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Credit: Inside the MagicWalt Disney World Resort’s leading theme park, Magic Kingdom, is the most visited in the world. Merging the classic Intellectual Properties (IP) of the Disney canon with a theme park experience, fans of the Mouse House flock back to Central Florida year on year. This summer marks a significant period of change for the Orlando-based parks, and Disney is pulling out all the stops to keep guests entertained while on vacation.
Last Sunday, July 6, Disney World welcomed its final batch of guests on Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Belle Riverboat at the Rivers of America. The attractions were permanently retired beginning July 7 as Disney Experiences pushes forward with its Piston Peak National Park retheme of the Frontierland area.
The Cars-themed land will be a part of the existing Frontierland framework, with classics like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remaining in operation. Further down the line, the park will also build a Disney Villains location in what has become colloquially known as “Beyond Big Thunder.” Details about the upcoming land are sparse, but Disney will surely update fans at this year’s Destination D23 and 2026’s main D23 Expo event.
Even as some guests weigh up when the best time to visit Walt Disney World Resort is, considering the amount of upheaval happening resort-wide, the House of Mouse is making sure there are plenty of activities for guests to get involved in during the summer months.
From Cool Kid Summer activities in parks like EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom to the Extended Evening Hours perk for Deluxe resort guests, Disney is not just about rope-dropping the most popular rides, there are many other ways to experience the resort.
Looking ahead, Disney World has confirmed the closure status of Magic Kingdom Park, updating the official theme park calendar with new operating hours. Up until recently, Magic Kingdom’s longer opening period (from 9 a.m. through 11 p.m.) was only listed as happening until August 2. Now, the Disney World calendar shows those same hours through August 30–Early Theme Park Entry for onsite resort guests will still take place at 8:30 a.m.
The change in the hours is likely to cater for the new Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade, which debuts at Magic Kingdom on Sunday, July 20, 2025. The new nighttime parade is a big deal for the Walt Disney World Resort, debuting years after the Main Street Electrical Parade closed.
The Disney Starlight parade will have two showtimes at Magic Kingdom: 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. meaning more chances for guests to view this new nighttime entertainment that features franchises like Moana, Frozen, and Peter Pan.
The change to the operating hours also sees the Extended Evening Hours offering at Magic Kingdom on August 13, 2025, be pushed back to the two hours after park closure. With the theme park now closing at 11 p.m., the Extended Evening Hours for Deluxe Resort guests will take place 11 p.m. through 1 a.m.
How do you feel about the updated operating hours at Magic Kingdom Park in Disney World? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!