With the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebrations approaching quickly, we’ve been seeing a lot of preparations and changes underway!
Look at those sparkly details!
Fireworks have returned to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, Cinderella Castle has already gotten a royal makeover, and there are even more rides, restaurants, and shops to come when October 1st kicks off. But, even with all the exciting things announced for the 18-month long part-ay, some Disney-goers are wondering when perks like FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hours (or its upcoming replacement — Early Theme Park Entry) will come back. And, if you’re one of those folks, we’ve got a brand new update for you!
Beginning in early October, the Disney World Parks will offer Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for select guests, giving them extra hours in the parks!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios at night
According to Disney, the new perk will only be available to guests who are staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Walt Disney World Resort hotel for the length of their stay. So, this will be an added perk for those staying in Disney World at a higher price level.
EPCOT entrance at night
At this time, Disney has not announced how much extra time there will be, what dates Extended Evening Hours will be available, or what parks will feature the perk.
Guests attending Extended Evening Hours will need a valid ticket and Disney Park Pass for that theme park. Alternatively, they may visit with a Park Hopper as long as they scanned into their Park Pass-reserved park at some time earlier in the day.
How gorgeous is this?!
During the extended hours, select attractions, merchandise, and food and beverage locations will be available. Guests will need to bring a form of Resort ID such as a MagicBand or Keys to the World card.
Magic Kingdom
We’ll be keeping an eye out for more details on the new perk, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest!
Check out more info about the 50th Anniversary right here!
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Boo to this. It seems like families and guests going on a budget are getting shorted. Can’t afford a deluxe resort? Then you get less than other resort guests. If they don’t bring back FastPasses with early booking for resort guests, it will make the idea of staying on property even less appealing.
We all deserve the full Disney experience. Singling out those who can afford the deluxe and villa accommodations for Extra Magic Time in the parks doesn’t seem right. At least give the other resorts a few days out of the week to enjoy that perk too.
I don’t get why people are upset about this……it’s not taking away from anyone else’s experience. People paying for a premium service are getting a few extra hours from Disney as a thank you – on average the deluxe resorts are 800$ per night vs 100$ for a value resort. It does not impact your trip if you are at a value resort at all. Nothing is being removed from your experience it is exactly as it would be if the deluxe resorts didn’t get extra hours. Stop complaining and realize you pay for a premium service you get treated a bit differently.
I do not understand that people that feel entitled to a “perk”. Can I afford to stay Deluxe each time? No, but I don’t begrudge anyone who can afford that the additional perk of a few hours here and there. I actually prefer the idea of going to any park any morning early as a resort guest. The Extra Magic hour parks are usually the most crowded anyway. I am so done with people thinking they deserve anything extra, Disney is not required to give you any additional time in the park.
Mr Disney would not like this at all. It’s not the American way because in America all people should be treated equally. This would make it look like only rich people get special treatment.
Oh look, another thing to pay extra for.
Went from stay on Disney property to extra
Now stay on Disney propery and pay rediculous room rates to get extra.
Tge list go on and on
I’m sorry but this is disgusting. I’ve never really exploited the early morning EMHs, but always tried to organise my restaurant bookings around the parks that were staying open until late so that we could have a great evening meal and then explore the parks when its cooler, quieter and has a great atmosphere. I’m really disappointed that Disney would not only increase their prices but remove the perks for those who can’t afford Deluxe resorts. You’re paying more, for less of an experience. Awful choice WDW. Couldn’t decide on whether to visit next Feb for my partner’s 30th, or go to an all-inclusive in Cancun. Think I’ll stick to Cancun until Disney come to their senses.
I agree with the other posters. Even value hotels are more expensive than nicer hotels in the area. With no magical express (in 2022), and no evening extra magic hours, there is very little incentive to stay on property
I luv Disney World. But if I was coming and staying on property and being on a budget & could not afford the higher cost hotel I would feel very upset. What a slap in the face for any loyalty to Disney. This could change the minds of a lot of people. So I guess Disney will discriminate people that can’t afford to stay in the Deluxe hotels. I don’t believe Mr Walt Disney would agree to this kind of treatment for any guest at Disney. Or are we now below your expectations as guests. Is this perk so you call it good for only certain clientel of guests.
I am genuinely disgusted in Disney’s behavior. This year is costing more, for much less than I was going to get last year ( had we been able to visit)
I don’t think I want to line their pockets anymore.
Thankfully it’s only my deposit I will lose when I cancel. I think thisoght be the straw that breaks the camels back for me.
