If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel (or select partner hotels), one of the biggest perks you get is Early Theme Park Entry.
It sounds simple: get into the parks 30 minutes before everyone else.
But here’s the thing…
Most people don’t actually use those 30 minutes well.
Some guests spend the entire time waiting to get in, while others are already riding one of the most popular attractions in the park before official opening.
Here’s exactly how Early Entry works—and how to make the most of it.
What Is Early Entry?
Early Entry allows guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select Disney partner hotels to enter every Walt Disney World theme park 30 minutes before the official park opening every single day.
That includes:
- Magic Kingdom
- EPCOT
- Hollywood Studios
- Animal Kingdom
Unlike the old Extra Magic Hours, you don’t have to visit a specific park on a specific day. If you’re eligible, you can use Early Entry every day of your vacation.
Who Gets Early Entry?
You’re eligible if you’re staying at:
- Disney Value Resorts
- Disney Moderate Resorts
- Disney Deluxe Resorts
- Disney Deluxe Villas (Disney Vacation Club)
- Select Disney partner hotels
If you’re not sure whether your hotel qualifies, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to check for you.
Is It Really Worth It?
Absolutely.
Those first 30 minutes are often the shortest waits you’ll see all day.
That means you can knock out one (or even two) of the park’s most popular rides before the crowds really arrive.
For many families, this can save hours of waiting later in the day.
My Biggest Tip: Don’t Show Up At Early Entry
This is probably the biggest mistake I see.
If Early Entry starts at 8:30 a.m., don’t plan to arrive at 8:30.
You should be arriving at the park entrance about 45–60 minutes before Early Entry begins.
That gives you time to:
- Go through security
- Scan into the park
- Walk to the attraction you’re planning to ride
- Be ready when Disney officially begins letting guests into the lands
Yes, it means an early alarm—but it’s one of the best ways to save time later.
What Should You Ride First?
Every park has a few attractions that build long waits quickly.
Here are my recommendations.
Magic Kingdom
Head straight to one of these:
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Space Mountain (if available during Early Entry)
Hollywood Studios
This is where Early Entry makes the biggest difference.
I recommend heading directly to:
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Tower of Terror
EPCOT
Go straight for:
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- Frozen Ever After
Animal Kingdom
Your first stop should be:
- Avatar Flight of Passage
If you’ve ever seen a two-hour wait for Flight of Passage, you’ll understand why getting there early is worth it.
A Few More Tips
✔️ Check the My Disney Experience app before your trip to confirm park hours.
✔️ Transportation usually starts running about an hour before Early Entry begins, but I always recommend allowing extra time just in case.
✔️ Have your park bag packed the night before so you’re not scrambling in the morning.
✔️ If your family isn’t made up of early risers, don’t worry. You don’t have to rope drop every single day. Pick one or two mornings where you’ll take advantage of Early Entry and enjoy slower mornings on your other park days.
My Take
If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, Early Entry is one of the best perks included with your stay—and it’s completely free.
Thirty minutes might not sound like much, but when you use it strategically, it can save you hours in line and make your entire park day feel less stressful.
It’s one of those small planning details that can make a big difference.
If you’d rather not spend hours figuring out which parks to visit, when to rope drop, or how to build the best itinerary, I’d love to help.
My Disney vacation planning services are completely free when you book your trip through me, and I’ll help you create a personalized plan that makes the most of your time in the parks.
✨ Ready to start planning?
Fill out my Disney Trip planning form 👉 https://form.typeform.com/to/h7DAP9CX