Disney Changes Early Entry on Select Dates

Early Entry will make some not-so-popular changes on a few key dates. Find out if these changes will affect your next Disney trip.

Disney's Early Entry Perk

Early Entry Loses Its Magic at EPCOT — Credit: Donna

Early Theme Park Entry is a benefit for all guests staying at a Disney Resort. It began in the fall of 2021 and replaced morning Extra Magic Hours.

All guests utilizing this benefit can take advantage of entering the parks 30 minutes before the parks officially open. This is one of our favorite Disney Resort Perks.

Early Entry has changed a bit over the years. Most recently, Early Entry changes affected EPCOT when Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind dropped its Virtual Queue, changes hit Disney's Hollywood Studios with the start of "Cool Kid Summer, a new attraction was added at EPCOT, and an even earlier entry at the Magic Kingdom.

Early Entry Changes

A Virtual Queue Will Be Used When This Attraction Opens This Month — Photo Credit: KtP

At Walt Disney World, Guests staying at Disney World Resorts can enter all four theme parks 30 minutes earlier than the official park opening. At the beginning of 2024, Disneyland made a shift and only offered Early Entry for one park daily.

The schedule for Early Entry has been that California Adventure will host Early Entry on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, Guests will be able to enter Disneyland Park 30 minutes early.

This week, we see a change for this perk. Wednesday, July 16th, both Disneyland and California Adventure will offer Early Entry. The second change is not so magical, on Thursday, July 17th (the date that should offer Early Entry to Disneyland), this will only be offered at California Adventure.

Reason for Early Entry Change

Walt Disney Animatronic Just Announced for 2025 — Credit: Disney

Beginning May 16, 2025, and running through summer 2026, the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration will honor seven decades of happiness and many moments of joy in the making. Although the celebration has been going on for a few months, the official opening date of Disneyland was on July 17, 1955.

Early Entry changes on both July 16 and 17, 2025

In honor of opening day (July 17th), Disneyland will debut the new "Last Verse" on "it's a small world" (also coming to Walt Disney World) and the new "Walt Disney- A Magical Life" animatronic. July 17th will be a big day for Disneyland, and now all guests will step into the magic at the same time, as Early Entry is not available.

What do you think of this change to Early Entry? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with your Disney pals.