Disney ParksUpdates
How To Take Advantage of Early Entry at Walt Disney World

One of the most magical perks of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel is enjoying Early Entry at all four theme parks. Early Entry allows guests to enter Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom 30 minutes before the parks officially open. This extra time can be a game-changer, helping you experience some of the most popular attractions with shorter wait times.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of Early Entry during your Walt Disney World vacation, complete with tips and strategies for each park.
What Is Early Entry?
Early Entry provides Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests a head start at all four major parks. If the official park opening is at 9:00 AM, Early Entry allows you to start enjoying select attractions at 8:30 AM.
While 30 minutes might not sound like much, this advantage can significantly impact your day if used wisely. By arriving early and prioritizing top attractions, you’ll get a jump on the crowds and maximize your park time.
Plan Ahead for Transportation
Free transportation is another great perk of staying at a Disney Resort hotel. Buses, monorails, boats, and the Skyliner provide seamless travel between the hotel, the theme parks, Disney Springs, and the water parks.
However, plan your transportation carefully to take full advantage of Early Entry. Aim to arrive at the park at least 45 minutes before Early Entry begins. This means being at your hotel’s transportation pick-up point even earlier. Disney transportation can be efficient, but unexpected delays happen, so build in extra time to ensure you’re at the park gates before the Early Entry crowds.

Arrive Early
If you want to make the most of Early Entry, arriving before the scheduled start time is crucial. Plan to be through the touchpoints (where you scan your ticket or MagicBand) at least 15-30 minutes before Early Entry begins. This ensures you’re ahead of the crowd and ready to head straight to your priority attraction as soon as the gates open.
Arriving at the scheduled Early Entry time will likely put you behind other guests who arrived earlier, minimizing your advantage. Plan to make every minute count.
Know What Attractions Are Open
Not every ride operates during Early Entry, so it’s essential to know which attractions are available and plan your priorities accordingly. Here are the attractions open during Early Entry at each park:
Magic Kingdom
- 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
EPCOT
- Beauty and The Beast Sing-Along
- Frozen Ever After
- Mission: SPACE
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Spaceship Earth
- Test Track
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- 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!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Avatar Flight of Passage
- DINOSAUR
- Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
- It’s Tough to be a Bug!
- Na’vi River Journey
- TriceraTop Spin
Strategies for Each Park
Magic Kingdom
For Early Entry at Magic Kingdom, prioritize Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This popular coaster often has long waits later in the day, making it the best use of your Early Entry time if you’re among the first guests in line.
If you’re not at the front of the pack, consider heading to Space Mountain or Peter Pan’s Flight. These attractions are also highly popular and can save you time later. After completing one or two key rides, you’ll be well-positioned to explore Frontierland and Adventureland when the park fully opens.
EPCOT
With fewer attractions compared to other parks, EPCOT’s Early Entry requires strategic planning. Entering through the International Gateway puts you near Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, an excellent first choice.
If entering through the main gate, Test Track or Frozen Ever After are top picks. Completing one of these headliners early frees you up to enjoy EPCOT’s food booths, pavilions, and entertainment without the stress of long lines later.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios offers many top-tier attractions, making Early Entry incredibly valuable. If you’re at the front of the Early Entry group, head straight to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. This groundbreaking ride often sees the highest wait times in the park.
For those not at the front, consider Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run or heading to Sunset Boulevard for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Another solid option is Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land, though this attraction also attracts large Early Entry crowds.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom
At Animal Kingdom, your primary Early Entry target should be Avatar Flight of Passage. This breathtaking ride in Pandora – The World of Avatar is a guest favorite, and completing it early will free up the rest of your day.
If Flight of Passage isn’t your first choice, consider Na’vi River Journey or DINOSAUR. These attractions also see steady crowds later in the day but are manageable during Early Entry.
Maximize Your Morning
Taking advantage of Early Entry at Walt Disney World is a fantastic way to make the most of your vacation. By planning transportation, arriving early, knowing which attractions to prioritize, and using park-specific strategies, you can start your day with less stress and more magic.
Whether you’re exploring the futuristic wonders of EPCOT, soaring through Pandora, or taking a thrilling plunge at Magic Kingdom, Early Entry sets the stage for an unforgettable Disney adventure.