Welcome to planDisney, Lauren! I'm so excited for your journey to the Walt Disney World Resort in December...and I love to talk strategy. And when it comes to Early Theme Park Entry, it pays to be at the head of the pride!
While Early Theme Park Entry gets you into the theme parks 30 minutes before park opening, you'll want to be through security and ready to go at least 30 minutes before that. This will help you stay at the front of the pack and ensure you are in a good place to be one of the first Guests through the gates and off to your first adventure. Please note that all Guests are usually allowed into the park, but only Guests staying at a Disney Resorts Collection Hotel can go on attractions during this time. So be sure your party stays together, and you have your ticket, Disney Band, or phone with Disney MagicMobile set up and ready to scan at the checkpoint within the park. Now that we've gathered our pride, let's talk strategy for each park!
- Magic Kingdom Park currently opens up Tomorrowland and Fantasyland during Early Entry, with the other lands opening at regular park opening. You have a few choices depending on your group's preferences. You can follow the crowds to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and then be poised to enjoy the rest of the attractions in Fantasyland with little to no wait. You could also enjoy Space Mountain first thing and then head on over to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin once you're done. Or, you can get a head start in line for TRON Lightcycle / Run, which doesn't open during Early Entry, but you are typically able to wait to be one of the first Guests to ride when it does open with the park. As Scar says, it's always good to be prepared!
- For Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, I would go with the crowds to Avatar - Flight of Passage and then tackle Na'vi River Journey when the rest of the park is going to Flight of Passage as the park opens to everyone else. This is one time when you'll likely want to follow the herd!
- When it comes to Disney's Hollywood Studios, there are so very many choices, but I'd prioritize Slinky Dog Dash or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. There may be more than one path through this savanna, but these two would be the first choices for my pride!
- When it comes to EPCOT, I'd prioritize Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at the front of the park, or use the International Gateway entrance for Remy's Ratatouille Adventure. Test Track is also a solid choice for Early Entry. Whichever you choose, having a plan will help you sing "Hakuna Matata" throughout the morning!
If you
really want to maximize your time, Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass can help you do just that. Multi Pass gives you the chance to make reservations for the majority of Lightning Lane entrances for a shorter wait than the standby queue, and you can reserve up to 3 for each day you're visiting before you even arrive. Single Pass will give you Lightning Lane access to some of the most popular attractions at the resort. And then there's Lightning Lane Premier Pass, which will give you access to all of the available Lightning Lanes in a single park without having to make reservations.
Lauren, best wishes on your journey, and I hope that the adventures you'll have give you plenty to roar about! If you have any other questions,
I'd be happy to help!
It is time,
Matt