How to Use Early Theme Park Entry at Walt Disney World (2025 Guide)
- Brenda
- Jun 25, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 14
***Updated 7/14/25
How to Use Early Theme Park Entry
If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel (or select partner hotels), you can take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry at Walt Disney World—a perk that lets you enter any of the four theme parks 30 minutes before regular guests. This extra half hour can make a big difference, especially if you’re hoping to ride high-demand attractions before wait times spike.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Not every ride opens early, so having a smart Early Entry strategy is key to getting the most out of your morning.
We recommend arriving at the park at least 30 minutes before the posted Early Entry time. Yes, that means being at the gate about an hour before the regular park opening! Cast Members typically begin letting Early Entry guests into the park 15–20 minutes before the official Early Entry time so you can walk to a key attraction and be among the first in line. If you wait until the posted Early Entry time to arrive, you’ll likely find that popular rides already have 30+ minute waits.
🏰 Still deciding whether to stay onsite or offsite?
🏰 Magic Kingdom Early Theme Park Entry Rides and Tips
Attractions typically available during Early Theme Park Entry at 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 Dwarf’s 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
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Magic Kingdom has the most Early Entry attractions of any park—so having a strategy matters!
We recommend moving either left to right (Adventureland to Tomorrowland) or right to left (Tomorrowland to Frontierland) to avoid unnecessary zigzagging. It’s easy to lose precious time if you're bouncing from Fantasyland to Liberty Square to Adventureland without a clear path.
If Fantasyland is a must-do for your family, that should be your first stop. This area fills up faster than any other and can become congested quickly. Aim to arrive an hour before the official park opening to be ready to head straight there when Early Entry begins.
🎢 What about Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle / Run?
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is included in Early Theme Park Entry, but unless you're at the very front of the crowd, it may already have a substantial wait when you arrive. If you choose to rope drop it, expect it to take up most (if not all) of your 30-minute Early Entry window.
TRON Lightcycle / Run is not available during Early Theme Park Entry, but many guests use this time to line up near the entrance so they can be among the first in the standby queue when the park officially opens. Just know that this strategy means skipping the chance to ride anything else during Early Entry.
If you're trying to avoid paying for Individual Lightning Lane, Early Entry is still your best bet to shorten your wait for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and be near the front for TRON when the gates open.
If you're open to spending extra, we recommend grabbing Lightning Lane Single Passes for both attractions to save time and reduce stress.
⚡ Lightning Lane FAQ
Confused about how Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass work? We break it all down.👉 Read our Lightning Lane FAQ + Strategy Guide
⏰ A final tip: sometimes you can catch a shorter line at the very end of the night, right before park closing. Just know Cast Members may cut off the line early to avoid extending operations past closing time.
🎢 Magic Kingdom Attraction Guide
Want the full scoop on what to ride, when to ride it, and what not to miss at Magic Kingdom?👉 Check out our Magic Kingdom Ride & Attraction Guide
🌐 EPCOT Early Theme Park Entry Rides and Tips
Attractions available during Early Entry at 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 and Friends
Guardians of the Galaxy: Comic Rewind
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If you're planning to rope drop Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, your best bet is to enter EPCOT through the main entrance. The ride is located in World Discovery near the front of the park, and this entrance puts you much closer than the International Gateway.
However, if you're targeting Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, the International Gateway entrance (near the France Pavilion) is a game-changer. Guests staying at EPCOT-area hotels or Skyliner resorts can enter here and get a head start—cutting down on walking and beating the crowd rushing in from the front of the park.
🚫 Unfortunately, you can’t be dropped off at a Disney hotel without a valid dining or room reservation. So unless you’re already staying nearby, we recommend booking a breakfast reservation at Cape May Café (Disney’s Beach Club Resort) or Topolino’s Terrace (Disney’s Riviera Resort). That way, you can access the International Gateway legitimately—and start your EPCOT day in style.
🌐 EPCOT Attraction Guide
From thrills to World Showcase classics, we’ve got your EPCOT day mapped out.👉 Explore our EPCOT Ride & Attraction Guide
🎬 Hollywood Studios Early Theme Park Entry Rides and Tips
Attractions available during Early Entry at 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!
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Our favorite Hollywood Studios Early Entry strategy is to start on Sunset Boulevard. Hop in line for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster first—waits are often only 10 minutes if you're early—then head straight to Tower of Terror, which usually has a manageable 20-minute wait at that time.
If thrill rides aren’t your top priority, you can’t go wrong focusing on either Toy Story Land or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Here’s how to make the most of those:
In Toy Story Land: Queue up for Slinky Dog Dash right away, then ride Toy Story Mania! once you’re off.
