During the closures in 2020, Disney World suspended Extra Magic Hours, leaving its future up in the air.
Since then, we have learned that Extra Magic Hours as we knew them would be no more, and they would be replaced by two separate, somewhat similar systems — Early Theme Park Entry in the morning, and Extended Evening Hours at night.
Both of these offerings are perks for guests staying on Disney World property, but was introducing these new programs worth the demise of the old Extra Magic Hours we knew and loved?
Early Theme Park Entry
Let’s first go over the basics of each element. Early Theme Park Entry is similar in that it’s offered to ALL on-property resort guests. That’s about where the similarities end, however.
Access to the theme parks begins 30 minutes prior to park opening time (which is not as great as Extra Magic Hours, which gave guests 60+ extra minutes in the parks).
Another major difference is that Early Theme Park Entry is open to all four parks daily, as opposed to one park on select days with EMH. This can definitely be seen as an advantage over Extra Magic Hours, as it spreads out demand. In the past, the park that had Extra Magic Hours that day would typically be very crowded, so Early Theme Park Entry all but eliminates that issue.
Extended Evening Park Hours
Now let’s discuss a similar notably different perk: Extended Evening Hours. The biggest difference to point out here is that this perk is ONLY offered to guests staying at Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts. This can be a big plus if you’re staying at one of these top-tier hotels, but it’s clearly a big minus if you aren’t.
We also noticed that there are very limited dining options during the Extended Evening Hours, even less so than what you would find during Extra Magic Hours. Definitely don’t go into these two extra hours hungry!
While we did experience very short wait times for rides during Extended Evening Hours, we found that the extra two hours weren’t entirely necessary, especially in EPCOT, where you can find short wait times throughout the day for most of the park’s rides.
Are these two perks worth losing Extra Magic Hours?
There are definitely strong pros and cons to both of Disney World’s newer extra park hours offerings.
Early Theme Park Entry’s biggest benefit over Extra Magic Hours is that guests can now get into the parks early EVERY day at EVERY park, not just select days at select parks. This will more evenly distribute crowds looking to maximize their time in the parks. On the other hand, Early Theme Park Entry is only 30 minutes as opposed to Extra Magic Hour’s 60 minutes.
For Extended Evening Hours, the exclusivity of who’s eligible makes for even lighter crowds if you are staying at a Deluxe or a Deluxe Villa resort — this makes for VERY short lines at some very popular rides. However, this is a big disadvantage to other on-property guests who lose out on this perk.
Overall, you could say that the introduction of Early Theme Park Entry is worth it solely based on the fact that it spreads out the demand for extra time in the parks since all four parks offer early entry every single day (and guests are no longer planning their trips around the park that has Extra Magic Hours).
As for Extended Evening Hours, guests may feel like they were better off with Extra Magic Hours — right now, the parks don’t really need them and we found that the extended evening hours are not worth the extra money you’ll need to spend in order to stay at a Deluxe Resort, just to have those two extra hours at night.
Hopefully, this helps you make an informed decision on whether or not it’s worth it to your family to spend some extra funds on a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa resort, or if you would prefer to get up a little earlier in the morning if you’re eligible for Early Theme Park Entry! There are many other ways to make the most of your time at Disney World, so be sure to follow along for all of our time saving (and time maximizing) tips!
Click here for our latest tips on how to master Genie+
Would you stay at a Deluxe Resort just to take advantage of the extended evening park hours? Let us know in the comments!
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As someone who stays at an offsite time share I HATE this change. We used to be able to legit rope drop and face a fair shot at the E-tickets by avoiding the EMH park/s. Now it feels like we are going to be playing catch up not matter what.
Two of us stayed in DVC Villas in late October/early November. We tried out the early entry at all four parks, and the extended hours at both MK and Epcot. I agree with John that 30 minutes insn’t enough for early entry – it should be a full hour. In 30 minutes, you only have enough time to dash to one ride, and then you still may not have a low wait time. We made the most of our early entry days by hitting a couple of mid-tier rides, and using Genie+ to get on the more popular rides.
The Extended Evening hours were great, especially at MK. One night we rode 7DMT 3 times in the last 50 minutes (20 minute wait the first time, and then walk on). Epcot doesn’t have as many attractions, so it wasn’t as great, but the wait times did drop.
