Disney4me Posted 1 hour ago Report Posted 1 hour ago Believe it or not, we’re only a few short weeks away from the first day of winter, December 21st! Cinderella Castle If you’re planning a visit to Disney World during the season — whether to experience Christmas, ring in the New Year, or visit during the first few weeks of January, AKA one of the closest things left to a “slow season” at the resort — you’ll definitely want to check the park hours during your visit. Looking over Disney World’s calendar from the start of winter through roughly the middle of January (as far out as the calendar goes as of press time), the following hourly changes caught our eye. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party December 22nd marks the final installment of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party of 2026, so guests have one last chance to enjoy the special entertainment, snacks, atmosphere, and more at the Magic Kingdom from 7 PM to midnight! However, just bear in mind that the Magic Kingdom closes at 6 PM for guests without party tickets. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Jollywood Nights Disney World’s OTHER ticketed Christmas event stages its final 2026 season outing on January 5th, 2027, in Hollywood Studios. The event runs from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM and offers the Disney Holidays in Hollywood and Nightmare Before Christmas shows, Disney characters sporting their Christmas best, the return of the Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club at the Tower of Terror, the Glisten! ice skating show, Jazzy Holidays at the Hollywood Brown Derby, decor and merchandise featuring Ollie the Gingerbread Man, and the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular. Further dates in the winter calendar include December 21st and 23rd, and January 3rd. The park will close at 7 PM to regular day guests these days. Jollywood Nights New Year’s Eve Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios will all have special hours — and exclusive fireworks displays and other additions — to ring in the New Year. Magic Kingdom will be open from 9 AM to 12 AM on both December 30th and 31st, while EPCOT and Hollywood Studios will be open from 9 AM to 1 AM and 9 AM to 12 AM, respectively, on December 31st. Crowds for New Year’s Eve fireworks Magic Kingdom Cutback During the latter weeks of December (besides the aforementioned Very Merry Christmas Party Nights and New Year’s Eve hours), the Magic Kingdom is open until 10 PM each night. Beginning on January 4th, the park reverts to a 9 PM closing time. TRON Lightcycle / Run Marathon Weekend Due to events surrounding the 2027 runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon weekend, EPCOT will see some adjusted option hours. The park will open at 10 AM, with early entry shifting to 9:30 AM, on January 7th and 9th. ©Disney Extended Evening Hours Extended Evening Hours offers two extra hours to guests staying at Disney Deluxe Tier or Deluxe Villa resorts at select theme parks on select evenings after the park closes to the general public. The following Extended Evening Hours are confirmed to be available during the early weeks of winter: Magic Kingdom: January 6th, 13th, 20th EPCOT: December 21st, 28th and January 4th, 11th, 18th Animal Kingdom: December 23rd and 30th Animal Kingdom During Extended Evening Hours The Extended Evening Hours perk is available to guests at the following hotels: 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 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 Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort (The extended evening theme park hours benefit applies to Disney Vacation Club Cabins only.) The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort Disney’s Contemporary Resort If you’re heading to Disney World during the early weeks of winter 2026/27, be sure to keep these dates in mind to make sure you don’t encounter any scheduling mishaps. Stay tuned to DFB for further schedule updates. What’s the biggest reality check when arriving at Disney World? We examined the fantasies vs. realities of visiting the “Most Magical Place on Earth.” CONFIRMED: 2 Dining Plan Changes Coming To Disney World In 2027 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Heading to Disney World this winter? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article Quote
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