Taylor Swift just did something almost impossible: she made Walt Disney Presents a hot ticket attraction. Disney World literally had to start opening the place early because too many people were showing up to see her Eras Tour costumes.
Walt Disney Presents now opens at 8:30 AM for Early Entry instead of the normal 9 AM. That’s how bad the crowds got within days of the costume display opening on December 12. Cast members say this early opening will continue through January at least, which is basically Disney admitting they underestimated Swift’s pull.
The costumes stay on display until late January 2026, but if you want to see them without insane waits, you better have Early Entry access or plan to show up right when the park opens.
The Swift Effect Is Real
Here’s what’s wild about this. Walt Disney Presents is normally one of those attractions you visit when you need AC or have time to kill. It’s a walk-through museum about Walt Disney’s life with some rotating Disney project displays at the end. Most people skip it entirely unless they’re hardcore Disney history fans.
Then Disney puts up three Taylor Swift costumes and suddenly everyone needs to see it. The gold Reputation snake bodysuit designed by Roberto Cavalli, the Midnights Karma outfit by Zuhair Murad, and the Tortured Poets Department dress by Vivienne Westwood. All performance-worn pieces, not replicas.
Lines formed immediately. Not short lines either. We’re talking attraction-level waits for a costume display. Disney adjusted operating hours within days, which almost never happens for walk-through exhibits.
The timing was strategic. The costumes debuted the same day Disney+ dropped “The Eras Tour: The Final Show” concert film and started the “End of an Era” docuseries. Disney is using theme park real estate to drive streaming content, and it’s actually working.
Santa vs. Swifties
The funniest part? Walt Disney Presents is also hosting a Santa meet-and-greet, Christmas cartoons, and Muppets Christmas Carol displays right now. So you’ve got young families there for Santa and Swifties of all ages there for the costumes, creating this bizarre demographic collision that Disney is now managing with extended hours.
By opening at 8:30 AM for Early Entry, Disney spreads out the crowds instead of having everyone descend at 9 AM when both resort guests and general admission arrive simultaneously. It’s crowd control 101, except this is for a costume display not a ride.
Disney Bet Big on Swift
The operational response shows Disney is serious about this partnership. You don’t change attraction hours days after opening unless something unexpected is happening with demand. Swift content is clearly moving the needle in ways most promotional displays don’t.
If the Disney+ stuff performs well and the park crowds stay strong, expect more Taylor Swift content on the platform. Maybe more elaborate park integrations too. Disney doesn’t invest this kind of operational effort for one-off promotions.
For Swift, getting promoted through one of the world’s busiest theme parks is massive exposure. Millions of people go through Hollywood Studios annually, and even a fraction stopping at Walt Disney Presents represents serious awareness for the streaming content.
The Real Talk
If you’re planning to see the costumes, use Early Entry if you have it. Showing up at 8:30 AM gives you the best shot at avoiding crowds before the 9 AM rush. The display runs through late January, so there’s time, but holiday crowds are brutal through early January.
After the first week of January when holiday visitors clear out, you’ll probably have better luck even during regular hours. But for now, it’s packed.
The early opening is technically unofficial and could change, but cast members confirm it’s happening through January minimum. Check at the entrance for current times because Disney might adjust based on demand.
Bottom line: Taylor Swift turned a sleepy museum exhibit into something that required operational changes within days. That’s the kind of cultural impact most artists can only dream about, and Disney is smart enough to recognize they’re hosting something special that requires flexibility rather than standard procedures.
The costumes are genuinely cool if you’re a Swift fan. Performance-worn pieces from the biggest tour in history sitting in a Disney park. It’s an weird crossover but it’s working, and Disney’s scrambling to accommodate everyone who wants to see them.