There have always been perks: for staying on property; for having a Disney Visa; for having an annual pass; for owning DVC; for staying Club level; for owning at Golden Oak, etc. – and all of these cost money. All of those groups of people would like to get more for the money they give to Disney, so I understand limiting the Extended Evenings to only deluxe resort guests. As a DVC owner, I very much like the extra perk, especially since many of the other perks have disappeared.
I also expect that the early/extended entries will evolve based on usage and guest feedback. When we don’t stay at a DVC resort, we will still love being at Disney World, and will happily plan our days around having “normal” access to the parks.
We are staying at a Deluxe resort in March. The extra evening magic hours was part of the decision process. We are not doing Genie+. It is important to note that the extra evening magic hours are only 2 parks: MK and EPCOT. It would be nice if they added Studios. My daughter and son-in-law are staying at Art of Animation, so we will have to part ways when the park closes.
We also chose to get park hopper, because WDW has been disappointing guests with rides being broke down since reopening (causing a need to return to a park). Bob Cheapskate must have cut the attractions maintenance budget.
Wait does this mean unless you are staying at a Deluxe you don’t have a chance at seeing the kiss goodnight? I’ve never seen it and hoped to on my trip next week. That stinks.
We did Epcot Monday night – so disappointing bc so much was closed! They had everything roped off at China to Morocco so the only countries you could visit were Mexico (la cava closed), Norway, Canada UK and France but all the stores were closed in Canada UK France. No ratatouille. Rose and Crown was empty with two bartenders who were counting down their drawers and receipts at 11 and acted super mad we wanted to order a beer (which you have to take outside to drink). This trip was so different than the many trips we’ve taken over the past 20 years – all the employees just seemed mad to be there and having to wait on people and this was throughout all 4 parks. Not sure what’s happening at Disney. We had a few great servers at meals and that was the only saving grace. The magic feels gone. 🙁
Does Disney not realize that the Deluxe guests are a minor portion of their business? Giving perks to only one portion of its clientele is eventually self-defeating. I’m certainly not spending double on accommodations to gain a few hours of extra park time. I am not a money machine, and it is increasingly apparent that Disney is not interested in park guests who are not literally made of money.
The half hour isn’t enou
gh time. If it was an hour it would be viable. I used it once at every park and by the time you get off your 1 ride rope drop has occurred. In some cases the lines were already 60 min bc rides were down and they don’t open everything for the 30 min. This perk is low cost smoke and mirrors, and not really a perk at all. The extended hours at MK was amazing and had great value. Like most things, this is a step back for customers/fans.
We never get park hoppers so we always avoided the extra magic hours in the morning and my kids weren’t old enough to go to midnight. I like that it is a half hour early across all of the parks as now we will participate. I also feel like you should get a little something extra for staying in a Deluxe.
I can’t believe that more people aren’t complaining about this obvious discrimination. Everyone pays the same amount to get into the parks so why can the deluxe resorts be the only ones to get after hour time. If you want to keep the crowds down, give each resort class a day of their own.
More and more the magic is disappearing. So sad.
So why is it not discrimination to not allow every guest in early, on-site or not? As you said, they all pay the same right? Its simple, resort guests have always had more perks and those staying in the deluxe resorts spend more money on staying in such resorts, so they are being rewarded. I don’t complain about Concierge level getting extra perks because that is what those folks paid for. Now those in the Deluxe resorts get this as part of their stay. Spare me the discrimination argument because if that’s how you see it, Disney has been discriminating against everyone not staying in one of their hotels for a very long time.
Discrimination!? You are right, park tickets all cost the same for the same benefits. You are right, deluxe resorts get after hours time. It’s not “parks close earlier for non deluxe staying tickets”. It’s “deluxe are invited to enjoy the parks after close for paying x more than moderate and value”. Goodness, do you also call it discrimination that those who pay 100bucks for a dessert party get access to preferred viewing areas for fireworks!? Tone it down, like, 4 notches.
I agree wholeheartedly! Giving each resort class a evening would be equitable! Like you I am disappointed and sad, and can’t believe more people aren’t complaining!
Many of us have been complaining and it all falls on deaf ears. As long as the parks are booming, no one seems to care.