Disney Makes Major Park Hours Move That Could Change Your Vacation Plans

Disney has announced extended park hours for new entertainment options and more magic for thousands of guests.

Disney Announces Extended Park Hours as New Entertainment Options Confirmed

As dusk settles over Marne-la-Vallée, guests at Disneyland Paris will notice something new in 2026: the lights won’t be going out early anymore. What was once a park known for shorter days is quietly stepping into a new era—one built around nighttime immersion, extended experiences, and careful guest flow.

Disneyland Paris Extends Disney Adventure World Operating Hours

With the official opening of Disney Adventure World—formerly Walt Disney Studios Park—scheduled for March 29, 2026, Disneyland Paris has confirmed a major operational shift. According to hours published on the resort’s official website, Disney Adventure World will open daily at 9:30 a.m. and remain open until 10:40 p.m., seven days a week.

This marks a dramatic change from past operations, when the park typically closed around 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 p.m. on weekends. For the first time, both Disneyland Park and Disney Adventure World will generally share the same late closing time, fundamentally reshaping how guests plan their evenings.

While Disneyland Paris has noted that hours may still vary by season or special event, the extended schedule is currently in place for the months following the park’s relaunch, signaling a long-term strategic shift rather than a short-term adjustment.

Why Disney Adventure World Needed Longer Evenings

The expanded Disney Adventure World hours are not arbitrary. They coincide directly with the opening of Frozen World, a fully immersive land inspired by Disney’s Frozen franchise. With attractions like Frozen Ever After, themed dining, and character encounters expected to drive heavy demand, longer operating hours allow the park to distribute crowds more evenly throughout the day.

This approach mirrors strategies used at other Disney destinations, where major land openings are paired with extended schedules to reduce daytime congestion and improve overall guest satisfaction. For Disneyland Paris, it also elevates Disney Adventure World from a “half-day park” reputation into a full-day—and now full-night—destination.

Disney Cascades of Lights Debuts at Adventure Bay

The most compelling reason for the extended schedule is the debut of Disney Cascades of Lights, a new nighttime spectacular presented nightly over the central lake in Adventure Bay.

The approximately 16-minute show is designed as a 360-degree experience, combining water screens, fountains, lighting effects, pyrotechnics, and a fleet of 379 drones. Developed with technology partner Dronisos, the production includes both aerial drones and aquatic units—nicknamed “ducks”—that glide across the water in synchronized patterns.

These innovations allow the show to operate in a wider range of weather conditions, making nightly performances possible year-round, with an alternative version available during extreme weather.

The show features characters from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel properties, including Hercules, Mulan, Up, Zootopia, Moana,

and The Avengers. Its original score includes re-orchestrated Disney classics and a new anthem, “We Can Be Heroes,” recorded at Abbey Road Studios by a 90-piece orchestra.

Disney Cascades of Lights is scheduled for approximately 10:30 p.m., just before park close—making the later hours essential.

How This Impacts Disneyland Paris Nighttime Planning

With both parks now offering major nighttime entertainment, guests will face an important choice. Disneyland Park will continue presenting its own nighttime spectacular, Disney Tales of Magic, at a similar time each evening.

Due to show timing and the distance between parks, Disneyland Paris has confirmed that guests will not realistically be able to see both shows in a single night—even with a multi-park ticket. This makes advance planning more important than ever.

Tips for Guests Visiting in 2026

Guests planning a 2026 visit should adjust their strategy to maximize the new Disney Adventure World hours:

• Choose your nighttime show early. Decide which park’s show matters most to your group and plan your day around that park in the evening.

• Use mornings strategically. With later closings, rope drop may be less critical for some attractions, especially in Disney Adventure World.

• Expect higher evening demand. Frozen World and the new nighttime show will likely draw large crowds after sunset.

• Plan transportation carefully. Leaving later at night may impact hotel transit timing, especially for off-site guests.

A Major Step in Disneyland Paris’ Evolution

The extension of Disney Adventure World hours represents more than a scheduling update. It reflects Disneyland Paris’ broader ambition to create two equally compelling parks—each capable of sustaining full-day and full-evening experiences.

By pairing immersive new lands with high-capacity nighttime entertainment, the resort is positioning itself as a stronger, more competitive destination within the global Disney portfolio. For guests, it means longer nights, bigger choices, and a Disneyland Paris experience that doesn’t fade when the sun goes down.

Source: Disneyphile