Disneyland Early Entry | Strategies and Tips for park entry before opening 

I will never understand how people can think: the joy that a child feels at Disneyland somehow stops, or is unacceptable once we are adults. Disneyland is a joy for anyone, of ALL ages.

So it will cost a minimum of $600 to $800 (if not more) per night to get an extra 30 minutes? Dang. Maybe I've been to harsh on Cheapek's business acumen.

My family and I just stayed at the Disneyland Hotel Thursday-Sunday (8/11-14) and did Early Entry at Disneyland on Thursday and at DCA on Saturday. On Thursday we got to the security check-in at about 6:55 and they were open and checking room keys and only allowing people through with a key. There was a line of non-hotel guests waiting for security to open at 7. We were able to get to the esplanade gate for DL just before the trams dropped off the first guests at 7:15. The line was fairly long already and the cast members didn’t open the gate until 7:30 on the dot. It was about 7:40 when we got to the checkpoint in the hub. We were able to ride Peter Pan and Alice before rope drop and were heading to Space Mountain before rope drop but it was down and so lost some EE time because of that which was very disappointing. On Saturday, the day we were going to do EE at DCA, we got down to the security checkpoint by the Disneyland Hotel at 6:50 thinking the security would be the same as on Thursday. It was not. Security was closed (it didn’t open until its usual 7am time) and there was a line that extended almost the entire length of the DLH property. And of course, when security opened there were plenty of guests who hadn’t gotten in the line that just started to pour through, ignoring the huge queue of people going in. It was a mess. Security lines were long and by the time we were able to get all the way to the Esplanade to line up for DCA, it was about 7:20 maybe later, so the trams had already let people off. Now luckily because we were going into DCA, there were less people queued up but the DL side was a disaster and anyone trying to do EE from the Disneyland hotel or Paradise Pier would have been out of luck. Again, guests weren’t scanned in until 7:30 on the dot. We were able to get to Web Slingers and were going to queue up outside Radiator Springs Racers but were told it wouldn’t open at 8 that morning so we headed to Incredicoaster which was down. So all told, EE wasn’t a great experience for us. I heard other guests complaining about security not opening up soon enough (at least down by Disneyland Hotel) and also about EE rides being down. Disney needs to step things up in regards to Early Entry, in our opinion as it’s kind of a “sham” right now, at least if you stay at Disneyland Hotel. Hopefully they will fix the security gate time issue because if they don’t, I wouldn’t recommend staying at DLH if you want to take advantage of EE. Thanks for the video!

Its interesting this past Saturday I was expecting it to be super crowded but for me it was moderately crowded. Wait times weren’t too bad. The most I waited for a ride was 45 minutes. Rise, Space and Splash were the examples that come to mind. I even waited Indiana Jones for about a half hour which isn’t bad. And I arrived to Disneyland at about 8:45am. It really varies what days u go that will determine on the line. Also didn’t use the fastpass at all

TSMM is not an EE attraction. Racers has been down each morning during EE so far. Order should be.... DL Space, Pan, Alice, Dumbo, Toad, Snow, Pinnochio. Goal is to be done by 758 so you can walk to Rise. No Rise then do Thunder, Indy, Jungle, Pirates, Mansion, Splash. DCA WS, Maters, Goal is tp be in line for Racers by 758. You do not have to head to Pixar Pier until 845am.

My goodness, your dumbo ride was the cutest thing ever! Thanks for all joy you provide us!

Great video as always. Can guests use the Grand Californian use that entrance to get into DCA?

I feel like Space Mountain is ALWAYS closed at rope drop. I don't know how Ron and his son do it if it's always closed. Every time I've tried its closed anyway.. and I've seen multiple livestreams and videos of it not working out at rope drop!

Omg she’s growing up so fast! Thank you for taking us along with you guys

Quit humming, you'll get a copyright strike!!😁

Now that was about as much fun as one can have without actually being there! Thank you David, Liz and Sofi for so much joy! And thanks for all the effort you put into this fine presentation Dave! Very grand indeed!

DL: Peter Pan is always first! Magic Morning, Early Entry, Rope Drop - it's tradition. Space Mountain before 7:50am is a dream when it's open! Back door from Fantasyland to bust over to Rise at 8am is a winner. DCA: I think Soarin then Web Slingers then back door to Cars Land to get on RSR could work perfectly. Can you imagine hitting those three before 8:15am? Then TSMM and Incredicoaster. DUDE... Thanks for putting both days on one post. Killer vid. The French toast at Lamplight Lounge is Beyond delicious. Can still taste it.

Love going on these trips with your family. Thank u for taking us along

I found this video very educational about the early entry into Disneyland Disneyland thank you so much...

I know coming into the park and rope dropping isn’t ideal on vacation but you can get SO MUCh done in that first two hours

That sucks all those rope droppers going to Space Mountain. They should’ve announced to them right before rope drop that it was closed.

Super helpful - thanks! I looked at the app at 7:30 and it shows if a ride is down - so next time you don’t have to walk to space mountain - just check the app!

