If you’ve ever tried to be one of the first guests inside Magic Kingdom for Early Entry, you know it’s not always as dreamy as it sounds. Yes, the promise of quiet castle views and a jumpstart on rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Traindraws plenty of resort guests through those gates each morning. But for years, that head start came with a catch.
Instead of a peaceful stroll through the park, Early Entry has often felt more like a controlled stampede. Guests were herded behind ropes—especially near Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café—and told to wait for the official go-ahead. The result? Crowds stacking up, frayed tempers, and a morning more chaotic than magical.
The old process dates back to 2021, when Disney retired the beloved Extra Magic Hours in favor of a daily 30-minute Early Entry perk for resort guests. But that half-hour advantage was hard to enjoy when you were stuck in a sea of strollers waiting for Cast Members to drop the rope.
That might finally be changing.
Who Qualifies for Early Entry?
Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and a few select partner hotels are eligible for Early Entry at all four Walt Disney World parks. It includes popular options like Disney’s Riviera Resort, the Polynesian, and Animal Kingdom Lodge, as well as third-party spots like the Swan and Dolphin, Four Seasons, and the Drury Plaza.
It’s a nice benefit—especially when crowds are low—but at Magic Kingdom, the process was never as smooth as it should’ve been. Until now.
A Welcome Shift
On July 25, something unexpected happened. According to Kenny the Pirate, guests arriving early weren’t stopped at the usual rope near Tomorrowland. Instead, they were able to walk freely into Fantasyland and queue up for rides well before the Early Entry window officially opened.
No barrier. No aggressive bottleneck. Just a calm, straightforward morning experience.
After four years of feedback, Disney may have finally heard what fans have been saying all along: let us use the time we’re paying for. By removing that final rope barrier, the resort gave guests a chance to actually enjoy Early Entry rather than treating it like a theme park version of a flash sale.
Will It Last?
It’s too early to know whether this shift will stick around or if it’s just a trial run. But so far, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Many guests called the new experience “relaxed,” “magical,” and “a step in the right direction.”
If Disney continues down this path, it could signal a permanent shift in how mornings work at Magic Kingdom—and that’s something Early Entry fans have been hoping for since 2021.
