Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours are additional theme park hours exclusively for guests of Disney Resorts and other select hotels. Read our guide to learn about these exclusive benefits and which you will be entitled to.
When Walt Disney World reopened in 2020, the previous early park entry system, Extra Magic Hours, did not return. Eventually, it was replaced with the new Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours.
We never used to think Extra Magic Hours was a great benefit, although we did like the occasional Late Night Extra Magic Hours, especially when it was held at the Magic Kingdom. However, we believe both Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours are a great benefit and the main reason to stay on-site. Unfortunately, Extended Evening Hours isn’t available to all Disney Resort guests.
Currently, these benefits are not permanent, but Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours are confirmed for 2026.

Early Theme Park Entry
Early Theme Park Entry started in 2021 and replaced Extra Magic Hours. All Walt Disney World Resort guests and other select hotels can gain 30-minute early entry to any theme park each day. Plus, the majority of guests with a date-based ticket no longer need a Park Reservation.
Unlike the old Extra Magic Hours, all four parks open daily for Early Theme Park Entry. Not all Walt Disney World attractions are available during Early Theme Park Entry, and the open attractions are subject to change.
However, don’t expect an empty park! In addition to all the Disney Resorts, the following hotels have access to Early Theme Park Entry:
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
- Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando
- Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
- Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Holiday Inn Orlando
- Renaissance Orlando Resort and Spa
- Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort
- Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
- Waldorf Astoria Orlando
- Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
- Wyndham Lake Buena Vista

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours
Extended Evening Theme Park hours are only available for guests staying at Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villa Resorts, plus the following select resorts:
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
- Shades of Green
The list of hotels is much more exclusive than Early Theme Park Entry. Guests staying at one of the above resorts can enjoy extended evening hours in select theme parks on select nights.
Extended evening hours are often held at Magic Kingdom park on Wednesdays and EPCOT on Mondays. However, on occasions, both Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are used, especially around Halloween and Christmas Parties.
Traditionally, Extra Magic Hours was open to all guests, so this is a loss of benefit for those staying in either moderate or value resorts.

These extended hours are a fantastic benefit for guests staying at Disney Resorts. Off-site guests often find large crowds already in the park when they enter later in the day. If you can access during these hours, try to complete some of the resort’s most popular attractions.
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Visit our Beginners Guide to Walt Disney World to learn more. Our guide includes all the latest information on Walt Disney World.


