Walt Disney World Resort is renowned for its four extraordinary theme parks that offer a magical experience to visitors of all ages. These enchanting parks usually open their gates bright and early in the morning, allowing guests to immerse themselves in a day of whimsical adventures. The magic also doesn’t stop when the sun sets, as the theme park hours extend into the late hours of the night, ensuring that visitors maximize their time and create unforgettable memories.
All four parks are open for at least 10 hours a day, ensuring a long day of play for guests visiting. While the standard operating hours of the theme parks provide ample opportunity for exploration, it’s worth noting that there are occasions when these hours may deviate from the norm.
Whether it’s an early theme park entry or extended evening hours, there are plenty of reasons why park hours might change. One such instance is when special events take place within the resort that require theme park ticket holders to leave earlier than normal.
Tonight, for instance, the parks will be closing their gates earlier than usual to accommodate a special event dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the remarkable efforts of the cast members. This event serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication that goes into creating the magical atmosphere that Disney is known for.
By giving the cast members a chance to be celebrated and acknowledged, Disney reinforces its commitment to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for its employees.
It’s important for visitors to be aware that these occasional alterations in park hours are temporary and are done with the intention of ensuring the best experience for everyone involved. While it may mean that a particular day’s theme park hours are slightly shorter than usual, it allows for a meaningful celebration of the incredible individuals who bring the magic to life.
The park’s operating hours for today, January 29, 2024, are as follows:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park
8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park
8:30 am to 9:00 pm
EPCOT
9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Magic Kingdom Park
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Beyond these temporary changes, guests can typically expect the theme parks to provide a delightful escapade from morning to night. Each park offers a unique and captivating atmosphere, brimming with thrilling rides, enchanting shows, and beloved Disney characters. These modified park hours should return to normal as the week continues.
Ultimately, Walt Disney World Resort ensures that there are ample opportunities to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime, regardless of the changed hours. The occasional alteration of park hours for special events only serves to underscore the commitment to excellence and create an atmosphere where both guests and cast members can genuinely feel the magic of the Disney experience.
Christmas is one of the merriest and most magical times of the year, and spending the holidays at Walt Disney World can add an extra sprinkling of pixie dust to Guests’ festive celebrations. The holidays are a very busy time of year at The Most Magical Place on Earth, so a lot of Guests try to get to the Parks early in order to get the most out of their day.
As a perk for staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, Guests are allowed to get into a theme park of their choice — as long as they have a reservation to that Park — up to 30 minutes before the theme park opens for non-hotel Guests. However, for this holiday season, Disney has decided to spread even more holiday cheer to Guests and has announced that they are extending early theme park entry from 30 minutes to one hour!
As part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels can take advantage of a 30-minute early entry into Walt Disney World theme parks every day.
As we continue to celebrate the holiday season, from Sunday, December 19, 2021 to Monday, January 3, 2022, the early theme park entry benefit will be extended from 30 minutes to 60 minutes for Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels.
Valid theme park admission, park reservation and Resort ID are required.
Guests staying at the following hotels can take part in the extended early morning theme park hours:
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World® Resort
B Resort & Spa Lake Buena Vista
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Holiday Inn Orlando
Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Extended theme park evening hours still only apply to Guests staying at Walt Disney World Deluxe hotels and other select hotels on Disney property. Extended evening hours typically happen on Mondays and Wednesdays and are currently only happening at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT.
Announced earlier this year, one of the new benefits of staying at a Walt Disney Resort will be a new 30-minute early entry. Extra Magic Hours have been retired and will not return. This new benefit allows guests to enter any theme park, ahead of non-resort guests to get a jump on the day. Another benefit, available only to guests of Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts, gives guests extended evening hours in the parks. Disney has announced the attractions that will be open during the Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Theme Park Hours.
Early Theme Park Entry
Starting October 1, 2021, as part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, Disney Resort hotel Guests and Guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to any Walt Disney World theme park, every day. It’ll be a great way to get a jump start on your Disney day, no matter the day!
Valid theme park admission, park reservation, and Resort ID are required.
Participating HotelsEarly theme park entry is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels, which include:
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World® Resort
Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
B Resort & Spa Lake Buena Vista
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Holiday Inn Orlando
Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
What’s Available at the Theme Parks
During the early entry period, select attractions, merchandise, and food and beverage locations will be operating.
In addition, the following attractions are planned* to operate:
Magic Kingdom Park
“it’s a small world”
Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Mad Tea Party
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Peter Pan’s Flight
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Space Mountain
The Barnstormer
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Epcot
Beauty and The Beast Sing-Along
Frozen Ever After
Mission: SPACE
Soarin’ Around the World
Spaceship Earth
Test Track
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Alien Swirling Saucers
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Slinky Dog Dash
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ™
Toy Story Mania!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Avatar Flight of Passage
DINOSAUR
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Na’vi River Journey
TriceraTop Spin
*Please note that attractions are subject to change and may not always be operational. To learn about any unplanned closures or long-term refurbishments, please view details about the attraction on our website or mobile app.
What You Need to Know
Be aware that a valid theme park admission ticket and park reservation are required.
Guests without the Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option must spend the day at the same park where they’d like to enjoy the Early Theme Park Entry benefit.
Not all Walt Disney World attractions are available during Early Theme Park Entry. Early Theme Park Entry schedule and available attractions are subject to change without notice.
Applicable theme park, days and times of operation, attraction and service availability may vary and are subject to change without notice. Subject to capacity and cancellation.
