Hi Tammy! It’s great that you stopped by planDisney with a vacation planning question! I’m happy to help!
I always like to enter the theme parks as early as possible! I like mornings at the parks because they are less crowded, cooler (especially in summer), wait times are shorter, and you notice more of the special touches at the theme parks when they are less crowded.
The best locations to find park operating hours are on the
My Disney Experience app, the
Walt Disney World Resort website, and the
Disney Parks calendar (also on the Walt Disney World Resort website).
The operating hours for each of the four parks are different, so specific entry times depend on which day you are going, and which park you are visiting. However, any of the resources I listed above will provide you with entry times. If you have any trouble finding the information you’re seeking, you can send another question to us, including your specific preferences, and we’ll be happy to get back to you with a specific answer!
When you view the entry times, you’ll see Early Theme Park Entry or “Early Entry” noted as well as “Park Hours.” The “Early Entry” is a benefit for Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel or other participating hotel. All other Guests can enter the theme park beginning at the posted hours. I recommend arriving about 30 to 45 minutes before the posted time so you can enter the line and get in as soon as possible! You also never know when they might open just a little bit early, so it helps to be in line and waiting!
Most theme park tickets no longer require a
Disney Park Pass Reservation. That includes date-based one-day tickets and date-based multi-day tickets. Tickets that do require a reservation are student group tickets, sport and convention tickets, Disney Military Salute tickets, annual passes, and any other ticket type that is not date-based. If your tickets do require a theme park reservation, you can make your theme park reservations once you purchase your theme park tickets.
Dreams do come true!
Jonathan