Are These Entry Perks Worth It at Disney Parks?

You got your room on campus at a Disney Resort. You’re reserved at the park and ready to go. But did you know there’s more to it? Of course, you can sign up for these little paid perks to make your stay at the Disney Resort more filled with memories rather than waiting.

Early theme park entry

Yes. It’s totally worth it. Makes sense doesn’t it? You get into the park before everyone else can get in. Get your favorite attractions out of the way and have the rest of your day for fun, food and relaxation. Get Rise of the Resistance, Peter Pan, and Space Mountain done with before you have your coffee and Mickey Waffle? Just do it.

Early theme park entry is available for guests staying at Disney hotels (DL and WDW) as well as Good Neighbor hotels (WDW). What you can do is enter the parks 30 minutes before the park officially opens. And of course just being a hotel guest is not enough, you should be in in possession of the day’s park pass.

Extended evening hours

That’s just early entry but there is also extended evening hours. This is exclusively available for guests of the Disney Deluxe Resorts or the Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other participating hotels. As always, check the Disney website for a calendar of available evenings.

The question is whether it is worth it? If you and your family is all about getting into as many attractions in a day, then yes. Shorter wait times, shorter queues is the biggest benefit of early and late entry. But you’ve work for those shorter queues by powerwalking from attraction to attraction.

A disadvantage is that many restaurants will be closed. At WDW and Epcot, some of your biggest and favorites restaurant will be closed for the day and will not be able to serve extended evening hours guests. So you may need be able to book that table for four at your favorite eating spot.

Is it all worth it? Coming in early or staying in late? Of course it is if you’re an adrenaline and attractions junkie. Get your taste of speed and thrills out of the way and you’re good to go. But if you want to relax and take things one step at a time and as they come, just go to the park and do what normal people are doing.

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