Credit: DisneyOne Disney park has made the last-minute decision to remove the extra time given to hotel guests in March.
Extra Magic Hours were a perk that gave Disney hotel guests early or late access to select theme parks, offering shorter wait times and a calmer atmosphere. The benefit rewarded on-site stays at destinations like Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
Over the years, the concept has evolved globally under different names. Walt Disney World now offers Early Theme Park Entry to all hotel guests, plus Extended Evening Hours for those staying at Deluxe Resorts such as Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort or Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Meanwhile, Tokyo Disney Resort uses Happy Entry, and Disneyland Paris runs Extra Magic Time (previously known as Extra Magic Hours), all delivering lighter crowds and a clear edge on popular attractions.
But guests hoping to utilize Extra Magic Time to enjoy Disney’s newest theme park land face disappointment.
Disney has confirmed that Disney Adventure World will drop early entry on March 29, 2026.
Disney Drops Extra Magic Time For the Opening of Disney Adventure World
As previously announced, March 29 marks the first day that Walt Disney Studios Park officially becomes Disney Adventure World.
The date also coincides with the opening of World of Frozen, an Arendelle-themed land inspired by Frozen, complete with Frozen Ever After, Nordic Crowns Tavern, and multiple retail locations.
Beyond World of Frozen, Disney Adventure World unfolds around Adventure Way, a landscaped promenade of attractions, dining, and gardens leading to Adventure Bay. The park’s nighttime lake spectacular, Disney Cascade of Lights, anchors the experience, alongside Raiponce Tangled Spin and the character-dining Regal View Restaurant & Lounge.
With that in mind, the decision makes sense. Opening day crowds will already be intense, and limiting early access prevents operational strain while protecting the perceived value of hotel perks. Holding back early entry also avoids guest frustration when demand far exceeds capacity – a risk Disney is unlikely to take during a high-profile rebrand launch.
The removal of Extra Magic Time means guests will gain access to the newly rebranded Disney Adventure World from 9:30 am. The park will then remain open until 10:40 p.m., when guests can enjoy the first performance of Disney Cascade of Lights.
Even before its transformation, Disney Adventure World already offered a strong lineup. Guests can explore Avengers Campus, ride Ratatouille: The Adventure (although this is currently closed for refurbishment), visit Worlds of Pixar – complete with an entire Toy Story land – brave The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and catch large-scale shows, giving the park a balanced mix of thrills, family rides, and live entertainment.
The park is later set to receive a land inspired by The Lion King (1994), with rumors that an Avatar expansion is also on the way.
While plenty of guests are excited about the prospect of Disney Adventure World, there are those who feel the changes still aren’t enough to redeem the park. Long considered the runt of the Disney park litter, Walt Disney Studios Park is renowned for its lack of attractions and dining experiences, plus very little of the old-school charm that makes the likes of Disneyland Park so iconic.
For now, Extra Magic Time is set to resume for the park on March 30. Whether or not Disney updates the calendar closer to this date remains to be seen.
Do you plan on visiting Disney Adventure World?