Disney World Overhauls Operating Hours Across All Four Parks for 2026

If you’ve ever closed out a Walt Disney World park long after the fireworks faded and the crowds thinned, you know exactly why nighttime Disney fans are as passionate as they are. There’s something different about the parks when most guests have gone back to their resorts—quieter walkways, cooler breezes, glowing attractions, and a pace that feels almost luxurious compared to the midday rush. For years, Extended Evening Hours has been the secret weapon for guests staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, and a few partner hotels. But those who rely on these late-night sessions to get their fix of rides with minimal lines are in for a major shakeup.

Disney just updated its theme park operating hours calendar, and tucked inside that update was a rare surprise: in early 2026, all four Walt Disney World theme parks will host Extended Evening Hours. Not one or two. Not a rotation that skips weeks. Every park—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom—will get its turn offering extra time after official closing.

This is the kind of operational shift Disney doesn’t make often, and when it does, it usually signals deep guest demand, holiday peak strategy, or big changes happening backstage. Whatever the reason, evening-loving parkgoers should start planning now—because these late-night sessions are about to become more valuable than ever.

Before we dig into what it means for crowd flow, strategy, and planning, here’s the exact breakdown Disney released.

Disney’s Official Breakdown of the Schedule Shakeup

The resort’s updated calendar clarifies exactly which parks are participating and when. According to the new schedule:

“In general, you can expect that Extended Evening Hours will be presented on Monday evenings at EPCOT through January 19, 2026. With the exception of this Friday, November 21st, Extended Evening Hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be held on Wednesdays through the end of the year. Extended Evening Hours will then be held at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on January 1st before it moves back to Magic Kingdom in the new year.”

Once the holiday rush dies down—and Magic Kingdom hosts its famously packed New Year’s Eve blowout—Extended Evening Hours shift again:

“With the holidays wrapping up with a New Year’s Eve bash at Magic Kingdom, Extended Evening Hours return to the world’s busiest theme park on January 7th, and they should continue to be held there on Wednesday nights for some time to start 2026.”

But here’s the curveball:

“The notable change here is that Disney’s Hollywood Studios returns to the Extended Evening Hours schedule on Monday, January 26th, breaking the pattern of EPCOT hosting Monday evening extended hours. With the return of Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the Extended Evening Hours lineup in late January, that means that all four Walt Disney World theme parks will host Extended Evening Hours at least once during the calendar month.”

For fans of Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, and Slinky Dog Dash, this is a big deal. Hollywood Studios has been absent from the lineup long enough that many guests assumed it was out permanently. Clearly, that’s not the case.

Every Extended Evening Hours Date Through January 2026

EPCOT

• Nov. 17, 24

• Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

• Jan. 5, 12, 19

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Nov. 21, 26

• Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24

• Jan. 1

Magic Kingdom

• Jan. 7, 14, 21

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Jan. 26

If you’re visiting in early 2026, this lineup practically begs for a nighttime-heavy touring plan.

What You Can Ride After Hours at Each Park

Extended Evening Hours aren’t just about walking around in a quieter park—they open up dozens of the resort’s most definitive attractions with lower queues. Here’s what Disney lists as available:

Magic Kingdom Park

• “it’s a small world”

• Astro Orbiter

• The Barnstormer

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

• Country Bear Musical Jamboree

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant

• Haunted Mansion

• Mad Tea Party

• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

• Mickey’s PhilharMagic

• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor

• Peter Pan’s Flight

• Pirates of the Caribbean

• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

• Space Mountain

• Swiss Family Treehouse

• Tomorrowland Speedway

• TRON Lightcycle / Run

• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

EPCOT

• Frozen Ever After

• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

• Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

• Mission: SPACE

• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

• Soarin’ Around the World

• Spaceship Earth

• The Seas with Nemo & Friends

• Test Track

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Alien Swirling Saucers

• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

• Slinky Dog Dash

• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™

• Toy Story Mania!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Avatar Flight of Passage

• DINOSAUR

• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

• Na’vi River Journey

Who Actually Gets to Access Extended Evening Hours?

Disney clarifies the eligibility on its site:

“Extended Evening Hours is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, the Swan and Dolphin, and Shades of Green. Extended Evening Hours offers extra time in select Walt Disney World theme parks after the park closes for the day to regular guests. Typically, Extended Evening Hours offers an additional 2 hours of time in the park.”

This perk has always been one of the strongest incentives for booking Deluxe-level accommodations, and in early 2026, its value spikes significantly.

Why This Change Matters More Than It Seems

Offering Extended Evening Hours at all four parks during the same month is extremely rare. For guests accustomed to planning around limited options—usually only EPCOT or Magic Kingdom—this new setup does more than expand the calendar. It changes the entire dynamic of evening touring.

Here’s what this shift could mean:

More Options = Lower Crowds

With offerings spread across all four parks, attendance for each session may diffuse naturally.

A Boost for Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom

Both of these parks usually close earlier than the others. Evening access completely changes their energy.

January Becomes a Prime Time for Deluxe Guests

Pair marathon season, cooler weather, and a full slate of nighttime perks, and you have one of the most appealing winter months in years.

Nighttime Rides Feel Different

Flight of Passage in the dark. Everest with practically no wait. TRON with limited crowds. Cosmic Rewind in a nearly empty queue. These experiences hit differently after the park closes.

This Is a Big Win for After-Hours Fans

Extended Evening Hours already had a cult following among seasoned Disney travelers. Expanding the perk to all four parks turns early 2026 into one of the most flexible, guest-friendly nighttime schedules Disney has offered in a long time. Whether this is a temporary experiment, a holiday-season strategy, or a test for something bigger remains to be seen—but for now, guests staying at qualifying resorts are getting a rare chance to enjoy every park after hours.