Hiya, Michelle!
It sounds like you have discovered some of the amazing benefits of staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel:
early theme park entry and
extended evening theme park hours.
Each day,
Magic Kingdom Park,
EPCOT,
Disney's Hollywood Studios and
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park welcome Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort and other qualified hotels a half hour before they open for regular park hours. I was excited to see this benefit is being extended in 2025.
Extended evenings are limited to a few evenings and parks each week, which you can see the availability on the
Hours & Events Calendar. This benefit is exclusive to Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and other select hotels.
Both of these are available based on the resort stay. Valid theme park admission is required, but you do not have to have an Annual Pass.
I am sad to say that since your trip does not include staying at a resort with these benefits, you will not be able to go early or stay late. If you decide to stay at Walt Disney World, you will find
there are additional benefits, like using Disney transportation, staying immersed in the magic, enjoying the parks being nearby and having free parking at the resorts. In 2025, Guests staying at Walt Disney World will have a new benefit:
access to a water park the day they check into their resort—so many ways to make a splash and enjoy extra magic on your Disney vacation.
Michelle, I know this is not the news you wanted to hear. If you change your mind about where to stay or have any other questions about your Disney vacation, please come see us again at
planDisney. We're happy to help!
Thinking of the Happiest Things!
Jana