Planning a Disney World trip for early January? EPCOT will open an hour late on three marathon weekend mornings, and Magic Kingdom’s Astro Orbiter takes a short break first.
If your Disney World trip lands in the first part of January 2027, two schedule changes just showed up that could shuffle your plans.
EPCOT will open at 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. on three mornings during Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, BlogMickey reported Oct. 31.
Over at Magic Kingdom, Astro Orbiter will close for a quick refurbishment right before the race weekend starts.
Neither one is a trip killer.
But if you were counting on rope drop at EPCOT or a spin over Tomorrowland, it helps to know now.
When does EPCOT open late in January 2027?
Here’s the EPCOT schedule for race week, as posted on Disney’s park hours:
Jan. 6 (Wednesday): Early Theme Park Entry at 8:30 a.m., park opens 9 a.m.
Jan. 7 (Thursday): Early Theme Park Entry at 9:30 a.m., park opens 10 a.m.
Jan. 8 (Friday): Early Theme Park Entry at 8:30 a.m., park opens 9 a.m.
Jan. 9 (Saturday): Early Theme Park Entry at 9:30 a.m., park opens 10 a.m.
Jan. 10 (Sunday): Early Theme Park Entry at 9:30 a.m., park opens 10 a.m.
EPCOT closes at 9 p.m. each of those nights, BlogMickey said. Animal Kingdom opens at 8 a.m., and Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios open at 9 a.m.
Why does EPCOT open late during marathon weekend?
Runners. Lots of them. The races finish at EPCOT, and the park needs time to clear out finish-line traffic before regular guests stroll in.
Here’s how the 2027 race days line up, according to the official registration page on Race Roster:
Walt Disney World 5K: Jan. 7 (Thursday)
10K: Jan. 8 (Friday)
Half Marathon: Jan. 9 (Saturday)
Marathon: Jan. 10 (Sunday)
So the late openings fall on the 5K, half marathon and marathon mornings. The 10K morning keeps the normal 9 a.m. start.
That Thursday is the new part. EPCOT opened at 10 a.m. on half marathon and marathon mornings in both 2025 and January 2026, BlogMickey reported, but not for the 5K.
Disney hasn’t said why it added the extra day. runDisney’s 5K page says the first start group goes off at 4:30 a.m., which it calls 30 minutes earlier than before.
Every 2027 race shows as sold out on Race Roster. If you weren’t already registered, you’re watching from the sidelines this time.
Is this a big deal for the half marathon?
It’s a birthday year. runDisney says 2027 marks the 30th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, and Donald Duck, the event’s first mascot, stars in every race. The Dopey Challenge runs all four races from Thursday through Sunday, and Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge covers the half and full on Saturday and Sunday.
Race mornings also come with road closures around the resort. BlogMickey suggests giving yourself extra time for buses and rideshares on those mornings, since closures can slow everything down.
When is Astro Orbiter closed in January 2027?
Astro Orbiter will close Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027, and reopen Friday, Jan. 8, 2027.
Several outlets reported it Oct. 30 and 31, including KennythePirate and WDWMagic.
Three days is nothing compared with last time. The spinning rocket ride closed Jan. 13, 2025, and didn’t reopen until June 27, 2025, KennythePirate reported.
Disney Food Blog said crews took the whole attraction off its perch above the PeopleMover during that one. After it came back, the ride had more downtime in July 2025 when its main lift acted up, according to KennythePirate.
What should you do if your trip falls that week?
Flip your EPCOT mornings. On Jan. 7, 9 and 10, start at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom and head to EPCOT after lunch.
By then the runners are mostly gone and the park is running normally.
If Astro Orbiter is a must for your kids, plan it for Jan. 4 or earlier, or Jan. 8 or later.
It’s a quick ride, but the view from up top is one of the best in Tomorrowland, especially at night.
And as always, check Disney’s park hours again a week or two before you go. Hours shift, and Disney adds Extended Evening Hours and other changes as the date gets closer.
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:
BlogMickey (Oct. 31), EPCOT race week hours
Race Roster, 2027 race dates and sellout status
runDisney, 5K start time and half marathon anniversary
KennythePirate (Oct. 31), Astro Orbiter closure dates and 2025 refurbishment
WDWMagic (Oct. 30), Astro Orbiter closure
Disney Food Blog (Oct. 31), Astro Orbiter removal during the 2025 refurbishment
Canobie Coaster, Astro Orbiter ride-through video
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