Extra Magic Hours may have been discontinued in 2020, but there’s still a way to get more time in the parks and fit in some extra rides without all the crowds!
Currently, all guests staying at Disney World hotels (and a few select others) can take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry any day of the week at all four parks. But, there’s a more exclusive perk that might be even better — Extended Evening Theme Park Hours!
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours was introduced in 2021 for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration and gives anyone staying at a Disney World Deluxe Resort or Deluxe Villa exclusive access to select theme parks on select dates each month (see the FULL LIST of qualifying hotels here!). It’s pretty similar to Extra Magic Hours in that you get 2 extra hours of park time, but you need to know WHEN and WHERE it is being offered — otherwise, you might miss out!
Disney has confirmed that Extended Evening Theme Park hours will be a Disney World hotel benefit through 2024 so here’s a list of every single day, park, and time that it’s available!
Magic Kingdom
Since the perk began in Disney World, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours have been offered in Magic Kingdom on most Wednesdays and it looks like it will be sticking that way!
See below for the full list of upcoming dates:
- July 19th from 10PM-midnight
- July 26th from 10PM-midnight
- August 2nd from 10PM-midnight
- August 9th from 10PM-midnight
- August 16th from 10PM-midnight
- August 23rd from 10PM-midnight
- August 30th from 10PM-midnight
- September 6th from 10PM-midnight
- September 13th from 10PM-midnight
- September 20th from 10PM-midnight
Note that more Extended Evening Theme Park Hours may be announced for Magic Kingdom in the future. Check back for updates!
EPCOT
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours have traditionally been offered in EPCOT on Mondays and you can expect that to continue throughout the year.
Here’s a full list of upcoming dates to help you plan:
- July 17th from 9PM-11PM
- July 24th from 9PM-11PM
- July 31st from 9PM-11PM
- August 7th from 9PM-11PM
- August 14th from 9PM-11PM
- August 21st from 9PM-11PM
- August 28th from 9PM-11PM
- September 4th from 9PM-11PM
- September 11th from 9PM-11PM
- September 18th from 9PM-11PM
- September 25th from 9PM-11PM
Note that more Extended Evening Theme Park Hours may be announced for EPCOT in the future. Check back for updates!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Unlike Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours has only been available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on a few select nights. Currently, Disney has no dates listed for 2023 but check back frequently for updates!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
At this time, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours are not offered at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This is likely because the park is more suited towards daytime activities, as it can be difficult to spot any of the wildlife after dark, but check back for updates!
Now, keep in mind that only select attractions, restaurants, and shops are open for Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, so you may not be able to do everything you normally can during the day. This is especially true when it comes to the dining options that are available, as many snack stands and even restaurants will close early. Just check with a Cast Member to see what will be available or use the My Disney Experience app to see the operating hours for the park you’re visiting!
It’s also important to note that you must have a Park Pass Reservation for the park that you plan to visit with Extended Evening Theme Park Hours or a valid Park Hopper ticket. If you are planning to park hop, you’ll need to have visited the park where you have a park pass reservation for prior to arriving at the second (or third, or fourth) park that you plan to stay late in to take advantage of the perk.
And, stay tuned to The VacationEAR for more updates on Disney World hotel guest benefits and how to make the most of your resort stay!