News Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours coming for resort guests

Purduevian

Well-Known Member
They already limit ILL before park opening to onsite hotels, plus Swan/Dolphin and SOG.
I am very curious what the contract for Swalphin looks like with Disney.
It's the only not Disney Resort (other than SOG):
  • Can walk to a theme park
  • Has Disney Transportation (boats)
  • Includes 7am ILL
  • Includes deluxe evening hours
 

tired_photog

Active Member
Was really disappointed during our trip 2 weeks ago that World Showcase at Epcot basically shuts down for Extended Evening Hours. Only the attractions stay open. No shopping, no restaurants. Was really looking forward to a couple hours of non-crowded World Showcase.
 

Sheribell

New Member
Here is the latest Extended Evening Hours schedule:

Monday, December 4 - Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Thursday, December 7 - EPCOT
Monday, December 11 - EPCOT
Thursday, December 14 - EPCOT
Monday, December 18 - EPCOT
Thursday, December 21 - EPCOT
Monday, December 25 - EPCOT
Thursday, December 28 - Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Monday, January 1 - EPCOT
Wednesday, January 3 - Magic Kingdom
Monday, January 8 - EPCOT
Wednesday, January 10 - Magic Kingdom
Monday, January 15 - EPCOT
Wednesday, January 17 - Magic Kingdom
Monday, January 22- EPCOT
Wednesday, January 24 - Magic Kingdom
Monday, January 29 - EPCOT
Wednesday, January 31- Magic Kingdom
Monday, February 5 - EPCOT
Wednesday, February 7 - Magic Kingdom
Hi how do we find out extended hour information for April 2024 ....how much extra time do you get and how many days during the week? TY fizzeoatsympaticodotca
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Hi how do we find out extended hour information for April 2024 ....how much extra time do you get and how many days during the week? TY fizzeoatsympaticodotca
Hours for the first week of April 2024 have been posted in the Disney app. The website currently shows hours through the end of March - not sure why it is behind.


Disney Resort guests (and those staying at participating hotels) receive early entry admission 30 minutes prior to official opening time at each park every day of the week.

Disney Deluxe Resort guests are eligible for extended evening hours, for two hours past park closure. The typical schedule is Epcot on Mondays (9-11 pm) and MK on Wednesdays. Since MK’s hours often change, extended evening hours could be 9-11, 10-12, or 11-1 am, depending on regular closing time.
 

Dad 2 M & M

Well-Known Member
I am very curious what the contract for Swalphin looks like with Disney.
It's the only not Disney Resort (other than SOG):
  • Can walk to a theme park
  • Has Disney Transportation (boats)
  • Includes 7am ILL
  • Includes deluxe evening hours
Would be curious as well....

Would also like to know details on how exactly it was able to NOT be a Disney Hotel being geographically in the middle of the crescent
 

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
I am very curious what the contract for Swalphin looks like with Disney.
It's the only not Disney Resort (other than SOG):
  • Can walk to a theme park
  • Has Disney Transportation (boats)
  • Includes 7am ILL
  • Includes deluxe evening hours
The Dolphin opened on June 4, 1990, as part of a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company, Tishman Hotel Corporation, MetLife and Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which was merged into Marriott International in 2019.[1] The land the resort occupies is owned by the Walt Disney Company, while the buildings themselves are leased by Disney to the Tishman Hotel Corporation and MetLife but operated by Marriott International under the Sheraton Hotels and Resorts brand. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are a part of the Walt Disney Collection of resorts; because of this they are Disney branded and guests of the resort have access to special Disney benefits available to Disney Resort Hotel guests only.

 

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
Was curious as to why Disney would enter in to an agreement as such

The company that built EPCOT claimed that part of the agreement gave them exclusive rights to operate convention hotels on Disney property, and Eisner wanted to build a convention hotel.

They could have fought it out in court, but Disney must have decided that either they would probably lose or that it wouldn't be worth the costs and time involved even if they eventually won -- it could have delayed adding a hotel for years and years. Plus Disney gets a share of the revenue and they have a say in the exterior and interior design.
 

Chip Chipperson

Well-Known Member
What schedule happens during the party season - MK for Halloween and potentially MK and DHS for holidays? Does MK still have the benefit?
There were some nights during Christmas season in 2023 where the deluxe resort Extended Evening Hours benefit was at Animal Kingdom instead of Magic Kingdom and I think there were some weeks where they just doubled up on the extended hours at Epcot instead.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom