Early Entry Loses Its Magic at Hollywood Studios

We don’t know how we feel about this new change for Disney’s Hollywood Studios opening. Find out how this new change can actually benefit non-resort guests.

Park Opening

There is so much to learn when planning for a trip to the Disney Parks. First, is that the posted opening times are not technically when guests are allowed into the parks.

First introduced in 2021, Early Theme Park Entry allows guests staying at Walt Disney World Resorts to enter all 4 Theme Parks 30 minutes early. Typically, all other guests were held at the park entrance.

This was true at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT. However, guests at Magic Kingdom, can enter the park and enjoy Main Street until the park officially opens.

Hollywood Studios Change

The past several days, guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios noticed an interesting change in opening procedures. All guests arriving at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can now line up and scan into the Park when the park opens for Early Theme Park Entry. This is similar to the opening of Magic Kingdom.

Once inside the park, only Resort Guests can enter lines for attractions and access Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, and Sunset Boulevard.

Early Entry is still a great benefit for Resort guests, but this new change is a big disappointment for these guests. Now that all guests line up at the park entrance at the same time, Resort Guests may enter the park later while waiting for all guests to scan to enter.

What This Means for you

In the past, my (Donna) favorite rope drop strategy for Disney’s Hollywood Studios was to rope drop Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and then hop onto the Tower of Terror. After these two thrilling attractions, I would enjoy Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway when non-resort guests began to enter the park.

This new procedure is similar to pre-Covid openings. At this time, it is unclear if Hollywood Studios is just testing this or if this will be the new procedure.

Now that non-resort guests can begin to form a line near Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and the other themed lands, it will make it increasingly difficult to enjoy low waits on multiple attractions during Early Theme Park entry.

What do you think of this change? Will this affect your touring plan for Early Theme Park Entry? Would you consider staying off-property because of this change? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with your Disney pals.