Walt Disney World Extends Park Hours for Holiday Season

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Walt Disney World Park Hours

Credit: Disney

Disney days in November are going to be a little bit longer! The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida just released the new theme park operating hours for November, and it looks like two parks will stay open later this holiday season

According to the Walt Disney World Website, the Magic Kingdom will be open until 7 p.m. starting November 6 after its hours were cut short to 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Walt Disney World hours extended
Credit: Disney

And EPCOT hours will be changing starting November 27 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. to 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.

EPCOT Hours change
Credit: Disney

This adjustment in operations coincides with the Walt Disney World Resort’s modified Christmas plans with Magic Kingdom beginning its Christmas celebration on November 6 and EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays beginning November 27.

There are no park hour changes for Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios at this time.

Read More: Christmas at Walt Disney World Coming November 6th!

On September 8, Walt Disney World reduced its theme parks’ operating hours to the following:

  • Magic Kingdom: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (Previously opened until 7:00 pm)
  • EPCOT: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm (Previously opened until 9:00 pm)
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (Previously opened until 8:00 pm)
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Previously opened at 8:00 am and closed at 6:00 pm)

Related: Disney World Implements Reduced Park Hours

This is new schedule will remain in effect until the Holiday festivities begin at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT.

disney christmas
Credit: Disney Parks Blog

According to Disney Parks Blog,

Guests will be delighted by the sight of festive flotillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, holiday promenades at EPCOT and merry motorcades at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Character cavalcades at Magic Kingdom Park will take on a special holiday twist, with Christmas friends on festive floats in their holiday finest. Gingerbread Men? Check! Elves and Reindeer? Check, check! And, my personal favorite, the Toy Soldiers, will join the Main Street Philharmonic as they march through Magic Kingdom Park, bringing musical holiday cheer for all to hear.

When night falls, special projection effects will give a festive look to Cinderella Castle this year, providing a colorful backdrop for our guests’ photos. The appearance of the iconic castle will be transformed with a rotating series of designs including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation. This will be in place of the Castle Dream Lights. Other holiday experiences that draw big crowds will be on hiatus this year as well, such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. We know these experiences are a cherished part of holiday traditions that will be missed by guests and cast members alike, but we’re glad to be able to bring holiday magic in other creative ways.

Walt Disney World Christmas
credit; Disney Parks Blog

While it will be interesting to see how magical Disney’s Christmas will be this year, it is also interesting to notice that there was no such extension provided for those Guests looking to take in the modified Halloween festivities at Magic Kingdom this year.

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