Credit: DisneySummer at the Walt Disney World Resort may be a good time, but thousands of guests will lose access to the theme parks this month.
With four theme parks and two water theme parks, Disney World guests have a lot of choices when it comes to vacationing at the resort. This year marked an even more special occasion, as on May 21, all six Disney parks in Florida were opened concurrently, the first time in six years.
That will be relatively short-lived, though, as Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will officially close in the fall for seasonal maintenance, leaving Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park as the sole operating water park offering on Disney World property.
While there are no complete closures of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Disney World, no park is free from attraction or land refurbishments.
From Frontierland in Magic Kingdom to DinoLand U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom, Muppet*Vision 3D in Hollywood Studios to Spaceship Earth in EPCOT, guests are advised to stay up to date on the resort’s movements.
Within the permanent, indefinite, and temporary shutdowns are overall park closures that guests should be aware of. During the remainder of August, three of the Disney World theme parks will be closing early for various reasons, leaving thousands of guests blocked from accessing them.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Closing Early on August 16
On Saturday, August 16, 2025, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be shutting its gates earlier than expected, closing at 6 p.m. instead of its usual 9 p.m. finish.
This three-hour shift also means guests will miss the park’s signature nighttime spectacular, Fantasmic!, which will not be performed that evening. While Disney has yet to confirm the exact cause, early closures like this often point to private park buyouts or exclusive corporate gatherings, events that take over the park once regular day guests have left.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Closing Early on August 28
Just under two weeks later, on Thursday, August 28, 2025, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will also see an unusual schedule adjustment. The park’s closing time will be set for 5:00 p.m., about an hour earlier than its already-short summer hours.
This change will cut off the chance to enjoy some of the park’s most atmospheric nighttime moments, such as the bioluminescent glow of Pandora—The World of Avatar.
Much like Hollywood Studios, no official reason has been given, though history suggests the closure is likely tied to a private event or corporate booking.
For guests visiting on these dates, arriving earlier in the day will be essential to fit in key attractions before closing, and park hopping to EPCOT or Magic Kingdom could help extend the magic into the evening.
Disney fans should also keep an eye on the My Disney Experience app for any additional schedule changes. That said, due to seasonal events, Magic Kingdom is also closing early seven times this August.
Multiple Early Closures at Magic Kingdom This August
This year, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicks off in August, with seven event nights set for August 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, and 29.
The separately ticketed celebration runs from 7:00 p.m. to midnight, though party guests can typically enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. Regular day guests—those without a party ticket—can only park hop up to 6 p.m., making way for the Halloween fun to begin.
During the event, Magic Kingdom transforms into a festive Halloween playground. Trick-or-treat trails are scattered throughout the park, the Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade marches down Main Street, U.S.A. with the Headless Horseman leading the way, and the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular brings the Sanderson Sisters to the Castle Forecourt stage.
The evening caps off with Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular!, a fireworks and projection show lighting up Cinderella Castle. Costumes are encouraged for all ages, but Disney’s rules prevent adults from signing autographs or posing as official characters.
With so much happening this late summer and fall season, Disney World guests must keep up to date with the operating changes happening at the resort.
How do you feel about all these early closures at Disney World this August? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!