Top 15 Attractions To Hit in the Early Morning at Disney World

While we enjoy hitting snooze and sleeping in on vacation, our visits to Disney are the exception! It feels like Christmas morning as we are up, out our resort door, and on the Disney bus, boat, or monorail in the wee hours of the morning. The reason for waking before the sun isn’t just because we are overly excited, but more importantly – the BEST time to do Disney is in the early morning. The crowds are lower, and the Florida sun has yet to heat up. If you’re at the park as it’s opening, your chances of catching the very best attractions without too long of a wait are within that first hour. So, grab your coffee and Mickey ears, and let’s spend the early hours tackling these very best attractions to hit in the early morning at Walt Disney World.

Tips

These tips work best for guests choosing not to pay for Lightning Lane access at these attractions through either Genie+ or A la Carte Individual Lightning Lane Attractions. When you skip paying for these services, hitting these attractions in the early morning is even more important.

Also, Disney Resort guests are now allowed to enter the parks thirty minutes before park opening (at Magic Kingdom, they are able to get past the Hub) and line up. This greatly impacts non-resort guests in that now, at park opening, the most popular attractions already have very long wait times. Early Park Entry is now the biggest benefit of staying at a Disney Resort. If you are not staying at a Disney Resort, be prepared that by the time you line up, the wait times may not be as low as you had hoped. However, early in the morning is still the best time to ride since wait times traditionally get longer as the day goes on.

Magic Kingdom Attractions

Suppose Magic Kingdom officially opens at 9 am. In that case, chances are guests will be allowed in around 8 am to explore Main Street U.S.A. and the Cinderella hub before the opening ceremony known as “Let The Magic Begin” takes place. Typically, we’d recommend heading away from the crowds into Adventureland and then Frontierland. There are, however, three attractions we especially recommend hitting in the early morning hours.

1. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: While Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one of the most popular attractions at Magic Kingdom, it surprises us that after many years after opening, the lines are still incredibly long for this just under three minutes coaster. It’s such a smooth and fun ride that we understand all the attention! You’ll want to head here first if it’s high on your list. 
2. Space Mountain: Zoom along on this space coaster at a whopping 28 mph! Ok, that may not sound very fast, but trust us, when you’re surrounded by darkness, it feels MUCH quicker. Sharp turns, and unexpected dips make Space Mountain an easy favorite for many. Plus, this one seems to break down more than others, meaning wait times later in the day get rather lengthy.
3. Peter Pan’s Flight: The unexpected children’s attraction that is surprisingly popular! We totally get its popularity, too, as guests float away in a ship with pixie dust amidst the memorable scenes from the Peter Pan classic film. Since this ride doesn’t seat several guests at once, it can be a tedious wait as the day goes on.

Note: TRON Lightcycle / Run is not included in the list above because you need to join the Virtual Queue to ride the attraction. After joining the Virtual Queue, you will be assigned a boarding group with a specific return time. A regular stand-by queue is not available. 

Epcot Attractions

The interest for many to visit Epcot may be the exceptional dining, beverages, and shopping – but the attractions here aren’t forgotten! Try to visit these attractions in the very early morning.  

1. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: The newest family-friendly attraction in the expanded France pavilion is a hit! Guests feel as if they shrink to the size of Chef Remy and scurry through Gusteau’s famous restaurant.
   Disney recently dropped the Virtual Queue for this attraction, so guests are able to line up in the standby line. Since it’s new, this attraction is very popular. Line up early and get ahead of guests who have slept in.
2. Soarin’ Around the World: Do you ever dream of flying and traveling the world at the same time? Epcot has you covered with a popular attraction known as Soarin’. Take flight as you soar above some of the most beautiful landmarks throughout the world. Land right back “home” in Epcot. It’s a fascinating journey with sights and smells not to be missed. Since this attraction can seat multiple guests, the early morning line tends to move quickly but fills up an hour or so after park opening.
3. Frozen Ever After: Frozen hit Disney by storm… a blizzard, actually! The popularity of the Frozen sisters, Anna and Elsa, and the sweet and silly Olaf has no signs of “letting go” anytime soon! The favorite boat ride in the Norway Pavilion remains a charmer as it takes guests of all ages through beautiful scenes with a memorable melody of all things Frozen. Arrive here as early as possible to avoid long wait times for a brief ride.
4. Test Track: Step inside a virtual world in the art of car creations! After you complete your car design, it will be tested in a simulation vehicle as you ride along to check out your scores. Climb into your simulation car to experience some intense tests. This one ends with the wind in your hair, making Test Track one that leaves guests coming back for more. The weather can play a factor in this attraction, so take a ride early or expect a delay as the afternoon Florida storms blow through. Didn’t arrive as early as you had hoped? Check out the Single Rider Line!

