The Walt Disney World Resort official website has just unveiled its updated operating hours calendar, and the most updated version of the parks calendar reveals an extension of park hours for the earliest part of the month of November.
Disney World has just announced its extended hours for the beginning of November, and we have all the details. Read on to see the extended hours below. The most updated version of the calendar gives the park operating hours for all four theme parks at the Central Florida Disney resort, including Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Park hours are now available through the latter part of the merriest month of the year around the country and around the Disney World Resort–December!
In the most recent update of the Walt Disney World Resort calendar, dates and hours of operation are available through the twenty-third day of December at each of the four Florida theme parks.
But the newest update to the calendar doesn’t read like a run-of-the-mill Disney World calendar, and it includes several changes that have been made to the parks’ operating hours in the month of November 2023, and in most of those changes, the operating hours in one or more Disney theme park at Disney World have been extended by at least one or two hours, meaning there will be more time for magic and memories in November!
You can see the changes to the calendar’s operating hours below. The extended hours for Magic Kingdom are shown with the previous hours included in the parentheses. When making your plans to visit any of the Central Florida Disney theme parks, it’s a good idea to double-check the official calendar on the Walt Disney World Resort website.
The changes are shown by Disney theme park, by date, beginning with Magic Kingdom Park.*
Extended Hours at Magic Kingdom Park
October 28th: 8 am-11 pm (9 am-10 pm) November 4th: 8 am-11 pm (9 am-10 pm) November 5th: 9 am-10 pm (9 am-9 pm) November 6th: 9 am-11 pm (9 am-9 pm) November 7th: 8 am-11 pm (9 am-9 pm) November 8th: 9 am-10 pm (9 am-9 pm) November 9th and 10th: 8 am-6 pm (9 am-6 pm) November 3rd and 11th: 9 am-12 am (9 am-9 pm)
Extended Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park
November 10th and 11th: opening at 8:30 a.m., as opposed to the usual opening time of 9:00 a.m.
Extended Hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
November 5th through 9th: opening at 8:00 a.m., as opposed to the usual opening time of 9:00 a.m. November 10th and 11th: open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., as opposed to the usual operating times of 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Again, when Guests are planning their visits to the Walt Disney World Resort, it is important to double-check the calendar to confirm operating hours.
*There are no changes noted for the operating hours at EPCOT, as of the time of this publication.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will host a brand new nighttime party, Disney Jollywood Nights, on ten select evenings from Nov 11-Dec. 20, 2023, this festive season. The separately ticketed event, which takes place 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., invites guests to experience a glamorous evening full of merry mashups, delicious tastes and sips, iconic throwback characters, and a holiday vibe full of glitz and sparkle. Disney has released the foodie guide for items that will be available for purchase during the party.
From a Disney Cast Member;
Grab your best Hollywood glam and appetite because Disney Jollywood Nights is less than a month away from kicking off its first night! This brand-new holiday extravaganza is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World on 10 select nights Nov. 11 through Dec. 20 and is filled with plenty of festive fun.
This new nighttime soiree will feature plenty of swanky spots for you to enjoy like the Holiday Fiesta en la Calle over in Commissary Lane. The streets will be filled with Latin holiday tunes, colorful décor, and plenty of eats and sips inspired by Latin holiday traditions for a vibrant and lively party. Or experience Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby as the restaurant transforms into a smooth jazz joint, playing holiday tunes amidst sparkling décor. Here, you can sip craft cocktails and indulge in an exclusive menu of light bites while enjoying the music and ambiance of this classy establishment. You can even drop by the dazzling Twilight Soirée at The Tip-Top Club, a swingin’ soiree in the courtyard of The Hollywood Tower Hotel. A live band will be bringing the fun with holiday tunes in jukebox style as you sip on fancy cocktails.
While you’re at all of these locations and the others scattered throughout the park, you’ll be able to indulge in tasty delights that will light up your taste buds with holiday spirit (and flavor). From the delicious Holiday Turkey Popover at Fairfax Fare to the lovely Tiramisù Puff at PizzeRizzo, and even sweet sips like the Sandy Claws Hot Cocoa from Dockside Diner, this new event has something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season!
And don’t forget about the thrilling entertainment going on too! Be sure to check out the can’t-miss musical variety show featuring some of your favorites, like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, and the seasonal nighttime spectacular “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” To make the night even more festive, we’d suggest wearing your holiday best with an old Hollywood flair.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see all the tasty eats and sips coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this holiday season. I’m pleased to present to you the official Foodie Guide to the first-ever Disney Jollywood Nights!
