Magic Kingdom's Halloween party season starts today, August 7 2026, and it changes the park's daily hours through the end of the year. If you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World this fall, here's how the schedule works on Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party nights, and on the regular days in between.
Party Night Hours
On the current stretch of confirmed party nights, Magic Kingdom opens at 8am instead of 9am. Early entry for Disney resort hotel guests starts at 7:30am.
Party nights close early too. Regular admission ends at 6pm, so there's no Happily Ever After fireworks show and no Starlight nighttime parade on those days. The party itself runs from 7pm to midnight for guests with a separate ticket.
That 8am opening currently applies through August 21. Disney hasn't revised hours past that date yet, so party days from August 23 onward are still showing a 9am opening on the calendar, with the 6pm close in place. Based on past seasons, that's likely to change. Disney tends to shift these later party days to an 8am opening as the dates get closer, matching the earlier nights. Don't lock in your plans around a 9am opening for those later dates.
Non-Party Day Hours
Days without a party mostly return to the normal 9am opening, with early entry at 8:30am for resort guests.
Watch closely, though. A few non-party days still open at 8am, matching the party days around them. That happened on August 8, 15, and 22, all Saturdays. Closing time on non-party days stays later, usually 10pm or 11pm depending on the day.
Expect Bigger Crowds Between Party Nights
Non-party days draw heavier crowds, and it gets more noticeable in the evening. Since Happily Ever After and the Starlight parade only run on regular days, guests who want to catch either one plan their visits around those dates. That pushes more people into the park later in the day, even if morning crowds feel manageable.
If you're picking a day to visit Magic Kingdom for the fireworks or the parade, arrive early and grab a viewing spot well before showtime.
Extended Evening Hours Move
Magic Kingdom usually hosts Extended Evening Hours for guests staying at Disney's deluxe resorts. On some non-party nights this season, Magic Kingdom still carries those hours. On other nights, they shift to Disney's Hollywood Studios or Disney's Animal Kingdom instead. Check your resort's extended evening schedule before you head out, since the park hosting these hours changes through the season.
How Long the Pattern Runs
This schedule continues through Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party season and picks up again once Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party begins. Expect the same mix of early openings, early closes, and shifting extended evening hours through the end of the year. Keep in mind that Disney publishes hours in stages, so dates further out will keep updating as the season goes on.
Check the Calendar Often
Magic Kingdom hours change on a near day-by-day basis during party season, and they're still being finalized for later dates. Before you plan your day, check the park hours calendar close to your visit date. A few hours can make the difference between catching the fireworks and missing them.
WDWMAGIC Intelligence
Answers from our archive, with sources
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