3. First Family on Kilimanjaro Safaris

When I was a driver at Kilimanjaro Safaris, I typically worked the closing shift. On my rare opening shifts, however, my favorite thing to do was go out into the park to select the First Family. They are chosen at random from the guests milling around just before rope drop, and get the opportunity to take a private safari ride with an extra-special narration!

Although there is no way to guarantee that you will be picked, showing up after rope drop guarantees that you will not. So why not drag yourselves out of bed early, put on your cutest outfits, and hope for the best? If nothing else, you will have the chance to ride the Safaris when the animals are at their most awake and active.

4. Storm Troopers on the Hollywood Studios roof

You can only catch this one during Star Wars Weekends, but it’s well worth it for any Star Wars fan. Beginning shortly before rope drop and continuing until shortly after, the rooftops above the turnstiles are filled with Storm Troopers. They look imposing, do a great job of interacting with the crowd, and generally set the stage for the fun ahead. Of course, if you want autographs or photos with the celebrity guests, you’ll need to be in line well before rope drop anyway. Getting out of bed and making it to the park in time to see the Storm Troopers is a little less painful for Star Wars fans who are not fond of early mornings, since the ultimate payoff is so high.

Both early morning and late night are special times to be inside the Walt Disney World parks. The weather is cooler, the crowds are much lighter, and the parks take on a bit of extra magic. But the early morning hours are the only time you can catch these extra-special experiences. No matter how much of a night owl you are, consider getting up early now and then to take in some of the best that Walt Disney World has to offer.