Disney World's Magic Kingdom To Force Guest Exit This Month

Unfortunately, the Walt Disney World Resort will have to force guests to exit their most popular theme park this month.

Magic Kingdom Park has been standing strong for over half a century. In 2021, the theme park in Central Florida celebrated its 50th anniversary with a host of new additions, including the Disney Enchantment fireworks show.

While the show was eventually replaced by its predecessor, Happily Ever After, this January, guests have been able to revisit the spectacular through the Disney After Hours event at the park.

The After Hours events—which also happen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT—are hard-ticketed evenings. They allow guests to visit the resort with lower crowds while experiencing exciting offerings. After Hours events run on select nights from January through May 2025.

However, it is not just the After Hours parties that will see regular-ticketed guests having to exit the park early. On January 30, the Magic Kingdom will close to all guests at 4:30 p.m., hours earlier than its traditional operating hours. Why? On this date, the Magic Kingdom will host its annual cast member celebration in front of Cinderella Castle.

The event is a tradition in which the House of Mouse recognizes and celebrates the cast members of Walt Disney World Resort and commemorates their milestone careers.

So, just note that if you’re planning on visiting the Magic Kingdom theme park on January 30, you will be forced to leave at 4:30 as the celebration gets underway.

However, while this may seem like a reason not to visit the park at all, many others will likely have the same thoughts, so a morning and early afternoon expedition to the Magic Kingdom may, in fact, prove fruitful when it comes to low crowds and short wait times.

Those who do head out to the Magic Kingdom this January will visit while one of its flagship attractions is closed indefinitely. On January 5, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ran its final course before a year-long refurbishment commenced the following day.

Also closed at the resort is Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland, and on January 27, the indoor playground at Dumbo the Flying Elephant will go dark, too.

Will you take advantage of the possibly low crowds on January 30? Or will you evade the park altogether? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!