A COVID-era restriction that has defined the Park Hopping experience at Disneyland Resort for the better part of half a decade is finally being retired. The change takes effect on June 9.
The 11:00 A.M. Rule Is Gone
On May 19, Disneyland Resort announced that the longstanding 11:00 a.m. Park Hopper restriction will be eliminated beginning June 9, 2026. The policy — which required guests with theme park reservations to wait until 11:00 a.m. before crossing the esplanade into the other park — has been in place since Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park reopened following the COVID-19 pandemic closure.
Theme park journalist Scott Gustin was among the first to share the news on X (formerly known as Twitter):
NEW: Disneyland is eliminating the 11 a.m. Park Hopper restriction starting June 9.
With this change, guests with Park Hopper tickets and Magic Key passes will be able to move between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure at any time, subject to park availability.
NEW: Disneyland is eliminating the 11 a.m. Park Hopper restriction starting June 9.
With this change, guests with Park Hopper tickets and Magic Key passes will be able to move between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure at any time, subject to park availability. pic.twitter.com/yfqDc44mc0
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) May 19, 2026
Park entry remains subject to availability, meaning that on rare occasions when either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park reaches capacity, hopping into that park may still be restricted even after June 9. Magic Key holders are also still subject to blockout dates, during which theme park reservations and park hopping are unavailable.
No More Tapping In First
The 11:00 a.m. restriction isn't the only thing changing on June 9. Disneyland Resort is also doing away with the requirement that guests tap into their originally reserved park before hopping to the other. When the update takes effect, a guest holding a Disney California Adventure reservation could theoretically walk into Disneyland Park first — without ever scanning in to Disney California Adventure — provided availability allows it.
Update: When the change takes effect June 9, guests will still need to select a first park on their park reservation, but they will not need to first tap into their starting park before hopping.
This update means a guest with a Disney California Adventure reservation and a Park Hopper ticket could theoretically enter Disneyland first, subject to availability.
This update means a guest with a Disney California Adventure reservation and a Park Hopper ticket could theoretically enter Disneyland first, subject to availability.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) May 19, 2026
Guests will still need to select a starting park when making their reservation. The change simply removes the requirement to physically scan into that park before heading elsewhere.
Reservations Aren't Going Away Yet
For guests hoping this signals the end of the theme park reservation system altogether, Disneyland Resort hasn't gone that far. The reservation requirement itself remains in place; what's changing is the rigidity of how guests are expected to move between the two parks once they're on property.
Has the 11:00 a.m. Park Hopping rule regarding theme park reservations ever impacted your visit to Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park? Tell Disney Fanatic about your experience in the comments!
