Could Disney World Follow Disneyland’s Lead and Cut Early Park Entry?

in Disney Parks, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

A rope in the forefront with Main Street, U.S.A. n the background along with the Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom at Disney World on a cloudy summer morning.

Credit: Inside the Magic

Since the pandemic, Disney has been slowly clawing back the amenities of staying at a Disney Resort Hotel. So, it should come as no surprise that Disneyland announced it was removing another perk of staying at one of its park hotels.

Sulley fainting looking at the rope drop crowds at Disneyland before a Guest suffered a bloody injury
Credit: Inside the Magic

Disneyland has eliminated early park entry for all guests staying at Disneyland Resort Hotels. The common belief was that Disney removed the perk and replaced it with a single Lightning Lane pass because no one was using it.

It’s hard to believe that no one was using this perk, as there are so few left at Disney hotels, but even so, Disney took away one of the only advantages of staying on property in Southern California. With nearby hotels within walking distance of the parks, there are even fewer reasons to stay at a Disneyland Hotel.

Nighttime view of Disney Resort's futuristic building with vibrant neon signs and a curving waterslide, set against a dark, starry sky with dramatic lighting.
Credit: Disney

With Disney apparently looking to cut costs by removing perks, Disney fans started to look east to Central Florida and wonder if Disney would cut early entry for hotel guests at Disney World.

Disney has already removed many perks from Disney World Hotel guests, including free MagicBands, Magical Express, hotel delivery of purchased items, and more. Before the pandemic, even the early entry was an hour, which has now been cut to 30 minutes.

Magical Express Bus pulling up at the resort
Credit: Disney

So, with Disney looking to cut costs, can another perk leave Disney World?

Unlike the laid-back atmosphere in California, it’s hard to make the argument that no one uses early park entry at Disney World. Rope drop at Disney World has become an Olympic sport in some circles.

Could Disney do what it’s done with its free after-hours at certain parks, making it only on some nights and only for guests staying at Disney World Deluxe Hotels? That seems more likely than removing early entry altogether.

Disney's Beach Club Villas
Credit: Disney

With Disney catering to the wealthy, making early entry only available to deluxe hotel guests seems more likely. However, if Disney goes in that direction, what’s left? Disney World would have stripped away nearly all the advantages of paying extra to stay on property.

So, let’s see what Disney World decided to do, and if they decide to follow Disneyland and strip away one more hotel perk.

rope drop magic kingdom
Credit: Screenshot via Jason Grandt

Do you think Disney World will follow Disneyland and get rid of early park entry? Let us know in the comments.

in Disney Parks, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

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