Walt Disney World theme park operating hours reduced beginning September 8

Aug 08, 2020 in "Magic Kingdom"

Posted: Saturday August 8, 2020 8:07pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World theme park operating hours will be reduced beginning September 8 2020.

Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios will lose an hour each, with EPCOT and Disney's Animal Kingdom each losing 2 hours.

The new operating hours line-up looks like this:

  • Magic Kingdom will reduce hours from 9am - 7pm to 9am - 6pm.
  • EPCOT will reduce hours from 11am  - 9pm to 11am - 7pm.
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom will reduce hours from 8am - 6pm to 9am - 5pm.
  • Disney's Hollywood Studios will reduce hours from 10am - 8pm to 10am - 7pm.

The updated hours currently run through to the end of October, which is the end of the published hours at this time. You can view the full hours here.

The theme parks are continuing to see struggling attendance as COVID-19 cases continue to remain at high levels in Florida. In a recent earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said that there was ample demand prior to the surge in Florida cases, which subsequently dropped off as guests became wary of traveling to Florida. 50% of guests are still traveling from a distance, with the remainder coming from within Florida. Attendance from long distance visitors has been replaced by local and annual passholders where possible, but it was noted that locals do not carry the same spending value as those who travel further and stay for longer. A higher level of cancellations has also been seen since the rise in cases which was not apparent when the parks were announced to be reopening.

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BaconPancakesApr 08, 2021

Guess a certain someone won’t be cruising anytime soon. What a pity...

Miss BellaApr 07, 2021

I just noticed when they extend hours they also open up more dining reservations later in the evening. Just an FYI for anyone planning and not able to get reservations on the first go around.

RSoxNo1Apr 06, 2021

And where are you going for COVID guidance?

Miss BellaApr 04, 2021

Yes that is the policy.

Bullseye1967Apr 04, 2021

Gru?

Jrb1979Apr 04, 2021

Ones who are vaccinated fortunately.

Miss BellaApr 04, 2021

Yes that is what they announced. I believe Royal is going to attempt to sail out of the Bahamas and St Martin, and that will be open to Americans.

PolkadotdressApr 04, 2021

It also looks like the DCL cruises will be for UK residents only.

Miss BellaApr 04, 2021

I'm waiting for Japan to open up. I have a trip planned in December and then hopefully a river or Baltic cruise in Europe next year. It looks like DCL is going to start sailing out of the UK this Summer since the CDC won't allow cruises here.

NunuApr 04, 2021

Our borders remained closed for six months (March-Sept 2020). We can travel international now, as long as we comply with both local and foreign destination requirements. Worldwide conditions need to improve for international travel to become available for everybody. Hopefully, soon.

Miss BellaApr 04, 2021

My state has never had quarantine rules, but it still doesn't mean I can travel to another country. Until restrictions are lifted everywhere it going to make international travel difficult. As far as the international trips I have planned it hasn't changed anything for me. I'm still doubtful they will happen this year. It would be good for WDW if international travel was possible.

MisterPenguinApr 03, 2021

I don't need the CDC to tell me what to do. I have my own mult-billion dollar lab and tens of thousands of unwitting test subjects to help me judge the dangers of whatever contagion is out there and the efficacy of proposed vaccines and safety measures. I've determined that all on my own.

NunuApr 03, 2021

It does affect our ability to visit. We (international travelers), have to abide by both sets of rules, the ones from our country of origin, and those from the country we want to visit.

Miss BellaApr 03, 2021

International travelers have their own rules from their own countries. It may not affect their ability to come here. The only travel shamers I’ve encountered are on this forum. Social media is a free for all.