OK, we’ll say it: we like being treated like a VIP in Disney World. Whether it’s having your own personal boat ride to EPCOT or getting a free birthday cupcake for dessert, it’s nice to feel special.
And, yes, the more money you spend, the more exclusive benefits you get, but there is one perk that ANY Disney World hotel guest can enjoy…for now.
Back in 2021, Disney Resort hotel guests got an exclusive new perk: Early Theme Park Entry. It gets you into the Disney World parks up to thirty minutes early every day of the week. The only thing you need to qualify is a Disney World hotel reservation! (And a form of Resort ID: MagicBand or Key to the World card or MagicMobile to prove you have a reservation.)
So, what’s the big benefit of getting in 30 minutes early? Well, if you’re among the first people in one of Disney’s parks, you get access to much lower wait times! In some cases, you can end up walking right onto the most popular rides in the park. The time goes by quickly, but if you’re strategic, it’s a great way to knock out your big priorities!
OK, so why are we talking about this anyway? Well, we noticed something interesting on the My Disney Experience website. It could be nothing, but does Disney really do anything by accident? Stick with us here for a second.
Right now, on the My Disney Experience website, Early Theme Park Entry has only been extended through 2025. Instead of being listed as a permanent addition, Disney explained it “will continue through 2025.” Um, what about 2026? 2027?
Now, it’s entirely possible that Disney will just extend this perk again in 2025…but maybe they won’t. Could Early Theme Park Entry get replaced? Is this just a tricky marketing tactic to make us feel like we’re getting a “less-than-permanent” perk? We need to know, Disney!
Here’s something else to consider: if Disney does change Early Entry, it wouldn’t be the first time. Before Early Theme Park Entry, there were “Extra Magic Hours.” Under the old system, select parks were open exclusively to hotel guests before or after the parks were open to everyone else. The big difference was the amount of time — Extra Magic Hours usually lasted for one (or more) hours, while Early Entry is only 30 minutes long. That said, Early Entry happens in all four parks every day of the week, while Extra Magic Hours were less consistent.
Who knows — maybe Disney is cooking up some kind of NEW hotel-exclusive perk. Fingers crossed that the perk lasts a little longer than 30 minutes, right? In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
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Are you planning a trip to Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
I’d love the extra morning Magic hour to return to select parks on select days. I stay offsite, so this would benefit me instead of being 30 minutes behind the on-site guests.
Disney always offers a “perk” for free until guest get used to it and then a few years later what was a free perk… now will cost $25 or something. Mark my words…. It happens all the time at WDW.
I would welcome a return to the old system whereby, on select days for some hotel guests, we would have access to the parks for one full hour prior to opening. Additionally, I would like the return of the paid special event where you could have access to certain rides in Fantasyland an hour before park opening, in addition to enjoying a buffet breakfast until mid-morning.
Bring back the Extra Magic Hour(s) for the parks. Even with good planning with the current early entry, by the time you get through security and scan with everyone else coming in for regular hours, make your way over to where they are letting early entry people in, kinda shoulder through the non early entry people waiting en masse, you really do not have the full 30 minutes. That and only certain rides are open during this time (which we found out the hard way after trekking across a park.) At least with the early magic hour(s), most regular hours guests haven’t gotten there yet when you arrive and it gives you an hour to get through all the above mentioned and onto more than a (1) ride.