If EPCOT is part of your Disney World plans this October, there are two dates you'll want to circle on the calendar.
Disney's currently posted park hours show EPCOT opening an hour later than normal on two mornings during the 2026 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.
On Friday, October 23, and Sunday, October 25, EPCOT is scheduled to open at 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.
Both changes correspond with major runDisney races, making this more than a random adjustment to Disney's fall operating calendar.
Friday Starts an Hour Later
The first affected date is Friday, October 23.
That's the morning of the Wine & Dine 5K, and EPCOT is currently scheduled to operate from 10 a.m. through 9 p.m.
Eligible resort guests won't be able to get inside at the normal time, either. Early Theme Park Entry is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. until the park's official 10 a.m. opening.
The source connects the unusual schedule with the 5K and notes that runDisney previously expanded registration availability for the race. A larger field could take longer to clear the course, potentially delaying the point when EPCOT can begin its normal park day.
That explanation is presented as a likely reason rather than an officially confirmed explanation from Disney.
Either way, guests should prepare for the later start.
Half Marathon Day Brings the Same Change
EPCOT returns to the 10 a.m. opening schedule on Sunday, October 25.
This time, the change coincides with the Wine & Dine Half Marathon.
EPCOT is again scheduled from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., with Early Entry running from 9:30 a.m. until 10 a.m.
Guests who usually depend on those early morning hours may want to adjust their strategy.
The other three Disney World theme parks currently have earlier opening times that day. Animal Kingdom opens at 8 a.m., while Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios open at 9 a.m.
That could make a difference for anyone with Park Hopper access or a flexible itinerary.
On the other hand, guests planning a full EPCOT day might simply enjoy the extra hour in the morning before heading to the park.
Another EPCOT Schedule Change Follows
The changes don't end when the races are over.
Extended Evening Hours on Monday, October 26, are scheduled to take place at Animal Kingdom instead of EPCOT.
That adjustment follows the Wine & Dine Half Marathon post-race party at EPCOT on Sunday night.
According to the source, shifting Extended Evening Hours to Animal Kingdom may provide EPCOT with more time between special operations rather than requiring the park to host the post-race event and Extended Evening Hours on back-to-back nights.
Taken together, these changes show just how much a runDisney weekend can affect guests who aren't participating in the races.
The biggest thing to remember is that Disney's hours can still change.
Anyone traveling in late October should check the schedule again as their trip gets closer. But based on the currently posted hours, October 23 and October 25 will both begin later than a typical EPCOT day.
Showing up at 9 a.m. expecting the park to open could mean spending an unexpected hour waiting outside. A quick adjustment to the morning itinerary can prevent that surprise.
