use there! It will be crowded in July because schools are closed and many people are on vacation, so that just means you need to do some planning! Hop over to our Disneyland park plans to see what FASTPASS reservations we recommend and how you should plan out your day.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Nov 15, 2017 at 4:16 a.m.
Vanessa Says...

Magic morning question;) we are a fam of 5...two kids 4/6 and my littlest is 2. As he is free, and the rest of us have tickets, he’s fine to come in early with us on the magic morning too correct? I read somewhere only those with a ticket and that got me worrying ...

Reply
Sep 29, 2017 at 12:01 a.m.
Cindy Edwards Says...

Such great info! Thank you! We just booked a trip for February and I have a couple questions... We'll be staying at a Disneyland hotel and want to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour. Is there a place for hotel guests to line up? Do you cut in front of people who don't have extra magic hour? Or do people without the extra magic hour don't generally line up that early? All you have to do is show them your room key? Do they scan it to make sure you're currently staying there? Does each person have a key or one key per room? Thanks for the help. A successful trip is all about knowing the ropes! Ha ha!

Reply
Sep 28, 2017 at 8:12 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Cindy,

Generally, non-hotel guests will not be lining up. There is usually a designated Extra Magic Hour entrance. Have a room key handy and keep your group together.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 29, 2017 at 1:21 p.m.
Cindy Says...

You're the best! Thank you so much!

Reply
Jan 17, 2017 at 12:36 a.m.
Shelly Says...

Have you tried using the DCA entrance at the Grand Californian? The line gets insanely long if you aren't there early. We found it faster to walk around to the park entrance.

Reply
Jan 16, 2017 at 6:43 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Shelly,

Great tip. We're always looking for ways to "leap" lines.

Keep Hopping!

Leap

Reply
Dec 21, 2016 at 6:20 p.m.
Stephanie Colclough Says...

Loved the tip about the fast to slow music! I'll try to listen for that. Im an eastcoaster who frequents WDW orlando. We want to do Disneyland soon, but I'm a little confused...above it says "there is no magic morning access to California Adventure." Then later it says..."The California Adventure Magic Morning days may not be as crowded as Disneyland because only Disney Resort hotel guests have access in that hour."?????

Reply
Jan 17, 2017 at 9:48 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Stephanie

Whoops. We meant to say "The California Adventure Extra Magic Hour.

Keep Hopping!

Leap

Reply

Leave a comment

About Undercover Tourist

Undercover Tourist is the leading supplier of online discount tickets to Orlando, Florida-area attractions, including Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld® Orlando, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and more.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get the inside scoop on theme park news, planning tips, concert and sports announcements, special offers and much more!

Park Plans

Our step-by-step guides will save you up to 4 hours a day.