
Disney has long been celebrated for creating memorable experiences for guests, with the early entry policy being a prime example of the perks offered to visitors staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
Overview of Disney World’s Early Entry Policy Changes
Historically, this benefit allowed resort guests to access the parks 30 minutes before the official opening, giving them a head start on popular attractions. For many, this exclusive early entry has been a key reason to stay on Disney property. However, with recent tests at Hollywood Studios, Disney is exploring ways to balance providing park access to all guests while preserving the benefits for those staying at Disney resorts.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney adjusted its park operations significantly. One major change was restricting early entry to resort guests, while non-resort visitors were held at the tapstiles until the park officially opened. Now, Disney is testing a new system that allows all guests to enter the park before opening, but continues to restrict access to the most popular attractions during the early entry window—reserving these for resort guests.
Mechanism of the New Entry System
The new entry protocol gives all visitors a chance to enter Hollywood Studios before the official opening time, creating a more inclusive environment at the park’s entry. However, access to high-demand areas like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and Toy Story Land remains limited to resort guests during the first 30 minutes. Non-resort visitors can explore the park, but they cannot experience these key attractions until the general opening.
Disney cast members are stationed at strategic points throughout the park to verify resort guest status, ensuring that only those eligible for early entry can enjoy access to the premier rides during this period. Non-resort guests can still enter the park’s common areas but are unable to join the most popular queues until the park opens to everyone.
Benefits for Disney Resort Guests
For resort guests, the return to early entry exclusivity is a clear advantage. The ability to access high-demand attractions with shorter lines is especially valuable during peak seasons when the parks are at their busiest. Resort guests can enjoy their favorite experiences, like riding Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with less competition from non-resort visitors, reducing wait times significantly.
This head start also provides a sense of control over their park itinerary, allowing resort guests to map out a more relaxed day by hitting major attractions early. For many, the early entry benefit helps justify the premium cost of staying at a Disney hotel, which includes additional perks such as free transportation across the resort, priority dining reservations, and other special amenities.
Challenges Faced by Non-Resort Guests
On the other hand, non-resort guests may find the new system more challenging. While they can enter Hollywood Studios early, their inability to access the park’s most popular attractions during the early entry period could lead to frustration, particularly for those who arrive hoping to beat the crowds. Watching resort guests enjoy rides while they wait for full park access can be discouraging, especially for families with young children eager to experience their favorite characters and rides.
Once the park opens to everyone, non-resort guests may face longer lines as the crowd for top attractions swells. Attractions like Slinky Dog Dash or Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run could see immediate spikes in wait times, as non-resort visitors join the queues all at once. This often creates a bottleneck effect, leading to extended waits throughout the day, which can diminish the overall experience for non-resort guests.
This system may also foster feelings of inequality among park visitors. While resort guests pay a premium for early access, non-resort guests—many of whom contribute significantly to Disney’s overall revenue—may feel left out of the full park experience during the early hours. For budget-conscious visitors, missing out on top attractions due to these limitations can make their trip feel less rewarding, especially if they have to navigate longer lines throughout the day.
Strategies for Non-Resort Guests
Despite these challenges, non-resort guests have ways to maximize their time in the park. Services like Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane can help them bypass regular queues for certain attractions, though these come with additional costs. By planning ahead and utilizing these tools, non-resort visitors can still enjoy a full day at Hollywood Studios, even if they miss out on early access to key rides.
Non-resort guests can also take advantage of the general admission period by targeting less crowded areas of the park during the early hours and saving the more popular attractions for later in the day. While this approach requires more strategic planning, it can help ensure a smoother experience despite the early entry restrictions.
Conclusion
Disney’s decision to test these pre-pandemic early entry procedures at Hollywood Studios reflects its commitment to enhancing the guest experience while maintaining some of the exclusive perks that resort guests have come to expect. For those staying at a Disney hotel, the return to early access offers significant value, making their stay more enjoyable and efficient. However, non-resort guests may need to adjust their expectations and plan their visits more carefully to navigate the challenges posed by the system.