The one thing I loved was evening magic hours. I can afford deluxe and have stayed before but I love Pop Century too and I don’t think the price difference is worth the upgrade.
Disney is fast becoming an elitist playground. I used to love Disney, but all the perks are gone and prices are going one way…up! What happened to Walt’s dream of families enjoying time together. ALL families, not just the financially wealthy.
For every Disney trip throughout our lives we have stayed off property or in a moderate resort because of budget constraints but this year we’ll be split-staying at a moderate as well as a deluxe resort to celebrate our milestone anniversary for a few days so we’re excited for this news for the second part of our stay. I’m guessing that Disney is adding more perks for those staying at the deluxe resorts is so they can recoup some of their loss from the shutdown. My guess is that the deluxe resorts will have a more difficult time filling rooms.
I understand how disappointing it is for any Disney resort guests of budget or moderate ones to feel shut out of a special perk. However, life in a free society is like that. Sure, we’d all love to get all those extra perks that deluxe resort guests get, but I don’t think we all “deserve” them. But if we’re paying a lot more for a deluxe resort stay, of course, I’d want a little more bang for my buck considering the dollars we’re paying. Having said that, just being able to have transportation included to the parks, early entry and ADRs for being a Disney resort guest even at a budget or moderate resort is great already. There will always be those who have and others who have not or can not. We are somewhere in the middle but have been blessed to be able to scrimp, save and then splurge for very special occasions such as ours.
Another reason to dislike Disney. It seems that Disney is becoming more and more exclusive, and less family friendly. You already have access to certain perks when you can afford a Deluxe Resort at Disney and that’s fine, but cutting out other resort guests from perks that use to be included in your Disney package is elitist. The other Disney resorts may be cheaper in price than Deluxe resorts but they are already pricey, compared to non-Disney Resorts. I hope the executives reconsider this greedy decision and think about the original mission of Walt Disney, to provide a magical fun experience for all families. Extra-Magic Hours should return as they were, along with Fastpass+; because waiting in long lines is not fun.
What a garbage thing for Disney to do… Disney is slowly turning more into an experience that’s only magical for those who can afford to spend more. They USED to offer this to ALL resort guests as an included perk to staying on property. How about lowering the cost of those hotels if you’re not going to include the perks anymore. So incredibly disappointed.
Sad thing is I am staying at a moderate resort that cost more for my trip then a deluxe resort so it’s a double slap in the face.
The problem with DW is that even before the Pandemic, they always closed too early. Even at 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm is way too early for our family. Out west at DL prior to the Pandemic and hopefully soon again, they are open until 11:00 pm and/or 12:00 am during the summer and holidays. The rest of the year, they stay open until 10:00 pm and/or 11:00 pm. It may not seem like a big difference, but it is when you’re parking hopping. Especially at DW since it is so big and the parks are so far apart. It takes less than 5 minutes to walk from the Disneyland gate to the California Adventure gate. Where as at Disney World it can take up to an hour to get to one park to another.
Florida is like California with good weather all year round. Yeah maybe it rains more, but it’s not like it gets too cold where it snows and drops below zero. So why doesn’t DW stay open much later like DL? I guess it is Orlando thing being that all the other amusement parks also close early.
I have to say normally this would not bother me because we stay at Deluxe resorts. However, our next trip has extended family traveling with us so we booked a moderate. We will be staying part of our trip at GF so maybe that night we can take advantage. I think Disney should offer this to all Disney hotel guest, though, NOT Disney Springs hotels
Finally admitting WDW is GREEDY! It’s about time! I feel bad for people who have to do a value resort to even be able to take their families. Geez, bad idea!
This is sad. So many people spend literal years saving for a Disney trip. Due to COVID, many have lost their jobs, making a Disney trip seem even more out of reach. Families on a budget can’t afford a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort. Those staying on property should have the same extra hours perks.
If Walt could see how his creation and magical dream for ALL families has become , he would be disgusted. Since when has public segregation by their financial means a priority. Disney is out of control catering to the rich. Wake up and see the mistakes you’re making. You’re depriving children of all ages and races, not being able to experience moments to cherish. Why don’t you see the damage and hurt you’re creating. Disney should be for young, old, poor and rich. Everyone should be included and somewhat treated equally. Stop with the high end developments and come back to reality. Disney corporation needs to find humility, kindness, and compassion.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Only the richest guests will get this perk while us poors who have to stay at Art of Animation are left with nothing! And “select attractions” is an iffy one. What would THAT entail? For EMH, I recall every single thing being open.
