Credit: Reinhard Link, FlickrGuests were alerted to the EPCOT cancellation just minutes before the experience–and now regular ticket holders will lose another opportunity to participate.
Following the eventual debut of World Celebration, the third of the new former Future World neighborhoods, EPCOT is the one park at the Walt Disney World Resort that isn’t undergoing a significant upheaval.
Magic Kingdom has its Frontierland evolution, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is preparing to welcome the Tropical Americas. As for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Grand Avenue will be replaced by Monstropolis–but not before cast members get to view Muppet*Vision 3D one last time.
At EPCOT, the biggest change happening right now is the ongoing retheme of Test Track, which will be refreshed with its original World of Motion inspiration. Known as the festival park, EPCOT welcomes millions of guests each year thanks to its innovative nature and popular attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in World Discovery and Frozen Ever After in the Norway pavilion at the World Showcase.
The pavilions of EPCOT, which represent multiple countries, are popular with guests—especially those looking to “drink around the world.” The World Showcase Lagoon, which sits at the center of this area, is also where guests can view the nighttime fireworks spectacular Luminous The Symphony of Us. The official Disney World website describes the show as a “dazzling pageant.”
“Delight in a dramatic show designed to bring us all together,” the webpage reads. “Marvel at a dazzling pageant of fireworks, fountains, music and lights set to an original composition. New music, along with evocative selections from the Disney songbook, come together to remind us that we are more alike than we are different.”
However, last night, May 20, guests were alerted 45 minutes before showtime that the fireworks were not going ahead and the performance would be canceled. Guests were sent a push notification from their My Disney Experience apps letting them know about the scheduling change. While no explanation was given, reports on social media seem to suggest that the bridge was malfunctioning.
While the guests that were at EPCOT on May 20 might be hoping to return to the park tonight, May 21, they won’t be able to as all regular ticket holders at the Walt Disney World Resort will be barred from entry. Here’s why.
As announced in March 2025, EPCOT will be closing to all guests at 5:30 p.m., hours before its usual closing time of 9 p.m. The early closure is due to a private buyout of the theme park for the 2025 SAP Sapphire & ASUG Annual Conference Orlando.
Despite its 5:30 p.m. closure, the private event runs from 7:30 p.m. through 11:30 p.m. This early closure of EPCOT means that the other Disney World theme parks may be busier than usual on May 21.
For reference, Magic Kingdom Park will be open from 9 a.m. through 10 p.m., with Extended Evening Hours for Deluxe Resort guests from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Walt Disney World Resort guests should be prepared for today’s operational change and the possibility that Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom will be busier than usual to accommodate EPCOT’s significantly early closure.
Private events are not uncommon at Disney World, though. In January each year, Magic Kingdom often shuts early to regular guests so the House of Mouse can celebrate its cast members and the many milestones its employees have reached.
Last year, the same conference that will close EPCOT early in 2025 caused Hollywood Studios to shut to regular guests. At the 2024 event, Maroon 5 performed; this year, the Zac Brown Band will perform for the conference attendees.
How do you feel about private events taking precedence over regular ticketed guests at Disney World? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!