January 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting time at Walt Disney World, with significant changes and extended park hours to enhance guest experiences. While some classic attractions will close for refurbishment or replacement, Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom are offering longer operating hours for visitors to make the most of their trips.
Magic Kingdom’s updated schedule offers several opportunities for extended magic. On January 12 and 13, the park will close at 10 p.m., an hour later than usual, while January 17 and 18 feature even longer days, with the park staying open until 11 p.m. Additionally, January 17 brings an early entry option for resort guests starting at 7:30 a.m., ensuring a full day of park fun.
Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests can enjoy extended evening hours as well. On January 5, the park will close at 8 p.m., giving visitors an extra hour to explore the park’s unique offerings. This extended schedule continues on January 6, with the park open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Later in the month, on January 17 and 18, the park will remain open until 7 p.m., providing even more time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Pandora or catch a nighttime view of the Tree of Life.
These extended hours come as Disney prepares for transformative changes across its parks. Magic Kingdom is set to debut a new Disney Villains-themed land in the coming years, while Animal Kingdom will reimagine DinoLand U.S.A. as Tropical Americas, featuring Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions. Although closures are a necessary part of these updates, the extra operating hours give visitors more opportunities to enjoy what remains open.
In addition to these schedule updates, Disney is also closing several attractions for refurbishment in January. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom will shut down for over a year starting January 5, as part of a significant upgrade. At Tomorrowland, Astro Orbiter will close for renovations beginning January 13, with a reopening planned for summer 2025. Meanwhile, at Animal Kingdom, Kali River Rapids will close for its seasonal refurbishment from January 6 to March.
For those planning a visit, the longer hours provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy the parks despite the closures. Guests can end their day with fireworks at Magic Kingdom or take in Pandora’s glowing bioluminescence after dark. As always, keeping an eye on the Disney World app for real-time updates is crucial to maximize your experience during this transitional period.
With both exciting changes on the horizon and extended hours to explore the magic, January 2025 promises to be an unforgettable time at Walt Disney World.