Holiday Fiesta en la Calle at ABC Commissary
Chicken Empanadas with Street Corn: Chicken empanadas served with a side of street corn salad topped with chili peppers, lime, and cotija cheese
Yuca con Chicharrón: Fried pork belly, yuca, red pickled onions, and chili pepper-lime seasoning with a yellow pepper aïoli
Mushroom Taco: Chili-roasted Mixed mushrooms, avocado crema, baby gem lettuce, and garnished with sliced radish (Plant-based Item)
Birria Taco: Shredded short rib and Monterey jack served with beef consommé for dipping
Tembleque: Coconut rice pudding with caramel rum sauce and cinnamon
Mexican Hot Cocoa Cheesecake: Spiced chocolate cheesecake on a chocolate cookie base topped with vanilla whipped cream and cocoa powder with a chocolate handle
Mangonada: Frozen mango beverage with mango-chili pepper-lime sauce and chili pepper-lime seasoning on top (Non-alcoholic)
Oaxaca Old Fashioned: Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, agave nectar, Mexican chocolate, and orange bitters served over ice garnished with an orange
Baseline Taphouse
Tuna Ceviche: Marinated ahi tuna, pico de gallo, and avocado cream topped with cilantro
Charcuterie Cup: Manchego, chorizo, serrano ham, pickled vegetables, olives, and toasted focaccia bread
Beer Margarita: Blend of Patrón Silver Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, and lime juice topped with Scrimshaw Pilsner over Ice
Dockside Diner
Spicy Pimento-Kimchi Dip topped with chives and served with fresh house-made wonton chips
Roasted Eggplant Dip topped with chives and served with warm pita bread (Plant-based Item)
Poutine Tots: Potato barrels topped with gravy, brisket, mozzarella curds, and chives
Christmas Tree Cookie Stack: Vanilla cookie stack filled with pistachio buttercream, cranberry, and raspberry jam topped with sprinkles and a yellow candy star
Sandy Claws Hot Cocoa: “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”-inspired dark chocolate hot cocoa topped with cherry whipped cream (Non-alcoholic)
Naughty or Nice: Crown Royal Whisky and ginger mixed with orange, cranberry, and grapefruit juices topped with fresh cranberries
Epic Eats
Spicy Korean Chicken Funnel Cake: Spicy fried Korean chicken with pickled vegetables served on a mini funnel cake
Brisket Reuben Funnel Cake: Beef brisket and sauerkraut slaw topped with thousand island dressing served on a mini funnel cake
S’mores Funnel Cake: Giant roasted marshmallow with chocolate and marshmallow sauce, topped with chocolate curls and cinnamon cereal served on a mini funnel cake
Samuel Adams Winter Lager: Spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel for a deep flavor and malty finish
Fairfax Fare
Holiday Turkey Popover: Roasted turkey and creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy, cranberry chutney, and chives in a house-made popover
‘Just the Sides’ Popover: Macaroni & cheese and savory collard greens with ham topped with cornbread crumbs in a house-made popover
PB&J Doughnut: Glazed doughnut with creamy peanut butter and grape jelly dipped in dark chocolate topped with crushed house-made salt and vinegar chips
Kermit’s Frozen Banana Bliss: Frozen banana and white chocolate with caramel swirls topped with matcha whipped cream and sprinkle (Non-alcoholic)
Mistletoe Martini: Tito’s Handmade Vodka and St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur mixed with cranberry juice and topped with fresh cranberries and mint leaves
Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction
Christmas Gertie Cookie: Sugar cookie with mint icing (Also available with mint soft-serve)
Market
Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls: Fried spring rolls served with a jalapeño-ranch dipping sauce and fried rice noodles
Frozone’s Snowball Macaroons: Coconut macaroons drizzled with blue vanilla frosting and topped with white snowflake sprinkles
Spiced Apple Cider: Apple cider and cinnamon with an apple chip garnish (Non-alcoholic)
Zero-Proof Apple Cider: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, apple cider, Angostura Bitters, and cinnamon topped with an apple chip and cinnamon rim
In Holiday Fashion: Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, rosemary syrup, cranberry and lime juices, and cinnamon
PizzeRizzo
Meatball and Polenta: Giant meatball with marinara and creamy cheese polenta
Olive and Goat Cheese Flatbread: Olive oil-toasted flatbread, creamy goat cheese, rustic olive and tomato spread, balsamic glaze, and lemon watercress
Antipasto Flatbread: Fresh mozzarella, salami, peperoni, country ham, olives, peppers, onions, pepperoncini, and marinara
Tiramisù Puff: Sweet-and-savory with flavors of espresso, chocolate, and a coffee-infused custard and mascarpone cream
Benvolio Pinot Grigio
Banfi Chianti Superiore
Peroni Nastro Azzuro Lager Draft
Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Lager
Twilight Soirée at The Tip-Top Club
The 5th Dimension Royale: Teremana Blanco Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, desert pear, agave nectar, and lime juice topped with Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut and garnished with a dehydrated blood orange wheel
Twilight Daiquiri: Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, ube, lime juice, and a splash of shimmer
Sparkling Pomegranate-Apple Cider: Pomegranate-green tea topped with sparkling apple cider and pomegranate seeds
Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut
The Trolley Car Café
Ornament Mousse: Dark chocolate-cherry mousse
Outdoor Vending Locations
Gingerbread Bites (Plant-based Item)
Bar Locations
Zero-Proof Gingerbread Spritzer: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, gingerbread syrup, and club soda garnished with a gingerbread bite
Sugar Cookie Martini: Stoli Vanil Vodka, Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, and DISARONNO Originale Liqueur mixed with milk and sugar in a sprinkle-rimmed glass with a sugar cookie garnish
Derby Slider: Bison and pork belly blend, taleggio cheese sauce, and fig stout jam
Tuna Carpaccio: Mezcal pickled vegetables, salsa macha, and avocado crema
Pork Belly Bao: Korean BBQ, cucumber slaw, and soy vinaigrette
Tofu Bao: Seared tofu, cucumber slaw, and soy vinaigrette
An assortment of classic cocktails, zero-proof and non-alcoholic beverages, wine, and beer
To experience the festive fun of Jazzy Holidays at The Holiday Brown Derby, you can request to join the walk-up waitlist on the My Disney Experience app. Learn more here!