I can’t stand people who run to the rides

That Tigger hug just melted my heart.

The plan would’ve worked if space mountain were open so. Still a good plan

Thanks for telling me and my family about space mountain being closed! Cool to see you!

Rob first

David!!! New Camera? This video looks immaculate, my friend. Thanks for taking us along.

I'm confused on my situation a little. So i'm planing a disney trip for my family on May 13 and 14th (Monday and Tuesday). I'm planning on staying at the disneyland hotel and since we are going to the parks on monday and tuesday. In order to get early entry could we check in on sunday night (maybe past midnight?) sleep then be ready for early entry monday? I live 2 hours away from disney and its alot of traffic and dont really know how to arrive on time without being sleep deprived. I dont wanna buy an extra hotel day in case we dont really use it enough.

If you stay at the grand California, can you use the entrance in the hotel at 7:30?

Yo! Thanks for the insight. I’ll be on prop for a few days and can plan my time better. 🔥😎👏🏾

Sofi has wonderful parents. This is how memories are created. You hear about the problems at Knotts Berry Farm so I hope nothing like that happens at Disneyland. Sorry but this proves teenagers still need adult supervision. I trust Disneyland will be proactive and not reactive.

When my son and I went in May, we rope dropped Space Mountain and (like this) it was not open. So we rode Buzz Lightyear a couple of times and my son made it on the top 10 board. By that time, Space was open and we only waited about 15 minutes. It was worth hanging out Tomorrowland for a little bit until it opened. We had Genie +, but it was Hyperspace Mountain and we wanted to ride more than once per day. It worked out in the end.

I wonder if those duck 🦆 were ok at 34:14 after that crowd came rushing in ! Fresh bake your a mad man running around like that for 30min got a lot done

Do they scan your reservation? How do they stop people from screen shotting an old reservation and re-using it?

Wow! This was super helpful! Thanks for sharing 🙂. Definitely going to do Magic mornings.

FIRST

Disney has got people running for just a measly half hour. Is it not understood that Disney took a whole half an hour from the early entry privilege that was enjoyed by people for years? I’m just saying that there should be more criticism that this is yet another aspect of the Disneyland experience that has been cut down with nothing to replace it or a decrease in price to make up for the cut down experience.

Hi guys, with resort guests being able to do early entry, would you change your strategy for rope drop as a non resort guest? As a first time visitor to Disney I would like to see Fantasyland. Would you still go there first or would you do it later (by the way I do have Genie Plus)?

That is very different. You used to not be able to enter the park for magic morning unless you were qualified. So they would have special Gates that said magic morning above them and everyone else would cue in the regular Gates

I have never seen the line for Peter Pan so short!!! Nice 😎😎😎😎😎😎

Sucks that they don’t make an announcement when something is closed at rope drop :( they run over so happy just to get disappointed

Absolutely amazing! Those people at GetAwayToday really hooked you up! They are great! You deserve it. Top notch family and Disney enthusiast. 👍👍👍

I LOVE Liz's spirit jersey. Will definitely be looking for that one next month in Florida

What should be the new rope drop strategy?

Hey Fresh Baked!!

Picture perfect video!! The family makes a great team!! Thanks for bringing us along!!!

Omg, the swinging gondola part had me dying 🤣🤣🤣

An interesting difference between Disney World's Peter Pan and Disneyland's is that the ride vehicles are a little bigger and do not stop in the loading area in Disney World. So it has a higher ride capacity.

Hidden MIckey in the tower, Nice!

Wouldn’t they be able to see in an App that Space Mountain was closed?

What’s with all the blue shirts?

If I have early entry can I get in the back way to galaxy edge by fantasy land area right at 8:00?

Right on time! Next Saturday and Sunday for me.

Sun in your eyes for early entry. What fun NOT!

Great video. 🎡🎢 Can you explain more of that office and how you got to watch the incra-coster. 😃

Loved the strategies omg 😱thank you ! 🤩

I remember when the rope was at the end of Main Street. That was like in the early 80's. Do you remember when there was a stage beneath Space Mountain?

Her ears ❤️!!!!

I just have to say Liz is such a good momma ❤️ it warms my heart ❤️

Nice friends reference

I'm happy for you, and not judging at all. But... I don't think Walt would approve. Everybody should get the same opportunities in "Disneyland is your land." 😢

FreshBaked, David, Liz, Sofia. Early entry mornings are too much fun. I don't think this is legal. You could find the anti-fun police knocking on your door right now. I put in a good word for the 3 of you and explained that you had consumed to much DisneyLand Juice. I also said that this kind of behavior won't happen again. There's only one thing for it back behind the rope with the rest of us. Cheers, Chris Perry.

Barbie here! Hi!

Sophia looks beautiful 😍

“give me some sugar baby” 🤮🤮🤮

A joy to see sophi having a great time on dumbo. FYI...........My first AP pass was $145 in 1985. Love Disneyland!!!!!!!

