As of January 5, 2026, the official "Early Entry" perk that allowed Disney hotel guests 30 minutes of early access to the parks has been discontinued at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World. In its place, Disney has introduced a new benefit where hotel guests receive one complimentary Lightning Lane Multi Pass entry per guest, per stay, which can be used at any time. For all other guests, the most effective way to "enter early" is through a process known as "Rope Drop." This involves arriving at the park gates approximately 45 to 60 minutes before the official opening time. Security and the main turnstiles often open early, allowing guests to congregate in the hub area of the park. At the exact opening time, the "ropes" are dropped, and guests can rush to their favorite high-demand attractions. While you can no longer get that 30-minute head start on rides as a hotel guest, arriving early still provides a significant advantage over the crowds that arrive later in the morning.