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Tinseltown Tini: Toast to holiday cheer with this cold brew coffee topped with Kahlúa, Grey Goose Vodka, a hint of light cream, and a dash of whipped cream with cocoa (Available at the location near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror)
Round ‘Em Up Latte: A merry blend of espresso, cookie butter syrup, dulce de leche sauce, and milk topped with fluffy whipped cream, playful animal crackers, and festive sprinkles; available hot or iced (Non-alcoholic Beverage) (Available at the location in Toy Story Land)
Wow! What a tasty line-up coming to this brand-new event. I sure am hungry (and excited). You can purchase tickets to Disney Jollywood Nights here and try all of these delicious items for yourself.
Memory Maker is a popular Disney PhotoPass product that many guests purchase to get access to unlimited downloads of the photos that are taken by PhotoPass photographers during trips to Walt Disney World. After several years at the same price, Disney has raised prices on the product.
Disney has raised prices for its Disney PhotoPass Memory Maker, a very popular product that allows guests to get unlimited downloads of photos taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers at over one hundred locations. The price increases are as follows:
Memory Maker (Advance Purchase) is now $185, up from $169.
Memory Maker (During and Post-Vacation) is now $210, up from $199.
Memory Maker One Day is now $75, up from $69.
Even with the price increase, we still think Memory Maker is a good buy, especially if you take advantage and have a lot of photos taken during your vacation.
In the heart of Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort, the Dockside Diner offers visitors a charming and convenient dining experience with a picturesque waterfront setting. This delightful quick-service restaurant is a hidden gem that combines the allure of Hollywood’s golden age with the magic of Disney storytelling.
The Dockside Diner’s design and ambiance capture the spirit of an Art Deco seaside cafe from the early 20th century. The restaurant’s maritime-inspired decor, vibrant colors, and outdoor seating provide a welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of a coastal diner, with a vintage touch that transports diners to another era.
Despite its unassuming appearance, the Dockside Diner serves up a delectable menu filled with American comfort food favorites. From juicy hot dogs to indulgent macaroni and cheese, guests can enjoy classic dishes that are sure to satisfy your appetite.
The standout offerings at Dockside Diner are its specialty hot dogs. With options like the “Pretzel Dog” featuring an all-beef hot dog, crispy bacon, and spicy mustard, or the “Macaroni & Cheese Truffle Dog” with creamy truffle macaroni and cheese, the Dockside Diner offers a unique twist on a classic favorite.
Don’t forget to pair your meal with one of the handcrafted milkshakes available at the Dockside Diner. From classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla to specialty options like the “Strawberry Banana Split Milkshake,” these cool treats are perfect for quenching your thirst and indulging your sweet tooth.
The Dockside Diner’s prime location along Echo Lake provides a charming waterfront view that enhances your dining experience. Whether you choose to dine under the shade of an umbrella or bask in the Florida sun, the tranquil setting adds to the charm of the restaurant.
The Dockside Diner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a hidden gem that offers a quick-service dining experience with a delightful waterfront view. Whether you’re a fan of classic comfort food, a lover of specialty hot dogs, or simply seeking a relaxing meal along the water, the Dockside Diner promises a convenient and enjoyable dining experience at Disney. It’s a place where you can take a break from your Hollywood Studios adventure, savor classic dishes with a twist, and enjoy the serene atmosphere by the water’s edge. So, whether you’re looking for a quick and tasty meal or a picturesque spot to recharge, the Dockside Diner is a delightful dining destination worth exploring during your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The sheer size of Walt Disney World makes getting around property, or knowing how to get around property, an essential part of your Disney vacation. However, Disney has afforded guests means of travel throughout its 27,520-acre resort by way of Disney World bus service, monorails, the Disney Skyliner, and the Magic Kingdom ferry boat.
