Hiya Doug - welcome to
planDisney!
Thanks for stopping by with your question for our team of panelists. We love to help Guests just like you plan their very own, very magical, Walt Disney World Resort vacations!
I'm so excited to hEAR about your vacation later this month, and I can certainly understand that you'll want to pack in as much time in the
Theme Parks as possible! Doug, currently the
Early Theme Park Entry benefit is exclusive to registered Guests at
Disney Resort hotels and select participating partner hotels. Be sure to
check the list as your "off-property" hotel may actually be included!
As part of Early Theme Park Entry, eligible Guests are able to enter the Theme Park 30 minutes before the park's scheduled opening time. Conveniently, this time is now also listed alongside the normal Theme Park hours each day! If you're not eligible, you'll be able to enter the park at its posted opening time for the day. I guess you could consider this a "second" rope drop, but to be honest Doug, there isn't much fanfare these days when the parks open. Cast Members are focused on getting Guests safely into the parks with as little waiting as possible, and for this reason, there usually isn't the same amount of excitement, or a physical dropping of a rope, in most cases.
That being said, if you're an early bird, I encourage you to get to the park early and enter as soon as Cast Members permit it. You can usually experience a couple of attractions right off the bat with little waiting!
It's also worth pointing out that if you choose to stay at a
Disney Deluxe or
Deluxe Villa Resort on your next vacation, you may also be eligible for
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. While not offered every day, these are scheduled in advance and are another way to add some extra magic to your vacation!
I hope this information is helpful, Doug -
stop by again with another question any time!
Ryan J.