Walt Disney World has introduced that Check Observe 3.0 will quickly be added to the additional hours attraction lineups at EPCOT. This covers particulars, plus our commentary about how this adjustments morning park touring technique, arriving by way of Worldwide Gateway vs. entrance entrance, and extra.
Let’s begin with the fundamentals, which is that Check Observe will formally open on July 22, 2025 at EPCOT. Common ticket holders have to attend one other full month (nearly) earlier than taking a spin on the reimagined journey. In between every now and then, there shall be a variety of previews and (hopefully) a couple of days of soppy openings.
Imagineers together with groups from Chevrolet reached again into historical past for inspiration from the unique World of Movement, and introduced that spirit of optimism to the third iteration of Check Observe. They’re pushing innovation ahead and celebrating humanity’s enduring drive on the thrilling highway to a brighter tomorrow. In order for you spoilers, have at them on this Trip-By means of of Check Observe 3.0 at EPCOT.
Together with this, Walt Disney World has since confirmed that Check Observe 3.0 will use a standby line as soon as it reopens on July 22, 2025. Because of this there will NOT be a digital queue for Check Observe–it’ll both be ready within the common ole queue like each different attraction (proper now) at Walt Disney World, or line-skipping by way of the pay-to-play Lightning Lane system.
Talking of which, Check Observe shall be a part of Lightning Lane Multi-Go when it reopens on July 22, 2025. It can NOT be a part of Lightning Lane Single Go, that means it can’t be bought on an a la carte foundation. It’ll be a part of the ‘bundle’ possibility that options two tiers at EPCOT.
Check Observe will be part of the Tier A of Lightning Lane Multi-Go, with Soarin’ Across the World downgraded to Tier B. As defined at size in Lightning Lane & Line Adjustments Coming to EPCOT for Reimagined Check Observe’s Reopening, each of those points of interest are more likely to be the preferred Lightning Lanes of their respective classes. Regardless of the downgrade, Soarin’ will most likely turn into the hardest Lightning Lane in all of EPCOT in consequence.
All of this has led us to surprise about additional hours, and whether or not or not it could be the same return to the previous regular at EPCOT…
We will now verify that starting July 22, 2025, Check Observe shall be open for Early Entry at EPCOT from to
Though Early Entry occasions can range by date on the different parks, that’s sometimes not the case at EPCOT. I can’t recall the final time official park opening was something apart from 9:00 AM. Park closing has been prolonged to 9:30 PM or 10:00 PM throughout peak seasons, however I can’t recall a time when EPCOT opened earlier than 9 AM since…most likely Summer season 2022?
One factor I do need to point out right here is that Walt Disney World “introduced” this modification with an replace to the official Check Observe web site, which now lists Early Entry hours for July 22, 2025 and each date thereafter. As you would possibly know, the official web site has been improper about these things up to now, with adjustments typically made based mostly on assumptions and previous precedent that now not holds true.
Fearing this is perhaps the case–that someday in Disney IT noticed Check Observe reopening, that it was beforehand a part of Early Entry, and put that collectively with out understanding for positive–I reached out to Walt Disney World for affirmation. We’re completely satisfied to report that, sure, this schedule is appropriate. As at all times, issues are topic to vary till they really occur, however Walt Disney World’s intent is to function Check Observe 3.0 throughout Early Entry from the soar.
We will equally verify that Check Observe shall be open for Prolonged Night Hours at EPCOT beginning on Monday, July 28, 2025.
Observe that that is the primary Prolonged Night Hours (ExEH) after Check Observe reopens. We’ve had quite a lot of posts about Prolonged Night Hours scheduling just lately, and the sunshine little bit of ‘drama’ about ExEH bouncing round from Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in July and August. None of that impacts EPCOT, which continues to reliably host ExEH on Mondays.
July 28 is the primary Monday after Check Observe returns, and the journey shall be open to visitors throughout these additional hours from 9 PM till 11 PM. That is an particularly massive win for Prolonged Night Hours. The unique perk is far more common through the summer season months on account of excessive warmth through the day, but when even one attraction breaks down (as occurs typically!) it could throw a monkey wrench into the whole night.
Even when issues are working easily, the opposite headliners are all in reverse corners of the park. That’s no exaggeration. Over the last ExEH at EPCOT that I attended, I spent far more time strolling between rides than I did ready in traces. A minimum of, till the very finish when Cosmic Rewind broke down and I used to be caught in line for over an hour earlier than the queue acquired dumped round midnight. That was enjoyable!
Having each Cosmic Rewind and Check Observe open–two points of interest which are principally proper throughout from each other–and utilizing standby traces for the primary time ever throughout Prolonged Night Hours shall be a enormous. A possible game-changer. That’s additionally not an exaggeration.
