Magic Kingdom opens at 9 a.m. Dec. 20 to 31, an hour later than last year, for now. EPCOT stays open until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, and two party nights close Magic Kingdom early.
Planning a Disney World trip for Christmas week? The park hours are finally on the calendar.
Walt Disney World posted its theme park hours for Dec. 20 through 31 on Wednesday, Oct. 21, WDW News Today reported. That covers Christmas and New Year’s Eve, two of the busiest stretches of the year.
The surprise is at Magic Kingdom. It’s set to open at 9 a.m., which is later than last year, though WDWNT expects the hours to grow.
What are Magic Kingdom’s hours for Christmas week?
Magic Kingdom is scheduled to open at 9 a.m. every day from Sunday, Dec. 20, through Thursday, Dec. 31, according to WDWNT. Most nights, it closes at 10 p.m.
A few days are different:
Dec. 20 and 22: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., for the last two Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties.
Dec. 30: 9 a.m. to midnight.
New Year’s Eve: 9 a.m. to midnight.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day both run 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. for now. That’s a 13-hour day at the park.
Did Disney World cut Magic Kingdom’s hours?
On paper, for now. In 2025, Magic Kingdom opened at 8 a.m. during the holiday weeks, WDWNT said. On New Year’s Eve, it stayed open until 1 a.m.
WDWNT expects Disney to add earlier openings and an extra hour on New Year’s Eve closer to the dates. These are just the first hours posted.
So if you’re booking now, plan around the posted times. Just keep an eye on the app for changes.
What are EPCOT’s hours for Christmas and New Year’s Eve?
EPCOT is set for 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days. On New Year’s Eve, it stays open until 1 a.m., according to WDWNT. That’s a 16-hour day for anyone who stays from open to close.
Some Disney World hotel guests get extended evening hours at EPCOT from 9 to 11 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21, and Monday, Dec. 28. Those times line up with 2025, so they probably won’t change, WDWNT said.
What are Hollywood Studios’ holiday hours?
Hollywood Studios is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with two early closings for Disney Jollywood Nights:
Dec. 21 and 23: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jollywood Nights runs 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
New Year’s Eve: 9 a.m. to midnight.
Jollywood Nights is a separate ticket. It runs on select nights from Nov. 7 to Jan. 5, the first time it has stretched into January, as PNP reported.
What are Animal Kingdom’s hours for Christmas week?
Animal Kingdom is the early bird. It’s set for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, Dec. 20 through 31.
Extended evening hours for select hotel guests run 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. Animal Kingdom stayed open later in 2025, so 7 or 8 p.m. closings could show up, WDWNT said.
The water park open those weeks is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 20 through 31, WDWNT said.
Do Disney World hotel guests get in early at Christmas?
Yes. Early entry for all Disney World hotel guests starts a half hour before regular opening, at every theme park.
That means an 8:30 a.m. start at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios on the current schedule. At Animal Kingdom, it’s 7:30 a.m.
Here’s what Christmas Day at Magic Kingdom looked like last year, from 4K WDW:
What else should you know about Disney World at Christmas?
Book the extras early. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has been selling out night after night, and the last two parties are Dec. 20 and 22.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure closes Nov. 2 for a refurbishment and is due back Dec. 18, as PNP reported. That puts it back in time for Christmas week.
Christmas is one of the most crowded times of the year at Disney World. So get there for early entry, and check hours again before you go.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
WDW News Today, Shannen Ace (Oct. 21, 2026), the Christmas and New Year’s Eve hours and the 2025 comparison
Pirates & Princesses (Oct. 18, 2026), Tiana’s Bayou Adventure dates
Pirates & Princesses (Oct. 11, 2026), the Jollywood Nights run
4K WDW on YouTube (Dec. 25, 2025), the Christmas Day video
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