Disneyland criticized for cutting benefits for beloved hotel guests

The iconic theme park is making changes to its early entry program for visitors.


Anyone planning a big trip to one of the Disney Parks knows how important it can be to plan your visit in advance. Depending on your level of detail, this may include booking restaurants, selecting which rides to prioritize, and finding the right accommodations, all in the hopes of making the most of every moment in the iconic vacation destination.

Some would say the company's hospitality is second to none and makes the process easy, which is why it has maintained its reputation with generations of adoring visitors. But now Disneyland has announced it will be restricting a beloved park admission benefit for hotel guests. Read on to find out about the latest changes coming to Disney.

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Guests of Disneyland Hotels can access a coveted perk during their stay.

mary poppins at disneyland
smckenzie/iStock

Whether it's an unforgettable trip or an annual family affair, many tourists visiting Anaheim choose to stay nearby at one of Disneyland Resort's affiliated hotels. Not only does this make it easier to travel to and from attractions, but these customers also enjoy other notable benefits that enhance their visit , including free parking, access to restaurant reservations and other special events and activities, depending on USA today .

As of August 2022, guests staying at the resort may also enter Disneyland Park or Disneyland California Adventure Park 30 minutes earlier each day at 7:30 a.m., depending on the fan site Disney Food Blog. For those hoping to spend as much time as possible enjoying the wide array of attractions, shows, shops, and restaurants, the special early entry can help beat the larger crowds that arrive with general admission.

RELATED: Disney Parks is making 4 big dining changes this summer .

Now, hotel guests will lose a notable entry advantage early next year.

mickey ferris wheel in disneyland theme park anaheim california
Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash

But now it seems advance won't be available for very long. Disneyland Resort hotel guests will no longer have early access to either park beginning January 20, 2024, according to the company's website.

Instead, guests will be limited in their choices. “Each day, Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park will be open early,” states the updated policy, which then links to a calendar detailing which option is available on each date.

Customers booking this benefit will still need to reserve the park in advance and purchase tickets. Any existing reservations can be amended on the company's website or with the resort's customer service department, USA today reports.

RELATED: People are turning away from Disney parks: 'Absolutely dead' on the old peak days .

The upcoming changes disappointed some fans of the park.

mickey and minnie in an open carriage during a disneyland parade
George Sheldon/Shutterstock

News of the upcoming changes has park fans streaming their grievances on social media . Some were quick to point out that the company felt like it was giving customers less bang for its buck.

“The Disney difference, cutting guest services and perks while continuing to raise prices,” one user posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

More besides complained about problems with the existing offer.

“The early entry system for hotel guests at Disneyland is largely broken,” another user posted on advantage. I shouldn't have to wait 25 minutes for Peter Pan at 7:30 p.m."

But through the disappointed reactions, some pointed out that the change was not so unknown .

"Isn't that how it used to be just a few years ago? I vividly remembered seeing signs in the Grand Californian indicating which park had a magical morning," user X wrote @Jeff_in_3D.

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That's not the only significant change the company has made recently.

epcot behind the disney express train in walt disney world
disney

While the latest changes may have rattled some fans, this isn't the only time the company has made notable changes. In May, Disney launched its 4 Park Magic Ticket for guests of Disney World in Florida. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

Customers who opt for the summer offer receive entry to all four parks in the Orlando destination. But while visitors are limited to one entry per park, the 4-Park Magic Ticket would only cost $99 per entry - making it even cheaper than a traditional four-day pass priced at $456, according to travel information site The Points Guy.

The same month, Disney also announced the closure of its Star Wars-themed Galactic Starcruiser Hotel it was launched last year. The company said its final reservations for the $2,500-per-night property will be Sept. 28-30.


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