Disney World Introduces “Early Theme Park Entry” For Hotel Guests • Mouse Travel Matters

Last Updated on August 8, 2021

Since the start of Walt Disney World’s phased reopening, Extra Magic Hours have been suspended due to restricted hours during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it seems this resort guest benefit won’t be coming back at all—at least not in its previous form. “Resort Guest Early Entry” will soon be replacing Extra Magic Hours at Walt Disney World.

Disney World Will Soon Offer Early Theme Park Entry to Select Guests

Disney Parks Blog has just announced that a new offering called Early Theme Park Entry will be replacing Extra Magic Hours at Walt Disney World Resort. As part of Walt Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration, Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy 30-minute early entry to any theme park, every day.

Disney also announced that the Magic Express transportation service at Walt Disney World will be ending in 2022.

According to Disney, the new early theme park entry benefit helps them better-spread visitation across all four theme parks, while providing added flexibility by giving guests extra early park time on each day of their vacation and in the park of their choosing.

The option will be available exclusively to Disney World Resort hotel guests, who will be able to enter the theme parks with 30-minute early entry. You will be required to have a Disney Park Pass for the park you are visiting with early entrance. While the start date and what attractions, restaurants, and stores will be open haven’t been confirmed yet, we will be sure to keep you updated!

We know how much guests enjoy extra park time, so coming later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration, Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to ANY theme park, EVERY day. It’ll be a great way to get a jump start on your Disney day, no matter the day! As a reminder, the Extra Magic Hours benefit was suspended when Walt Disney World Resort reopened last summer, and as we continue to manage attendance with health and safety top of mind, Extra Magic Hours will not return. The new early theme park entry benefit helps us better spread visitation across all four theme parks, while providing added flexibility by giving guests extra early park time on each day of their vacation and in the park of their choosing. Please note that guests need valid admission and a park reservation made via the Disney Park Pass system to enter a theme park.

This new service is not the same as Extra Magic Hours, which was suspended earlier this year when the parks reopened, and Disney has stated that as they “continue to manage attendance with health and safety top of mind, Extra Magic Hours will not return.”