Extra Magic Hours discontinued and will be replaced by Early Theme Park Entry

Jan 11, 2021 in "Early Theme Parks Entry and Extended Evening Hours"

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Posted: Monday January 11, 2021 12:14pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has today announced that it will discontinue Extra Magic Hours to be replaced with Early Theme Park Entry.

Walt Disney World resort hotel guests will have a 30 minute head start on day guests

Debuting later in 2021, Early Theme Park Entry will give Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests 30 minutes early access to any theme park, every day. In a statement Disney said that the change will allow a better spread of visitation across all four theme parks and will give guests better flexibility.

At its peak, Extra Magic Hours offered 3 hours of extended operating hours in the evening after regular park close, and an hour in the morning before park opening. However, the option was restricted to a specific theme park on a specific day. Extra Magic Hours were suspended along with the COVID-19 shutdown, and did not resume when the parks reopened in July 2020.

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surfsupdonMar 21, 2024

The Cabins used to be lumped in as a Moderate, so it's nice to see a change with the higher price point. I would love Evening Hours to come back for other Resorts. Now with the parks opening so very early, and closing relatively early, I imagine a lot of the early rope droppers, especially with kids, wouldn't make it to late night. Just last week, the parks were opening at 7 and 730am (except for Epcot) which sure is early when you do it day after day.

wdwmagicMar 21, 2024

Extended Evening Hours at Disney World now available for guests at The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/extra-magic-hours/news/21mar2024-extended-evening-hours-at-disney-world-now-available-for-guests-at-the-cabins-at-disneys-fort-wilderness-resort.htm

pigglewiggleFeb 26, 2024

This was informative, thank you. I realize it may not be the same this year, but gives me an idea.

wdwmagicFeb 26, 2024

This will help give you an idea of the changes https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/extra-magic-hours/news.htm

Chip ChippersonFeb 26, 2024

There were some nights during Christmas season in 2023 where the deluxe resort Extended Evening Hours benefit was at Animal Kingdom instead of Magic Kingdom and I think there were some weeks where they just doubled up on the extended hours at Epcot instead.

spectromagic04Feb 26, 2024

Last year it was Epcot and DAK with evening hours. Hollywood got a couple during the that time but was heavily Epcot and some weeks DAK.

pigglewiggleFeb 26, 2024

What schedule happens during the party season - MK for Halloween and potentially MK and DHS for holidays? Does MK still have the benefit?

StarWarsGirlFeb 26, 2024

@wdwmagic On the main page article for this announcement, Tron is missing from the list of available MK attractions for Extended Evening Hours; it is definitely available.

DCBakerFeb 26, 2024

Disney has confirmed Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours will be available through 2025. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2024/02/walt-disney-world-adds-water-park-perk-for-2025-resort-guests/

UNCgolfJan 29, 2024

The company that built EPCOT claimed that part of the agreement gave them exclusive rights to operate convention hotels on Disney property, and Eisner wanted to build a convention hotel. They could have fought it out in court, but Disney must have decided that either they would probably lose or that it wouldn't be worth the costs and time involved even if they eventually won -- it could have delayed adding a hotel for years and years. Plus Disney gets a share of the revenue and they have a say in the exterior and interior design.

Dad 2 M & MJan 29, 2024

Was curious as to why Disney would enter in to an agreement as such

MisterPenguinJan 29, 2024

The Dolphin opened on June 4, 1990, as part of a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company, Tishman Hotel Corporation, MetLife and Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which was merged into Marriott International in 2019. The land the resort occupies is owned by the Walt Disney Company, while the buildings themselves are leased by Disney to the Tishman Hotel Corporation and MetLife but operated by Marriott International under the Sheraton Hotels and Resorts brand. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are a part of the Walt Disney Collection of resorts; because of this they are Disney branded and guests of the resort have access to special Disney benefits available to Disney Resort Hotel guests only. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_World_Dolphin

nickysJan 29, 2024

Because it wasn’t built by Disney and isn’t operated by them. It was an agreement reached wirh the owners at the time.

Dad 2 M & MJan 29, 2024

Would be curious as well.... Would also like to know details on how exactly it was able to NOT be a Disney Hotel being geographically in the middle of the crescent