Disneyland's New Rules and Must-Know Changes for 2024

Disneyland Rule Updates

• 💡 Virtual cues are currently not in use for any Disneyland rides, though they may return. The World of Color Happiness show in DCA still uses a virtual queue for preferred viewing, dropping at noon daily.
• ⚠️ Lightning Lane selections can change, with some attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean sometimes not offering it, especially during renovations.
• 🎟️ Park reservations are still required for Disneyland visits, unlike Disney World, and must be made through the Disneyland app or website after purchasing tickets.
• ⏰ Park hopping is allowed after 11:00 AM, but guests must first enter the park for which they made a reservation, unless they arrive after 11:00 AM, in which case they can enter either park.

DFB's Essential Disneyland Tips

• 🍩 For beignets, shake the paper bag from Mint Julip Bar to redistribute powdered sugar before eating. Beet Express in Downtown Disney also offers various beignet options.
• 🥨 Disneyland's churros are consistently praised for freshness and variety, often outperforming Disney World churros, with multiple carts available throughout the parks and Downtown Disney.

Park Entry and Technology

• 📸 Disneyland has replaced entrance turnstiles with facial recognition systems for a streamlined entry process, requiring a one-time photo capture for multi-day tickets.
• 🚗 Automatic license plate readers (ALPR) are used in parking lots for security, rule enforcement, and to help guests locate their vehicles via the Disneyland app's car locator feature.

New Dining and Hotel Experiences

• 🥢 Downtown Disney features new dining options like Daiong (Chinese), Parkside Market (housing four eateries including Soul Sister and Sip and Ser), PO, Centrico, and Tiandita (Mexican).
• 🏨 The Pixar Place Hotel offers new quick-service spots (Small Bites, Sketchpad Cafe) and the Great Maple Restaurant. The DVC Villas at Disneyland Hotel have the Palm Breeze Bar, and the Disneyland Hotel has the re-themed Broken Spell Lounge.
• 🍳 Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar now offers a new tropical breakfast menu.

Disney Vacation Club and Hotel Perks

• 💰 Disney Vacation Club (DVC) has updated its policy to discourage members from renting out points for commercial profit, focusing on personal use.
• 🏨 Disney hotel guests receive an extra 30 minutes of park time through early entry, which alternates between Disneyland Park (Tues, Thurs, Sat) and Disney California Adventure (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun).

Special Events and Future Developments

• 🎃 Oogie Boogie Bash returns to DCA on select nights from August 17th to October 31st, with tickets ranging from $139-$199. Early entry at 3 PM is available for ticket holders.
• 📌 Pin trading with other guests is now restricted to a dedicated area near Westward Ho Trading Co. in Disneyland Park from park opening to 3 PM daily, with limits on bag size and no advertising.
• 🚀 Lightning Lane access is available through Multi-Pass, Single Pass, and the premium Premier Pass ($300+/day).
• 🏗️ Disneyland Resort is undergoing significant expansion, including new attractions at DCA (Avatar Land, Avengers Campus rides) and a new transportation hub with increased parking. Some attractions like Monsters Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue will close for expansion.
• 🎉 The 70th-anniversary celebration runs until summer 2026, featuring special shows like Paint the Night and Wondrous Journeys.