After two months, Disney Resort hotel guests can finally use their exclusive theme park entrance once again. On Monday, May 12, Disneyland Resort reopened the gates to Disney California Adventure Park near Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Unfortunately, as one set of turnstiles opened, another Disney Resort hotel lost its exclusive entry to Disney California Adventure Park.
The reopening comes after months of work transforming the old metal turnstiles into high-tech “tapstiles.” The new entry gates feature clear touchless gates, digital screens, and facial recognition technology to streamline Disney Park entry. Disneyland Resort started upgrading the main esplanade entrances to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park last year, but completed the work in phases to reduce the impact on Disney Park guests.
The Grand Californian entrance to Disney California Adventure Park closed in March, making theme park entry more complicated for hundreds of Disney Resort hotel guests daily. Finally, as of Monday, May 12, the turnstiles have reopened.
Theme park journalist Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) shared a first look at the upgraded Disney Park entrance on X (formerly known as Twitter):
The Grand Californian Hotel entrance to Disney California Adventure Park has reopened following a two-month closure to upgrade the turnstiles.
A better look at the upgraded turnstiles at the Grand Californian Hotel entrance to Disney California Adventure Park.
A better look at the upgraded turnstiles at the Grand Californian Hotel entrance to Disney California Adventure Park. pic.twitter.com/LAzL5C1K7p
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) May 12, 2025
Located near GCH Craftsman Bar and Grill, the upgraded entrance still features Grand Californian theming and security systems, including metal detectors. The only changes appear to be to the turnstiles themselves.
As Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa welcomes back this coveted perk, another Disney Resort hotel is losing one of its own. On the same day this theme park entrance reopened, the Pixar Place Hotel entrance to Disney California Adventure Park closed for its turnstile upgrade. Disneyland Resort has encouraged Pixar Place Hotel guests to use other entrances, including the Grand Californian’s, until it reopens in mid-June.
The tapstiles are expected to be fully functional across Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park sometime in 2025. Until then, Disney cast members use tablets and mobile devices to scan guests into the Disney parks.
Does an exclusive theme park entrance impact your decision to book a Disney Resort hotel stay? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments!
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