Magic Kingdom Park

All Magic Kingdom Guests Required To Leave Park Hours Early This Month

Mark your calendars for Magic Kingdom’s early closure!

Happily Ever After at the Magic Kingdom inside Disney World.
Credit: Disney

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom has been a beacon of enchantment for over 50 years. The iconic theme park, which celebrated its grand 50th anniversary in 2021, introduced numerous exciting experiences to mark the occasion, including the debut of the Disney Enchantment fireworks spectacular. While Happily Ever After reclaimed its rightful place earlier this year, Enchantment has continued to dazzle fans through Disney After Hours events.

These After Hours evenings—held at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios—are ticketed separately, offering guests exclusive access to the parks with smaller crowds, shorter wait times, and unforgettable experiences. Currently running on select nights from January through May 2025, they remain a popular option for Disney fans seeking a more intimate visit.

Crowds in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida
Credit: Haydn Blackey, Flickr

But After Hours isn’t the only reason guests will be ushered out of the park early this month. On January 30, Magic Kingdom will close its gates to all guests at 4:30 p.m., significantly earlier than its usual schedule. The reason? The park will host its annual cast member Celebration, a cherished Disney tradition honoring the incredible people who bring the magic to life daily.

This exclusive event, held in front of Cinderella Castle, celebrates cast members and their milestone achievements. While this early closure may disrupt some visitors’ plans, it could also create an opportunity for a quieter morning and afternoon visit, with fewer crowds and shorter lines for popular attractions.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Credit: Disney

For those planning a January trip, it’s worth noting that Magic Kingdom is also seeing some key attractions temporarily shuttered for refurbishment. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad concluded its final ride on January 5, with a year-long refurbishment now underway. Additionally, Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland remains closed, and the Dumbo the Flying Elephant indoor playground will temporarily go dark starting January 27.

Will you take advantage of the quieter hours on January 30 or steer clear of Magic Kingdom altogether? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

Back to top button