For Magic Kingdom rope drop fans, every detail of a park day matters, from the attractions to the experiences that happen before the gates officially open. On March 18, 2025, Disney made an unexpected change to its Early Entry process for Resort hotel guests, sparking conversations and excitement across social media.

Crowds in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida
Credit: Haydn Blackey, Flickr

What’s New with Rope Drop at Magic Kingdom in Disney World?

Early Entry guests were granted access to Tomorrowland much earlier than usual, leaving many to wonder: Is this a glimpse into Disney’s future park operations?

This change has raised important questions for future visitors, leaving everyone wondering if this shift is a temporary test or the beginning of a more permanent adjustment. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting update and how it may change your visit to Magic Kingdom.

On March 18, 2025, Early Entry at Magic Kingdom underwent a noticeable change.

Crowds on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom at Disney World
Credit: Marada, Flickr

The Impact of This Change on Guest Experience

For the first time, guests who had access to the Early Entry benefit were allowed into Tomorrowland around 7:45 a.m.—an entire 45 minutes earlier than usual. This move is a significant departure from Disney’s usual system, where guests were held at the bridge near Main Street, U.S.A., until the official Early Entry time of 8:30 a.m.

In a normal scenario, the Early Entry system grants resort hotel guests and select other hotel guests access to certain attractions before the general public. But today’s shift allowed Early Entry guests to wander through Tomorrowland, explore the area freely, and even queue up for rides before 8:30 AM. However, rides did not open until the official Early Entry time, and Disney has yet to confirm whether this will be a permanent change or just a temporary test.

The new system offers a significant benefit for Early Entry guests—especially for those who arrive at the parks ready to experience as much as possible before the crowds build up. By letting guests enter Tomorrowland ahead of the usual 8:30 AM start time, Disney has given them an extra 45 minutes to enjoy the park and get a head start on popular attractions like Space Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

The Happily Ever After fireworks show at Magic Kingdom inside Disney World.
Credit: Disney

Which Hotels Offer Early Entry Access?

While this doesn’t mean the rides are operational any earlier, the chance to get into position for those rides before the general public enters is a big deal. Guests can also enjoy a less crowded park and take advantage of shorter lines, which has become a valuable perk in the age of high-demand theme park experiences. But why does this matter for the future of Disney theme parks?

Disney is known for constantly refining its guest experience, and this change could be a precursor to a larger overhaul of how they manage Early Entry and crowd flow. If the test proves successful, this could mean more early access to certain areas of the park in the future—allowing for a more seamless and efficient experience for guests. The Early Entry benefit is available to guests staying at Disney Resort hotels, as well as select other nearby hotels that have partnered with Disney. Here’s a list of the hotels eligible for the Early Entry perk:

  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

  • Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

  • Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

  • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort

  • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort

  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

  • Disney’s Pop Century Resort

  • Disney’s Riviera Resort

  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

  • And many more!

Crowds in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park.
Credit: u/MoreBoobzPlz via Reddit

Other Select Hotels:

  • Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel

  • Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace

  • Four Seasons Resort Orlando

  • Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Guests who stay at these Disney Resort Hotels or other select hotels will continue to enjoy the benefits of Early Entry, giving them access to the parks before general guests and potentially providing a leg up on the crowds.

What Rides Are Available During Early Entry?

At Magic Kingdom, Early Entry access allows guests to experience some of the park’s most popular attractions. During Early Entry, the following rides are available to those who are eligible:

  • it’s a small world

  • Astro Orbiter

  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant

  • Mad Tea Party

  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic

  • Peter Pan’s Flight

  • Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

  • Space Mountain

  • The Barnstormer

  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

  • Tomorrowland Speedway

  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

  • Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

These attractions provide a mix of beloved classics and thrilling rides, giving Early Entry guests a chance to experience a wide range of offerings before the rest of the park opens.

A brightly colored Cinderella castle with blue and gold conical roofs and ornate spires, framed by a vibrant pink and blue sky. The castle exudes the Magic Kingdom’s whimsical and magical ambiance at Disney World.
Credit: Inside the magic

Is This a Permanent Change or Just a Test? Magic Kingdom Rope Drop Means Big News for Guests

At the moment, Disney has not officially confirmed whether the early access to Tomorrowland will be a permanent feature of the Early Entry program or simply a temporary test. The move may be part of an ongoing experiment to test new strategies for managing crowds and improving the guest experience. However, if this adjustment proves successful, Disney could decide to extend this perk to other areas of the park or even implement it as a permanent change across all theme parks.

For now, guests hoping to take advantage of Early Entry should stay informed and keep an eye on Disney’s announcements. With the potential for further tweaks and improvements, the future of Early Entry could look very different from what we’ve seen before. If Disney continues to refine and expand its Early Entry system, this could change the way guests plan their park days.

With less time spent waiting in lines and more opportunities to enjoy the attractions before the crowds arrive, Early Entry guests will have a significant advantage. It could also spark a broader shift in how theme parks manage crowds during peak hours, leading to more innovative and guest-friendly policies in the future. This update is just the beginning—who knows what changes may be coming next?

Will this Magic Kingdom rope drop change become permanent? Share your thoughts with us on social media or in the comments below.

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The post After 54 Years, Magic Kingdom Alters Rope Drop—What’s Behind the Big Shift? appeared first on Inside the Magic.

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