Disneyland in California is facing a wave of criticism from its guests after removing a popular benefit that had long been a major incentive for staying at its on-site hotels. The perk, which allowed hotel guests a 30-minute head start in the parks before the general public, was officially discontinued as of Monday, 20th May.
The End of an Era for Early Park Access
For years, visitors who booked a stay at one of Disneyland's three official hotels – the Disneyland Hotel, the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, or the Pixar Place Hotel – enjoyed exclusive early entry. This privilege let them experience popular attractions, shop, and dine with significantly smaller crowds. Many fans considered this early access a key justification for the higher cost of staying on Disney property, despite more affordable lodging options being available nearby.
The change was first announced in August 2023 but only came into effect this week. In place of the 30-minute early entry, hotel guests will now receive just one Lightning Lane entry to a Lightning Lane Multi Pass attraction for the duration of their stay. Lightning Lane is Disney's paid service that allows guests to skip the regular queue by reserving a ride time in advance.
Visitor Backlash and Disrupted Plans
The decision has been met with considerable anger and disappointment from the Disney fan community. On platforms like Reddit and Instagram, long-time visitors have expressed their frustration, with some stating they will no longer book Disney hotels.
One Reddit user stated, "I've always stayed on property, but I won't after this. There's simply no reason." Another criticised the replacement, calling the single Lightning Lane entry "an absolute joke," asking, "They can't pony up the $30 for a whole day when people are spending 1k on a room?"
The removal has had immediate practical consequences. One guest revealed they had booked a stay at Pixar Place this month only to change their plans after the announcement, opting for a nearby Marriott hotel instead.
International visitors also voiced concerns, with one commenting, "As someone coming from overseas wanting to maximise limited time at the parks, I think it's ridiculous." Others lamented the perceived erosion of Disney's customer-centric magic, with one user sarcastically noting, "The 'Magic' is now the Excel spreadsheet that helped the C-Suite make these decisions."
A Wider Trend of Changing Perks and Pricing
This is not the only perk Disneyland has recently scaled back. The park also ended a popular partnership with Costco, which had offered members discounted park-hopper tickets bundled with the Lightning Lane Multi Pass for $389.99 – a deal notably cheaper than buying directly from Disney.
Looking ahead, Disney's Chief Financial Officer, Hugh Johnston, indicated in November that dynamic ticket pricing, already trialled in Disneyland Paris, could be introduced to its domestic parks in the future. This model adjusts ticket costs based on real-time demand.
The elimination of the early entry perk marks a significant shift in the value proposition of staying at a Disneyland hotel. It remains to be seen how this will affect booking rates and guest satisfaction for the iconic Anaheim resort.
