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Extended Disney Park Hours for Resort Guests

Posted by: Steven Wilk May 8, 2023

castle characters

Disney is bringing back many old perks for Resort Guests.

The Old Ways

magical-express-bus-disney

Credit: Disney Tips

Over recent years many benefits awarded to Guests who stayed at Disney properties have gone away. These included things such as free shuttle transportation from the airport on Disney’s Magical Express busses and extra magic hours in the parks.

RELATED: Disney After Hours Was Just Expanded With More Parks Special Events

New Changes Coming

Recently, Disney announced many of these classic Resort benefits coming back with theme Park visits starting in 2024.

Among the many updates intended to make Park visits easier (especially for Guests staying on property at Walt Disney World resorts) is the return of extra time in the parks. All Guests staying at a Disney hotel will receive early theme Park admission. Guests staying at Deluxe Resort Hotels and Disney Deluxe Villas will also have extended evening hours. Valid theme Park admission and Resort IDs will be required.

RELATED: Are More Crowds Coming? Walt Disney World Extends Theme Park Hours

It is unclear at the moment how much time will be added to the admission of Resort Guests. Previously Guests could enjoy an hour or more during extra magic hours. However, the spare time in the parks was shortened to only 30 minutes in recent years. This was controversial when implemented, as it significantly reduced that Park time. As many know, there are multiple benefits to staying on property at a Disney Resort, and early admission/extra evening hours were always a staple.

Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Credit: Disney

RELATED: Instead of Increasing Capacity, Disney World Is Extending Park Hours

Depending on when a Guest visits, the parks can be exceedingly crowded, and Fast passes/Lightning Lanes can sell out relatively quickly.

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Credit: Disney Tips

However, if you were staying on the property, being able to step into the Park early or stay late guarantees you a chance to see and do everything. These extra magic hours will occur across all four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom) every day in 2024.

Expedition Everest

Credit: Disney

Please check back for more details on this developing story!

About Steven Wilk

Steven has a complicated relationship with Disney. As a child, he visited Walt Disney World every few years with his family. But he never understood why kids his age (and older) were so scared of Snow White or Alien Encounter. He is a former participant of the Disney College Program (left early…long story), and he also previously worked in Children’s publishing, where he adapted multiple Disney movies and TV shows. He has many controversial opinions about Disney…like having a positive view of Michael Eisner, believing Return of the Jedi is superior to The Empire Strikes Back, and that Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge should have never been built (at least not at Hollywood Studios). Every year for the past two decades, Steven has visited either Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani or went on a Disney Cruise. He’s happy to share any and all knowledge of the Disney destinations (and he likes using parenthesis a lot…as well as ellipses…)