Welcome to planDisney, Julie. As
Peter Pan would probably say, all it takes is faith, trust, a little pixie dust, and a little planning to make a great Disney trip! And I love talking strategy to make the most out of your Disney days. So let's get to it!
Typically, the perks and benefits you receive by staying at a
Disney Resorts Collection Hotel start the day of check-in and go through the day of checkout. So yes, I'm happy to report that Guests staying at these hotels currently have access to
Early Theme Park Entry on their check-in day (with valid theme park admission). If you arrive early enough, drop those bags at Bell Services and get yourself over to any of the theme parks, where you'll be able to enter 30 minutes before all other Guests. It's a little like getting a head start on your Neverland adventure!
Now, when I'm heading straight to the parks before my room is ready, I always ensure I pack park day essentials in my park bag, and I go on the plane dressed for the parks. This way, I don't have to waste any time rummaging through my bags, finding what I'll need, and changing. It's just drop and go, with a little extra pixie dust to start the adventure right away. And if I'm going straight to a
water park, which is included in your stay on check-in day if your trip falls between May 26 and September 8, 2026, I make sure my bathing suit, towel, and sunscreen are all ready to go!
And as I alluded to earlier, you will also have access to Early Theme Park Entry on your checkout day. So if you still have days on your theme park ticket on that day, pack your bags, give them to Bell Services to hold, and make that last morning one more chance to fly off on an adventure before heading home. As a pro tip, when I'm doing this, I like to lay out what I'm going to need for that last day in the parks the night before and pack everything else. While I'm a morning person when I'm at the
Walt Disney World Resort, I have my limits, and my inner night owl won't allow me to get up early enough with the brain power to pack to go home right before leaving for the parks. I've tried it before, and it was just me walking around in circles, begging for coffee and complaining about how we're missing time in the parks! Lesson learned.
Julie, I can't wait for you to make the most of your visit to the resort. I hope your adventure is filled with magic worthy of Neverland! Should you have any other questions,
I'm so ready to answer them.
We all have the courage to fly,
Matt