Have you ever wished you could enjoy some of Disney World’s most popular rides without the long lines? Early Park Entry at Disney World might be just what you’re looking for!

What Is Early Park Entry at Disney World?

Early Park Entry (also called Early Theme Park Entry) is a special benefit that lets guests staying at Disney hotels and select partner hotels enter any Disney World theme park 30 minutes before the official opening time. This extra time is available every day at all four Disney World parks – Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

Think of it as your own VIP access to the parks! While regular guests wait outside, you can be inside enjoying attractions with much shorter wait times.

Disney introduced Early Park Entry in 2021 to replace the previous Extra Magic Hours program. The biggest difference? While Extra Magic Hours gave hotel guests extended hours on select days at select parks, Early Entry happens every day at every park. This change helps spread guests more evenly across all four parks instead of having everyone rush to whichever park had Extra Magic Hours that day.

The good news is that Disney has confirmed this benefit will continue through 2025, giving hotel guests a consistent advantage throughout their vacation.

Who Can Use Early Park Entry?

Not everyone gets to enjoy the Early Entry perk. You need to stay at one of the eligible hotels to participate. But which hotels qualify? Let’s break it down:

Disney Resort Hotels

All Disney-owned hotels qualify for Early Entry, including:

• Value Resorts: All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Art of Animation, Pop Century
• Moderate Resorts: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans (both French Quarter and Riverside), The Cabins at Fort Wilderness
• Deluxe Resorts: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club
• Disney Vacation Club Properties: All DVC villas and properties

Partner Hotels with Early Entry Access

Several non-Disney hotels also offer Early Entry benefits:

• Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve
• Four Seasons Resort Orlando
• Shades of Green (military resort)
• Several Disney Springs area hotels, including:
  • DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
  • Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista
  • Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
  • Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
  • Holiday Inn Orlando
  • Renaissance Orlando Resort and Spa
  • Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
  • Waldorf Astoria Orlando
  • Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
  • Wyndham Lake Buena Vista

How Early Park Entry Works

So you’re staying at an eligible hotel, but how exactly do you use this benefit? The process is pretty straightforward, but knowing the details helps you make the most of those precious 30 minutes.

Timing and Entry Process

Early Entry begins exactly 30 minutes before the published park opening time. For example:

• If Magic Kingdom opens at 9:00 AM, Early Entry starts at 8:30 AM
• If Animal Kingdom opens at 8:00 AM, Early Entry starts at 7:30 AM

However, Disney often opens the front gates earlier than the official Early Entry start time. They’ll typically begin letting hotel guests through the turnstiles (entry points) up to 45 minutes before official park opening. This doesn’t mean rides are operating yet, but it does let you position yourself closer to your first attraction.

Upon arrival, you’ll need to:

1. Show your valid park ticket or pass
2. Verify your hotel stay with your MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass, or Key to the World card
3. Go through a designated entry point or line for hotel guests

Each park handles the process a bit differently:

• Magic Kingdom: All guests enter through the main gates, but only hotel guests can proceed past the hub toward Fantasyland or Tomorrowland
• EPCOT: At the main entrance, special tapstiles are designated for Early Entry guests; at International Gateway, all guests enter through the same points but are directed to different areas
• Hollywood Studios: All guests enter through the main gates, but only hotel guests can proceed past Hollywood Boulevard
• Animal Kingdom: Similar to Magic Kingdom, with only hotel guests allowed to proceed to specific lands

What’s New for 2025

Disney recently announced an exciting addition to Early Entry starting May 27, 2025: select character meet-and-greets will be available during the early morning period! This means you can now meet some of your favorite Disney characters with shorter lines before the parks open to regular guests. The specific characters haven’t been announced yet, but this adds a whole new world to your Early Entry strategy.

Another change for 2025 affects Magic Kingdom specifically. Now, during Early Entry, you can get in line for ANY attraction in the park, even those that don’t open until regular park hours. This means you can position yourself at the front of the line for popular attractions like Jungle Cruise or Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which previously weren’t part of Early Entry.

Available Attractions During Early Entry

Not all attractions are available during Early Entry. Disney focuses on opening some of the most popular rides in each park, giving hotel guests first access to these high-demand experiences.

