EPCOT is delaying its opening time on Sunday, March 1, 2026, due to the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Guests unaware of the schedule change will arrive to find closed gates. The park opens at 10 a.m. instead of the usual 9 a.m., with Early Entry for eligible resort guests beginning at 9:30 a.m. rather than 8:30 a.m.
The modification accommodates the half marathon, which uses roads around EPCOT to route thousands of runners through Walt Disney World during early morning hours when parks would normally be preparing to open.
The Modified Schedule
EPCOT opens to all guests at 10 a.m. on March 1. If you don’t have Early Entry access through a Disney resort hotel stay or an eligible partner hotel, you cannot enter before 10 a.m. Arriving earlier means waiting outside.
Guests with Early Entry access can enter at 9:30 a.m., providing 30 minutes of access to select attractions before the park opens to everyone. That’s less than the typical hour of Early Entry and starts an hour later than usual.
If you have Early Entry, arrive around 9:15-9:20 AM to clear security and be ready when access begins. Arriving right at 9:30 AM means spending your Early Entry window getting through security instead of accessing attractions.
Without Early Entry, arrive shortly before 10 a.m. to be positioned when the park opens. There’s no advantage to showing up at 9 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. if you don’t have access, you’ll just be waiting.
Traffic Complications of Getting to EPCOT
Road closures for the half marathon create traffic problems throughout Disney property. Roads typically used for guest transportation are blocked to protect runners, forcing vehicles onto alternate routes that become congested.
Guests driving on the morning of March 1 should expect heavier traffic and longer travel times. Routes that normally take 10-15 minutes might require 25-30 minutes due to detours. Build extra travel time if you have time-sensitive commitments.
Disney transportation including buses, monorail, and Skyliner may experience delays due to road closures and rerouting. If relying on Disney transportation, give yourself significantly more time than on typical days.
Different Crowd Dynamics at EPCOT
The 10 AM opening might benefit visitors wanting to sleep in or avoid early morning rushes. However, the later opening means everyone enters simultaneously rather than crowds building gradually throughout the morning.
On typical days when EPCOT opens at 9 AM, guests trickle in over the first hour. On March 1, everyone converges at once, potentially creating more intense initial crowding and causing attraction wait times to spike faster after opening.
Consider Alternatives
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World for multiple days with flexibility, consider visiting EPCOT on a different day with regular operating hours and using March 1 for another park, Disney Springs, or resort relaxation. Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom should maintain normal hours on March 1.
If March 1 is your only EPCOT day, understanding the modified schedule ensures you plan appropriately rather than wasting time showing up when the park isn’t open. Adjust morning plans, build in extra travel time for traffic and transportation delays, and set realistic expectations about crowd levels.
About the Disney Princess Half Marathon
The Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend runs February 26 through March 2, 2026, featuring multiple race distances. The signature event on March 1 is one of runDisney’s most popular races, attracting runners of all skill levels who enjoy running through Disney parks and seeing characters along routes.
Race operations begin around 5 AM with thousands of participants starting their 13.1-mile journey. Those runners need clear, protected routes without interference from regular park activities or guest traffic, necessitating the operational changes affecting EPCOT and surrounding roads.
runDisney events typically open registration months in advance and frequently sell out quickly. If you’re interested in participating in future events, monitor the runDisney website for registration dates.
Bottom Line
EPCOT opens at 10 AM on Sunday, March 1, 2026, with Early Entry at 9:30 AM for eligible guests. Adjust your morning schedule accordingly. Expect road closures and traffic delays if traveling on Disney property early that morning.
The later opening allows for a more relaxed morning while still providing a full park day once EPCOT opens. Don’t be the guest standing outside at 9 AM wondering why gates are closed. Plan ahead and avoid the frustration.
