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Disney World Park Returning to Pre-Pandemic Entry Policy: Your Vacation Will Be Impacted

Disney's Hollywood Studios Entrance Sign
Credit: Disney Dining

Disney World’s Hollywood Studios is currently testing a return to its pre-pandemic early entry procedures, sparking interest and debate among park-goers.

Disney Hollywood Studios entrance

Credit: Inside the Magic

Overview of Disney World’s Hollywood Studios Early Entry Changes

Historically, the early entry policy allowed guests staying at most Walt Disney World Resort hotels to enter the park 30 minutes before the official opening time, offering resort guests a head start on popular attractions. This exclusive access was designed to incentivize guests to stay on Disney property, granting them a competitive edge for high-demand rides.

Similar procedures have been in place at other parks like Magic Kingdom, where non-resort guests are allowed into the park’s main areas before opening but are restricted from accessing attractions until the designated opening time. With the new trial at Hollywood Studios, Disney is experimenting with a more inclusive approach that lets all guests into the park early, while still maintaining exclusive advantages for resort hotel guests.

Access and Restrictions for All Guests

In the current system, both resort and non-resort guests are permitted to enter Hollywood Studios before the official opening. However, this early access comes with specific limitations, especially for non-resort visitors. Resort guests maintain exclusive access to key attractions like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during the early entry period. Non-resort guests, while able to enter the park early, are not allowed to queue for these high-demand attractions until the park officially opens.

A family in front of the Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Credit: Disney

To ensure this system runs smoothly, cast members are positioned at strategic locations throughout the park. They verify guest credentials to determine who qualifies for early access to specific areas. This trial phase marks a shift in Disney’s approach, as they look to create a system that benefits both resort and non-resort guests, while still preserving the perks that come with staying at Disney hotels.

For non-resort guests, this partial access offers some benefit—they can explore certain areas of the park or line up for less popular attractions. However, they are unable to take full advantage of the early entry period, which could lead to disappointment, especially for visitors hoping to beat the rush at headline attractions.

Benefits for Disney Resort Guests

The early entry policy continues to be a significant advantage for guests staying at Disney Resort hotels. With exclusive access to top attractions for the first 30 minutes, these guests often experience shorter wait times and a more relaxed start to their day. This is particularly valuable during peak travel seasons, when lines for popular rides like Slinky Dog Dash and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run can become overwhelming later in the day.

slinky dog dash at Disney Hollywood Studios.

Credit: Patrick Konior, Unsplash

In addition to early park entry, resort guests also enjoy other Disney perks, including complimentary transportation, access to Disney Genie+ services, and the ability to make early dining reservations. Together, these benefits help create a more seamless and stress-free experience, especially for families looking to maximize their time in the parks.

The exclusivity of early entry further enhances the value of staying at a Disney hotel, justifying the premium cost of on-property accommodations. By giving resort guests a head start on their favorite attractions, Disney ensures that their investment in a hotel stay translates into a more enjoyable park experience.

Challenges for Non-Resort Guests

While non-resort guests are allowed into Hollywood Studios ahead of the official opening, the new early entry system presents certain challenges. One key drawback is that non-resort visitors are restricted from accessing the park’s most popular attractions during the early entry period. This creates a sense of inequity, especially for guests who arrive early with the hopes of securing a spot on high-demand rides. Watching resort guests enjoy these experiences while they wait can lead to frustration.

A night view of a Star Wars-themed area at a theme park, featuring a detailed replica of the Millennium Falcon spaceship, futuristic buildings with illuminated lights, and rocky outcroppings in the background. The scene is well-lit with a blue and orange glow.

Credit: Disney

Once the park fully opens, non-resort guests may find themselves facing longer lines as the general crowd rushes to join queues for attractions like Rise of the Resistance. This sudden influx of visitors can create bottlenecks at key attractions, making it more difficult for non-resort guests to experience the park’s most coveted rides.

For budget-conscious families, these restrictions may feel disheartening. Although they are granted earlier access to the park than before, they are still unable to make the most of the limited crowds in the morning. As a result, their experience may feel overshadowed by longer wait times and missed opportunities to enjoy the park’s biggest attractions.

Despite these limitations, non-resort guests can still use tools like Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane to improve their experience. While these services come at an additional cost, they offer the chance to bypass standard queues for some of the park’s most popular rides, providing a workaround for the early entry limitations.

Minnie Mouse, dressed in a colorful floral dress and a pink bow, stands with her hands on her hips, smiling in front of a retro-styled building with neon signs and a marquee. The background features green trees and a sunny day.

Credit: Disney

Future of Early Entry Policy at Disney

The ongoing trial of Hollywood Studios’ early entry policy represents Disney’s effort to create a system that caters to both resort and non-resort guests. This balancing act aims to preserve the exclusive advantages that come with staying on Disney property, while still offering non-resort visitors some early park access.

It remains to be seen how Disney will adapt these procedures based on guest feedback and overall satisfaction. Resort guests are likely to appreciate the return of exclusive early entry access, while non-resort visitors may express concerns about the limitations on their experience. Disney will need to evaluate the effectiveness of this trial to determine if it meets the needs of all guests.

If this trial proves successful, similar adjustments could be made at other Disney World parks, expanding the early entry system across the resort. As Disney continues to refine its operations in the wake of the pandemic, guest satisfaction will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of early entry policies.

About Emmanuel Detres

Since first stepping inside the Magic Kingdom at nine years old, I knew I was destined to be a theme Park enthusiast. Although I consider myself a theme Park junkie, I still have much to learn and discover about Disney. Universal Orlando Resort has my heart; being an Annual Passholder means visiting my favorite places on Earth when possible! When I’m not writing about Disney, Universal, or entertainment news, you’ll find me cruising on my motorcycle, hiking throughout my local metro parks, or spending quality time with my girlfriend, family, or friends.

2 comments

  1. There are no more advantages to staying on site at WDW with the exception of being in a Disney resort. All of the special perks that used to be offered are gone due to money grabbing CEO’s and stock holders. Now even the smallest perks are going away and we are asked to pay a fortune just to get on a ride with the new LL costs. At the same time people skip through the regular standby lines to join their families with no reprisals from cast members. After two trips this year, we are done with Disney!

  2. About time they start bringing back the tried and true. Now bring back the sending packages to your resort for free if you stay there. Wise up, you want us to pay, give us some benefits to stay like it used to be.

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