Shorter Park Hours When Disney World Reopens
Walt Disney World has reduced park hours for Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios, with later openings and earlier closings between July and October 2020. In this post, we’ll cover the shorter hours, offer thoughts on special events, and why this is likely happening.
The obvious backdrop for this change is the announcement that Walt Disney World Will Officially Reopen Beginning in July 2020. As covered there, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will debut first, followed shortly thereafter by Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These changes to park hours correspond with those dates.
It feels odd to be doing a park hours update that covers a reduction of park hours; every month following the debut of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance was seeing regular extensions. Of course, nothing is normal right now. It’s not even remotely surprising that Walt Disney World is reducing park hours for the coming months given the circumstances…
In addition to park hours being condensed for July through October 2020, the calendar on DisneyWorld.com for June 2020 and all dates prior to July 11, 2020 has been removed entirely. Again, no surprise there given the official opening announcement. However, it is worth noting that this does not account for the soft opening preview periods, but we’re not expecting those to show up on the official public-facing calendar, anyway.
Let’s start with a look at the calendar of park hours for July 2020 at Walt Disney World:
For August, September, and October 2020, park hours follow the same pattern:
- Magic Kingdom – 9 am to 7 pm
- Animal Kingdom – 8 am to 6 pm
- Epcot – 11 am to 9 pm
- Hollywood Studios – 10 am to 8 pm
The schedule of morning and evening Extra Magic Hours has likewise been adjusted to match with the earlier closings or later openings. Additionally, the Early Morning Magic and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party hard ticket events both still appear on the calendar.
In the case of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, the regular Magic Kingdom park closing time has actually been extended from 6 pm to 7 pm on event nights. This is an interesting change that raises a red (or at least yellow) flag. (More on that a bit later in the post.)
One thing we always note when it comes to the initial release of their monthly calendars is that it’s commonplace for Walt Disney World to release boilerplate hours prior to a final calendar. This practice was implemented following complaints about guests having to book Advance Dining Reservations when Walt Disney World hadn’t even set its calendar.
Normally, it’s a valid complaint. Walt Disney World expects guests to have their days planned half a year in advance, but the parks can’t be bothered to do the same? Of course, the new practice doesn’t really resolve that complaint. These template calendars are fairly predictable based upon previous years, and often the final hours differ significantly from what DisneyWorld.com initially posts. (But I digress.)
In this case, the boilerplate calendars are certainly more understandable as Walt Disney World leaders don’t know what operations or hours will look like in October 2020. This is a totally unprecedented situation, and like everyone else, Disney is figuring this out as they go.
Decisions are being made dynamically and on the fly, with Disney itself scrambling to strike the right balance. For proof of this, look no further than Walt Disney World suspending new ticket sales, hotel bookings, etc. a few hours after the reopening announcement was made.
With that said, at least for the month of July, these hours are probably more or less accurate as-is. The July 2020 calendar is similar to Shanghai Disneyland’s operating hours for its first few weeks, and is likely a byproduct of attendance caps and reduced demand.
It’s worth noting that at Shanghai Disneyland, even with reduced capacity on attractions, wait times have been minimal. Attractions are peaking below half their norms, which means that even with reduced hours guests can still accomplish as much or more than previously. That’s not to say the same will hold true at Walt Disney World, but it is one explanation. (Another obvious explanation is that Walt Disney World needs to reduce labor and operating expenses while the parks are running at a fraction of normal capacity.)
There are a number of variables at play that will influence the final park hours for late summer and fall. What will attendance have been like in July? What operational adjustments will need to be made based upon guest feedback and what works/doesn’t? Will any entertainment be able to resume? What about projections for fall hotel bookings and park ticket sales? Will safe capacity for the parks have increased? Is it feasible to host entertainment-heavy special events?
These are just some relevant considerations–there are undoubtedly more, and no one can answer these questions right now.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party still appearing on the calendar for August, September, and October 2020 dovetails with all of these questions. Bluntly, there is no way Walt Disney World can know today whether this event–which begins less than one month after Magic Kingdom reopens (yes, you read that correctly)–can be held in 2020.
On a normal night, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party requires an attendance cap. In recent years, this has been a major problem (we covered this in our Is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Too Crowded? post). It’ll be an even bigger issue in 2020. This is in part because of the event’s lineup, which consists of entertainment that is temporarily suspended. It’s also because the marquee entertainment occurs in quick succession in a guest-dense area of Magic Kingdom, where physical distancing is impossible.
Attendance would need to be capped significantly lower (at which point the party probably runs at a loss) or the event will need to be cancelled or restrictions on entertainment/crowds will need to be loosened by August. (Or a combination of the three–earlier dates could be cancelled, the attendance cap modestly lowered for mid-September through October, and some entertainment modified to get guests out of the Central Plaza.)
The presence of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Part on the August 2020 calendar should be indicative of what these fall hours represent: placeholders reflecting current intent that can still be heavily influenced by future events/circumstances changing.
It’s entirely possible that the normal park hours and events will remain totally unchanged between now and October 2020. It’s also possible they will change radically. As always, the closer the dates, the less likely there will be change. The more remote, the greater likelihood they’ll be modified.
That doesn’t make them accurate or inaccurate right now–basically, the fall hours are instructive, albeit inconclusive.
Editorializing a bit more, this could also be a matter of reseting guest expectations for the foreseeable future. It’s going to be a rough few months for Walt Disney World, and fully apprising potential visitors of the compromises they’ll have to make if visiting in the near future is a savvy move.
Judging by online reactions, a lot of people are still expecting the normal Disney experience in the midst of a pandemic, which is patently unreasonable. Walt Disney World needs to get people to cancel or adjust their patience, flexibility, and tolerance pretty quickly.
To the former point, Walt Disney World is no doubt bracing for a deluge of trip cancellations. That’s inevitable and unavoidable. It’s inarguably better for Disney to be up front in presenting the complete picture (or even worst case scenario) in terms of the modified guest experience. That way, people can make a fully informed decision to cancel or postpone prior to their trip, rather than showing up, complaining, and Disney having to issue nonstop guest recovery or concessions.
All of this goes well beyond park hours, but those do play an important role in presenting a sobering view of the limitations and requirements guests who choose to go during the first phase of reopening will encounter. On the flip side, this also offers a unique opportunity for Walt Disney World to underpromise and overdeliver. By being transparent in presenting the worst case scenario and reducing the potential audience on that basis, Walt Disney World can potentially provide a superior experience to those who accept the compromises. That’s digressing quite a bit from park hours–and something we plan on discussing in greater detail in the near future.
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
Surprised by the reduced operating hours, or did you expect this? Will you be visiting Walt Disney World right away when the parks reopen in July or will you wait? Will shorter hours influence your decision to visit? Do you think Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party will happen this year? A variety of viewpoints are welcomed here, but we will not tolerate insults, arguing, or politically-charged comments. Additionally, please do not debate the efficacy of health safety policies—all such comments (for, against, otherwise) will be deleted. Those arguments are played out and isn’t the appropriate forum for that. (Saying you will or will not visit in light of certain measures is fine.)
I might think of going except for this
All persons traveling to Florida from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Louisiana are required upon entry to Florida to self-isolate or self-quarantine for 14 days, or for the duration of their presence in the state, whichever is shorter.
Interesting since there are other areas like the county my parents live in PA that are worse than here. BUT if I was coming from PA I would not have to self-isolate
Assuming by opening these quarantine requirements will be gone for the Tristate area…
Unless it’s extended, that executive order expires July 7.
Hi Tom,
I have heard that disney is canceling all dining reservations. Have you heard this???
Well being able to sleep in and still rope drop sounds good. Not that there’s a chance i would go until there is a vaccine. Plus I’d have to self isolate for 2 weeks when I got home because of out of country travel.
To my knowledge there was no mention of an opening date for Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, and others are reporting that they will not be opening with everything else, but the Disney World Calendar page shows operating hours for both starting on July 11. I would almost think this was a mistake, but the fact that there are no operating hours listed for Blizzard Beach after September 12th makes me think it wasn’t a mistake.
Funny how most people have a Disney Breaking Point. For some it’s having to wear a mask, others won’t go without fireworks or parades, and for us it’s probably going to come down to if Blizzard Beach is open or not. I honestly thought that the Disney Water Parks might not open, but got my hopes up when Universal announced that Volcano Bay was going to open with the other parks. Guess I will just have to wait and see.
Does anyone here think Face Shields will be permitted in lieu of cloth mask? To be honest, I much enjoy them to the regular face masks. There is a lot more air flow underneath and i feel a lot more comfortable walking around. Is that going to be a viable option? What do you guys think?
As an ER nurse in NY I can tell you that face shields alone are not at all effective in preventing transmission of the virus. I would hope they have people on staff who have this knowledge. The best way to prevent spread is when all parties wear masks. I understand the face mask can be suffocating and uncomfortable, but it will be a part of life for the next few years!
I’m not really surprised by the reduced hours, especially after seeing Universal’s hours reduced at the start as well. I’d imagine part of that is to allow teams to go in early, or stay late, and clean off a lot of the surfaces, as well as cutting labor costs. I’m a little surprised though to see H2O glow nights still going on. Do you think that will hold true or get cancelled? I really wanted to try this out last year as I’ve seen some great reviews on it but wish they would drop the price just a tad! Thanks, as always, for all the updates!
Love this idea Steve. Just being in the atmosphere of the parks at night is worth it. Or the early mornings to avoid the heat.
My family is still very excited for our trip in early October. We are a family of five, with three boys B/w 4 – 8 at the time of the trip. It’s been planned for over a year with my In-laws for a 70th birthday family trip. We do live in the northeast; My husband and I are both in hospitality and our lives and incomes have been and will continue to be affected. We talked about postponing and asked the kids if they would still want to go even IF they couldn’t go to the park. Their answer was a resounding yes. They will wear the masks…they are hoping we don’t have to but they are aware of what’s going on and for them, given the choice of Disney-lite with a mask or no Disney at all, they didn’t even think about it.
It’s a bummer there aren’t going to be fireworks, parades or meet and greets, but honestly the adults liked those things so much more than the kids. Their priorities are Galaxy’s Edge, the monorail and ice cream/waffles. We are fortunate that this isn’t our first trip, and I can say with 100% certainty the kids won’t miss fireworks, parades or character meet and greets. They can waste their Mickey waffles with or without characters. I’m looking forward to lower crowds and love the idea of virtual queues for some of the rides. My in-laws are just thrilled that we can even go on vacation and for them, if all we can do is spend time at the pool and we have to cook in our Villa, they are still getting to spend quality time with their son and grandsons. I’m hoping with three other adults on vacation at the same time I can shower and go to the bathroom In peace and without having to break up wrestle mania when I’m finished (things I’d never thought I’d say). The main thing, for us, that sucks is that the trip was built around doing MNSSHP for the first time.
It’s easy to get caught up in the negative –and there is a lot that could have been done better – but my husband and I are just happy to be able to still take a vacation as we know many people who e had to cancel.
This is going to be wonderful for local visitors who can pop into the parks for a couple of hours, then head back home to cool off in their own personal swimming pools. And to them I say “Congrats!” I’m NOT AT ALL JEALOUS :/
Only time will tell. From what I have seen so far, states (businesses etc) are following the recommended Phases of re-opening. As the number of cases are lessening so are the restrictions. Disney can make their own rules but with many pushing back against masks and lack of parades/fireworks/and meet and greets, I think they want to get back to some sort of normal as soon as they can.
I have heard many people say this but they are also saying they will re-appear
We have a trip starting Aug 27th and planned a Halloween party night. After the cancelation of shows, meet n greets, fireworks, and parades, I’m not sure how the party will be worth it. I would think they will have to cancel them. The hours and lack of evening EMH is a real bummer as we are mostly night-owls. It’s been over 2 years since our last visit and I was planning on getting a Season pass on this trip to come back for spring break and maybe Christmas, but with the price and limits that are to come. I’m rethinking the pass idea and even this trip. I’m just worried there won’t be enough concrete info by the cancelation deadline of our trip.
Hi all! I’ll be the first to stay I love Disney. But being honest…Visiting the past few years it seemed like events were “over“ capacity from Christmas parties to Halloween ! Bad crowds!!! And all kinds of extra $ events (aka dessert parties And extra $ to get other events ) so that they could pack more in ! F&W food booths such lines! .there were times you couldn’t even walk from Canada to Mexico at Epcot! And they raised prices and it seemed people didn’t care and came in more. We’ve all been there in the madness and did it anyway. But times are changing ….Even in this terrible time, I hope this may have a silver lining and make crowds less and Disney rethink the crowd control for the future. But I can’t imagine a reservation system … it will be crazy with everyday sold out before you can get a chance … just like Galaxy’s Edge .( I bet if you don’t have a hotel room you can’t get in. And then maybe not either even with that ) I couldn’t imagine spending all that money to come and not get into a park! And virtual cues for rides. I bet you won’t get to ride but a couple of things in a day all virtual cues and your out of luck if you can’t book them. I bet you can’t just go see whatever you like. If your not local ( Dare I say as Walt will come down from heaven ) Maybe go to a “Real “ national park this year and pass on Disney … With gas so low you can rent a motor home and visit all kinds of things .. half the cost !!! If there was a 3 hour wait for just the Disney store in Disney Springs with no tourists and at a lower capacity , Can you imagine a cue to get into the actual park ? Or ride ? Not to mention Lastly there is still a ton of construction they have to do and they are behind schedule now.
While I understand the disappointment in the lack of meet and greets and parades, fireworks etc as well as the shortened hours–I am surprised that people think that without those Disney is Kaufman like any other theme park. To me those were always just extras and the main deal was the park’s and the attractions and restaurants. And just the atmosphere. Granted, my children are older and were never into meet and greets that much and we often skip fireworks…. still, iI think Disney is still magical without those. Def not “just another theme park!”
Huh. Autocorrect. Kaufman=just like! Lol
Everything about all of this is disappointing. I understand why Disney is doing all of this, but not everyone can adjust on the fly. Disney owes us at least better communication. I know they can’t predict what will happen in the future, but they have literally made all their money off a certain experience in the parks… and that is what people are paying for. I agree with the previous poster that said the price is way too high for a lesser experience. Without fireworks, character meet and greets or parades, I can take my family to any theme park for the same experience for a lot cheaper. Also side note I am extremely disappointed in the way Disney is NOT addressing the military and tickets they have purchased. They just need to do a much better job of communicating. Otherwise they will lose a lot of families and the good will they have with them. Come on Disney! Do better!
Have the princess and character meals been cancelled? If not, how do you think the meals will be handled with the social distance in tact.
Thanks,
Martha
This could end up being pretty sweet for passholders. We always get out FoP, SDMT, etc passes when new hours are released. Changing times always results in an hour or more of fast pass time slots being released. So if Disney decides it can run an hour later at Animal Kingdom and let some more park reservations out this means you could score some sweet fast passes short notice.
I really am curious to how Not So Scary goes. I wonder if combining characters with treat trails might be an option. A singing Oogie you walk by (at least 6ft away)
Is still pretty cool you could always snag a social distance picture or video. Also you could continuously run projections on the castle so people didn’t crowd. It would be different but not bad, it’s been way to crowded the past few years.
Are prices staying the same?
Not sure if people just weren’t looking that far ahead before but the hours listed in October have actually been that way for over a week now. When making reservations last week for my Fall trip I was trying to decide where to eat dinner Halloween night (our wedding anniversary) and when so we could maximize the “last ride of the night”, and noticed that HS was closing at 8 and EPCOT at 9. But as you mentioned above I know that changes regularly and just assumed they would change as the trip gets closer. We’ll be keeping our trip regardless of mask requirements etc. We try to go annually and will just make it work. I know that is easier said than done for a lot of people but we are 2 childless millennials that can adjust and “go with the flow” we’re also kind of intrigued to see what WDW is like in this “post-apocalyptic” state
I think you’re right, these will probably be the hours at opening and the later they go, the more subject they are to change.
While you read far more of the replies on your site, and on other sites as a professional blogger, from what I’ve seen, I have to disagree with you about people “still expecting the normal Disney experience in the midst of the pandemic.” What I’m primarily seeing, and what I know is true for us, is that most people aren’t willing to pay the normal Disney price for an abbreviated Disney experience, or want to wear masks all day long. I’m not bringing my family to wear masks in July and August when two of them have claustrophobia issues. Further, given the science on this, the chance of transmission outdoors in Florida’s heat, sun and humidity is extremely low. Further, WDW is going to open more than 1 and 1/2 months from now, with that much more time for the virus to subside. Our state is likely to enter Phase 2 on June 5th, given how things are going. Right now, WDW is preparing for a phase 1 opening when Florida will be past that by July 11th.
So, I don’t think people expect the full WDW experience during the pandemic; they’re just not going to go if they can’t get that full experience. It is an important difference.
One of the big mysteries right now is pricing. With the hours now posted, added onto no character greetings (which is a major reason for the kids to go to WDW), no parades and no fireworks, and we still don’t know if other attractions might be closed, this truly is an abbreviated experience. How is Disney going to respond with pricing?
All of which underlines another important point: Uncertainty. We’re expected to book or WDW vay-cay 6 months or more in advance for ADRs, to say nothing of primetime slots for DVC members. This chaos is a major pause button for many of us, certainly those who need hotel reservations to go to WDW (it is different for those for whom it’s a doable there-and-back day trip).
Wearing masks is NOT going to be the new normal for the general population. It might become a new normal for those with colds to prevent the spread of what they have, and by the vulnerable, but there will be no reason for that once this virus passes for most people, just as it has been for years in Japan and other parts of Asia.
Until this uncertainty and chaos passes, plenty of us will be passing on WDW. When we can get certainty back to where it was, then we’ll go back. Oh, and with lots more of us buying trip insurance.
Agree with you completely on pricing.
Unfortunately, I think that might take some time to catch up to demand. There’s likely the assumption that reduced supply means they can hold firm on prices even with a partial experience. They’ll be disabused of that notion pretty quickly…but not until it’s already too late for July and August bookings.
Beyond that, some of Disney’s leaders are out of touch, having developed a cocky attitude of invincibility after a decade-plus run of being able to increase prices while also seeing demand increase. If there is any new normal to come out of this, I think it’s that the “seller’s market” run travel providers have enjoyed is over for the foreseeable future. Disney and other destinations will have to adjust to this and get more competitive in a hurry.
Trip insurance is a joke! I have yet to see any policy that might actually pay me. Had a former boss that doesn’t like (more like hates) anything Disney and would give me crap about my trips and want me to take my laptop and get insurance in case something changed and she thought I needed to cancel. I finally told her to shut up about it and I’ll go on vacation where I damn well want to, and that if she expects me the change my plans at the last minute, SHE would have to pay ALL costs associated with it. She would actually pester me with minor issues that would either work them selves out or could wait until I got back, then get mad when I didn’t respond immediately. Just some of the many reasons I quit and we haven’t spoken since…
There is an issue here with this situation. We booked our August trip in January well before the virus was an issue. We also had a March trip that had to be cancelled. We have already paid for club level accommodations and park hopper tickets as a package. I don’t feel it is wrong for us to expect something in return for the services we won’t receive or the ability to still park hop. While we understand that it will be a different experience and we’re not disputing no parades, fireworks, etc. they cannot expect us to not want some sort of refund for not being able to park hop or get dinner reservations and fast passes reserved for us which has always been a perk for booking club level. Now that they have set dates for reopening signature services needs to be on the phones and helping those of us who have booked club level get things sorted out so we have some sort of a nice vacation.
Would be cooler if they divided the hours in half–having an early shift say starting a 7 am that goes to noon. Then they close for cleaning and disinfection of high touched areas. Then open at say 7 pm and close at midnight. Rinse, repeat.
They could have half of the guests go in the am and the other half in the pm and maybe alternate sets every 2 days.
The locals likely wouldn’t go for this though.
What a mess.
We are booked for October 17th October 24th. We have made all of our dinning reservations which are after 6:30 every day please we had Mickeys not so Scarey Halloween planned. I was no to concerned for a while since we were late October but now I am worrying. We are coming from California so a long trip with a 3 and 5 year old. Tom what is your advice on canceling or should we wait it out and see?
Thank you for your thoughtful and well-researched analysis (as always!). We are a family with two boys, ages 5 and 7. Our 5-year-old is terrified of fireworks, and even our 7-year-old is too young to stay up for them. So the elimination of fireworks makes no difference to us–we would have cleared out long before they started anyway. The lack of a parade is a bummer, but not a deal-breaker. Our boys have limited patience for standing in one spot, waiting. Finally, we are in the midwest, so the travel to the east coast always makes early mornings a tough slog. Pushing back the park opening time definitely works in our favor! Our trip (which has been pushed back from March, then to May, then to June) is planned for the end of October. Even if restrictions then are still as they are planned now, we will likely go, and savor the low crowds!
I hope you are right about lower crowds as we have also rescheduled for October but I think by then we will see some of these restrictions being relaxed and crowds pouring in.
Tish,
I don’t see restrictions being loosed for October, not when we have a cold/flu like illness with no treatment and no cure. Unless people are vigilant about staying home every time they have a cold, we’re going to see a ton of unintentional spread during flu season.
The best thing Disney could do it have a long term flexible cancelation policy and go back to no expiration tickets. They won’t, but should. If you were on Day 3 of your vacation would you stay in for a cold? Or go get tested knowing it would be 3-7 days before you got results? It’s probably a cold anyway why throw away a park day…
Annnd that’s how it spreads. I would expect a ramp up of restrictions in October through the winter months.