Ranking Walt Disney World Parks for Early Theme Park Entry

We’re all the same in one regard.

When we’re on vacation, we don’t want to be slaves to the alarm clock.

That’s, like, the whole point of vacation. We’re not expected to clock into work at a set time.

At Walt Disney World, the problem is that you’ll gain a massive competitive advantage when you get up early, though.

Sadly, the early bird does get the worm thanks to a very important Disney hotel amenity: Early Theme Park Entry.

When you take advantage of this benefit of staying onsite, you can stroll inside your favorite theme park 30 minutes before it opens to the general public.

Photo: shopDisney

The drawback is that you’ll need to set your alarm to wake you much earlier than you like.

So, is the aggravation of getting up at the crack of dawn on vacation worth what you get in return?

Early Theme Park Entry

Let’s rank Walt Disney World’s theme parks based on how much you’ll benefit from Early Theme Park Entry.

4) EPCOT

EPCOT

This may be a controversial opinion, but I don’t think you benefit much from getting an early start at EPCOT.

First, let’s remember that this analysis fluctuates based on what’s happening at the parks.

Test Track Reimagination in EPCOT

At EPCOT, Test Track won’t reopen until next summer, which reduces the number of attractions with long wait times.

So, the only rides you’ll stand in line to experience are Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After.

Photo: Disney

Everything else in the park falls into the middle range like Mission: SPACE and Soarin’, or it’s something with a 20-minute wait.

You can do that in your sleep, and you’ll even appreciate the wait at times on particularly hot days.

Then, there’s the other thing about EPCOT. I’m not ready to call it the party park or anything, but it’s definitely a fun hang.

There’s just something weird about arriving at the break of dawn at a place where you’ll have the most fun at night.

Now, if you do utilize Early Theme Park Entry, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.

You could feasibly ride both the E-Ticket attractions at the World Showcase within an hour of the park’s official opening.

EPCOT

Then, you’ll have the rest of the day to pick and choose the experiences that are right for you.

I know some friends who take this approach. Then, by the afternoon, they’re drinking and dining their way around the World Showcase.

They love how they feel like they’ve maximized their EPCOT day. Personally, I’d rather sleep in.

3) Disney’s Animal Kingdom

There’s a more nuanced conversation to be had about Animal Kingdom.

Generally, this park opens earlier than everything else at Walt Disney World.

So, Early Theme Park Entry typically starts at least an hour earlier than the other places. I’m yawning already.

In case it’s not clear, I’m not a morning person. But I’m also someone who wants to do everything possible while at Disney.

Thus, I often wake up for Early Theme Park Entry at EPCOT, even as I resent the very nature of my existence.

I do so because I’m like the rest of you. I hear the siren song of Pandora – The World of Avatar, and it lures me every time.

Landscape around Pandora

The catch with Pandora is that, in terms of rides, it’s so far beyond everything else at Animal Kingdom that everyone goes there.

I never feel more like a lemming than when the gates open at Animal Kingdom, and I thoughtlessly follow the crowd.

Still, there’s a VERY good reason why we all take this approach.

The two attractions at Pandora average a wait of at least two hours between them, and it can be double that on crowded days.

Photo: Facebook/Imagineer Podcast

Thanks to Early Theme Park Entry, you can cut that time in half, presuming that everything goes well.

My pro tip here is to choose Avatar Flight of Passage first. Its wait time caps out at a much higher level than that of the boat ride.

Photo: World of Walt

Here’s the thing, though. It’s really not necessary to take this approach unless you simply want to avoid waiting in both lines.

In a matter of months, Animal Kingdom will close DinoLand USA, reducing the number of entertainment options.

Even before then, you can do pretty much every ride you want during a single day.

So, there’s no need to hear the rooster crow while you’re on vacation. I swear it’s okay to sleep in on an Animal Kingdom day!

2) Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Here’s the real debate on this list. Where do you benefit the most from Early Theme Park Entry?

I strongly suspect most analysts would lock in on the two parks I’m about to discuss as the clear choices.

Early Theme Park Entry

The debate lies in which one gives you the most bang for the buck, but I’m here to tell you. There is no wrong answer.

You should ALWAYS stay at an official Walt Disney World resort to gain the Early Theme Park Entry amenity.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

This feature provides you with the hope that you can experience everything at Hollywood Studios in a single day.

Since up to seven park attractions often require waits of an hour or longer, you’ll struggle to do so otherwise.

Hollywood Studios crowds

Even if you do, you’ll spend an inordinate amount of time standing in line during your Disney vacation.

However, Early Theme Park Entry gives you a chance to knock out at least one ride before the park officially opens.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Then, if everything breaks in your favor, you can possibly enter a second line at or around Rope Drop.

So, you could feasibly knock out both attractions at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to start your day.

Another approach is to target Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror instead.

What I tend to do is stop at Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway immediately. Then, I move along to Slinky Dog Dash.

Slinky Dog Dash

All these options are available to you when you utilize Early Theme Park Entry.

1) Magic Kingdom

Still, we all know the park where Early Theme Entry provides you with the most joy.

In simplest terms, Magic Kingdom is the world’s most popular theme park. So, it’s where we all want to be.

Magic Kingdom

I don’t intend any disrespect toward the other magical parks at Walt Disney World when I say that.

Instead, I’m simply pointing out that even by Disney standards, Magic Kingdom is special.

Magic Kingdom

When you fantasize about a Disney vacation, Main Street, U.S.A. and Cinderella Castle are always in the back of your mind.

With Early Theme Park Entry, you can stand on Main Street at a time when it’s nearly empty.

Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom

Then, you can make your way to the castle courtyard and capture unforgettable pictures.

You won’t fear someone photo-bombing your shot due to the park’s early morning emptiness.

Cinderella Castle

Also, since the sun has just started peeking out, you might even capture that glow of post-sunrise Florida. It’s breathtaking.

Your friends will stare in envy at your social media posts…and we haven’t even discussed the rides yet!

TRON Lightcycle / Run

By taking advantage of Early Theme Park Entry, you can pick your favorite attraction and be riding it before the park officially opens!

That’s why you’ll benefit the most from Early Theme Park Entry at Magic Kingdom.

Peter Pan’s Flight

You can do whatever you want at the Most Magical Place on Earth before anyone else!

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