Credit: Inside the MagicGuests should take note of the operational change that will occur in two months’ time.
If you’re planning a visit to EPCOT in early 2026, please note the adjusted operating hours. The park will open later than usual on Saturday, January 10, and Sunday, January 11, meaning guests will need to adjust their morning strategies to make the most of their time in the park.
Typically, EPCOT opens at 9 a.m. each day. Still, during the weekend of the runDisney Marathon Weekend—scheduled for January 7 through January 11, 2026—the park will not open until 10 a.m. on those two specific days.
The reason for the change is that portions of the marathon course will pass through or near EPCOT, and the added congestion and road closures necessitate operational adjustments to ensure the safe passage of both runners and guests.
For anyone used to rope-dropping the park, this hour-long delay could change your approach entirely. Showing up for a standard 9 a.m. opening will likely mean waiting outside the entrance while the park prepares for guests. Traffic around Walt Disney World is also expected to be heavier than usual that weekend, with runners, spectators, and transportation rerouting all contributing to slower travel times.
Guests planning to take advantage of early entry hours should note that the schedule will also shift, with early entry beginning 30 minutes before the official opening time. Those staying at participating Disney resorts will still receive that extra head start, although it will occur slightly later than usual.
Travelers should also allow additional time when commuting to EPCOT, as marathon road closures can cause delays to buses, monorails, and other transportation options.
If you’ve already mapped out your day around a 9 a.m. opening, it’s worth revisiting your schedule and pushing plans back by an hour or more.
Attractions you were hoping to experience early in the morning, such as Test Track and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, may now require different timing, and dining reservations may need to be adjusted accordingly. With thousands of runners participating in the marathon, crowd levels are also expected to be higher in the late morning hours once the park opens.
While this change may require a little more planning, it’s a minor adjustment that can make a big difference in having a smoother, less stressful day. As long as you plan and account for the later start, you’ll still be able to enjoy all that EPCOT has to offer once the gates open at 10 a.m.
runDisney Events Cancelled
runDisney has announced that following the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, the beloved race events at Disneyland Resort will once again go on hiatus—this time due to upcoming construction projects that will significantly impact the resort’s infrastructure and surrounding roadways.
The decision mirrors the 2018 pause that occurred amid previous expansions, with Disney citing “construction impacts” as the key reason for stepping back after February 2026. Large-scale development plans, including new park expansions and reimagined resort areas, are expected to interfere with staging zones, parking access, and city routes essential to the races.
While Walt Disney World and virtual runDisney events will continue uninterrupted, Disneyland’s races will remain on hold indefinitely, with no confirmed timeline for their return.
How do you feel about the runDisney events disrupting standard park hours? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!