Disney World Extends Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours Perks Through 2026

Posted: Monday April 21, 2025 10:27am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World is extending its early entry and extended evening hours benefits for Resort hotel guests into 2026.

Early Theme Park Entry at Magic Kingdom

Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels will continue to receive 30 minutes of early entry to all four theme parks each day. This perk, which debuted in October 2021 as a replacement for the retired Extra Magic Hours, allows resort guests to enter the parks before regular day guests, offering earlier access to popular attractions and shorter waits at the start of the day.

For guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts or Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, extended evening hours will also continue on select nights at select parks through 2026. These extended hours offer a chance to enjoy lower crowds and cooler temperatures.

Extended Evening Hours at Magic Kingdom

The early theme park entry benefit was introduced as part of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary offerings. It replaced Extra Magic Hours, which had previously offered either one extra hour in the morning or three in the evening at a single park on specific days. Extra Magic Hours were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 shutdown and did not return.

Compared to the former program, Early Theme Park Entry was designed to spread guest attendance more evenly across all four parks, providing more flexibility and reducing bottlenecks at specific locations.

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jrhwdw16 days ago

Please correct me if it's not the plan but I would not be shocked if July 3-5th were soft Opens. Spectro & MSEP were always later in the Night on July 3-4th...

jrhwdw16 days ago

Yes, we know! 7pm-12am! LOL!

ToTBellHop17 days ago

Have you heard the good news about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?!?!

Disgruntled Walt17 days ago

I don't suppose there's any chance they actually keep MK open until Midnight once Starlight begins? I mean, I'll take 11pm, but it would be great to get on some rides during that last hour while the parade is going. I don't know when MK was last open until 12am, but I don't think it ever was during my visits.

nickys17 days ago

I assume they will want a few full run-throughs after the park closes before it officially starts. It’s been so long since a new parade, I have no idea if there are usually previews for the “usual” groups, or just for CMs. Maybe some of our CM members will be able to answer that.

Sirwalterraleigh17 days ago

Because it emptied out everyday well before that and they’re not in the business to pay to keep things open?

jrhwdw17 days ago

I've been wondering, If we're not expecting Starlight till after the 4th why move July 2nd to AK??? Might MK be planning some sort of Preview on the 2nd?

Touchdown18 days ago

DHS would be far more preferable

spectromagic0418 days ago

Well expect no MK probably until January. MK usually goes on hiatus when the Halloween and Christmas parties start.

Disgruntled Walt18 days ago

I'm quite disappointed at this news, actually. I (wrongly) assumed things would go back to the way they were back when Spectro & MSEP were there. They had EMH when those parades were there. And there's barely anything to do at Animal Kingdom.