Hotel Reservations Won't Guarantee Entry Into Disneyland

Now that Disneyland’s reopening date is around the corner, discovering the next steps to booking your Disneyland vacation is a top priority on the minds of future Guests.

After over one full year of closure, both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will reopen their theme park gates on April 30, allowing Guests back into the Happiest Place on Earth once again. For Guests to enter the parks, they will need to abide by the new theme park reservation system launching April 12 to Guests with existing tickets, and April 15 to Guests who will be purchasing new tickets for either Disney park.

Please note that at the moment, Disneyland will only be open to California residents.

For all of the up-to-date reservation information at Disneyland Resort, click here. 

Opening one day before the theme parks, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will begin a phased opening on April 29. 

According to the official Disney Parks Blog announcement:

Guests will also have the opportunity to stay in the middle of the magic as the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort plan to welcome guests once again, with a phased reopening. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa plans to reopen on April 29, with limited capacity. Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will plan to reopen May 2. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel will reopen at a later date.

Related: Pretend You’re at Disneyland Park With the Grand Californian Hotel’s Apple Crisp!

All of that being said, just because you have a hotel stay booked at the Grand Californian, this does not mean that you will be guaranteed a theme park reservation.

Disney Parks Blog most recently noted:

Guests with valid theme park admission tickets who are planning a stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will also need to book a theme park reservation, as a hotel stay does not guarantee a theme park reservation. Tip: If you plan to visit the theme parks during your stay, get your theme park reservation prior to making your hotel reservation. For room reservations and travel packages, visit Disneyland.com or contact your travel professional starting April 15 for stays beginning April 29. Theme park reservations will need to be made separately.

Related: Best Ride to End Your Disneyland Day? Fans Speak Out!

Disney clearly states that theme park reservations need to be made in order to enter Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, and although theme park ticket and hotel vacation packages can be made starting April 15 (the same day theme park tickets go on sale for everyone), Guests will still need to make a theme park reservation after purchasing tickets. So, even if you book one night or more at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, you will still need to make a theme park reservation, as a hotel stay does not guarantee theme park entry. Because of this, Disney recommends for Guests to buy their tickets and make a park reservation before booking a hotel stay, in order to ensure that they can visit the parks while they are staying on property.

Related: Imagineer-designed spa coming soon to Disney’s Grand Californian

Over at Walt Disney World Resort, however, things are a bit different. You still need to make a reservation to enter any of the four Walt Disney World theme parks. However, those Guests who have booked vacations at the Disney World hotels are able to make a theme park reservation for either EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios very far in advance. At Disney World, theme park reservations are categorized based on Guest type, so if you are a Disney Resort hotel Guest, you will have different theme park reservation availability, and you will not be competing with Guests who did not book a vacation package or with Annual Passholders for a theme park reservation.

For everything, you need to know about Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, click here.

At the moment, both Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel do not have opening dates set, however, if they do open, this policy will be in place for those resorts as well. Park Hopping however, will be allowed between both parks!

How do you feel about Disneyland hotel reservations not guaranteeing you a spot in the parks during your stay? Would you be more likely to book at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa if you were to be guaranteed entry?

If you want to book a Disneyland vacation to enter Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and enjoy the Downtown Disney District, click here to begin the magic today!