Christmas week operating hours updated for the Walt Disney World theme parks

Oct 24, 2020 in "Operating Hours"

Posted: Saturday October 24, 2020 11:38am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has updated the operating hours calendar for Walt Disney World to include longer hours for the Christmas week.

In what is likely to be the finalized hours, we see an extension of hours at all four parks, including earlier openings and later closures.

The Christmas holiday week is December 20 through to December 30 with the following hours:

  • Magic Kingdom will open at 8am and close at 10pm
  • EPCOT will open at 10am and close at 9pm
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom will open at 7am and close at 7pm
  • Disney's Hollywood Studios will open at 9am and close at 8pm

So far New Year's Eve continues to be a non-event, with regular hours so far with no extension.

In contrast to last year, Magic Kingdom was operating from 8am to 12am, EPCOT 9am to 9:30pm, Disney's Animal Kingdom 8am to 9pm and 11pm, and Disney's Hollywood Studios 6am or 7am to 10pm.

You can view all of the updated hours between now and the first week at January on our operating hours calendar.

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tired_photogDec 31, 2020

Social distancing was a problem in only 1 line. The family behind us at ROTR was all over us. A dad and 3 kids and dad didn’t seem to care. 🤷🏻‍♂️

TrainsOfDisneyDec 31, 2020

Good to hear. It’s weird not being there... I’m always at WDW for New Years!

tired_photogDec 31, 2020

Just left the Studios. Got in 7 rides in just over 7 hours with lunch and some shopping mixed in. Crowds were about what I expected for NYE. Mask compliance was exceptional! Going back after dinner.

mimitchi33Dec 31, 2020

Yup! It's likely due to the COVID restrictions that limit capacity.

tired_photogDec 31, 2020

Back up at 3:45 🎉

tired_photogDec 31, 2020

Rock ‘N Roller Coaster has been down since about 3:00 😞

TrainsOfDisneyDec 31, 2020

Probably the lowest wait times for 12/31 ever.

mimitchi33Dec 31, 2020

Current wait times: Mad Tea Party, Tomorrowland Speedway: 5 minutes Dumbo, Living with the Land, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Triceratop Spin, Journey Of The Little Mermaid, Vacation Fun, Carousel of Progress: 10 minutes Haunted Mansion, Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy, Walt Disney Presents: 15 minutes Alien Swirling Saucers, The Barnstormer, Gran Fiesta Tour, The Seas With Nemo and Friends: 20 minutes Kilimanjaro Safaris, Mickey's Philharmagic: 25 minutes Astro Orbiter, Journey Into Imagination with Figment, Winnie the Pooh, Prince Charming Carousel, Toy Story Mania!: 30 minutes Expedition Everest, Muppet*Vision 3D: 35 minutes Buzz Lightyear, It's A Small World, It's Tough To Be A Bug!, Peter Pan's Flight, Star Tours: 40 minutes Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Carribean, Spaceship Earth: 45 minutes Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway: 50 minutes Kali River Rapids, Space Mountain: 55 minute wait Dinosaur, Jungle Cruise, Mission Space: 60 minute wait Frozen Ever After, Rock 'N Roller Coaster: 65 minute wait Flight of Passage: 70 minutes Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Splash Mountain: 75 minutes Slinky Dog Dash, Soarin: 80 minutes Millenium Falcon: 85 minutes Tower of Terror: 90 minutes Test Track: 105 minutes You can tell it's crowded today, but not as crowded as usual due to the current situation...

TrainsOfDisneyDec 31, 2020

My first time not being at Disney for New Years since 2004!

ThelazerDec 31, 2020

Not happening. Just like Universal and Disney could have increased capacity just for one day (today)

jrhwdwDec 31, 2020

Yes! MOUCAT Cavalcades today! At least Santa anyway!

wdwmagicDec 31, 2020

VIDEO - IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth New Year's Eve 2014 https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/reflections-of-earth/video/257.htm

wdwmagicDec 31, 2020

VIDEO - Holiday Wishes New Year's Celebration 2015 https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/holiday-wishes/video/304.htm

wdwmagicDec 31, 2020

VIDEO - A look back at the last proper New Year’s Eve fireworks show at Disney’s Hollywood studios from 2015 https://www.wdwmagic.com/events/holidays-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/video/305.htm