As the Orlando-based resort, known as the “Most Magical Place on Earth,” is home to four theme parks, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios, as well as numerous resort rooms, golf courses, water parks, and much more; navigating the vast property can be overwhelming. For many guests, it’s best to simply park your car at your Disney resort and utilize Walt Disney World Transportation services instead.
Disney World’s flagship park, Magic Kingdom, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Tens of thousands of guests visit the park each day, meaning its accessibility is of utmost importance to manage the flow of crowds. For this reason, Magic Kingdom, unlike Disney World’s other three parks, doesn’t have direct parking to gate service. Instead, visitors to Magic Kingdom must use a Disney bus, monorail, or ferry boat to access the park.
Although the monorail is as iconic as Cinderella Castle, many forgo the long waits and opt to use Disney World’s water transportation system instead to get to various locations, including Magic Kingdom. Disney’s water transportation system offers theme park and resort guests access to areas such as Fort Wilderness Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney Springs, the World Showcase at EPCOT, and travel across Seven Seas Lagoon.
The transportation system consists of many different styles of ferry boats; some, such as the friendship boats, which are smaller crafts, offering access to other areas within theme parks. However, some are designed to move large numbers of guests, such as the Magic Kingdom ferry boat that brings visitors across Seven Seas Lagoon from the Transportation and Ticket Center.
Guests to popular Disney World Resorts such as Port Orleans can also use Disney’s water transportation center to access fabulous dining and shopping like that found in Disney Springs. Although you’ll find several ferry boats around Disney World property, the main ferry that carries guests from the ticket center to the front door of Magic Kingdom definitely sees the heaviest traffic.
Pilots and captains of Disney’s transportation systems are highly trained. As safety remains the top priority at Walt Disney World, ensuring guests can get from point A to point B efficiently and without incident means that Disney spares little expense in preparing their Cast Members to escort thousands of guests a day.
However, this doesn’t mean accidents don’t happen. A notable history of transportation problems has occurred on almost all of Disney World’s different systems. Guests a few years back found themselves shocked when their Disney Skyliner gondola collided with another ride vehicle just outside of EPCOT. There have also been several instances of bus accidents across Walt Disney World property, and sadly, even deaths associated with monorail accidents outside of Magic Kingdom.
Although Disney does everything they can to ensure that guests are safe, accidents do happen. However, whether you’re using their transportation to get from Fort Wilderness to Magic Kingdom or to make your way across the World Showcase to the Morocco Pavilion, you should feel relatively confident that your complimentary ride will be event-free.
With so many buses running from Disney resorts, Disney Springs, and theme parks, ferry boats in waterways that alligators call home, and guests soaring high above Walt Disney World on the Skyliner or monorail, the unavoidable fact is that things will still happen. Recently, a guest at Walt Disney World learned this the hard way.
Despite the safety associated with industry-leading Disney transportation, a recent Reddit post by user u/careerpathlost suggests that a recent accident involving the Magic Kingdom ferry boat while docking at the TTC sent a guest tipping over from their motorized scooter.
“We were on the ferry Saturday night around 10:30, and I said to my daughter as we were approaching the dock at the TTC, ‘We aren’t lined up, s**t brace yourself,’ and then we hit the dock sideways,” writes the user. “One lady toppled out of her scooter, almost everyone on the boat flew sideways. No cast members said a thing; they just waited for the admiral to correct (which took a couple of minutes) and then debarked everyone. That’s all, just wondered if any of you guys happened to be on the ship as well.“
Surprisingly, many who chose to respond to the Reddit post also shared stories and experiences in which Disney World’s ferry boat system had also “crashed” into the docks. One specific corroboration stated that a water taxi collided with the ports at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Although not mentioned in the Reddit post, it’s safe to assume everyone in the ferry boat was fine after the reported incident. As we’ve previously stated, Disney goes to great lengths to ensure that their transportation offerings are a safe service for guests at Walt Disney World, or at any of their parks, for that matter.
As the need for buses, monorails, boats, and the Disney Skyliner remains high, transporting huge numbers of guests all over Disney World, the company often revisits its training and safety standards. However, if true, the latest report of a ferry boat colliding at the TTC dock raises concerns for future riders.
The Magic Kingdom ferry remains an excellent option for returning to the TTC or the parking lots at Disney World’s flagship park. It’s also a great place to enjoy Happily Ever After while beating some of the crowds that exit the park after the end of the nighttime spectacular. However, it can be a bit intimidating as the boats, during busy times, can become quite crowded. Despite complaints of mishaps such as this, guests can rest assured that Disney does everything to ensure their safety.