I just don't get Peter Pan fascination. I think it's a horrible ride and the flying perspective doesn't work for me. Awesome video though, David

Who are all those people in blue shirts?

Thanks for the tips! We’re doing early admission tomorrow and will try to ropedrop Rise from Fantasyland/Frontierland

I remember when the parks were closed, I was taking photos through that gate to DCA, because it wasn't roped off like Disneyland & security told me to back away from the gate. Oops! 😬

Disney is ridiculous. It was always one hour at Disneyland. At least you could get a few rides in. 30 minutes what a joke. At least at Disney World they would pick one park each night and you would have until like midnight to 1:00 a.m. after the parks closed. And that was better than the one hour at Disneyland.

This was super helpful!! Thanks Dave! We’re heading out there in a couple weeks! Super excited!

WHAT I don't understand is early access and no early access people both have to stay in line to get threw the first gate and what if that takes along time then buy the time you get to the early access gate time will have already expired???.please explain this thanks .

If I went now during magic morning since it is so so so much less crowded than it used to be. I would just ride Peter over and over. Cuz all of the other rides don't have a line until 8:30. Maybe I would do Alice at 7:50 and Space right before rope drop like David tried to do.

Do you never start at Indiana Jones at rope drop? If not why not? Seems like hitting that then Space then Matterhorn/Star Tours would work

Thank you so much for this! We're staying and Grand Californian next month and I'm with some first-timers so this was invaluable info as I plan our days.

Curious why you didn’t use the park entrance from the Grand for your DCA Magic Morning?

Excellent video!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰

This is exactly our plan with our next visit. Thanks for posting.😀

For Magic Mornings. You entered through the main gate of DCA? You can’t enter from the Hotel?

How sweet to be accompanying you guys on your family visit. So he’s gonna have the best memory the kid could have! And I love those thank you cast member T-shirts! So cool. And I love the music they’re playing it’s like music from my childhood at my grandma’s house I hope it never changes.✌️❤️

when I went to Disneyland years before all this rope drop and other early things I arrived at the park and first thing I went on was the Pirate's ride fallowed by Haunted mansion before the crowd got there.

I enjoyed this video so much. My favorite content of yours has always been your in-park videos. Your joy and excitement about the park make me smile, and I love seeing the park through your eyes. Vids like this helped me get through the pandemic. Thanks for making this.

I love this!!! this is exactly what I needed to watch to know the great stuff we’re going to be doing we have lamplighter‘s for brunch we also have Plaza Inn for breakfast Yep we’re gonna be doing exactly as you just suggested thank you so much to get away today and thank you so much to Fresh Baked we love you King, Queen and especially The Princess!! 💓

I had the most magical time hanging out with you Liz and Sophie and I was so happy you were able to get away from home and enjoy a wonderful getaway thanks to Getaway today also it was interesting to see the only rides that are open at that early hour also I must thank you David for explaining the best way to navigate the park and what rides to go on at early morning hour it will be a big help also I noticed as I always do is when Liz is in the park with you you are that much happier and I can’t blame you Liz is such a beautiful woman and you guys work so good together now thanks David for allowing me to hang out with you Liz and Sophie on your special day in both parks now with that being said peace ☮️ love ❤️ and happiness to you David, Liz and Sophie and I’ll see you on the next Fresh Baked Adventure wherever it takes you peace ☮️ out ✌️

I would love watching the landscapers….hahaha What rides? 😉

Question for you. Do they now allow you to use camera during certain rides😮 or how did you do that?

No way!! At the DCA queue thats me and my husband directly behind you with the tie die minnie hat 😂

Does anyone know if the stroller rental at guest services opens prior to 7:30? I want to take advantage of Magic Morning but also need to get a stroller before entering the park.

Thanks for sharing, helps understanding how to navigate early entry.

The views at SUNRISE are magical, December has later Sunrises.

Love the 4k upgrade FB!

Any reports of successfully spring boarding early entry into beating rope drop for Rise?

Dave why did you you use Grand Californian entice I saw the sign up there to

Hey have a question if you have a magic key pass are you able to get in early too or is it only for people with hotels

When you got scared ,that was the funniest part of the video 😂

What an incredible trip! Sofia on Dumbo is pure magic. ✨ Great and detailed info, thank you, David. Keep making memories with the fam.❤️

Great video David. Nice to see u having fun with ur family.

nice to see the Family at Disneyland. your daughter Sofia is having so much fun.

You 3 on dumbo gave me the giggles!

Does anyone know what shop or restaurant was invested with rodents that closed down?

Saw you at the park today your genie+ tips got us a extra lightning lane or two

I have reservations for the Princess Breakfast at Napa Rose at 8:20am. Would I be able to (7:30am hotel guest-Paradise Pier) rope drop, hit two rides (Peter and Toad) and make it to Napa Rose with some time to spare? This will be my family's first (maybe only?) trip to Disneyland and would love to be able to experience a DL actual Rope Drop.

I was wondering if they would open it earlier so you could have the whole 30min