Disney World guests visiting EPCOT during one busy October weekend may want to rethink their morning plans.
The park is currently scheduled to open later than usual on two days during the 2026 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. Rather than EPCOT’s normal 9 a.m. opening during this stretch, Disney’s posted calendar shows a 10 a.m. opening on Friday, October 23, and Sunday, October 25.
It is only a one-hour change, but anyone who has planned a Disney World vacation knows how much can happen during the first hour of a park day.
Two EPCOT Mornings Are Changing
The first change comes Friday, October 23, which is also the day of the Wine & Dine 5K.
EPCOT is scheduled to operate from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. that day. Early Theme Park Entry, available to eligible Disney Resort guests and guests at participating hotels, is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. until 10 a.m.
That means Early Entry isn’t happening at its normal earlier time, either. The entire EPCOT opening schedule moves back one hour.
The timing lines up with the runDisney race taking place that morning.
Earlier this year, runDisney expanded registration availability for the 5K. The source suggests that additional runners could require more time to clear the race course before EPCOT can begin regular operations. Disney has not explicitly identified that as the official reason for the later opening, however.
Guests will encounter the same situation two days later.
EPCOT Opens Late Again on Sunday
Sunday, October 25, is Half Marathon day, and EPCOT is once again scheduled to open at 10 a.m.
Early Entry begins at 9:30 a.m., while the regular operating day runs from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.
For guests who typically arrive well before rope drop, that creates a noticeably different morning.
Some visitors may decide to sleep in, schedule breakfast, or spend additional time at their resort. Guests with Park Hopper access could also consider starting their day somewhere else.
Animal Kingdom, for example, is currently scheduled to open at 8 a.m. on both affected dates. Hollywood Studios opens at 9 a.m., as does Magic Kingdom.
Those operating hours could make EPCOT a better second stop for some visitors.
Extended Evening Hours Are Moving
There is another unusual change immediately after race weekend.
Extended Evening Hours on Monday, October 26, are scheduled for Animal Kingdom rather than EPCOT. The source describes that as a change from the usual rotation.
The switch follows the Wine & Dine Half Marathon post-race party at EPCOT on Sunday night.
The source suggests Disney may be giving EPCOT additional turnaround time rather than hosting the post-race party and then Extended Evening Hours on consecutive nights.
That is particularly important for eligible Deluxe Resort guests who may have expected an EPCOT Extended Evening Hours opportunity during their vacation.
As always, Disney can change operating hours before October arrives. Guests should continue checking the official schedule as their vacation approaches.
For now, though, the important dates are October 23 and October 25.
On both mornings, EPCOT is scheduled to open at 10 a.m., with Early Entry beginning at 9:30 a.m. Anyone visiting during Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend should build that extra hour into their plans rather than arriving expecting EPCOT’s normal morning schedule.
