Starting 1 October 2021, Walt Disney World will begin offering Early Entry & Extended Evening Hours.
Only those staying at Disney owned resorts and some third party ones like Shades of Green will be eligible for the new Early Entry benefit that replaces Morning Extra Magic Hours, which ended when Disney World closed for covid in 2020. Early Entry will be available 30 minutes prior to regular theme park hours at every theme park every day.
In addition, guests staying at Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts at Walt Disney World including Shades of Green will also be able to enjoy Extended Evening Hours on select nights in select theme parks. Extended Evening Hours will begin in early October 2021.
During each of these extended park hour timeframes, select attractions, merchandise, and food and beverage locations will be available.
A valid theme park ticket is of course required for entry and currently a Theme Park Reservation is also required.
Eligible guests will need to bring a MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass, or Key to the World card linked to the hotel stay, or another form of Resort ID.
Questions?
See the our detailed pages with eligible resorts and what’s open during these extra timeframes.
Ask them in the comment section below!
This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio. Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link. |
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation GuideÂ
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing ChecklistÂ
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
- Dining Overview Page
- Transportation Overview Page
- Technology Overview Page
- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort
Military Disney Tips' Recommended Disney Travel Agent Ears of Experience Disney Only Travel Agency. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts! |
Katie Cox says
Yes my husband was in the army for 4 years does he qualify for Disney discount
Steve says
Hi Katie,
Please see:
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-veteran-discount-and-disney-military-discount-eligibility-guide/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-military-discounts-for-veterans-who-did-not-retire-from-the-military/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-discounts-and-the-john-mccain-defense-authorization-act/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/shades-of-green-stays-for-non-retired-veterans/
Janis Dillard says
The extended hours. With park reservations, will you be able to use the park hopper option for the extended hours?
Steve says
Hi Janis,
Yes you sure will.
Diane says
Hi, Steve.
Hopefully, SoG buses will be on the ball with getting you to the parks for the 30 minutes early opening. We have stayed here every year since it’s opening and during the past, select parks opening times, the SoG buses were not too keen on getting you to your select park before it opened. (I’m talking about AK and DHS.) Everyone wants to be on that 1st bus out and I believe there should be a marked railing for people to line up. (Like Disney does at their bus stops) I really hate the ‘Free for All’ when the bus doors open and you were the 1st in line and people push past you to get on. (Usually those are the people who race from the back of the line coz they HAD to have those extra minutes of sleep.) I know this sounds petty, but it is annoying to me and a lot of others who got there n time. Just hoping you can make this suggestion to SoG.. Than you! Love your blog!
Steve says
Hi Diane,
Thanks so much!
The lack of a queue system for Shades’ buses has always bothered me too! I’ve experienced just what you described many times.
My recommendation if you need to be somewhere at a specific time (like rope drop, or an early dining reservation) is to use a ride hire service like Uber or Lyft (or Minnie Vans if they come back). It can be chancy with buses (Shades’ or Disney’s).
Sophie Bissonnette says
Bonjour,
Mon mari est membre des forces armées canadiennes.
A-t-on le droit de profiter de l’hébergement et des rabais Disney ?
Si oui, quels sont les tarifs ?
Merci d’avance.
Steve says
So your Canadian and can’t converse in English, right…
For my French speaking friends, see: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/are-there-foreign-military-member-disney-discounts/
Sara says
Can you take advantage of early entry the morning of they day you’re checking in or only mornings where you wake up at SoG?
Steve says
Hi Sara,
Early entry is authorized for guests staying at Disney Resorts and a couple others including Shades of Green on all days of their trip including check in and check out days.
Disney scans Magic Bands to verify eligibility, so if you will be using Magic Bands you will need not only the bands linked to your My Disney Experience account, but will also have to link your Shades of Green reservation. Having done all that, you’ll be all set.
If you will not be using Magic Bands, Disney uses a room key as an alternate method of verification. Your Shades of Green resort ID will have the inclusive dates of your stay printed on it, which will allow you early entry on those days. SO you will need to have checked in at Shades to get the ID and then get to the park by prior to the early entry time!