Hollywood Studios Morning Entry Procedure: What You Need to Know

Hey Disney Vacationers! If you’re planning a visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, it’s time to get up to speed on the new morning entry procedure. Recently, Disney made some changes that impact how guests can enter the park before the official opening time. Whether you’re staying at a Disney Resort or visiting as a non-resort guest, these updates are worth knowing to make the most of your morning. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the updated Hollywood Studios morning entry procedure and how to optimize your early hours in the park.

What Changed in the Hollywood Studios Morning Entry Procedure?

Previously, the early entry privilege was exclusive to Disney Resort hotel guests. Non-resort guests had to wait outside the main entrance until the park’s official opening time. But things have changed. Now, all guests, including those not staying at Disney hotels, are allowed through the entry tap points starting at 8:00 am for a scheduled 9:00 am opening. Here’s how this impacts your morning:

• Early Access to the Park: Regardless of where you’re staying, you can now enter the park at 8:00 am, an hour before the official opening. This adjustment gives everyone a chance to soak up the atmosphere on Hollywood Boulevard, grab a coffee at the Trolley Car Café, or snap photos around Echo Lake.
• Exclusive Early Entry for Disney Resort Guests: Resort hotel guests still retain the perk of a 30-minute early entry for select attractions. At 8:00 am, they can head to specific checkpoints and start queuing up for rides that open at 8:30 am. Non-resort guests can enter the park but will be held at certain points until the park officially opens.

Where Can You Go Once Inside?

Once inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the park splits into different zones for early entry. Here’s how it breaks down:

• General Entry for All Guests (8:00 am): All guests, whether staying at a Disney Resort or not, can explore areas like Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, and Animation Courtyard. It’s a great time to take in the ambiance or plan your strategy for the day.
• Checkpoints for Early Entry (Resort Guests Only):
  • Sunset Boulevard: Ideal for those aiming to head towards Tower of Terror or Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
  • Grand Avenue: This is the pathway for resort guests eager to enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
  • Toy Story Land Entrance: Perfect if you’re planning to ride Slinky Dog Dash or Toy Story Mania.

Disney Resort hotel guests can pass through these checkpoints and line up for attractions that start running at 8:30 am. Non-resort guests must wait at these checkpoints until the park fully opens at 9:00 am.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

One of the standout aspects of the updated Hollywood Studios morning entry procedure is access to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. This ride is located before any of the early entry checkpoints, instead cast members will scan tickets or MagicBands prior to entering the queue for guests staying at a Disney Resort. This gives them a head start, while non-resort guests still need to wait until the official opening at 9:00 am.

Why Did Disney Update the Morning Entry Procedure?

This change essentially marks a return to the pre-pandemic approach, where all guests were allowed into the park before the official opening time. Here’s why Disney made this adjustment:

• Improved Guest Flow: Allowing everyone into the park early helps distribute guests more evenly, preventing bottlenecks at the main entrance. This makes for a more relaxed start to the day.
• Enhanced Guest Experience: Now, non-resort guests aren’t left waiting outside the park gates. They can explore Hollywood Studios’ shops, cafes, and photo spots before the attractions open, making their arrival less stressful.
• Maintaining Resort Guest Benefits: While non-resort guests benefit from earlier park access, Disney Resort hotel guests still enjoy the advantage of a head start on attractions. The 30-minute early entry window remains a valuable perk for resort guests, giving them a chance to experience popular rides with shorter waits.

A Typical Morning at Hollywood Studios (9:00 am Opening)

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what to expect if you’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios on a day with a 9:00 am opening:

• 7:00 am – Parking Plaza Opens: Start your day by parking at Hollywood Studios. The earlier you arrive, the closer you’ll be to the main entrance, making your morning more convenient.
• 8:00 am – All Guests Enter Through Tap Points: Whether you’re staying on-site or not, you can now enter through the tap points at 8:00 am. You’ll be free to explore main areas of the park and get ready for the day ahead.
• 8:00 am – Early Entry Begins for Resort Guests: Resort hotel guests can make their way to the designated early entry checkpoints. They’ll be able to line up at select attractions ahead of the 8:30 am start.
• 8:30 am – Early Entry Attractions Open for Resort Guests: Disney Resort guests can enjoy a head start on popular rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
• 9:00 am – All Guests Can Enter Attraction Lines: At 9:00 am, the park officially opens, and non-resort guests can join the attraction lines. This is the time to head straight to your must-do rides if you haven’t already planned out your morning.

Tips for Making the Most of Hollywood Studios Morning Entry

• Arrive Early: If you’re driving, aim to be at the parking plaza by 7:00 am. This ensures a smooth entry when the gates open at 8:00 am.
• Leverage the 8:00 am Entry: Even if you’re not a Disney Resort guest, use the extra time to explore and get a feel for the park before it gets crowded.
• Resort Guests – Focus on High Demand Rides: If you’re a resort guest, make a beeline for your top priority attraction during the early entry window. This can save you from long waits later in the day.
• Non-Resort Guests – Plan Your Strategy: Use the time before 9:00 am to position yourself near your desired attractions. Once the park fully opens, head straight for your priority ride.

For more tips on rope drop strategies at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, check out my guide.

Final Thoughts: Make the Most of the Updated Hollywood Studios Morning Entry Procedure

Disney’s changes to the Hollywood Studios morning entry procedure are a win for both resort and non-resort guests. While resort guests still enjoy an early start on popular attractions, non-resort guests benefit from entering the park earlier and soaking up the atmosphere before the rush. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, exploring Galaxy’s Edge, or strategizing your day’s rides, these updates make mornings at Hollywood Studios smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. So set that alarm, plan your morning, and get ready to make the most of your Disney day!

20% Off site-wide, plus Free Shipping on all orders of $65+

Over 75+ Designs! Your next park shirt is just a click away

Looking To Book Your Dream Disney Vacation?

Save time & money on your vacation

Your Disney vacation should create unforgettable memories that last a lifetime.

Whether you’re a first-time Disney vacationer or looking to plan your next magical adventure, it isn’t enough just to go on a Disney vacation. We want you to talk about your vacation for years to come and create memories you’ll cherish forever. Vacation is calling! Are you ready to answer?

REQUEST QUOTE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Jonathan Cotton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I’m no stranger to Disney planning, as a Disneyland magic key holder and DVC member. I’m the person people ask for trip planning advice. But I had never been on a Disney cruise, and had heard great about Nate and decided to reach out. I’m so glad I did because we could not have been happier with our experience. His tips and insights were incredibly helpful, and he was incredibly responsive any time we had a question. Who do the Disney experts turn to when they need help? Nate, that’s who.

We’ll definitely be using him again.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Andria Skornik 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Our experience working with Nate as our Disney vacation planner was exceptional. He was responsive and thorough. He gave us insights that made the trip go much more smoothly. We were able to really relax and focus on quality time as a family and have so much fun doing it! I will definitely reach out for any future trips.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 rpwoodjr 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Could not have wanted or expected more from Nate, our Distrips and More agent as we planned our 2025 Disney World trip. Nate was VERY responsive to emails and texts and more than willing to do whatever he could to guide us and answer our questions.  On several occasions I emailed him over the weekend not expecting a response until Monday but each time he responded before the weekend was over.  He even participated in a Zoom session with our group of five seniors as we planned our trip. He also helped us at the 11th hour when we added a family member to our travel group less than a month before our trip.  Without a doubt, I will reach out to Nate when I'm ready to plan my next trip to Disney World!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Homero Rendon 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We are so thankful we used Nate to plan not only our first Disney trip, but also our second. He made the process so easy for us, especially for us since it was our first time going. There was a lot to consider and many decisions to make, such as where to stay, when to go, and what to experience. Nate really helped us narrow down what we wanted to do overall, but he didn’t stop there. He provided detailed guides to help us navigate the airport and find our transportation to the resort, as well as a guide to explore the resorts and make sure we saw the best Christmas decorations. One of the many amazing things he also did was set up our dinner reservations for us. This saved us so much stress and allowed us to get some of our top choices. From the moment we landed in Orlando to the moment we headed back home, he made sure everything went smoothly. You truly can’t go wrong with going to him for your next trip.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Lee Mathes 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nate was absolutely the best planner I have ever had.  Will most definitely be using him again.   He took care of everything and kept me on track.  Was so very helpful in making all the dining reservations and everything.   Can't thank him enough.   He made our trip completely stress free!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Amanda Moran 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nathan has been an amazing trip planner for me! So helpful and responsive. I am a very type A person -- so someone who is even more on top of their game than me -- is so so appreciated! Nathan has booked 3 trips for me (1 completed 2 pending) and it was perfection. Thanks again!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Hyperion Adventures Podcast 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nate has helped us with our vacation planning for the last couple of years and we couldn't be happier with his service and expertise. We've used other travel agents in the past and none of them have done as phenomenal a job to make sure every detail is taken care of as he has. Switching to Nate was one of the best decisions we've ever made. He's always quick to answer questions and works tirelessly to make sure we get everything we want from our trips. Plus, he's just a genuinely great person who is wonderful to work with. Whether you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a Disney Cruise, or any other vacation, Nate is the guy you want putting it all together! Five stars across the board!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 7 reviews 
 
   
 
 

Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!