Note: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is not included in the list above because you need to join the Virtual Queue to ride the attraction. After joining the Virtual Queue, you will be assigned a boarding group with a specific return time. A regular stand-by queue is not available. 

Hollywood Studios Attractions

Hollywood Studios used to be a reasonably easy list of attractions to tackle in the early morning. With so many amazing attractions to consider, you’ll want to get to the park early to have shorter wait times for these attractions.

1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: You no longer need to join the Virtual Queue to enjoy this attraction. You may now join the regular stand-by queue. If you’ve got your heart set on fighting the First Order without purchasing Individual Lighting Lane access, then you’ll want to head straight to this attraction when the park opens. Not only will the line be longer later in the day, but your chances of riding it will also go down. Because of the attraction’s technical side, the ride will often go down 2-3 times a day. After multiple closures in one day, we’ve seen Disney close the stand-by queue in order to let those who have purchased Lightning Lane access ride first. So the earlier you get in line, the better your chances of riding will be!
2. Slinky Dog Dash: Slinky Dog Das is still as popular as ever! Everyone wants to take a ride on the Slinky Dog Dash. While this attraction is known as a “family-friendly coaster,” be sure your child measures up to the height requirement of 38 inches or taller. Lines will be long no matter when you get there, but the earlier, the better!
3. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway: The newest and most popular family-friendly attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have long wait times during the day. If you’re not a huge Star Wars or coaster fan, then you’ll want to choose Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway over our number 1 and 2 picks. This attraction line fills up quickly, so getting to ride it once with a short wait first thing in the morning is a bonus!
4. Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster: Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster might be quiet in the early morning, unlike in past times! While the crowd is in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, enjoy a ride on the Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster, and you’ll be singing Aerosmith for the rest of the day. Can’t get here super early? Check out the wait times for the Single Rider Line. 
5. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: One of our absolute favorites in all of Disney World is Tower of Terror. It’s such a thrilling yet stomach-turning fun attraction! This attraction may be the fifth attraction on this list of early morning rides at Hollywood Studios, but don’t wait too long to ride the Tower in the morning as the line can get lengthy rather quickly. We may recommend this one for early morning, but try to ride it again at night for an extra creepy experience.

Animal Kingdom Attractions

Animal Kingdom is no longer a half-day park! If anything, one day at Animal Kingdom never seems like enough. Just like the other parks, you really need to arrive well before park opening to beat the crowds to, particularly the Pandora attractions. Here are the top four early-morning attractions we recommend at Animal Kingdom.

1. Avatar Flight of Passage: Dare we say this is the best attraction on this list – or at least in the top three?! Avatar Flight of Passage masters the art of flying with incredible technology in the form of a Banshee. Taking flight has never felt so real – right down to feeling the Banshee breathing between your legs as you hold on for dear life! If you don’t purchase Individual Lighting Lane Access for Flight of Passage, you MUST ride this first thing in the morning or plan to wait an easy 1-2 hours.
2. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: We LOVE to ride this rollercoaster in the early morning before all the crowds arrive, but be ready for a quick wake-up call as you plummet down a mountain, all while running from the Yeti! We place this one last on our four Animal Kingdom attractions for early morning simply because it does offer a Single Rider Line, which can cut down on wait times if needed. Take another ride in the evening, if at all possible, to feel like you’re going even faster on this incredible coaster! 
3. Kilimanjaro Safaris: Where else can you go on a safari and not be in Africa?! The gorgeous savanna is filled with active animals for a different experience each visit. Ride in a large, open-air vehicle and feel like you are almost too close for comfort to real-life exotic animals. The morning is typically the best for this attraction because the animals seem to be more active before the heat of the day.
4. Na’vi River Journey (Tier 1): Na’vi River Journey may be in the shadows of Flight of Passage, but it’s definitely an Animal Kingdom must-do. This boat ride down the Na’vi River is extremely beautiful and relaxing, with fantastic bioluminescent lighting and tranquil sights and sounds. Truly a stunning attraction that will start your day off right with an early morning arrival!