What resorts and accommodations would this include? I can’t keep all of the resort categories straight. I wonder if the luxury “Good Neighbor” hotels would be included too?
Will this also include DVC members staying at a Deluxe Hotel?
Mike, Disney didn’t specify that, but I would expect yes. We will confirm.
Adrienne, Disney didn’t specify if the “Good Neighbors” consider luxury would be included. I would think no, but I can’t be sure. Deluxe Resorts can be found here.
I had entered comments on 6/30/21. I was always a Disney World fan. And on that day I felt like a slap in the face and was not a happy person. I submitted
it and shortly after it was erased. I guess someone did not like what I had to say. Mr Walt Disney certainly would not be happy either to see what his dream has become!!! Not everyone can afford the Deluxe hotels. Are the guests in moderate or value resorts below your standards now. How dare you!!!! It should not matter where you stay on property. A Disney guest in Moderate or Value guests should not be treated any different at the park then anyone other park guest. I may think twice the next time whether I come back or not.
Response to Tara
I am so done with people thinking they deserve anything extra, Disney is not required to give you any additional time in the park.
This is Not a entitlement issue. WDW is giving this “extra” based on money when it used to be for all.
I pay the same price for a park ticket as everyone else, and stayed on property for every visit the last 25yrs.
Now only because we dont stay luxury I’m excluded.
Cindy wrote earlier that they were doing a split-stay, a moderate and a deluxe. She may want to check on that, since the article states that you must stay in deluxe accommodations for the entire length of your stay. Would hate for her to be disappointed.
I agree with everyone stating their comments Disney is for everyone! Walt would not have done this, if you can’t give to all give to none!
Wonder if this staffing related? Until WDW gets college students and international cast back, they may not be able to staff longer hours any better than my local McDonalds so they can’t handle everybody. I am a pass holder and go to Disney for the parks, not the hotel. We stay at Pop ever time because the hotel is for sleeping and some coffee in the morning, I would have to be pretty stupid to pay three ( or five) times the nightly rate just get two more hours in the park
I didn’t even get to go to Disneyland until I was almost a teenager (& even then, just for a few hours on a group discount) because my family couldn’t afford it and we lived only within 2 miles of it. Were we entitled to a ticket simply because my family was struggling financially? No. Sure, it would have been nice for Walt to provide me free tickets after I helped him with a school presentation, but I never asked nor expected any. Walt was definitely a capitalist, but he was more of a dreamer. He did want every child and their family to experience his creation, but not at the expense of going broke. That’s why he left most of the business part of his enterprise to his brother, Roy, who was more level headed and had much better business sense.
I wonder what the operating costs per hour for each theme park is.
I get the vive this gives…benefit for the rich. Who stays at most deluxe villas? DVC members. As a DVC member I am far from rich. Most DVC members can’t afford the “buy in” on a lump cash payment. Our buy in was set up on 10 year payment plan with much interest. We dove into our Disney experience in debt.
Disney could have worded this different… A DVC benefit for those drowning in debt who want the full Disney experience in the form of a timeshare ownership.
If I understand what people are upset at. There should not be any difference staying at a WDW Resort. If that is true. Why have Value, Moderate, Deluxe & Deluxe Villa categories. Just charge the same price. And then you get to choose which resort you want to stay at. Will that make it better for everyone. This is why we have a choice. Why do some resorts have a sit down restaurant. Why do some resorts have a pool slide. Why do some resorts have different modes of transportation. Why are some resorts closer to the parks.
What about me. What is in it for me. I have a choice of where I stay when I visit WDW. What type of ticket I purchase. What added event or show I would like to attend. I have been fortunate to visit WDW almost yearly since 84. Many things have changed over that time at WDW and personally. Wherever we stayed. Whatever we did. However long we stayed. One thing always remained constant. We had fun. And memories were made.
