Extra Magic Time Disneyland Paris: Everything You Need to Know (2026)

Extra Magic Time is one of the greatest perks of staying at an official Disneyland Paris hotel. With Extra Magic Time, you get exclusive access to the park one hour before regular day visitors, or you can stay on after closing time for an extra hour of magic. In this KTW guide, we explain exactly how it works, what you get out of it, and how to make the very most of it.

What is Extra Magic Time?

Extra Magic Time (EMT for short) is an exclusive benefit for guests staying at an official Disney hotel in Disneyland Paris. This applies to all official hotels — from the grand Disneyland Hotel to Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne and Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe. Guests of official partner hotels do not receive this benefit, which makes it a truly distinctive perk of booking a genuine Disney hotel.

There are two forms of Extra Magic Time: morning EMT and evening EMT. With the morning version, you can enter the park one hour before the regular opening time. With the evening version, you can stay in the park for one hour after official closing time. Which version is active varies by day and is published on the official Disneyland Paris website and app.

Which Attractions Are Open During Extra Magic Time?

Not all attractions are open during EMT hours. Disneyland Paris publishes a list of available attractions in advance. These are typically the most popular and in-demand attractions in the park, giving hotel guests a significant head start over regular day visitors. Think of attractions such as Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain: Mission 2, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy, and Frozen Ever After.

Always check the official app or website for the current EMT attraction list during your stay, as it can vary by season and by day. Sometimes there are also exclusive shows or meet and greet moments for EMT guests.

How Do You Use Extra Magic Time?

To take advantage of Extra Magic Time, you will need your hotel key card and your park ticket. At the park entrance, you present both and the Cast Members will welcome you through into the park. Please note: you must also have a valid park ticket for that day — the hotel key card alone is not sufficient.

A smart strategy is to think the evening before your EMT morning about which attractions you want to tackle first. Draw up a shortlist of your top three attractions for the EMT hour and head straight for them as soon as the gates open. Queue times during this hour are remarkably short — sometimes you can walk straight onto an attraction without waiting at all. This is the ultimate way to experience the most popular attractions without the long queues.

Morning EMT vs Evening EMT: Which is Better?

Both options have their merits. Morning EMT is ideal if you plan to spend a full day in the park. You can tick off the most popular attractions before the crowds arrive, which makes the rest of the day feel much more relaxed. Queue times during this hour are exceptionally short and the atmosphere in the park is wonderfully peaceful.

Evening EMT is perfect if you tend to have more energy in the evenings than the mornings, or if you have spent part of the day elsewhere (for example in Disney Adventure World). As evening falls, the park takes on a truly magical quality, with the soft evening light and the gentle glow of the lights coming on. Queues are short at this time too, making it a wonderful way to round off the day.

How Many EMT Hours Do You Get Per Stay?

You are entitled to Extra Magic Time for every day you are staying at an official Disney hotel and hold a valid park ticket. If you book three nights, you therefore have three EMT mornings (or evenings). This is an enormous advantage if you are visiting over several days — each day you gain an extra hour to enjoy popular attractions with minimal waiting.

Combining Extra Magic Time with Premier Access

Extra Magic Time and Premier Access make a powerful combination. Use your EMT hour to enjoy the most popular attractions without a queue. Then purchase Premier Access for the attractions you want to experience in the afternoon, when the park is busier. This way you maximise the number of attractions per day while keeping waiting times to a minimum.

Please note: Premier Access is available through the app and can be booked as soon as you enter the park. Book your Premier Access slots the moment you arrive (or via the app before you even walk through the gates), as the most popular time slots fill up quickly.

Is Extra Magic Time Worth the Extra Cost?

An official Disney hotel is more expensive than a partner hotel or a hotel outside the Disney resort. The question is whether Extra Magic Time justifies the difference in price. For families with children who want to experience the most popular attractions without endless queuing, the answer is very often yes. The EMT hour can realistically earn you two to three additional attractions per day that you simply would not have managed otherwise due to long queues.

For those who are less focused on specific attractions and more drawn to the overall atmosphere, or who are already using Premier Access for the busiest rides, the added value is somewhat smaller. Weigh it up based on your group, your budget, and your priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Extra Magic Time

Does EMT also apply to Disney Adventure World? Sometimes yes, sometimes no — this varies by period. Check the official website for the most up-to-date information on which park has EMT hours during your stay.

Can guests of partner hotels take part? No, Extra Magic Time is exclusively for guests of the official Disney hotels on the Disney Resort grounds. Partner hotels do not receive this benefit, even if they are located close to the park.

How do I know which attractions are open during EMT? In the official Disneyland Paris app, you can see day by day which attractions are available during Extra Magic Time hours. Keep an eye on the app for updates, as the schedule can change.

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