Disney alters Early Entry Hotel eligibility list, limits some to end of 2023

May 30, 2023 in "Early Theme Parks Entry and Extended Evening Hours"

Gallery / 6 Photos
Early Theme Park Entry process at Magic Kingdom

Posted: Tuesday May 30, 2023 6:36pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Just ahead of 2024 Walt Disney World vacation packages going on sale tomorrow, Disney has updated the list of eligible hotels for its Early Theme Park Entry benefit.

Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests head to Tomorrowland and Fantasyland for Early Entry at Magic Kingfom

Several non-Dsney operated hotels are now listed as only offering Early Theme Park Entry through December 31, 2023. Disney has previously said that its own hotels will offer Early Theme Park Entry through 2024.

Although these hotels are not currently listed for eligability beyond 2023, it is likely that they will be added later. A similar situation has occured in previous years as contracts are negotiated. Here are the hotels that are currently offering the Early Entry benefit through December 31 2023.

B Resort & Spa Lake Buena Vista
Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista

Early Theme Park Entry was introduced with the start of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary in October 2021, and replaced the former Morning Extra Magic Hours.

The benefit is available to all Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels (listed below) each day at each park, and offers 30 minutes of additional time through the end of 2024.

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
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Holiday Inn Orlando
Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort

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jrhwdw19 hours 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...

jrhwdw19 hours ago

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

ToTBellHop19 hours ago

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

Disgruntled Walt19 hours 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.

nickys22 hours 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.

Sirwalterraleigh23 hours ago

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

jrhwdw23 hours 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?

Touchdown1 day ago

DHS would be far more preferable

spectromagic042 days ago

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

Disgruntled Walt2 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.