Unexpected Change for Early Entry at Disney World
One of the biggest perks to staying at a Walt Disney World Resort is Early Entry. Find out how this perk made an unexpected change.
Disney World Early Entry
It is important to note that the posted park times may not be the actual park times. Guests staying at Disney World Resorts can enter all four theme parks 30 minutes earlier than the official park opening.
First introduced in 2021, Early Theme Park Entry allows guests staying at Walt Disney World Resorts to enter all 4 Theme Parks 30 minutes early. Originally, all other guests were held at the park entrance.
Magic Kingdom offers so many exhilarating and nostalgic attractions that garner high wait times. Disney Resort guests can enjoy lower wait times for the most popular attractions in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.
Early Entry Changes
Early Entry has changed a bit over the years. One of the most notable changes was the removal of the rope that held guests at key locations at both Fantasyland and Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom.
Each Walt Disney World Theme Park has a different Early Entry protocol, and these can change based on changing trends.
For example, Early Entry was changed at Magic Kingdom for a private event back in December. Due to the popularity of "Pin Tuesday", changes were made to Early Entry at EPCOT back in March.
Early Entry Change at Animal Kingdom
For quite some time, Early Entry Guests were allowed to check in for Early Entry just past the touch points to enter Disney's Animal Kingdom. All other non-Resort Guests were held at this location.
All Guests may now enter Discovery Island during Early Entry at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
A friend of the blog shared that today all Guests were allowed to walk towards Discovery Island. While no shops are open along Discovery Island, this gives all Guests an opportunity to capture photos and take in the beauty of the Tree of Life. Disney PhotoPass photographers are also present to take photos.
This is a great change for non-Resort Guests. However, this also leads to changes for Early Entry Guests. There are 3 Early Entry checkpoints, depending on which attraction you will head to first.
Of course, the busiest Early Entry checkpoint is that leading to the Land of Pandora near the Island Mercantile. There is a place for non-Resort Guests to wait for park opening.
The second Early Entry checkpoint is the least busy, located near the former DinoLand USA bridge. The third Early Entry checkpoint is located near the Tree of Life. Guests can access Asia (Expedition Everest) and Africa (Bluey's Wild World and Kilimanjaro Safaris).
While Bluey's Wild World and Kilimanjaro Safaris are not offered during Early Entry, many Early Entry Guests choose to line up at these attractions early to beat the crowds during official park opening.
What do you think of this change to Early Entry? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with your Disney pals.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donna loved Disney from an early age. As a child, her family would joke that she lived in "Donna Land." As an adult, she enjoys planning and creating magical vacations for her family. She always brings a little faith, trust, and a little bit of Pixie Dust!
