The Early Theme Park Entry perk for guests staying at Walt Disney World resorts (and select other resorts) will offer a bit more time in the parks this holiday season. Disney is extending the perk from 30 minutes early entry into the parks to 60 minutes between December 19 and January 3.
The change comes as Disney prepares for large holiday crowds in the theme parks. They’ve also made changes to Genie+, shifting four attractions that required Individual Lightning Lane purchases into the Genie+ service.
It appears Disney is taking the lessons they learned during the chaotic Thanksgiving rush and applying it to the upcoming holiday stretch. During Thanksgiving, guests complained that Genie+ offerings booked up almost immediately, making many feel like it was a waste of money. Extending the early entry perk will also give guests more time to try and ride the biggest attractions with reduced crowds.