Disney World Announces Extended Evening Hours for 2026

Get ready for even more enchantment on your next Walt Disney World vacation! For those planning their magical getaways in 2026, Disney has confirmed the return of a much-loved perk: Extended Evening Hours. This fantastic benefit offers guests staying at select Disney resort hotels the incredible opportunity to spend extra time enjoying the magic in the theme parks after they officially close to the general public. If you're dreaming of riding your favorite attractions with potentially shorter wait times and soaking in the unique nighttime ambiance of the parks, then this news is sure to add an extra sprinkle of pixie dust to your vacation plans.   

Image Courtesy of Chad Sparkles

Walt Disney World has officially announced that the popular Extended Evening Hours will continue to be offered through the end of 2026, at least. This confirmation came around April 2025, coinciding with the exciting news that bookings for 2026 vacation packages were becoming available. This strategic timing suggests that Disney aims to highlight the added value for guests choosing to stay at their Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas, incentivizing early bookings for those premium accommodations. The continuation of Extended Evening Hours reinforces the benefits of staying at a Disney World Resort, especially for visitors who want to maximize their time experiencing the parks. Along with this exciting nighttime offering, guests can also continue to take advantage of the Early Theme Park Entry benefit, providing even more opportunities to enjoy the magic before the crowds arrive.   

So, what exactly are these Extended Evening Hours that have Disney enthusiasts buzzing? This special perk allows eligible guests to remain in select theme parks for an additional two hours after the scheduled closing time. Unlike the separately ticketed After Hours events, which require an additional purchase, Extended Evening Hours are included as a complimentary benefit for guests staying at qualifying Disney resorts. This distinction is important for understanding the added value of choosing a Deluxe Resort for your stay. During these extended hours, select merchandise and food and beverage locations also typically remain open, allowing guests to grab a late-night bite or souvenir.   

While Extended Evening Hours have been offered at all four Walt Disney World theme parks in the past, they are most consistently scheduled at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Typically, guests can enjoy these extra hours at Magic Kingdom on Wednesdays and at EPCOT on Mondays. However, it is important to remember that the specific parks and the nights they offer Extended Evening Hours can vary depending on the time of year, special events, and other factors. Therefore, it is always recommended to check the My Disney Experience app or the official Walt Disney World calendar closer to your travel dates for the most accurate and up-to-date schedule. This variability highlights the need for flexible planning to take full advantage of this perk.   

During Extended Evening Hours, a wide selection of popular attractions and experiences usually remain open for eligible guests to enjoy. While the exact list of available attractions can change, here is a general idea of what you might find open in each park:   

Park	Typically Available Attractions
Magic Kingdom	"it's a small world", Astro Orbiter, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Country Bear Jamboree, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Haunted Mansion, Mad Tea Party, Mickey's PhilharMagic, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
EPCOT	Frozen Ever After, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, Living with the Land, Mission: SPACE, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Soarin' Around the World, Spaceship Earth, Test Track
Disney's Hollywood Studios	Alien Swirling Saucers, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Slinky Dog Dash, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, Toy Story Mania!, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park	Avatar Flight of Passage, DINOSAUR, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, It's Tough to be a Bug!, Na'vi River Journey

To unlock this extra park time, guests must be staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort or a Disney Deluxe Villa Resort located on Walt Disney World property. This exclusive benefit is a significant perk for those choosing these premium accommodations. Here is a list of the eligible resorts where guests can enjoy Extended Evening Hours:   

Disney Deluxe Resorts	Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge	Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Beach Club Resort	Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's BoardWalk Inn	Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Contemporary Resort	Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa	Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort	Disney's Beach Club Villas
Disney's Wilderness Lodge	Disney's BoardWalk Villas
Disney's Yacht Club Resort	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 (Disney Vacation Club Cabins only)
	The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Additionally, guests staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, the Swan Reserve, and Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort are also typically eligible for Extended Evening Hours. It's important to note that guests staying at Disney Value or Moderate Resorts are not eligible for this particular perk.   

While the official announcement confirms the return of Extended Evening Hours for 2026, specific dates and times for the year have not been released yet. Based on past patterns, guests can likely expect Magic Kingdom to offer these extended hours on Wednesdays and EPCOT on Mondays. Looking at examples from 2025, these extended hours often run from 9 PM to 11 PM or 10 PM to 12 AM, depending on the park and the regular closing time. As the 2026 dates get closer, it will be crucial for guests to consult the official Walt Disney World calendar or the My Disney Experience app for the most accurate and up-to-date information. This proactive approach will ensure you can effectively plan your park days to take advantage of this fantastic benefit.   

One of the most significant advantages of Extended Evening Hours is the opportunity to experience popular attractions with significantly lower wait times. With fewer guests in the park, you'll likely spend less time in line and more time enjoying the rides and experiences. Many guests have reported being able to ride multiple headliner attractions during these extra hours, making it a very efficient use of park time. Beyond the shorter waits, the atmosphere in the parks during Extended Evening Hours is often described as magical. With fewer crowds, you can enjoy a more relaxed pace, take in the sights and sounds of the parks at night, and even capture some stunning photos of iconic landmarks like Cinderella Castle without the usual throng of people. Additionally, Disney transportation services typically continue to operate during these extended hours, making it convenient for guests at participating resorts to travel back to their hotels after a late night of fun.   

Based on the information available, the return of Extended Evening Hours in 2026 appears to be a continuation of the program as it has been offered in previous years. While the core benefit of extra park time for Deluxe Resort guests remains the same, specific details regarding participating attractions and the exact schedule for 2026 will likely be announced closer to the year. Therefore, staying informed through official Disney channels will be key for planning your 2026 trips.   

To make the most of the Extended Evening Hours during your 2026 Disney World vacation, some strategic planning can go a long way. First and foremost, be sure to check the My Disney Experience app or the official Disney World website for the specific park offering Extended Evening Hours on the night you plan to attend, as well as the exact times. Once you know which park is open late, prioritize riding the high-demand attractions that typically have long wait times during regular park hours. If the park with Extended Evening Hours isn't your primary park for the day, remember that you'll need a park hopper ticket and must enter your initially reserved park before hopping over. Keep in mind that taking advantage of these late-night hours means you'll likely have a later night than usual, so consider planning for a more relaxed morning or even a rest day afterward. It's also a good idea to grab dinner and any snacks you might want before the regular park closing, as not all dining locations will remain open during the extended hours. For incredibly popular attractions that utilize virtual queues, such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, be sure to check if there are any specific virtual queue opportunities available during Extended Evening Hours for eligible guests.   

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The return of Extended Evening Hours for 2026 is fantastic news for guests planning to stay at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas. This valuable perk offers more time to experience the magic, often with shorter wait times and a unique nighttime atmosphere. As you begin planning your 2026 Walt Disney World vacation, be sure to consider the benefits of staying at an eligible resort to take full advantage of this extra dose of Disney magic after dark! Start dreaming and planning your unforgettable getaway today!