Extended Evening Hours return to Magic Kingdom in early 2024

Oct 25, 2023 in "Early Theme Parks Entry and Extended Evening Hours"

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Extended Evening Hours at Magic Kingdom

Posted: Wednesday October 25, 2023 7:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Extended Evening Hours will make a return to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on January 3, 2024 from 9 pm to 11 pm.

Extended Evening Hours are back at Magic Kingdom early 2024

Extended Evening Hours at Magic Kingdom have been on hold since late September 2023 as the popular resort guest benefit shifted to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom has a busy final three months of the year as the park hosts two after-hours events - Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Extended Evening Hours are available only to guests staying at the deluxe Walt Disney World Resort hotels, and provide two hours of additional park time after regular park close.

Walt Disney World Extended Evening Hours Participating Hotels

Disney Deluxe Resorts

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney's Beach Club Resort
Disney's BoardWalk Inn
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney's Beach Club Villas
Disney's BoardWalk Villas
Disney's Old Key West Resort
Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Other Select Hotels

Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Shades of Green on Walt Disney World

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DCBaker4 days ago

It appears Extended Evening Hours shift to Hollywood Studios on Wednesday, September 16, 2025. Here's a look at upcoming Extended Evening Hours: July 8: Magic Kingdom July 13: EPCOT July 15: Magic Kingdom July 20: EPCOT July 22: Magic Kingdom July 27: EPCOT July 29: Magic Kingdom August 3: EPCOT August 5: Magic Kingdom August 10: EPCOT August 12: Magic Kingdom August 17: EPCOT August 19: Magic Kingdom August 24: EPCOT August 26: Disney’s Animal Kingdom August 31: EPCOT September 2: Disney’s Animal Kingdom September 7: EPCOT September 9: Magic Kingdom September 14: EPCOT September 16: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Mr. Sullivan18 days ago

I just can't get behind this, honestly. I have never had any issue doing a full day open to close at Animal Kingdom. Just a couple weeks ago I did early entry to park close. Between the rides, the shows, and the trails, you can very easily be there all day. I can't imagine how anyone could enjoy the place by just flying through it in a few hours. There's so much to stop and take in.

Jon81uk18 days ago

We did Animal Kingdom last November and filled the day from around 10am to 8pm. Our day was something like - safari, walking trail, train, conservation station, lunch, Nemo show, other walking trail, ice cream, Bird show, Flight of Passage, Avatar boat ride, Tree of Life projections, Zootopia, Dinosaur, Everest x2, Flight of Passage again. Also stopped for some photo ops and really took our time at Pandora. We didn't take things too slow, but didn't rush either and filled the day just fine. After 6pm when it was deluxe guests only there was no wait for Dinosaur, Everest & Flight of Passage hence us saving most of these for those hours and prioritising the animals earlier.

rd80518 days ago

4 attractions open for those 2 hours - it's interesting to think about if you have a park hopper, but there's just not enough to do in that park lol. (Unless this is a fun photo-sesh night?)

Kamikaze18 days ago

I'd be motivated to go since AK is awesome at night, but even with 2 extra hours its not even dark at 8pm.

DCBaker18 days ago

It appears Extended Evening Hours on September 2 will take place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom instead of Magic Kingdom.

IanDLBZF24 days ago

Meaning EMH could run as late as 9 or 10 PM depending on what time Animal Kingdom closes

spectromagic0424 days ago

It closes at 6pm as of rn. The hours can easily be extended to 7 or 8pm as we get closer.

TexasErin24 days ago

Okay, point taken as it is August. I do wish that there were opportunities to see AK in the dark.

Touchdown24 days ago

It won’t be dark, AK closes at 6pm, EMH ends at 8 pm.

TexasErin24 days ago

My family would love to be able to go then. Animal Kingdom is beautiful at night. It's a shame that Pandora is hardly ever able to be enjoyed in the dark. Unfortunately, our trip was last month so it will be awhile before we go again.

Touchdown24 days ago

Are they really going to not do DHS as the replacement for MK this fall, very lame. I understand the strain during Christmas with HWN but for Halloween there is no excuse.

DCBaker25 days ago

It appears Extended Evening Hours on Wednesday, August 26, will take place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom instead of Magic Kingdom.

DCBakerApr 16, 2026

Disney has confirmed Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours will continue through 2027: Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels can take advantage of a 30-minute early entry into Walt Disney World theme parks every day of their stay (including check-in and check-out days). This popular benefit will continue through 2027! Enjoy extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks when you stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels. This popular benefit will continue through 2027!