Disney's Animal Kingdom has moved its morning guest holding areas out of the Oasis and onto Discovery Island, changing how hotel guests and regular-admission guests reach the park's main lands at opening.
BlogMickey documented the new setup Thursday morning. Three checkpoints now separate Early Entry guests from the general crowd: one near Island Mercantile for Pandora and Africa, one near Zootopia: Better Zoogether! for Asia, and one at the bridge toward the former DinoLand U.S.A.
Eligible hotel guests have their Early Entry status checked at those points and continue toward attractions. Other guests wait nearby until the official opening time. The Oasis now works as a passage from the turnstiles instead of the main holding area.
Disney's 30-minute Early Theme Park Entry benefit is unchanged. Discovery Island shops remained closed until regular opening Thursday, though PhotoPass photographers were working near the Tree of Life during the hold.
Disney has not announced the operational change or said whether the setup is permanent.
Sources: BlogMickey's firsthand report and Walt Disney World's Early Theme Park Entry information. Official image: Walt Disney World.