On average, Walt Disney World theme parks now close around 9 PM, with Magic Kingdom stretching the latest until about 10 PM and Disney’s Animal Kingdom closing earliest, often around 7 PM. Sure, Animal Kingdom has always closed earlier to respect the animals—understandable. But for the other parks? We’ve seen a steady shrinking of park hours something that I always enjoyed while on vacation. Back in the day, Magic Kingdom staying open until 11 PM wasn’t just common—it was expected. And we had true Extra Magic Hours, not the half-hour early entry or select evening hours for only deluxe resort guests. During peak summer nights, the parks sometimes stayed open as late as 3 AM, exclusively for Disney resort guests, but still at no additional costs aside from the cost of staying on property.
The decline wasn’t immediate; it crept in over the years, as late-night hours became less frequent, a slow erosion, but then came COVID-19, which temporarily closed the parks in 2020. Since reopening, the expansive hours we once knew simply haven’t returned—and it’s been four years. If this were merely a temporary adjustment, fine. But it’s not. Disney has made a choice, and it’s clear where their priorities now lie.
And that brings us to the crux of the issue…
Instead of offering guests those extended hours as part of their regular park admission, Disney has pivoted hard toward hard-ticket events. These are special events that require an additional (and often steep) fee, such as After Hours parties, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Jollywood Nights, or even exclusive corporate rentals. Sure, special events existed before, but they were a sprinkle—not the main course. Now, they’ve become central to Disney’s theme park business model.
And here’s where it really stings: ticket prices for normal park hours have risen dramatically. Yes, Disney has the right to charge what the market will bear—but shouldn’t higher prices come with at least the same level of service and time available to enjoy the park? Instead, we’re getting less.
Unfortunately, this article isn’t going to bring back those extended park hours—it’s more likely to be ignored entirely. Not even a large plea from fans would likely make a change. The reality is that meaningful change would have to come from the top. If Disney’s next leader after CEO Bob Iger prioritizes guest experience, there might be a path to restoring those late-night hours. However, even then, it would likely hinge on the parks proving they could generate more revenue by doing so—perhaps through exclusive late-night dining options or unique merchandise offerings.