Wow, all of the entitlement is crazy. They have ALWAYS had perks for those who could afford it. Look at private tours. By the way some of you think, we should all get private tours even if we can’t afford them. Maybe we should all be able to go into Club 33 too. When they gave away free dining, the value hotels got only the quick service and the higher hotels got the standard. The deluxe hotels have better amenities like indoor hallways, spas, room service, etc. Do you all think that you should get all of these additional services at the values because you can’t afford to pay the higher prices? The world is not fair, nor should it be. And Walt Disney was always giving things to his rich friends that others did not get. Grown adults complaining about not being able to afford a high end hotel but wanting it’s perks. SMH
Disney talks about equality, fairness and inclusion to mention a few. They have made many movies about these subjects some fictional stories and some non-fictional. However, this latest decision of separating Deluxe resort guests from their “remaining” guests, shows in reality how Disney really thinks and feels. In our current world so torn apart by anger, pain, disease and sorrow, Disney has shown its executives true feelings. The almighty dollar reigns with Disney! So many people hurting these 2 years, many of whom have saved for years to bring their families to a “Magical” Disney vacation. So many people’s loss of jobs making them use their savings to simply live, still try to give their families a much needed Disney vacation. So now how does Disney thank all their “guests”, by omission and by exclusion. Exclusion of all their “lower” paying customers ( I do not use the word guest any longer as I no longer feel like a guest as the definition of guest in tourism is one to whom entertainment and hospitality have been extended) Per Disney, their hospitality is only extended to Deluxe resort paying guests. This is one of the most disrespectful, shameful and disgusting decisions that Disney has ever made. There are so many other hotels in the area that offer very nice amenities, I plan to use them now.
So while everyone is melting down. Take the time to think about how crowded the extended hours will be for the next 18 months if every resort can get this perk. Then the complaint will be that the hours are too crowded and you cannot enjoy them. Stop being so entitled. This is a perk! Not a given!
All those extra after hours perks are extra costs for Disney. How are they going to be paid for without increasing rates and costs on all other budget guests ( who already can’t afford much more)? All Disney resort guests are already paying extra for all the convenience of park transportation, early morning hours operating costs and Disney related “discounts”. Disney lost billions in revenue during the shutdown and I’m sure a huge chunk of their retained earnings (savings) went to keeping the company afloat during that tine. Also, Disney resorts, including the deluxe and villas incur operating costs even if no one is staying in them and it’s more difficult to entice more guests to them as opposed to the value &/or moderate ones.
I’m more disappointed in losing the luggage transfers, magical express that was “included”, and airline check in at the resort. As much as I like the extended hours, it’s not every theme park and every day so I don’t feel like it’s that big of a deal. We still get the Extra time as resort guests in the mornings as at all theme parks.
I’m confused by some people’s viewpoint. They feel that if they’re willing to “pay extra” to stay onsite at a Disney resort, they should be entitled to extra perks that offsite guests don’t get. I understand the logic behind that.
But then when others “pay extra” to stay at a deluxe resort, they *shouldn’t* be entitled to extra perks that value and moderate resort guests don’t get…? That logic doesn’t add up to me.
I think for those who are willing to pay more, they should get more. It’s like saying when you order an appetizer you should get the same portion size as those who were willing or able to purchase an entree, and that anything else is discrimination. That doesn’t make sense.
If we take a quick, value resort trip or stay offsite, we know it won’t be the same experience as a long luxurious trip at a deluxe resort. We usually favor the former, but once or twice we have saved up a long time for a deluxe trip and I’d be very upset if it weren’t a significant upgrade from our usual. Just seems logical to me that we have to pay more if we want to get more.
It saddens me that Disney is creating more classism. We struggle to vacation at Walt Disney World once a year. Because Disney keeps raising the cost of everything, our trips have been shortened, our dining plan the least expensive, and our hotels now value resorts. With all the talk of having to pay for fast passes and now this, I wonder if we need to find a new magic place.
How will they regulate this, wristbands when entering the park? If you are already in the park on an extended hours day, what’s stopping someone from just staying… are they going to run around checking everyone?
I am curious then if people feel they should get the highest priced drinks or meals for the same price as the lowest items as well? How dare Disney only provide their high-end custom light-savers to people who can pay over $200 for it?!?
When you shell out for a deluxe resort, you do so considering all the features that add up to the value proposition. If you decide that the extra park time is not worth the money, then you can still enjoy the parks during regular hours, as they were published for value resorts. There is no scam or greed going on, at least not beyond normal demand. If they fill the deluxe resorts with people that are willing to pay for the privilege, then there is obviously market for it and supply and demand dictates that they should meet the market demand.
The beauty is that there is something available to everyone, so head to the park for the hours you booked and enjoy the day!
Beth, we’ll have to see how Disney handles that.
The bad thing to me is that it used to be for everyone staying at a Disney Resort. They were Extra Magic Hours. Different parks on different days. Sometimes before parks opened and sometimes after parks closed. It’s sad that all of these changes are taking things away from resort guests. It is just not so magical anymore.
Exactly, something for everyone, not for those who stay at the high-end resorts. There are many who cannot afford these rooms and now lose a perk that was available to all.