Magic Kingdom

In Fantasyland:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• “it’s a small world”
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Mad Tea Party
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• The Barnstormer
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic

In Tomorrowland:

• Space Mountain
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

EPCOT

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Frozen Ever After
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Test Track (closed through late Summer 2025)
• Mission: SPACE
• Spaceship Earth
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Hollywood Studios

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Toy Story Mania!
• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Animal Kingdom

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Na’vi River Journey
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• DINOSAUR (closing permanently in early 2026)
• TriceraTop Spin

Remember that attraction availability can change due to maintenance or other factors. It’s a good idea to check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit to confirm which rides are operating.

Maximizing Your Early Entry Experience

Those 30 minutes of exclusive access can fly by quickly! Here’s how to make the most of this valuable time:

Arrive EARLY (Really Early!)

The most common mistake? Not arriving early enough. For Early Entry to be truly valuable, aim to arrive at the park entrance at least 45-60 minutes before the official park opening time. This means:

• If park opens at 9:00 AM (Early Entry at 8:30 AM), arrive by 7:45-8:00 AM
• If park opens at 8:00 AM (Early Entry at 7:30 AM), arrive by 6:45-7:00 AM

Yes, that’s early! But consider this: hundreds, if not thousands, of hotel guests show up for Early Entry. Being at the front of that group versus the back can mean the difference between riding two or three attractions instead of just one.

Last summer, we arrived at Hollywood Studios at 7:15 AM for an 8:30 AM opening (8:00 AM Early Entry). We were among the first 50 guests in line, and by the time Early Entry ended at 8:30, we had already experienced both Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – two attractions that typically have 60+ minute waits later in the day!

Transportation Considerations

Disney’s transportation typically begins running 60-90 minutes before the earliest park opening. Plan accordingly based on where you’re staying:

• Bus: The first buses usually start running about 45-60 minutes before Early Entry begins. Line up at your resort’s bus stop early!
• Monorail: If staying at a monorail resort heading to Magic Kingdom, this is your best option
• Skyliner: For Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, the Skyliner typically starts operating 60 minutes before Early Entry
• Boat Transportation: Generally starts about 60 minutes before Early Entry
• Walking: If staying at a resort within walking distance (like Beach Club to EPCOT or Contemporary to Magic Kingdom), this gives you the most control over your arrival time
• Car/Rideshare: If driving yourself or using Uber/Lyft, remember to factor in parking time or drop-off logistics

Park-Specific Early Entry Strategies

Each park requires a different approach to maximize your Early Entry advantage:

Magic Kingdom Strategy

Magic Kingdom has the most attractions available during Early Entry, but also tends to draw the largest Early Entry crowds. Your strategy depends on which attractions are most important to you:

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Focus:

1. Arrive 60 minutes before park opening
2. Head directly to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train when Early Entry begins
3. Follow with Peter Pan’s Flight
4. Then either Space Mountain or another Fantasyland attraction
5. As regular park opening approaches, position yourself for Jungle Cruise or another non-Early Entry attraction

Tomorrowland Focus:

1. Head directly to Space Mountain
2. Follow with Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
3. Then Tomorrowland Speedway or PeopleMover
4. Position yourself for a non-Early Entry attraction as regular opening approaches

EPCOT Strategy

Your EPCOT strategy depends entirely on which entrance you use:

Main Entrance Strategy:

1. Head directly to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (now available during Early Entry)
2. Follow with Soarin’ Around the World or Test Track (when reopened)
3. Then The Seas with Nemo & Friends or Spaceship Earth

International Gateway Strategy (for guests at Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, or Swan/Dolphin):

1. Enter through International Gateway and go straight to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
2. Follow with Frozen Ever After
3. Then position yourself for attractions in Future World

Hollywood Studios Strategy

Hollywood Studios offers the most value for Early Entry because it has so many high-demand attractions:

Star Wars Focus:

1. Head immediately to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
2. Follow with Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
3. Then position yourself for non-Galaxy’s Edge attractions

Toy Story Land Focus:

1. Go directly to Slinky Dog Dash
2. Follow with Toy Story Mania
3. Then Alien Swirling Saucers or Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Animal Kingdom Strategy

Animal Kingdom has the simplest strategy:

1. Go directly to Pandora – The World of Avatar
2. Ride Avatar Flight of Passage first
3. Follow with Na’vi River Journey
4. Then head to Expedition Everest as regular park opening approaches

Early Entry vs. Other Options

Is Early Entry alone enough to experience everything? How does it compare to other strategies like Lightning Lane? Let’s break it down:

Early Entry vs. Lightning Lane Multi Pass

Lightning Lane Multi Pass is Disney’s paid line-skipping service that costs $20-$35 per person per day, depending on crowd levels. It allows you to make reservations for shorter wait times at select attractions.

