EVERYTHING That Is Open During Early Entry in Magic Kingdom

So you’re staying at a Disney World Resort, and you’re excited about the perk of getting into the theme parks EARLY?

Who’s ready for Early Theme Park Entry?!

Early Theme Park Entry allows resort guests to get into all four parks 30 minutes early every day of the week. It’s a great perk and can provide a distinct advantage…particularly in Magic Kingdom. But first, you’ve got to know the ins and outs of how it works. Here’s the guide to early entry in Magic Kingdom!

Who Qualifies for Early Theme Park Entry?

To qualify for Early Theme Park Entry, you need to be staying at a Walt Disney World Resort. The hotel price category does not matter. There are a few other select hotels on Disney World property that can get this perk as well.

The other hotels that qualify are:

Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Four Seasons Resort Orlando

Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Holiday Inn Orlando
Renaissance Orlando Resort and Spa
Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World Resort
Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista

How Does Early Theme Park Entry Work?

To use Early Theme Park Entry, you’ll need a park ticket for the day you plan to visit. When you arrive at the park, you’ll simply scan in like usual. To get access to the rides and attractions available during early entry, your resort reservation will need to be linked to your My Disney Experience account.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train During Early Theme Park Entry

For Magic Kingdom, the way that Early Theme Park Entry often works is that guests are allowed to begin scanning into the park about 45 minutes before it starts. So, on a day that Magic Kingdom opens at 9AM, early entry would start at 8:30AM, and the tapstiles would open around 7:45AM. This isn’t a guarantee, but it’s a pattern we’ve seen.

Once you’ve scanned in, if you’re a Disney Resort guest, you can head to the bridges to Tomorrowland or Fantasyland to scan your ticket with a Cast Member. Only those who qualify for early entry will be let past the checkpoints at that time. But once you pass that checkpoint, you can go get in line for your ride of choice.

Those who don’t have early entry will have to remain in the Main Street, U.S.A. and castle hub areas, waiting to enter one of the lands until closer to park opening time.

What Attractions Are Open During Early Theme Park Entry?

Magic Kingdom is a bit different from the other parks during early entry because only TWO lands are open during this 30-minute window. The attractions that are available are all located in Fantasyland or Tomorrowland. Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Adventureland do not open until that day’s park opening time.

Here’s the list of attractions that are expected to be open during Early Theme Park Entry in Magic Kingdom:

Typically, the most popular pathways that people follow are heading to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, or Peter Pan’s Flight. It’s important to note that TRON Lightcycle / Run isn’t currently available during early entry, but you could use your early entry time to wait in line outside of TRON, then ride it when the park opens.

What Else Is Open During That Time?

Since Main Street, U.S.A. often opens for all guests around 7:45AM, the offerings in that area will typically be open for all guests throughout the early entry time period. That means you could get your coffee from Main Street Bakery at 8:30AM or take a stroll through The Emporium.

Mostly, you’ll be able to do some shopping and grab a bit of caffeine, but restaurants don’t really open around the park until 9AM, even for breakfast. If you’re going to be truly hungry, you might want to grab breakfast before you hit the park.