If you’re like most Disney fans, you probably start planning your vacation as soon as the current one ends. And if you’re like me, you want to know what time the parks open and what time they close. Well, I have some good news for you! Walt Disney World has released their park hours and they’ve also added an extra hour of Early Entry for resort guests. So whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, there’s something new to check out at Disney World this year!
Disney Park Hours – What we can Expect
The Walt Disney World Resort has released the park hours for this year’s calendar, and there are some big changes coming!
Starting in January, the Magic Kingdom will open an hour earlier, at 9 am, and close at midnight. This is great news for those who like to get an early start on their day. Additionally, resort guests will be able to take advantage of an extra hour of Early Entry, starting at 8 am.
The other three parks will also have extended hours. Epcot will be open from 9 am-9 pm, Hollywood Studios will be open from 10 am-8 pm, and Animal Kingdom will be open from 8 am-5 pm. With longer park hours and the new Early Entry option, there’s no better time to plan your next Walt Disney World vacation!
Of course, with longer hours come extra crowds. So if you’re looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of the parks during peak times, consider staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel. The extra hour of Early Entry will give you a head start on experiencing the best attractions and shows, without having to battle for a spot in line. And with great rooms and top-notch service, you’re sure to have an amazing vacation at Disney World!
Disney Early Theme Park Entry This Year
Disney Early Theme Park Entry is a great way for guests to start their magical Disney experience. By giving guests the chance to get into the parks up to an hour before regular opening time, this program allows families and friends to explore the parks in peace and quiet. The early hours are also perfect for taking beautiful photos or simply enjoying a leisurely breakfast on your own terms.
Whether you’re visiting Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or Epcot, Disney Early Theme Park Entry is the perfect way to make your trip extra special!
Why Change from Extra Magic Hours to Early Theme Park Entry?
Change is often difficult and can take some adjustment, but it is often necessary in order to improve the overall experience for visitors to theme parks. This is why Disney recently announced that they were changing their Extra Magic Hours program to an early entry program.
At first, this change might seem a bit confusing or even upsetting. There are many people who like Extra Magic Hours and have gotten into the habit of reserving those days in advance to visit their favorite theme park. However, in reality, the switch from Extra Magic Hours to early entry will likely be beneficial for most guests.
One key reason for this change is that it will better distribute traffic throughout the day, allowing visitors to enjoy lower wait times at popular attractions during peak times and also have more flexibility with park hours based on crowds. Additionally, by offering access before the general public arrives, guests will be able to get a bigger bang for their buck by maximizing their time spent inside the parks rather than waiting in lines outside or trying to secure a spot on busier rides later in the day.
Overall, this change should make things much more convenient and enjoyable for all guests who visit the Disney parks. So if you’re thinking of heading over there yourself soon, don’t worry – you’ll still be able to take advantage of all the fun!
When Do the New Early Entry Hours Begin?
The new early entry hours for Disney World Resort guests began on January 1st, 2023. That means if you’re planning a trip for this year, you can start making your park reservations now!
Is Disney Doing Extra Magic Hours?
Instead of Extra Magic Hours, Disney is now doing Early Morning Entry. This is where Disney Resort hotel guests can enter the park an hour before it opens to the general public.
Do Disney Resort Guests Get Extra Hours At The Parks?
Yes, Disney Resort guests do get extra hours at the parks. In the form of early morning entry to allow them to experience their favorite rides and attractions before the general public arrives. This means that you will be able to enjoy shorter lines and more time in the park without having to rush around or fight crowds all day long!
What Was the Walt Disney World Extra Magic Hours Program?
The Walt Disney World Extra Magic Hours program was a perk that allowed guests staying at select Disney World Resort hotels to enjoy extra time in the parks. Guests could choose to visit either a different park each day or the same park multiple days in a row.
Extra Magic Hours were typically offered before the park opened to the general public or after it closed, giving visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the park without having to deal with large crowds. This made it an incredibly popular perk among Disney fans and was a major draw for many people who chose to stay at Disney properties when planning their vacation.
Unfortunately, as the popularity of Walt Disney World increased over the years, it also became more difficult to manage the Extra Magic Hours program. Due to the high demand, many guests were often left disappointed when they couldn’t get into the park they wanted on their desired day. This led to frustration among both guests and Disney employees, which is why the decision was made to switch to the new early entry program.
What is Disney World Early Theme Park Entry?
The new early entry program for Disney World Resort guests is similar to the Extra Magic Hours program in that it allows guests to enter the parks before they open to the general public. However, there are a few key differences that set this program apart.
First, instead of being able to visit a different park each day, guests will now receive early entry to the all parks for all days of their visit. This gives guests more flexibility in planning out their days and allows them to better take advantage of popular attractions when crowds are lower.
Another key difference is that this new program will start earlier each day than Extra Magic Hours did, giving visitors even more time inside the parks.
Pros and Cons of Walt Disney World Extra Magic Hours
There were both pros and cons to Walt Disney World Extra Magic Hours. On the one hand, it was a great way for guests staying at Disney hotels to get special access to popular attractions and enjoy more time in the parks without waiting in long lines. This was especially beneficial during peak seasons when wait times can be hours long or even unenjoyable due to summer heat or other extreme conditions.
However, on the other hand, the Extra Magic Hours program was also quite crowded during popular times of the year like summer break and school holidays. This means that even though you may have had access to certain rides ahead of time, there could still be long lines to get onto them and you may not be able to get on your favorite ride as quickly as you would like.
Overall, while the Extra Magic Hours program had its benefits, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons.
Pros and Cons of Early Theme Park Entry
The new early entry program for Disney World Resort guests has both pros and cons that are similar to the Extra Magic Hours program. On the one hand, it’s a great way for guests to get special access to popular attractions and enjoy more time in the parks without waiting in long lines.
This can be especially beneficial during peak seasons when wait times can be hours long or even unenjoyable due to summer heat or other extreme conditions.
However, on the other hand, the early entry program can also be quite crowded during popular times of the year like summer break and school holidays. This means that even though you may have access to certain rides ahead of time, there could still be long lines to get onto them and you may not be able to get on your favorite ride as quickly as you would like.
Overall, while the early entry program has its benefits, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons before deciding if it’s right for you.
Which Program is best?
Definitely a difficult question…
I prefer the newer, Early Theme Park entry mostly because Extra Magic Hours forced you to visit the park it was available at on that day. It makes planning easier as well as gives you the ability to visit the parks based on crowd levels.
Are There Any Other Early Entry Programs Similar to Extra Magic Hours?
Yes, there are a few extra time in the parks programs for guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort. One of the most popular is the Disney After Hours event, which allows guests to stay in the park for a few extra hours after it closes to the general public. This event includes limited wait times for select rides and attractions, as well as character, meet and greets with popular Disney characters.
No matter which program you choose, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons before deciding if it’s right for you. Each program has its own benefits and drawbacks, so be sure to weigh your options carefully to decide which one is best, or available for your trip.
If you’re looking to get ahead of the crowds at Disney World, consider staying at a Disney resort for the Early Entry program. This will allow you to enjoy select attractions before the park officially opens. Keep in mind that there are a limited number of slots available each day, so sign up early! Have you had a chance to take advantage of this program? What did you think?