Disney World Just Extended Park Hours Around New Year’s Eve—And Magic Kingdom Will Stay Open Until 1 AM

Disney World just made the holiday week a whole lot better.

According to WDW Magic, Disney has updated operating hours across end-of-year dates from December 28 through January 3, featuring earlier openings, later closings, and extended early entry for resort guests.

Magic Kingdom Gets the Biggest Changes

Magic Kingdom is seeing the most dramatic updates. The park will now open a full hour earlier than originally scheduled throughout the entire week.

• December 28-29: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM (previously 9 AM to 10 PM)
• December 30: 8:00 AM to midnight (previously 9 AM)
• New Year’s Eve (December 31): 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM (previously 9 AM to midnight)
• January 1-3: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM (previously 9 AM to 10 PM)

And if you’re staying at a Disney resort, you get even more time. Early Entry now starts at 7:30 AM for December 28-31 and January 1-3, giving you a 30-minute head start before the general public floods through the gates.

That New Year’s Eve 1 AM closing is particularly notable. It gives you an extra hour to celebrate, ride attractions, and experience the park after midnight while most guests have already left.

Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Also Extended

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

• December 28-29: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (previously closed at 6:00 PM)
• December 30-31: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• January 1-3: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Animal Kingdom is also offering Extended Evening Hours on January 1st from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM exclusively for guests staying at Disney’s Deluxe Resorts and Disney Villas.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

• Early Entry moved 30 minutes earlier to 8:00 AM for December 28-30 and January 1-3
• Regular park opening now at 8:30 AM (instead of 9:00 AM)

Why This Matters

Disney doesn’t extend hours out of the goodness of their hearts. They do it when they’re expecting serious crowds—and the period between Christmas and New Year’s is historically one of the busiest weeks of the year at Walt Disney World.

These extended hours are both a blessing and a warning. Most casual guests won’t take advantage of the early morning or late night hours, creating prime opportunities for savvy visitors willing to rope-drop at 8:00 AM or stay until 1:00 AM on New Year’s Eve.

What About EPCOT?

Notably absent from these updates is EPCOT. However, we already know EPCOT will be open until 1:00 AM on December 31st for its New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring the Cheers to the New Year fireworks spectacular.

Plan Accordingly

1. Rope drop Magic Kingdom at 8:00 AM (or 7:30 AM with early entry)
2. Stay late on New Year’s Eve to experience Magic Kingdom after midnight
3. Use Extended Evening Hours at Animal Kingdom on January 1st if staying at a Deluxe resort
4. Hit Hollywood Studios early with that 8:00 AM early entry window

Disney just gave you up to 5 extra hours of park time on New Year’s Eve at Magic Kingdom. That’s essentially adding a half-day to your trip for free.