Credit: Inside the MagicDisneyland Paris has introduced a new policy that’s turning heads across the Disney community. The resort has officially limited access to its most luxurious property — the newly reopened Disneyland Hotel — barring anyone who isn’t a hotel guest or holding a valid dining or experience reservation from entering during the busy holiday season.
For many, it’s a surprising shift. For others, it’s a long-overdue move to protect what’s become one of the most in-demand hotels in Europe’s theme park landscape.
A Landmark Reimagined
The Disneyland Hotel, which sits right above the entrance gates to Disneyland Park, reopened earlier this year after a lengthy and lavish refurbishment. The redesign transformed the property into what Disney calls a “royal experience,” centered on Disney princesses and elegant French-inspired luxury.
Every corner of the hotel — from the marble floors to the chandeliered lobby — was curated to immerse guests in a fairytale setting.
With rooms now exceeding €1,000 per night and restaurant meals like La Table de Lumière priced at roughly €120 ($139) per guest, the Disneyland Hotel has positioned itself at the highest end of Disney’s global portfolio. The new offering features character dining at Royal Banquet, immersive décor, and exclusive princess meet-and-greets that take place in the lobby.
Until recently, anyone visiting Disneyland Paris could step inside to explore the lobby, browse the boutique, or grab a drink at the bar. But as of this season, only overnight guests, those with restaurant reservations, or visitors booked for My Royal Dream are being permitted entry.
“It’s a Hotel, Not an Attraction”
The move immediately sparked a strong reaction online. In a Reddit thread discussing the change, Disney fans were sharply divided on whether the rule makes sense.
One user didn’t mince words:
“I’ll be downvoted for this but If I’m spending that much cash on the experience of a ‘luxury’ hotel, then a hotel that is swarming with non guests ruins that experience – paying a premium for the benefits that even people who aren’t even staying at the park can get. It’s a hotel, not an attraction – plenty of other things to do in there without crowding the hotel lobby and blocking actual guests.”
Another echoed the sentiment, saying that it was hard to justify the cost when the experience didn’t feel exclusive:
“We stayed there in June and were disappointed by the crowds everywhere. We couldn’t sit in the lobby the few times we wanted to. It was noisy and raucous in the lobby and outside the restaurants. Having said that, I went and walked through Marvel hotel (we had previously stayed there and I wanted to remember the smell) so I can’t really talk. But I certainly wasn’t running up and down staircases and sprawled over chairs in the lobby.”
Some guests who have stayed at the hotel describe the lobby as being overwhelmed with non-guests, especially when character appearances happen. For these visitors, the new rule feels like a necessary step to restore the tranquil, premium atmosphere that comes with a five-star price tag.
A Divided Fanbase
Not everyone is cheering the change. Several fans said they enjoyed visiting the hotel precisely because it was open to all. As one put it:
“I‘m conflicted by it. The lobby should be accessible as well as the shop any bar in my opinion. It wasn’t crowded at all when we went and headed to the concierge for a question. But then again I can see especially around the Christmas holidays it being crowded. Are really that much people walking around where the rooms are? I would be bothered by it as well ngl.”
Another commenter admitted they can’t afford to stay at the Disneyland Hotel but still appreciate having the chance to see it:
“Unfortunately I can’t afford to stay at this hotel but I agree with you too, I wouldn’t dream of just wandering in to have a nose around. There’s plenty of other things to look at in the parks I’ve spent hundreds to attend.”
Some pushed back against the idea that hotels should be closed off entirely, arguing that Disney hotels have always been as much part of the themed experience as the parks themselves.
“A themed Hotel is always an attraction and most hotels are accessible. If I’m staying at Santa Fe, I can still use the bar in the Marvel Hotel. People that don’t even stay on site or go to the parks at all can as well. Even outside Disney I can walk in any exclusive hotel and have a drink there or look around. In my opinion bar & shop should be accessible to everyone. I wouldn’t want random people running around the floors. I get that point. Disney hotels do hand out hotel specific postcards, stickers and do treasure hunts. Why should that be denied for people who can’t afford to stay there?”
The same commenter pointed out a key operational flaw:
“I get the exclusive factor but it’s also kind of poor organisation on Disney’s behalf doing a princess meeting in a hotel lobby. Ofc non hotel guests will show up and crowd the place, especially because it got harder to meet them. I’m not saying it’s right to do that but it could be easily avoided.”
Crowding and Security Concerns
Others recalled specific incidents that may have led to Disney’s decision to clamp down.
“We were there in September and we had a very rainy day. One of our days and it looked like people were coming in for shelter rather than looking around or going to the gift shop. It was just really busy and not very much space for guests of the hotel to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Also when we were trying to get our daughter a picture with the princesses people were jumping in and not waiting their turn some of which weren’t staying at the hotel. Things like this piss me off when we’ve spent so much to stay at the hotel but can’t enjoy it.”
A few commenters also raised safety concerns:
“Bit gutted as I loved going there for a glass of champagne and a chill on busy park days. I’ve recently seen someone on Facebook say they had things stolen while sitting in the lobby at the hotel. I wonder if this is something that’s been happening more so Disney are trying to stop it. Wondering if it’s something to do with the gangs that hang out trying to buy tickets, possibly now going into the hotel trying to steal from people there.”
While Disneyland Paris has not officially commented on thefts, the new access controls may indeed serve dual purposes: crowd management and security.
A Shift in Strategy
Disney’s move at Disneyland Paris reflects a growing trend in the industry: resort hotels are evolving from shared public spaces into highly controlled guest experiences. By limiting access, Disney ensures its highest-paying customers receive the sense of exclusivity they’ve purchased.
But it also closes off part of the “magic” that fans once loved — being able to step inside and feel part of that story, even if they weren’t staying there.
Still, for some guests, the change makes perfect sense. As one Redditor summarized it:
“Why should it be accessible though? It’s a hotel, not an attraction. If any hotel was getting crowded with non-guests they would put some sort of security in place to stop the place getting mobbed — especially a five star hotel. Most people who aren’t staying there or have a reservation for the restaurant aren’t spending money – they’re just nosing around to look at the place and mob the princesses when they can. The character experience is a perk for paying guests.”
That comment perhaps captures the heart of the issue: is Disney’s magic meant to be shared, or sold?
For now, Disneyland Paris has drawn the line. The royal gates of the Disneyland Hotel will remain closed to casual wanderers this holiday season — and perhaps beyond.