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours
With the kickoff of the 50th anniversary, enjoy extended evening hours on select evenings in select theme parks when you stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort or, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels. This exciting benefit begins in October 2021—so you can celebrate the spectacular 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!
Participating HotelsExtended evening theme park hours is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, which include:Disney Deluxe Resorts
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Other Select Hotels
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World®
What’s Available at the Theme Parks
During the extended evening theme park hours, select merchandise and food and beverage locations will be available.
In addition, the following attractions are planned* to operate:
Magic Kingdom Park
“it’s a small world”
Astro Orbiter
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Country Bear Jamboree
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Haunted Mansion
Mad Tea Party
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Peter Pan’s Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Space Mountain
Swiss Family Treehouse
The Barnstormer
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland Speedway
Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Epcot
Beauty and The Beast Sing-Along
Frozen Ever After
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
Mission: SPACE
Soarin’ Around the World
Spaceship Earth
Test Track
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
*Please note that attractions are subject to change and may not always be operational. To learn about any unplanned closures or long-term refurbishments, please view details about the attraction on our website or mobile app.
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours Schedule
The chart below show the available Extended Evening Theme Park Hours schedule at the time of publication.
With Walt Disney World’s Extra Magic Hours gone, Disney is preparing to release two new early entry and extended hours options that differ from Extra Magic Hours. First up, beginning October 1, ALL Walt Disney World Resorts will have a chance to experience the new “Early Theme Park Entry”. This new perk will allow all Disney Resorts Guests a jump-start their day inside the Park with a 30-minute early entry to ANY theme Park, EVERY day. If you’re staying as a Disney Deluxe Resort Guests you’re eligible to spend TWO extra hours in select Parks on select days! This new perk is called “Extended Evening Theme Park Hours“ and is only available to Disney Resort Guests staying at select Deluxe Resorts. While we previously shared that Disney released some October dates for extended evening hours, we’re now seeing even more October dates have been added to the calendar.
When visiting the Walt Disney World website, you’ll see in the screenshot below, Disney’s October Extended Evening Theme Park Hours include:
October 4 at EPCOT (10pm – midnight)
October 6 at Magic Kingdom (9pm – 11pm)
October 11 at EPCOT (10pm – midnight)
October 13 at Magic Kingdom (9pm to 11pm)
October 18 at EPCOT (10pm – midnight)
October 20 at Magic Kingdom (9pm – 11pm)
October 25 at EPCOT (10pm – midnight)
October 27 at Magic Kingdom (9pm to 11pm)
Unsure if you’re staying at one of the participating resorts? Extended evening theme Park hours is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, which include the 24 Resort selections below:
Disney Deluxe Resorts
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Other Select Hotels
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World®
Guests staying at these resorts will still need a valid theme park ticket to gain access to the park, as well as a theme park reservation. If you’re visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom for example but still want to enjoy staying up until midnight at EPCOT and have a valid park hopper ticket or annual pass, you can hop to EPCOT as long as you entered your first park where you made your reservation earlier in the day. For all the details about Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, visit Disney’s website.
Several attractions and entertainment experiences have or are reopening this month. In September, you’ll have a last chance to watch “Happily Ever After” and “Epcot Forever” nighttime spectaculars. Visiting in October? Well, get ready to party as Disney launches The World’s Most Magical Celebration including a new nighttime spectacular at Magic Kingdom and another over at EPCOT. On top of all that, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is still rocking and rolling, and Disney After Hours Boo Bash keeps things extra spooktacular! As you plan your vacation, you’ll want to take note that Walt Disney World has updated their park hours with an earlier opening time coming soon to EPCOT! Check out August 7 – October 23, 2021 park hours as noted below.
Magic Kingdom:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
August 7: 8:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
August 8 – 9: 9:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
August 10 – 12: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
August 13: 8:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
August 14: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
August 15: 9:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
August 16 – 31: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 1 – 6: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 7: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 8 – 9: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 10: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 11: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
September 12: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 13: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 14: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 15 – 16: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 17: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 18: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 19: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 20: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 21: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 22 – 23: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 24: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 25: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 26 – 29: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 30: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
October 1 – 4: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
October 5: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
October 6 – 7: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
October 8: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
October 9: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
October 10: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
October 11: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
October 12: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
October 13 – 14: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
October 15: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
October 16: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
October 17: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
October 18: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
October 19: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
October 20 – 21: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
October 22: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
October 23: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
EPCOT:
August 7 – 8: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
August 9 – 12: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
August 13 – 15: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
August 16 – 19: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
August 20 – 22: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
August 23 – 26: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
August 27 – 29: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
August 30 – 31: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 1 – 2: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 3 – 5: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
September 6 – 9: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 10 – 12: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
September 13 – 16: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 17 – 19: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
September 20 – 23: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 24 – 26: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
September 27 – 30: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
October 1 – 23: 10:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm) *Previously opened at 11am
Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
August 7 – 25: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
August 26: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
August 27 – 31: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 1 – 10: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 11: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
September 12 – 28: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 29: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
September 30: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
October 1 – 23: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
August 7: 8:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
August 8 – 13: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
August 14: 8:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
August 15: 8:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
August 16 – 20: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
August 21: 8:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
August 22 – 27: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
August 28: 8:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
August 29 – 31: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
September 1 – 30: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
October 1 – 23: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
Keep checking park hours via the My Disney Experience App before visiting Walt Disney World, as you just never know if Disney is going to add an extra hour as your park day draws near.
