Magic Kingdom is the heart and soul of Walt Disney World. With its iconic Cinderella Castle, thrilling rides, and fun attractions, it’s no surprise that visitors flock to this theme park every day. However, planning a visit can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to hours and extra hours access.
Typical Hours at Magic Kingdom
The usual hours for Magic Kingdom are 8:00 or 9:00 AM. to 10:00 or 11:00 PM., but hours do vary. On nights when Magic Kingdom hosts an After Hours or holiday party event, the park may close earlier than other days. We strongly suggest you check the official Disney hours for Magic Kingdom to get the latest info on this.
Main Street USA as well as the area near Cinderella’s Castle open to guests an hour before park opening time. Keep in mind that not all attractions open and close with the park. Some attractions like Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor opens much later than the park opening time and it also closes earlier than the park. We also can’t tell you the exact ride opening times other than to check the My Disney Experience app yourself or visit Thrill-Data and see when the ride last posted a wait time for the day.
Early Theme Park Entry
Disney hotel guests (and some partner hotels) have access to Early Theme Park Entry, which lets them inside the park half an hour before park visitors are allowed to go in. Early Entry at Magic Kingdom includes most rides in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. It also includes Marquee attractions like Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Peter Pan’s Flight.
Extended Evening Hours
Guests of deluxe Disney hotels (and a more select group of partner hotels) have access to Extended Evening Hours, which gives them a few extra hours in the park at night. Magic Kingdom typically has Extended Evening Hours only once each week. The park usually grants them 2 hours after the park has closed. This means short wait times on some rides. But if the park closes at 11PM, you’ll have to stay til 1 in the morning to take advantage of this perk.
After Hours Events
After Hours events provide late-hour park access but you’ll need to purchase a separate ticket for these. You’ll experience Magic Kingdom with fewer crowds and shorter wait times. Additionally, they will give you free snacks and beverages, and you can meet and greet with certain Disney characters, among others. After Hours events include Villains After Hours and holiday “parties.”
Getting Extra Hours Access to Magic Kingdom
If you want even more time in the park, there are several options for getting early or late access to Magic Kingdom.
1. Early Theme Park Entry is a perk offered to hotel guests of Walt Disney World Resort hotels (and select partner hotels) which lets them enter the park half an hour earlier than everyone else.
2. Extended Evening Hours is a perk given to deluxe Disney hotel guests once each week, allowing them 2 hours to enjoy the park after it closes. These events include complimentary bottled drinks, frozen treats and popcorn. It’s a great way to enjoy the park with fewer crowds.
What If You Don’t Have Extra Hours Access?
If you’re not a guest of a Disney resort, you won’t have Early Theme Park Entry or Extended Evening Hours. The big challenge this poses is that Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain and Peter Pan’s Flight will already have lines by the time you get there. If you wait in them, lines for everything else will only increase. But hey, these things are to be expected when you visit Magic Kingdom, right?
Find out how you can maximize on your Early Theme Park Entry here: