Walt Disney World Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours Confirmed Through 2027

Great news for resort hotel guests: Walt Disney World has confirmed that both Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours will continue through 2027. These two perks — which launched in 2021 as part of the resort’s 50th anniversary — have become some of the most valuable benefits of staying on property. Here’s everything you need to know about both programs, including which hotels qualify and which attractions are available.

A Quick History: What Happened to Extra Magic Hours?

If you’ve been visiting Walt Disney World for a while, you might remember Extra Magic Hours — the previous version of these benefits. At its peak, EMH gave resort hotel guests up to three hours of extended evening access after regular park close, plus an hour of early morning entry. However, it only applied to one specific park on any given day. Extra Magic Hours were suspended during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020 and never came back when the parks reopened. In their place, Disney introduced the current two-benefit system, which is more flexible and applies to all four parks for Early Entry.

Early Theme Park Entry: 30 Minutes Every Day

Early Theme Park Entry gives eligible guests 30 minutes of early access to any of the four theme parks — every single day of their stay, including check-in and check-out days. Unlike the old Extra Magic Hours, you’re not locked into a specific park; you can use it at whichever park you have a reservation for that day.

Which Hotels Qualify for Early Theme Park Entry?

Early Theme Park Entry is available to guests at all Disney Resort hotels, plus several select partner hotels:

• All Disney Resort hotels (Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa)
• Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve
• Four Seasons Resort Orlando
• Waldorf Astoria Orlando
• Shades of Green
• Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
• And several other select partner hotels

Valid theme park admission is required, and for some ticket types, a park reservation may also be needed.

Early Entry Attractions by Park

Here’s what’s scheduled to operate during Early Theme Park 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, 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: Frozen Ever After, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, 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 The Muppets (Opening Summer 2026), 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, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Na’vi River Journey, Zootopia: Better Zoogether!

Extended Evening Hours: The Deluxe Perk

Extended Evening Hours is a more exclusive benefit reserved for guests staying at Disney’s top-tier resort hotels. It gives you extra time in select parks on specific evenings beyond regular closing time — think of it as the premium version of the old nighttime Extra Magic Hours.

Which Hotels Qualify for Extended Evening Hours?

• All Disney Deluxe Resorts (Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Animal Kingdom Lodge)
• All Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
• Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve
• Shades of Green

Extended Evening Hours Attractions by Park

Magic Kingdom: “it’s a small world,” Astro Orbiter, The Barnstormer, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Country Bear Musical Jamboree, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Haunted Mansion, Mad Tea Party, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, Swiss Family Treehouse, Tomorrowland Speedway, TRON Lightcycle / Run, Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

EPCOT: Frozen Ever After, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Journey of Water Inspired by Moana, 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 The Muppets (Opening Summer 2026), Slinky Dog Dash, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Na’vi River Journey, Zootopia: Better Zoogether!

Tips for Making the Most of These Benefits

With both perks now confirmed through 2027, here’s how to plan around them. Early Theme Park Entry is your best tool for knocking out top-tier headliners like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Rise of the Resistance before the general public even gets through the gates. For Extended Evening Hours guests, the evening windows at Magic Kingdom can be absolutely magical — many of those classic rides have near-walk-on waits after the park closes to the general public. If you’re staying at a Deluxe Resort, build those evening hours into your itinerary and leave the busiest part of your day for something else.

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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!