Before the crowds fill in and as the sun rises over Orlando, Walt Disney World offers a whole different type of magic—Early Theme Park Entry!

If you have early risers or want to enjoy the parks with the best rides and lowest wait times, Early Entry is for you! Get Away Today can show you how it’s done with vacation packages that include Early Theme Park Entry and the best strategies to ensure your day is off to the best start ever.

But first we’d like to recap all the extra hours option at Walt Disney World Resort so you can know the difference. When we talk about Extra Hours Events and tickets, most people are referring to one or more of these three options:

1. Disney After Hours Events
2. Disney Extended Evening Hours
3. Disney Early Theme Park Entry

With similar names it’s easy to see why guests can get them mixed up. In this article we’ll only be talking about Early Theme Park Entry, but you can also get an overview of the difference between the two night time options here.

Let’s first start out with who can enjoy Early Entry at Walt Disney World:

• Early theme park entry is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Value Resorts, Disney Moderate Resorts, Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts or other select hotels who have a valid theme park ticket for that day.
• No extra ticket is required as long as you’re a guest of the above hotels and have a ticket for that day.

Now that you know who can participate, it might be helpful to know what is included.

• Early theme park entry is a 30-minute early entry into Walt Disney World theme parks every day.

In the next few sections we’ll go over our strategies for each Early Theme Park Entry so you can make the absolute most time of this perk!

Animal Kingdom brings the safari to you with breathtaking adventures, magnificent Broadway caliber shows and one of a kind thrill rides and adventures.

• Early Entry times vary throughout the year. Transportation begins operating approximately 1 hour ahead of Early Entry. We recommend departing the resort on the earliest transportation.
• Our top Early Entry choices include Avatar Flight of Passage followed by Navi River Journey in Pandora the World of Avatar
• Once Early Entry concludes, we suggest breakfast at Tusker House Restaurant for dining with the characters or grab a pastry at Isle of Java or Creature Comforts.
• Explore more of what Animal Kingdom has to offer here

While we share our own strategies above, we know that operations and attractions can change. Here is the complete list of Early Entry rides available at Animal Kingdom. You can also check the current list of the My Disney Experience App the evening before your visit.

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• DINOSAUR
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• It’s Tough to be a Bug! (closing permanently March 17, 2025, to make way for Zootopia: Better Zoogether)
• Na’vi River Journey

EPCOT brings new experiences from around the world and beyond into one incredible theme park.

• Early Entry times vary throughout the year. Transportation begins operating approximately 1 hour ahead of Early Entry. We recommend departing the resort on the earliest transportation.
• Our top Early Entry choices include Frozen Ever After or Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.
• Once Early Entry concludes, we suggest breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall for dining with the princesses or Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie has quick savory and sweet options.
• Learn more about EPCOT here

While we share our own strategies above, we know that operations and attractions can change. Here is the complete list of Early Entry rides available at EPCOT. You can also check the current list of the My Disney Experience App the evening before your visit.

• Frozen Ever After
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Mission: SPACE
• Remy's Ratatouille Adventure
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track (currently closed and will reopen later in 2025)
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends

At Hollywood Studios you'll jump straight into the action of some of your favorite movies. Everything from thrilling adventure rides to action packed entertainment to delicious and one-of-a-kind eateries.

• Early Entry times vary throughout the year. Transportation begins operating approximately 1 hour ahead of Early Entry. We recommend departing the resort on the earliest transportation.
• Our top Early Entry choices include Slinky Dog Dash or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
• nce Early Entry concludes, we suggest breakfast at Hollywood and Vine to dine with the characters or Woody's Lunch Box for a quick bite.
• Explore more from Hollywood Studios here

While we share our own strategies above, we know that operations and attractions can change. Here is the complete list of Early Entry rides available at Hollywood Studios. You can also check the current list of the My Disney Experience App the evening before your visit.

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Toy Story Mania!

At Magic Kingdom where you can explore this iconic castle park, including Cinderella Castle plus classic attractions like the Haunted Mansion, the Pirates of the Caribbean, "it’s a small world", the Jungle Cruise and many others.

• Early Entry times vary throughout the year. Transportation begins operating approximately 1 hour ahead of Early Entry. We recommend departing the resort on the earliest transportation.
• Our top Early Entry choices include Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan's Flight and Jungle Cruise.
• Once Early Entry concludes, we suggest breakfast at The Crystal Palace to dine with Winnie the Pooh and friends, Sleepy Hollow Refreshments for an assortment of waffles or Gaston's Tavern for a cinnamon roll.
• Discover more about Magic Kingdom here

While we share our own strategies above, we know that operations and attractions can change. Here is the complete list of Early Entry rides available at Magic Kingdom. You can also check the current list of the My Disney Experience App the evening before your visit.

• “it’s a small world”
• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Mad Tea Party
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• The Barnstormer
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

We hope this strategy guide helps you use all our time tricks during your vacation. And if you need more guidance, our Walt Disney World travel experts are ready to help every step of the way. We can help you choose your hotel, decide which Disney World tickets are best for your stay and walk you through everything you need to know. You can book your Disney World vacation online or by calling us at 855 GET AWAY.