How Early Theme Parks Entry works for Walt Disney World Resort hotels guests and those staying offsite

Sep 26, 2021 in "Early Theme Parks Entry and Extended Evening Hours"

Posted: Sunday September 26, 2021 8:41am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World's Early Theme Park Entry begins today, giving its resort hotel guests 30 minutes early access to attractions.

Here is a rundown of how the process works at the Magic Kingdom for both Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests and those staying offsite.

The Transportation and Ticket Center for Magic Kingdom parking opens at 7:45am for those arriving by car. The security bag check opens at around 7:55am.

Guests traveling from Walt Disney World hotels can board Disney transportation approximately 45 minutes before the start of Early Theme Park Entry.

The main entrance tapstyles allow all guests onto Main Street U.S.A. as soon as they arrive. Everyone can walk the length of Main Street U.S.A. and enter any open locations.

Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests are directed to the right side of Main Street U.S.A. to a checkpoint at Tomorrowland or Fantasyland. Cast Members at this point scan Magic Bands or tickets to verify a resort stay.



Once clear of the checkpoint, those guests join a rope drop at either Fantasyland or Tomorrowland.

The left side land entrances off the hub, including Adventureland and Liberty Square, have a traditional rope drop that does not open until the official park opening time for both resort and non-resort guests.

Wait times during the 30 minute Early Entry period were very low, mostly walk-on. Although expect this to change as more guests become aware of the benefit.

Early Theme Park Entry is expected to run through at least the duration of the 18 month-long Worlds's Most Magical Celebration, but no end date has been announced. 

Here is a list of all the open attractions during the 30 minute Early Theme Park Entry time.

Magic Kingdom

  • “it’s a small world”
  • Astro Orbiter
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Space Mountain
  • The Barnstormer
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
  • Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Epcot

  • Beauty and The Beast Sing-Along
  • Frozen Ever After
  • Mission: SPACE
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Test Track
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Disney's Hollywood Studios

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

Disney's Animal Kingdom

  • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • DINOSAUR
  • Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
  • It’s Tough to be a Bug!
  • Na’vi River Journey
  • TriceraTop Spin

Early theme park entry participating Hotels

Early theme park entry is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels, which include:

  • Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
  • Disney's All-Star Music Resort
  • Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
  • Disney's Art of Animation Resort
  • Disney's Pop Century Resort
  • The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
  • Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
  • The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney's Beach Club Resort
  • Disney's BoardWalk Inn
  • Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney's Yacht Club Resort
  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
  • Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village
  • Disney's Beach Club Villas
  • Disney's BoardWalk Villas
  • Disney's Old Key West Resort
  • Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
  • Disney’s Riviera Resort
  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
  • Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
  • Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
  • Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World® Resort
  • Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
  • Waldorf Astoria Orlando
  • B Resort & Spa Lake Buena Vista
  • DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
  • Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
  • Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
  • Holiday Inn Orlando
  • Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
  • Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
  • Four Seasons Resort Orlando

Discuss on the Forums

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    jrhwdw1 day ago

    Please correct me if it's not the plan but I would not be shocked if July 3-5th were soft Opens. Spectro & MSEP were always later in the Night on July 3-4th...

    jrhwdw1 day ago

    Yes, we know! 7pm-12am! LOL!

    ToTBellHop1 day ago

    Have you heard the good news about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?!?!

    Disgruntled Walt1 day ago

    I don't suppose there's any chance they actually keep MK open until Midnight once Starlight begins? I mean, I'll take 11pm, but it would be great to get on some rides during that last hour while the parade is going. I don't know when MK was last open until 12am, but I don't think it ever was during my visits.

    nickys1 day ago

    I assume they will want a few full run-throughs after the park closes before it officially starts. It’s been so long since a new parade, I have no idea if there are usually previews for the “usual” groups, or just for CMs. Maybe some of our CM members will be able to answer that.

    Sirwalterraleigh1 day ago

    Because it emptied out everyday well before that and they’re not in the business to pay to keep things open?

    jrhwdw1 day ago

    I've been wondering, If we're not expecting Starlight till after the 4th why move July 2nd to AK??? Might MK be planning some sort of Preview on the 2nd?

    Touchdown2 days ago

    DHS would be far more preferable

    spectromagic043 days ago

    Well expect no MK probably until January. MK usually goes on hiatus when the Halloween and Christmas parties start.

    Disgruntled Walt3 days ago

    I'm quite disappointed at this news, actually. I (wrongly) assumed things would go back to the way they were back when Spectro & MSEP were there. They had EMH when those parades were there. And there's barely anything to do at Animal Kingdom.

    mje10643 days ago

    Yea I’m wondering if AK will be the Wednesday EEH for rest of summer or if it would flip back to MK later in July.

    jrhwdw3 days ago

    Looking to the Future, are these EEH Changes just a Debut Season Thing? I'm about 95% sure MK had EMH with Spectro and MSEP.

    Purduevian3 days ago

    Must not have kids under 6 right now haha. We couldn't even make it to 8pm fireworks the last few times we went.

    jrhwdw3 days ago

    I'm good with That! :)