Along with this, there’s a wildcard additional hours providing: After Hours at EPCOT. This upcharge occasion is about midway by way of its ‘season’ and can have the remaining dates left on the calendar as soon as Check Observe reopens:
- July – 24 and 31
- August – 7, 14, 21 and 28
- September – 11 and 25
At present, Check Observe isn’t listed on the journey roster for After Hours at EPCOT. Nevertheless, there are nonetheless a number of dates left earlier than Check Observe reopens, which might clarify that. Including Check Observe to the record might create confusion, because it’s not open but.
It’s additionally potential that Walt Disney World is cautious about complaints from visitors attending earlier After Hours nights when Check Observe isn’t provided, so that they both gained’t announce till proper earlier than the twenty fourth–or they’ll preserve Check Observe closed for “continuity” of the occasion.
I’ve additionally reached out to Walt Disney World about this, and haven’t obtained official affirmation both means. My guess is that Check Observe shall be open for After Hours beginning July 24, 2025. If it’s open through the “free” additional hours, it stands to motive it’d be open through the paid ones. I’d put the possibility of it being open at 90% or greater. Nonetheless, stranger issues have occurred–therefore that lingering 10% doubt.
For many who are unfamiliar with the on-site additional hours visitor perks, Early Entry is obtainable in any respect 4 theme parks each single day and provides 30-minute entry to visitors staying in on-site accommodations at Walt Disney World. See our Information to Early Entry at Walt Disney World for more information & technique.
Prolonged Night Theme Park Hours happens solely two nights per week in complete–for 2 hours every evening. This profit is completely for visitors staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas (Disney Trip Membership), or different choose accommodations (Swolphin and Shades of Inexperienced). Visitors staying at Worth or Average Resorts should not eligible for Prolonged Night Hours. See our Information to Prolonged Night Hours at Walt Disney World for extra guidelines, eligibility, technique, and many others.
Moreover, we’ve got over a dozen “Further Hours” Photograph Experiences, with extra coming later this month on account of this modification. Early Entry studies are my emphasis since they’re related to extra readers–and in addition as a result of I’ve discovered that it’s far more troublesome to copy outcomes throughout ExEH at EPCOT as a result of aforementioned breakdowns (I’ve accomplished near a dozen ExEH at EPCOT, and no two of them have been the identical).
I’d hazard a guess that we’ve accomplished Early Entry 50 to 75 occasions because it debuted a couple of years in the past. My basic perspective is that followers undervalue it. We see quite a lot of complaints that the perk is “solely” half-hour, which is objectively correct. (Properly, more often than not–typically it begins a bit earlier, particularly at DHS.)
Nevertheless, this understates the worth of that point and simply how a lot you’ll be able to accomplish. As I’ve demonstrated in our EPCOT morning studies, I’ve achieved a number of rides throughout Early Entry and in addition beating the common rope drop rush to my subsequent vacation spot at ~9:00 AM.
Followers additionally underestimate the subjective worth of Early Entry. By that, I imply that morning is the second-best time of the day in any respect 4 of the parks–behind solely late nights. There’s one thing particular about watching the solar rise over the parks, and I really like savoring my strolls round World Showcase, watching the international locations “get up” for the day.
With that mentioned, Early Entry at EPCOT hasn’t been good/nice since Check Observe went down for refurbishment. On account of that closure, the majority of the crowds are principally all heading to 2 locations: Remy’s Ratatouille Journey in World Showcase or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind within the former Future World.
Some visitors do head to Soarin’ Across the World or Frozen Ever After, however these have turn into secondary stops for probably the most half. A minimum of on 5/10 crowd degree days or greater, it may be a problem to knock out 2 headliners earlier than the rope drop rush arrives.
We predict Check Observe’s return to vary that.
My hope is that we’re principally capable of make the most of the “Straightforward” EPCOT Early Entry Plan for Low Waits at Guardians of Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, however slotting in Check Observe first. Which may sound backwards, which is exactly the purpose. Keep tuned for precise area testing outcomes, although, as a result of issues typically don’t unfold in actual life as I lay them out on paper. That’s why we check the plans within the first place! I’ll be doing intensive precise testing and can report again with my outcomes someday later this month or in early August 2025. So keep tuned.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you be doing Check Observe throughout Early Entry or Prolonged Night Hours at EPCOT? Or will you continue to do the Rat Trip and Frozen Ever After if getting into by way of Worldwide Gateway? Ideas on additional hours at EPCOT? What’s your most popular strategy to mornings or evenings at EPCOT? Agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
