Disney World Hours Extended for Summer 2021
Walt Disney World has added new hours for June 2021 for Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios, while also rolling out a big extension of hours for Summer 2021! This post shares the updated calendar, plus new commentary on best & worst days of the week for each park.
Let’s begin with the new hours that Walt Disney World has added for all four theme parks, Disney Springs, and Blizzard Beach to the calendar on DisneyWorld.com. The calendar was previously posted through June 19, and now extends to June 26, 2021. Added hours are the same for all dates in this newly-added week:
- Magic Kingdom: 8 am to 9 pm
- EPCOT: 11 am to 9 pm
- Hollywood Studios: 9 am to 8 pm
- Animal Kingdom: 8 am to 6 pm
- Blizzard Beach: 11 am to 6 pm
- Disney Springs: 10 am to 10 pm (11 pm on weekends)
Park Hopping times for those dates have also been added to the calendar. At this point, the start time for changing parks is still 2 pm across the board; as Walt Disney World previously indicated, that could move earlier as demand and attendance dictate.
These hours are noteworthy because they’re a deviation from Walt Disney World’s normal practice of releasing boilerplate hours before extending those based on attendance and hotel occupancy projections. This initial release could very well be the final hours.
They’re definitely not the initial placeholder or “lorem ipsum” Walt Disney World park hours. We would recommend planning around this schedule as if it will not change. It’s still possible that an hour or two could be added here or there, but don’t expect anything dramatic.
This isn’t the only big change with the calendar. On each of the last several Friday calendar updates, Walt Disney World has extended park hours for a week or two in the immediate future while releasing one week’s worth of new boilerplate hours. This has been pretty consistent for the last several months, but makes vacation planning a tad difficult because it’s on such short notice.
Well, those hoping for a more comprehensive calendar update with extensions for more distant dates has gotten their wish this week! Here are the newly-expanded park hours through Summer 2021…
Magic Kingdom
- April 25 to June 19, 2021: 8 am to 9 pm (previously 9 am to 6 pm)
EPCOT
- April 25 to May 8, 2021: 11 am to 10 pm (previously 11 am to 7 pm)
- May 9 to June 19, 2021: 11 am to 9 pm (previously 11 am to 7 pm)
Hollywood Studios
- April 25 to May 22, 2021: 9 am to 8 pm (previously 10 am to 7 pm)
- May 23 to June 18, 2021: 9 am to 8 pm (previously 9 am to 7 pm)
Animal Kingdom
- April 25 to May 1, 2021: 8 am to 8 pm (previously 9 am to 5 pm)
- May 2 to June 19, 2021: 8 am to 7 pm (previously 9 am to 5 pm)
The easiest way to survey what has been extended for your travel dates is using the interactive monthly calendar on DisneyWorld.com.
The only date that stands out in terms of changes (or lack thereof) is Disney’s Hollywood Studios on June 19. Every day before and after that was extended, so we’re guessing it was accidentally missed–or there’s a private event in the park that night. Expect it to be quietly extended soon.
You could grouse about even these extended hours, lamenting the fact that they’re not as long as a “normal” summer at Walt Disney World. You’d be right…but also in the wrong.
The fact is, Walt Disney World is still not operating normally, or anywhere near full capacity. Setting aside everything that’s closed and the current protocol and focusing just on hours and crowds, we’d choose right now over a normal spring at Walt Disney World. Obviously, that’s a lot to arbitrarily set aside, but attendance has the biggest bearing on hours, and that ‘relationship’ is looking pretty favorable to guests right now.
Speaking of which, if you’re planning a summer visit, we’d recommend making Disney Park Pass reservations ASAP. There are already a ton of dates in May and June 2021 that are unavailable to resort guests for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom, with many of those disappearing in the last week. We’d expect July 2021 to be next.
We’re actually a bit surprised Walt Disney World hasn’t upped the attendance number. (Perhaps that’s still coming?) Capacity has been improved on a number of attractions in each park, and the result is even faster-moving lines, shorter wait times than what’s posted, and just less congestion in general.
Our visits to the parks this week were great. Crowds were still elevated as compared to January and February, but those gloriously uncrowded winter off-season months are something Walt Disney World is unlikely to see again anytime in the next few years. (Although I think we said the same about the uncrowded months right after Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened…)
Part of this is definitely a post-spring break slowdown, and we’d expect further moderation next week and throughout the month of April into May 2021. However, part of this is happening because some potential guests who would like to visit simply can’t score reservations on some days and for some parks.
Walt Disney World could always change that, opening up more availability, and increasing attendance. I’m not too worried about that, as the parks would still be fairly pleasant with even a modest bump. (Also, I question how much unsatisfied demand actually exists in May and June, as those months are almost entirely green on the AP calendar.)
Finally, our best and worst days to visit each of the Walt Disney World theme parks. Our top recommendation is to avoid Walt Disney World on the weekends. However, with each passing week, that becomes less significant of advice. Back when Walt Disney World attendance was overwhelmingly Floridians last summer and fall, it was imperative.
Now, we’re seeing an increasing number of tourists, and that demographic visits every single day of the week. There are still a lot of locals–and Park Passes fully book on weekends and not weekdays for Annual Passholders–but the difference in weekend v. weekday wait times is not as pronounced as it once was. Expect that gap to continue closing this summer.
With that said, if your visit includes a weekend, do Disney’s Hollywood Studios one of those days. DHS hits capacity every single day, meaning there’s no difference whatsoever in attendance on weekdays v. weekends. To the contrary, it’s been our experience that weekends are slightly less busy in practice–especially later in the day. That’s likely because locals are more likely to do only a few things and then bounce.
Note that boarding passes are still gone within seconds when the virtual queue opens at 7 am, so you need to be up early for that. Our comprehensive Ride Guide & FAQ for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance covers everything you need to know–including some “fast finger” strategy to increase your odds.
EPCOT is the worst pick on weekends for the opposite reason. It’s undoubtedly the biggest “local’s park” at Walt Disney World, and you’re also more likely to encounter groups Drinking Around the World on Saturday and Sunday. It’s also festival season (something that’s true basically all year now).
Mondays through Wednesdays are all equally good for EPCOT. We’ve noticed a slight uptick in crowds on Thursdays, and a more significant one on Fridays. Still, not nearly as bad as Saturday or Sunday.
As for the your other weekend choice, pick Animal Kingdom. That early opening time coupled with a late closing time–and a limited slate of attractions–makes Animal Kingdom easy to knock out.
Even on crowded days, the strategy for Animal Kingdom is relatively simple, as covered in our 1-Day Animal Kingdom Itinerary. Just be sure not to fight the midday crowds or try to swim upstream and you should be fine.
Magic Kingdom is a good pick Monday through Thursday, with Wednesday being the best day of the week there from an objective perspective.
Magic Kingdom can be more challenging when it’s busy, but it’s still possible to have a satisfying and productive day in the park. Unlike Animal Kingdom, early arrival matters–get to Magic Kingdom 45 minutes before rope drop and follow our 1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary.
Ultimately, Walt Disney World crowds should be entirely manageable through at least May 28, 2021 if you properly strategize no matter which day of the week you visit. Midday wait times have been bad and lines are lengthy, but it’s possible to beat the crowds. Visiting exclusively on weekdays will be the best experience, especially now that park hours are uniform across days of the week.
Suffice to say, we’re pretty pleased with these extended hours for May and June 2021. Didn’t expect to see this, and it could mean Walt Disney World is preparing to ramp-up attendance, but that’s not a big concern right now given the organic ceiling on that. Personally, my bigger concerns are that the daily high temperature is starting to encroach on 90 degrees and that love bug season is just around the corner. Sadly, I don’t think Walt Disney World can do anything about those two pressing issues!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your thoughts about the latest Walt Disney World calendar changes? Happy to see hours extended for April through June 2021? Concerned that this means crowd forecasts are continuing to increase? Will you be visiting Walt Disney World for summer vacation or are you holding off until at least the start of the 50th Anniversary festivities? Does this modified schedule influence your decision to visit or not? Do you agree or disagree with our advice and commentary? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Hi Tom,
Question for you.
We are going to be there from June 8th to 13th, and are so so happy they extended the park hours.
However, the restaurants are still closing early, at the original park closure times. What are the chances that those will be extended as well? And when should we watch for that?
We didn’t get in at Be Our Guest, and are hoping later hours may mean more reservation opportunities at the restaurants.
Hey Tom! Thank you for the detailed blog post. We are visiting this July 3-10. As I see in your blog, this is notoriously very busy. We did take advantage of more park days, spending 5 days in the parks. My initial thought was visit Epcot Saturday the 3rd when we fly in (arrival to MCO at 9:00 a.m.) with July 4th a Disney Springs, pool day. Now, I am nervous about Epcot that day, tempted to go to MK that arrival day (we are doing 2 days in MK 1 day at the other 3). What are your thoughts about which parks to visit which days?? I have 3 kids and our focus this time is rides and walking around World Showcase!! Thank you!
Hello, booked for the week of Nov 7th. Just curious how close to “normal” do you think the resort will be around that time. This will be our first trip ever. Glad to read we might be able to do Mickie’s Xmas party. Any tips for having a solo child? Thanks for the great work you do.
We are booked for the week of April 25th. I see park hours have been extended but when do they extend dining reservations to reflect the new hours?
Hopeful love bug season won’t be as bad as it was in May of 2019. I vowed on that trip, our honeymoon, never to go again in May because they were so. bad. My husband, who lived in Orlando for ten years, said he had never seen it that bad. But we find ourselves going this coming mid-May, almost the exact same dates as our honeymoon two years ago. Best laid plans and all that!
We are going in early May and didn’t confirm our reservation until 59 days before because we thought my son might get called back to work. As I am used to doing stuff way ahead of time I had forgotten about dining reservations and there were very few available left on that day.
We are making our 8th trip to WDW and first DVC trip beginning MAY 8th. So excited for the extended hours. Thanks so much for all the insight! It will be an unusual trip but that is just part of the charm and what will make this trip stand out. My only stress is getting us on Rise of the Resistance! Thanks for the guide!
Wow, thanks for sending that picture of Main Street in the email! CRAZY busy/crowded and with the explosion of COVID numbers in Florida again, it sure doesn’t look good.
Hopefully things stop before next year. Won’t go this year.
Jennifer: You wrote: Any tips to make the most of a high school graduation trip??
We took our son and eight of his friends to WDW right after they all graduated from HS. They all paid for their own park admission and any food they wanted that we did not provide. There was drama part of the time, but for the most part, they all enjoyed the parks together. If your son would be able to take a friend or two with him, you could let him and his friends go off on their own and you enjoy what you like. We did pay for breakfast at Chef Mickey’s for all eleven of us one morning and wearing the graduation ears was a requirement. They really had a blast. We are DVC and booked a Grand Villa for six nights (that’s all the points we had to use). I had plenty of food for breakfast, lunch snacks, plus lots of sodas, juice, milk and coffee for the kids.
I’m a DVC member doing a split stay at VGF and BW early May so I can walk to 3 of the parks. Unfortunately, the only park reservations available are for AP. It makes no sense to me that guests flying from out of state and staying at a resort are not prioritized over AP. It’s great that park hours are extended, but unless capacity is increased I’m probably out of luck. I spent 3.5 hours on hold with DVC member services and AP VIP line waiting for their decision on whether I’ll be allowed to purchase an AP. Mine expired on Christmas. Someone will get back to me in 30 days “give or take”. Meanwhile the park reservations for all categories continue to fill up. Not feeling like a valued DVC member.
Tom
What are you hearing about park hopper..
I am coming in next week. I have park hopper.
Many parks are closed for new ressys.
Have you heard…are many hoppers being turned down at 2pm to go to MK..or AK?
Thanks for the update Tom. Planning a one-time special family trip with my wife and two girls aged 10 and 8, and stuck between two possible weeks, either July 17th-24th OR between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I know that last week at the end of December will likely be insane with crowd levels, but the biggest factors I think for me are two-fold: 1) the limited availability of attractions this July compared to December, and I think more importantly is 2) the possible return of FastPass+ by the end of the year. I’m not definitely counting on FastPass+ returning by the end of the year obviously, but for me I think the added stress of possibly long waits for attractions in July might be a dealbreaker. Any thoughts on when FastPass might return? Thanks!
We have a mid June trip planned. Going to take advantage of the extended hours with mid day breaks for meals and/or pools. Expecting “heavy” crowds, but nothing like under pre-pandemic levels. I did notice that dining reservations seem more scarce.
So in the category of wild, unfounded, and unlikely-to-be-remotely-true speculation: these updates do give Magic Kingdom and Epcot nighttime hours throughout the calendar – something likely necessary if any type of nighttime shows were to be able to return . . .
I’d speculate on that at EPCOT before I would at Magic Kingdom…
Thank you for always publishing a detailed update on your blog. I’ve been reading it for years. As someone who travels to WDW 2-3x year, usually during off school times since my wife and I are educators it will be interesting to see how pool capacity is handled. We just returned from 11 days at Coronado Springs, no parks…just relaxation, family times, great dinners at Disney Springs but the 2-3 hour wait times for pools are unacceptable and aren’t going to work in the summer. Knowing that we always wanted to swim we would line up 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to pool opening to ensure we were able to get in for all 11 days. The pool would hit capacity by 11:30 or so abs then there would be a waitlist with 50-90 families. This amounted to a 2-3 hour wait in many cases. We are staying at Riviera (5 days) and Poly (8 days) and I’m deeply concerned about the pools and capacity especially traveling with 20 family members who may not be able to access parks simultaneously or at all in some cases. We are using 350 points just for my 5 family members which as you know, is a lot of cash value. What are your thoughts on this? We swim every single day in the summer for a few hours at least.
My immediate thought on this is that it Coronado Springs is the worst-case scenario because they added Gran Destino without adding any pool capacity. So it has had overburdened pools (and buses) since that debuted. However, the problem does exist to a lesser degree elsewhere.
My hope/guess is that Walt Disney World will have learned from the peak spring break crowds and will quietly reduce physical distancing and increasing capacity at the pools. Just an increase of 20% would do wonders.
Beyond that, I wouldn’t expect this to be as big of an issue at Deluxe Resorts, in large part because occupancy is lower and there are more pool options. But it’s something we’ll be watching and continue updating.
Thanks for the rundown. We arrive June 29 with a stay through the 5th. I am seriously wondering what our stay will look like with the holiday. I like the trend of increased hours and expect to see similar for our dates.
Any tips to make the most of a high school graduation trip?? We haven’t been back since he was in 5th grade so we are all excited to catch up on stuff we have not experienced yet.
“Any tips to make the most of a high school graduation trip?”
My advice would be more directed at the graduating high schooler in that case: let loose, be a little irresponsible (NOTHING ILLEGAL!), make up for lost time the last year, and take lots of silly photos. Do a character meal even if it’s not “cool” because you’ll cherish the photos and memories down the road. Bring a cap and gown, buy whatever grad merch Disney is selling for photos.
Nothing specific or substantive to a graduation trip beyond that, though.
Excited to see the new hours! We are going May 23-30. Will the same get there early advice apply since the Magic Kingdom has an opening of 8:00am? Should we expect to be able to enter and do some rides prior to 8:00? Thanks!
It’s hard to say. Disney continues to “evolve” its approach to early entry, and what works one day won’t necessarily work the next (unless you’re walking from Contemporary, Poly, or GF). I think it remains worth trying, just be aware that success is not guaranteed.
What are your thoughts on Memorial Weekend given WDW’s not distinguishing those dates with this calendar? Are they basically hitting capacity every weekend regardless, so there’s no need to make those hours longer without a capacity bump, or does Disney think it can just handle the extra congestion?
Memorial Day and Labor Day are historically two holidays that aren’t as bad as people expect.
With that said, I wouldn’t be surprised if that specific weekend receives another hour or two for each park once we get closer and Disney has better projections.
The extended hours are good news for us since we are going in early May and it already looks better. Thanks for the link to the calendar, Tom.
Love your blog, Tom! We are going in August so I am hopeful for some hours extension and a touch more Normalcy by then. I’ll continue to follow you for the optimistic updates!