Disney World Early Entry Guide: Everything You Need to Know

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Hey Disney Vacationers! Disney World Early Entry is your golden ticket to getting into the parks 30 minutes before the crowds. It’s only available to guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select partner hotels, and it gives you first dibs on the most popular rides before the lines explode.

If you want to ride more, wait less, and start your day ahead of the pack, Early Entry is the way to go.

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Who Gets Early Entry at Disney World?

You qualify for Early Theme Park Entry if you’re staying at:

• Any Disney Resort hotel
• Select Good Neighbor hotels, including:
  • Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin & Swan Reserve
  • Shades of Green
  • B Resort & Spa Lake Buena Vista
  • 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
  • Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
  • Waldorf Astoria Orlando
  • Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
  • Wyndham Lake Buena Vista

Not staying at one of these hotels? You’ll have to stick with regular rope drop or use Lightning Lane to shorten your wait times.

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How to Use Early Entry Like a Pro

1. Get There EARLY (Yes, Even for Early Entry)

• You should arrive at the park entrance at least 60 minutes before Early Entry starts (that’s 90 minutes before official park opening).
• Why? Because you’re not the only one using Early Entry, and you want to be at the front of the pack.

2. Use Disney Transportation Wisely

• Buses, boats, monorails, and Skyliner start running 60–90 minutes before Early Entry.
• The first bus or Skyliner gondola is your best bet—aim to catch it.
• Understand which transportation options are available at your resort.

3. Pick the Right Rides (Not Everything is Open!)

Not all rides run during Early Entry. Here’s where you should go first:

Magic Kingdom Early Entry Rides

Important Note: Only Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are open during Early Entry at Magic Kingdom.

✅ Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (#1 priority – line explodes fast!) ✅ Space Mountain ✅ Peter Pan’s Flight ✅ Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin ✅ The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

🚨 TRON Lightcycle / Run is NOT part of Early Entry, but guests can begin lining up for the standby queue at the start of Early Entry if they want to be among the first to ride when the park officially opens.

Best Strategy: Get to Mine Train first, then hit another Fantasyland attraction like Peter Pan or Winnie the Pooh, or if you’re looking for a thrill, head to Space Mountain.

EPCOT Early Entry Rides

✅ Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (#1 priority) ✅ Frozen Ever After ✅ Test Track (single rider opens early, too) ✅ Soarin’ ✅ Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Best Strategy: Go straight to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy OR Frozen. If Cosmic Rewind is your goal, make it your priority or purchase an Individual Lightning Lane.

Hollywood Studios Early Entry Rides

✅ Slinky Dog Dash (#1 priority ) ✅ Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ✅ Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway ✅ Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ✅ Toy Story Mania ✅ Star Tours ✅ Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Best Strategy: Go straight to Slinky Dog Dash (if you don’t have Lightning Lane). If you already have a Lightning Lane for Slinky, go for Runaway Railway or Millennium Falcon next. Leave Rise of the Resistance until later in the day. The line shortens in the evening.

Animal Kingdom Early Entry Rides

✅ Avatar Flight of Passage (#1 priority) ✅ Na’vi River Journey ✅ Expedition Everest ✅ Dinosaur ✅ It’s Tough to Be a Bug!

Best Strategy: Go straight to Flight of Passage—this ride can have a 3-hour wait by midday. Na’vi River Journey is a good second stop.

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FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

1. Is Early Entry Worth It?

Yes—if you actually use it right. If you’re up early and ready to go, you’ll knock out the busiest rides before the crowds even get in. Then, had back midday for a nap and some pool time, before heading back in the evening.

2. How is Early Entry Different from Extended Evening Hours?

• Early Entry = 30 minutes before park open (for all Disney Resort guests).
• Extended Evening Hours = Extra time at night (only for Deluxe Resort guests).

3. Can I Use Lightning Lane with Early Entry?

Lightning Lanes start when the park officially opens to everyone.

4. What If I’m Not Staying at a Disney Resort?

If you don’t have Early Entry access, your best strategy is rope drop with a smart ride plan or buy Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes.

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Final Tips for Mastering Disney World Early Entry

✅ Be at the gate 60 minutes early ✅ Know which rides are open & pick your #1 priority ✅ Use Disney transportation for a smooth arrival ✅ Combine Early Entry with Lightning Lane for a killer strategy ✅ Stay flexible—some rides might be down

Want the latest Early Entry ride strategies? Check out my guide that has breakdowns for each of the parks!

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