Comparison:

• Cost: Early Entry is free for hotel guests; Lightning Lane Multi Pass costs extra
• Coverage: Early Entry gives you 30 minutes at the start of day; Lightning Lane Multi Pass can be used throughout the day
• Planning Required: Early Entry requires early morning arrival; Lightning Lane Multi Pass requires monitoring the app and making reservations

For a family of four staying 5 days, Lightning Lane Multi Pass could add $400-$700 to your vacation cost.

Early Entry vs. Lightning Lane Single Pass

Lightning Lane Single Pass allows one-time access to Disney’s most popular attractions for an additional per-ride fee (ranging from $12-$25 per person per ride).

Comparison:

• Early Entry can potentially save you from purchasing a Single Pass for rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Rise of the Resistance
• Single Pass guarantees access regardless of when you arrive at the park
• Early Entry offers no guarantees – you might still face waits if you’re not near the front of the pack

Is Hotel Stay Worth It Just for Early Entry?

Let’s look at a practical example:

A family of four staying 5 nights at Pop Century (Disney’s value resort) might pay $200-300 more than staying at a comparable off-site hotel. Meanwhile, purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass for just 3 days would cost $240-$420 for the family.

So if Early Entry allows you to avoid buying Lightning Lane on even a few days of your trip, the hotel stay can actually save you money while providing other benefits like free transportation and theming.

Tips for Different Types of Travelers

Different groups have different needs when it comes to Early Entry:

Families with Small Children

Getting little ones up and ready early can be challenging! Consider these tips:

• Prepare as much as possible the night before (lay out clothes, pack bags)
• Use Early Entry every other day to avoid burnout
• Focus on child-friendly attractions during Early Entry that will develop long lines later
• Consider skipping Early Entry entirely on days after late nights

First-Time Visitors

If this is your first Disney trip:

• Prioritize iconic attractions during Early Entry
• Don’t try to do too much – quality over quantity
• Use Early Entry to get your “must-do” rides checked off early
• Consider alternating Early Entry days with more relaxed mornings

Don’t Want to Wake Up Early?

Not a morning person? You can still benefit:

• Even arriving 5-10 minutes before regular park opening puts you ahead of off-site guests
• Focus your Early Entry days on the parks that matter most to you
• Consider using Early Entry just for your top priority attractions, then take it easy the rest of the day
• Take advantage of the character meet-and-greets during Early Entry, which often have much shorter waits than rides

Impact on Regular Park Guests

If you’re not staying at a Disney hotel, Early Entry does create some challenges. By the time you enter the park, hotel guests have had a 30-minute head start on popular attractions.

Strategies for Off-Site Guests

• Arrive at least 45 minutes before official park opening to be at the front of the regular entry crowd
• Focus first on attractions not included in Early Entry
• Consider purchasing Lightning Lane for your highest-priority attractions
• Visit during less busy times of year when the impact of Early Entry is reduced
• Plan to stay later in the evening when crowds typically thin out

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about Early Park Entry? Take a look below!

Is Early Entry worth getting up early for?

Absolutely, especially if you’re visiting during busy periods. Those 30 minutes can save you hours of waiting in line later in the day. Many guests report riding 2-3 popular attractions during Early Entry that would normally have 60+ minute waits later.

How early should I really arrive?

At least 45-60 minutes before official park opening (15-30 minutes before Early Entry begins). This puts you toward the front of the Early Entry crowd.

Does Early Entry work on check-in and check-out days?

Yes! You can use Early Entry on both your arrival and departure days, even if you haven’t checked in yet or have already checked out.

Can I park hop during Early Entry?

No, Early Entry only applies to your first park of the day. If you have Park Hopper tickets, you can still change parks later, but you must start at the park where you want to use Early Entry.

Will Early Entry continue beyond 2025?

Disney has only confirmed the benefit through 2025. However, given its popularity and operational benefits, it will likely continue in some form.

Conclusion

Early Park Entry is one of the most valuable perks of staying at a Disney hotel. When used strategically, those 30 minutes can significantly improve your Disney World experience by allowing you to experience popular attractions with much shorter waits.

Remember, a great Disney day starts with an early morning. Set those alarms, grab your coffee, and get ready to experience the magic of Early Park Entry at Disney World!

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