In Galaxy’s Edge: Start with Rise of the Resistance, then jump in line for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
🕖 The earlier you arrive before Early Entry begins, the farther up you’ll be in the crowd—and the more attractions you’ll knock out before the general public pours in. If you arrive at the posted Early Entry time, you’ll already be behind a sea of rope-droppers.
🎬 Hollywood Studios Attraction Guide
Hollywood Studios is packed with top-tier rides—and strategy matters.👉 Get our complete Hollywood Studios Ride Guide
🦁 Animal Kingdom Early Theme Park Entry Rides and Tips
Attractions available during Early Entry at Animal Kingdom:
Avatar Flight of Passage
DINOSAUR
Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Na’vi River Journey
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Most Early Entry guests at Animal Kingdom make a beeline for Flight of Passage—and for good reason. It’s one of the most popular rides in all of Walt Disney World.
If you’re not buying an Individual Lightning Lane, your best bet is to arrive well before Early Entry begins, head straight to Flight of Passage, and then hop over to Na’vi River Journey immediately after. You’ll avoid the worst of the crowds and still have time for other attractions once the park fully opens.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If you’re using Early Theme Park Entry at Animal Kingdom, there’s really no need to buy a Lightning Lane Multi Pass for this park. You can knock out Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey first thing, then bop over to Expedition Everest and hit Kilimanjaro Safaris right after regular park opening.
From there, slow things down: explore Animal Kingdom’s beautiful walking trails, check out a character meet & greet, and catch a few indoor shows (a great break once the midday heat kicks in—and Animal Kingdom is always hot!). Wrap up your visit with a ride on DINOSAUR before heading ou
🌙 Alternative strategy: Sleep in, and then enjoy your way thought the park, waiting until the very end of the day to ride Flight of Passage. Lines often drop significantly before park close, and Cast Members typically allow guests to enter the line right up until closing time. Bonus: Pandora at night is stunning.
🎢 Prefer thrills over crowds? Start your day with Expedition Everest instead. It takes guests a while to filter back to Asia, so wait times are low early on—sometimes low enough to ride twice! After that, you can walk the quiet back path past the Nemo theater to hit DINOSAUR with a minimal wait, and then make your way to Kilimanjaro Safaris once the park officially opens.
🦁 Animal Kingdom Attraction Guide
Learn which rides are worth rope-dropping, plus the best trails, shows, and hidden gems.👉 Dive into our Animal Kingdom Ride & Attraction Guide
⏰ Extra Tips for Making the Most of Early Theme Park Entry
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: That precious 30-minute window goes fast—every minute counts!
Here’s how to maximize it:
Eat breakfast before you leave your room. We like to have groceries delivered and eat quick, easy items in the room. Waiting for your resort’s Quick Service location to open will cost you valuable time.
Skip the Starbucks stop—for now. Coffee lines are long first thing in the morning, and it’s better to grab your caffeine fix after Early Entry ends and the regular crowd pours in.
Don’t waste time shopping. Unless you're chasing exclusive merch or collectibles, avoid the gift shops until later in the day. Early Entry is about beating the lines, not browsing shelves.
Use Disney transportation wisely. Buses, boats, and Skyliner lines can back up early, especially when many guests are headed to the same park. Plan to arrive at your resort’s transportation stop 60–75 minutes before park opening (even earlier for Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom).
Mobile order for later. Consider placing a mobile food order in the app for brunch or an early lunch while you’re waiting in line for rides. That way, you’ll beat the lunchtime crowds too.
Icon photo time! Want a gorgeous photo in front of Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, Tree of Life, or Hollywood Boulevard? Early Entry mornings often have fewer people in the park—perfect for low-crowd shotsif you pause for a quick pic just before the rope drops.
Know your priorities. Early Entry is best used for hard-to-get or high-demand rides. Have a plan, stick to it, and be flexible if something is temporarily delayed or down.
☕ Best Coffee in Disney World
Where’s the best place to grab coffee in the parks, resorts, or Disney Springs?👉 Find our top picks for the best coffee at Disney World
✅ Wrap-Up: Is Early Theme Park Entry Worth It?
Yes—100% yes! Early Theme Park Entry is one of the best perks of staying at a Disney Resort (or select partner hotels). Whether you're chasing thrill rides, aiming to avoid long lines, or just want a quieter start to your day, those 30 minutes can help you maximize your time and minimize your stress. With a little prep and a solid plan, you can get more done before 9 AM than many guests will all morning!
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Pair Early Entry with our other planning tools like our Park Guides, Lightning Lane FAQ, and Park Cheat Sheets to make the most of your magical mornings.
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim
P.S. Planning your own magical getaway?
