When it comes to the perks of staying at a Walt Disney World hotel, there are few more popular — or arguably more valuable — than Early Entry. This perk offers Disney Resort guests (as well as those staying at select other hotels) early entry into each of Walt Disney World’s theme parks every day of their stay (including check-in and check-out days) for 30 minutes prior to the general public. However, when it comes to Early Entry, not all of Walt Disney World’s hotels are created equal.
All-Star Movies
We’ve picked one hotel from each of Disney’s Hotel Tiers — Deluxe, Moderate, and Value — that make taking advantage of Early Entry MUCH harder, and an alternative hotel of the same tier. Now, a quick note: We’re talking solely about Early Entry here. Not about theme, amenities, or other perks.
Saratoga Springs
When it comes to Early Entry, the Deluxe Tier Saratoga Springs — themed after the well-known upstate horse-racing capital– suffers from two issues: location and transportation. As far as the former, the hotel is located right across the river from Disney Springs, all the way at the southeastern end of Disney World property, comparatively far from each of the property’s theme parks.
Saratoga Springs
Not only is the hotel far, but the only Disney Transportation System method available for guests from the hotel are the Disney buses. So, guests looking to take advantage of Early Entry at any of the parks will need to wake up even earlier and either catch a bus or budget for a rideshare service like Uber.
Alternative: Boardwalk Inn & Suites
While Saratoga Springs is themed to upstate New York, its fellow Deluxe Tier hotel, The Boardwalk, channels seaside resorts down the Eastern Seaboard, including the golden age of New York’s Coney Island. However, we’re not suggesting The Boardwalk as an alternative because of interstate rivalry.
Rather, it once again comes down to location and transportation. The Boardwalk is simply a short walk to EPCOT’s International Gateway, making it the ideal resort to access Walt Disney World’s Second Gate during Early Entry.
Skyliner in EPCOT
Furthermore, that short walk also provides easy access to the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios for Early Entry. Guests who don’t like heights can also take a quick boat trip over to the Studios park. Plus, the hotel’s more central location on property makes bus travel to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom easier.
Disney’s BoardWalk
Coronado Springs
Moving on to the Moderate Tier of hotels, we have the case of Coronado Springs, the Spanish/southwestern-themed resort. Similar to the aforementioned Saratoga Springs, the biggest knock on the hotel when it comes to Early Entry is transportation. The only Disney Transportation method available at Coronado Springs is buses.
While this isn’t quite as bad as Saratoga Springs, considering Coronado Springs location, it’s still an issue compared to hotels with access to other parts of the Disney Transportation system. Speaking of which…
Coronado Springs
Alternative: The Caribbean Beach Resort
Like Coronado Springs, the Caribbean Beach Resort offers Moderate Tier amenities. Unlike Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach features a Skyliner station with direct access to EPCOT’s International Gateway and Hollywood Studios, making those parks easier to pin down for Early Entry.
Skyliner at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
All-Star Resorts
I hate to sound repetitive here, but once again, transportation remains the primary issue with the Value Tier All-Star Resorts: All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, and All-Star Movies. These three resorts are located at the southern end of Disney World property, and only have access to bus transportation and rideshare.
All Star Sports Resort
Alternative: Pop Century and Art of Animation
The All-Stars aren’t Walt Disney World’s only Value Tier resorts, though. There are also the Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts, who share a Skyliner station — which, as we’ve well-established, makes Early Entry at EPCOT and Hollywood Studios much easier.
Pop Century and Art of Animation share a Skyliner station
All of Walt Disney World’s hotels offer their fair share of perks, and every hotel at each respective tier offers similar levels of amenities. However, if one is focusing SOLEY on Early Entry, there are some better choices than others. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney’s hotel offerings.
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Our favorite hotel is definitely Boardwalk but good luck getting a reservation there!!! More often than not they are booked when we plan a trip. Really wish DVC would expand their presence at the Boardwalk. Build a high rise like the Polynesian.
I’m not sure the Skyliner is the best choice for early entry. AllEars conducted an experiment a couple of years ago to the fastest transportation method to get to Hollywood Studios from Beach Club (could have been Boardwalk. It’s been a minute.). They tested the the boat, walking and the Skyliner. Walking was the fastest, followed very closely by the boat, with the Skyliner lagging very far behind.
The reason is that the queues for the Skyliner are jammed in the morning, and you have to stand in two long queues. The first queue is at the resort, and the second at the Caribbean Beach station to get on the line going to Hollywood Studios. The conclusion was that the Skyliner may not be the time and convenance bargain you think it is.
I’d love to see an updated video comparing transportation options from Pop Century or Art of Animation. Video idea! LOL!
I’ve stayed at Saratoga Springs many times, and its actually much closer to Epcot, Hollywood Studios and even Magic Kingdom than you seem to think it is. Especially Epcot. Once you leave the resort, it only takes about 10 minutes to get to Epcot, roughly 5 more to Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom is roughly 15 – 20 minutes. Animal Kingdom does take a long time, but that’s true of most Disney Resorts.