Image Credit: Inside The MagicIf you plan on visiting one particular Disney World park, you might want to plan if you fall into this category, as select guests are now told something different when accessing early park entry.
Read this next: Disney Replaces “Woke” ‘Snow White’, Brings Back Classic
Disney World Park Now Changing Early Park Entry for Select Guests
According to multiple reports from various theme park news sites, early entry for select guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has changed. You might want to keep reading if you fall into this category.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has implemented a new procedure for hotel guests entering the park during early entry, which commences 30 minutes before the official opening time for regular guests. Previously, guests taking advantage of early entry at Disney’s Hollywood Studios would check in with a Cast Member positioned to the left of the ticket booths.
A cast member confirmed that guests staying onsite are eligible for early entry privileges and would adhere to this change. Meanwhile, regular guests can queue up between the other booths until the park officially opens.
The old switcheroo pulled on guests today means this might be the new standard moving forward, which means you might need to reconsider how you make early park admission (EPA) at the parks. Although not a significant change, it’s best to be prepared. Have you ever heard of this Disney World offering before? If not, we’ve got you covered.
Read this next: Emergency Mass Alert Sent to All Disney World Guests Following Kidnapping
Early Entry at WDW Explained
Early Theme Park Entry at Walt Disney World allows guests of Disney Resort hotels and certain other hotels to enter the parks 30 minutes before the general public. This perk is available on the day of arrival and through 2024. Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris, Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disneyland, and the rest of the Disney parks all implement this amenity for guests staying on property.
To take advantage of this perk, guests must have valid theme park admission, park reservations, and Resort ID.
The four theme parks that are included in Early Theme Park Entry are:
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Magic Kingdom
- EPCOT
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Early Theme Park Entry includes access to select attractions, dining, and shopping locations. For example, Early Theme Park Entry at Magic Kingdom provides access to most Fantasyland and Tomorrowland rides. At EPCOT, it includes access to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, Mission: SPACE, Soarin’, Spaceship Earth, Test Track, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and Beauty and The Beast Sing-Along.
Read this next: Disney World Steals Multi-Billion Dollar Win From Ron DeSantis, Expansions on the Way
To plan early park admission at Disney World, use the Crowd Calendar to see which parks are least crowded. You can also attach your reservation to the My Disney Experience app so the system can recognize your resort.
Early Theme Park Entry is available to guests at Disney Resort and other select hotels. Guests can enter the theme parks 30 minutes before the public opens, but some recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before Early Theme Park Entry starts.
To access early theme park entry, you’ll need valid admission and a Disney MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass, or Key to the World Card. Date-based tickets no longer require reservations but may be necessary for other admission types.