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Credit: DisneyDisney Parks Blog has just announced that a new offering called Early Theme Park Entry will be replacing Extra Magic Hours at Walt Disney World Resort.
Early Theme Park Entry offering is part of the new 2021 offerings that are being rolled out as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World Resort. Disney said that this replacement of Extra Magic Hours will be introduced sometime this year, though an exact date has not yet been announced. Extra Magic Hours as we knew them previously will not return.
Instead of Extra Magic Hours being offered at select Disney World theme parks, Early Theme Park Entry will be offered every day at all four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Soon, Disney Resort hotel Guests (and the Guests at other select hotels that offer similar Disney World benefits) will get to enter any theme park 30 minutes prior to opening time on any day of their vacation.
Below is the official announcement:
Early Theme Park Entry: We know how much guests enjoy extra park time, so coming later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration, Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to ANY theme park, EVERY day. It’ll be a great way to get a jump start on your Disney day, no matter the day! As a reminder, the Extra Magic Hours benefit was suspended when Walt Disney World Resort reopened last summer, and as we continue to manage attendance with health and safety top of mind, Extra Magic Hours will not return. The new early theme park entry benefit helps us better spread visitation across all four theme parks, while providing added flexibility by giving guests extra early park time on each day of their vacation and in the park of their choosing. Please note that guests need valid admission and a park reservation made via the Disney Park Pass system to enter a theme park.
Disney has also updated the Extra Magic Hours webpage on the official Walt Disney World website to reflect the change:
Please note: The Extra Magic Hours benefit was suspended when Walt Disney World Resort reopened last summer, and as we continue to manage attendance with health and safety top of mind, Extra Magic Hours will not return. Learn more about our new early theme park entry benefit coming later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration.
Extra Magic Hours have not been available at Walt Disney World Resort since the theme parks reopened in mid-July amid the ongoing pandemic. Additionally, Disney had announced changes to Extra Magic Hours around one year ago. So, many fans of the Florida theme park destination are not surprised by this move.
Stay tuned to Inside the Magic for the latest information on all things Walt Disney World. To book a trip so you can experience the new Early Theme Park Entry offering at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, click here.
