Disney World Confirms 2 NEW Early Entry Changes

Disney World just made two BIG changes to Early Entry, and they could totally change your morning strategy.

If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, you already know Early Entry is a huge perk that lets you into the parks 30 minutes before everyone else. But now, Magic Kingdom has changed things up in a way that could give you an even bigger advantage. Plus, for a limited time, you’ll get an extra dose of Disney magic during Early Entry—let’s break it all down!

Magic Kingdom just got a major Early Entry upgrade, and if you plan your morning right, you could get a serious head start on the crowds. Here’s what’s changed:

You Can Now Get in Line for Select Rides Before They Open

Before, Early Entry guests could only access Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, meaning they were limited to the attractions in those areas. But now, there’s a big change—guests with Early Entry can get in line for rides in Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Adventureland before they even open!

Here’s what that means for your morning:

- Let’s say Early Entry begins at 8:30 AM and the park officially opens at 9 AM. If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, you can get in line for select rides in those additional lands before they actually open.
- One of the biggest ways this changes things? You can get in line early for TRON Lightcycle / Run—which is in Tomorrowland but NOT included in Early Entry. Now, guests can line up for TRON early, store their items in lockers by 8:45 AM, and be ready to ride when it opens at 9 AM sharp.
- This also affects non-resort guests, who will now find that the rope drop lines for these rides are already long before they even step foot in the park.

This change means that if you’re staying at a Disney hotel, you now have more options to plan your morning strategy. And if you’re NOT staying at a Disney hotel, you’ll want to rethink your rope drop plan because some rides may already have a long wait by the time you’re allowed in!

Character Meet and Greets Are Now an Early Entry Perk

If you’re all about meeting Disney characters, this next change is for you! For a limited time, select character meet and greets will be available during Early Entry, meaning you can meet some of your favorite Disney pals before the park officially opens.

Here’s what we know so far:

- The early morning character meet and greets will be available from May 27th through September 1st, 2025.
- Disney hasn’t announced exactly which characters will be available, but this is an exciting new way to get in some extra magic without sacrificing ride time later in the day.
- This could be a game-changer for families with little ones who might not be able to wait in long lines later in the day.

Mickey and Angie!

How to Adjust Your Rope Drop Strategy

With these changes, your rope drop plan might need a bit of tweaking. Here’s what we recommend:

If You’re Staying at a Disney Hotel:

- TRON could be a great first choice. If you’re eligible for Early Entry, getting in line before the park opens could save you a lot of time.
- Plan around the new lands opening up for Early Entry. If you’ve already done Fantasyland and Tomorrowland attractions before, getting a head start on rides in Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Adventureland could be a game-changer.
- Consider adding a character meet and greet to your morning. If you’ve got kids who love characters, knocking out a meet and greet early could free up more time for rides later.

If You’re NOT Staying at a Disney Hotel:

- Avoid TRON for rope drop. Resort guests will already have a head start, so it may not be the best use of your time.
- Head straight to Frontierland, Adventureland, or Liberty Square. Since the attractions in these lands are not open for Early Entry, they could be your best bet for hitting a ride with a lower wait.
- Consider Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. While resort guests will already be in line, it may still be a better option than competing with the already-long TRON line.

Early Entry is already one of the best perks of staying at a Disney hotel, and these two new changes make it even better. With the ability to line up for rides before they open and the addition of character meet and greets, your morning strategy might look a little different on your next trip to Magic Kingdom.

If you want an experienced travel advisor to help plan your Disney World trip, then you need to reach out to Mouse Fan Travel. They have years of experience, and their services are completely free!