Disney World mornings are usually about getting to the gates early. This weekend, it's the opposite at EPCOT. On two days, the park opens an hour late so runners can finish their races first, and a long list of roads closes in the dark hours before dawn.
We've gathered the revised opening times, all the road closures the report lists, and the bus schedules. Everything is attributed to the report, and where it doesn't say something, we don't either. Here's the weekend, day by day.
The Short Version
EPCOT opens at 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. on Friday, October 23, and Sunday, October 25, 2026. Guests staying at a Walt Disney World resort have early entry beginning at 9:30 a.m. The park closes at 9 p.m. both days. The delay is tied to the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.
Why the Park Opens Late
According to the report, the delayed openings give runners extra time to complete their races before the park opens. Three runDisney races are part of the weekend, all starting in EPCOT: the Wine & Dine 5K on October 23, the 10K on October 24, and the Half Marathon on October 25.
The information we have lists delays for October 23 and 25 only. It doesn't mention a delay on Saturday, October 24.
Friday, October 23
This is the day of the 5K. EPCOT opens at 10 a.m., with early entry at 9:30 a.m. for resort guests. The report doesn't list road closures for Friday. It does list race buses, running continuously in both directions from 2:30 AM to 10:00 AM.
Saturday, October 24: The 10K
EPCOT's hours aren't listed as changed, but the roads are. The report lists these Saturday morning closures:
- Backstage Lane at Red Lot Entrance: 3:00 AM to 8:00 AM
- Crush Lot Exit Bridge to Epcot Center Drive East: 3:30 AM to 7:30 AM
- Epcot Center Drive West to Epcot Auto Plaza: 4:15 AM to 7:30 AM
- Epcot Parking Exit Loops to Epcot Center Drive East: 3:00 AM to 7:30 AM
- Epcot Center Drive West (Bonnet Creek to World Drive): 4:15 AM to 7:30 AM
- Overpass Road West at Bonnet Creek: 3:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- Woodpecker Lane (Yellow Lot): 3:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- World Drive South Ramp to Epcot Center Drive East: 3:45 AM to 7:30 AM
By our count, five of the eight roads reopen by 7:30 AM, Backstage Lane at 8:00 AM, and Overpass Road West and Woodpecker Lane at 9:00 AM. The report calls Saturday's closures fairly contained.
Sunday, October 25: The Half Marathon
This is the day the report calls the big one, since the Half Marathon covers far more ground than the 10K. EPCOT opens at 10 a.m. with early entry at 9:30 a.m. The listed road closures:
- Backstage Lane North at Red Lot Entrance: 3:00 AM to 8:00 AM
- Buena Vista Drive East (Osceola Parkway to Cypress Drive): 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM
- Buena Vista Drive West Ramp to World Drive South: 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM
- Crush Lot Exit Bridge to Epcot Center Drive East: 3:30 AM to 10:00 AM (modified)
- Epcot Center Drive West (Vacation Club Way to World Drive): 4:30 AM to 9:00 AM
- Epcot Center Drive West Ramp to World Drive South: 3:45 AM to 9:30 AM
- Floridian Way South at Bear Island Road Exit Ramp: 3:45 AM to 9:30 AM
- Osceola Parkway West Ramp to Buena Vista Drive East: 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM
- Overpass Road West at Bonnet Creek: 3:00 AM to 10:30 AM
- Epcot Parking Exit Loops to Epcot Center Drive East: 3:00 AM to 7:00 AM
- Vista Boulevard Ramp to World Drive South: 3:45 AM to 9:30 AM
- Woodpecker Lane (Yellow Lot): 3:00 AM to 10:30 AM
- World Drive North Ramp to Buena Vista Drive: 4:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- World Drive South Ramp to Epcot Center Drive East: 3:45 AM to 10:00 AM
- World Drive South Flyover Ramp: 3:45 AM to 9:30 AM
- World Drive South to Osceola Parkway: 3:45 AM to 9:30 AM
The latest reopenings are 10:30 AM, for Overpass Road West and Woodpecker Lane.
Who Will Notice
The report says that with World Drive, Buena Vista Drive, and Osceola Parkway ramps all affected, Sunday morning is when guests who aren't running are most likely to feel the impact. Its advice for guests near Disney Springs or the Magic Kingdom area planning an early start: give yourself extra travel time or use Disney transportation.
Buses for the Races and the Expo
Disney is offering complimentary event transportation to each race and to the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports, from all Disney hotels, Shades of Green, the Swan Hotel, the Dolphin Hotel, and the Swan Reserve.
Expo buses run Thursday, October 22, from 8:15 AM to 8:30 PM, Friday, October 23, from 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM, and Saturday, October 24, from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The report notes Thursday has the longest window by far for picking up a bib, and Saturday's service ends mid-afternoon.
Race Morning Buses
For the 10K on Saturday, buses run from resorts to EPCOT from 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM, and from EPCOT to resorts from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM. For the Half Marathon on Sunday, buses run from resorts to EPCOT from 2:30 AM to 5:00 AM, and from EPCOT to resorts from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
The report stresses the cutoffs. Miss the last bus to EPCOT at 5:00 AM, and you'll need to find your own way there, with many surrounding roads already closed.
Building Your Plan
If EPCOT is on your list for October 23 or 25, plan around a 10 a.m. opening, with early entry at 9:30 a.m. for resort guests. If you're driving near the park on race mornings, check the closure windows above and allow extra time. Schedules can change, so confirm everything in the official app.
What's Your Plan?
Does this affect your Walt Disney World vacation? Running, cheering, or just trying to get into EPCOT? Tell us in the comments how you're planning your mornings, and share any tips for pre-dawn race days.
