Walt Disney World Resort is undergoing a remarkable wave of transformation, from refreshed lands and attraction closures to new nighttime experiences and reimagined operations across all four theme parks.
One exciting update involves the return of Extended Evening Hours, giving eligible guests of Deluxe Resorts more time to explore the parks after dark. This special offering, designed to enhance the guest experience, has recently seen some adjustments. While Magic Kingdom traditionally hosted Extended Evening Hours on Wednesday nights, that focus has now shifted to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
At the same time, Magic Kingdom is preparing for a dazzling new addition: the debut of Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, a nighttime parade officially launching on July 20 with performances at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. The new show appears to be a key reason for the shift in operating schedules.
Here’s a current look at the Extended Evening Hours schedule:
Magic Kingdom: June 25; August 13
EPCOT: June 30; July 7, 14, 21, 28; August 4, 11, 18, 25
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; August 6
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: August 29
One of the most popular parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will host only one Extended Evening Hours event this summer—August 29—and it comes with an important detail for fans of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. According to both the My Disney Experience app and previous confirmations from planDisney, this attraction will not be operational during the event.
However, plenty of favorites will be available, including:
Alien Swirling Saucers, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Slinky Dog Dash, Star Tours–The Adventures Continue, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Toy Story Mania!
While attraction availability is subject to change, it’s worth noting that Disney sometimes restricts access to certain rides during after-hours experiences. This is also true over at Magic Kingdom, where Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is not currently included in Extended Evening Hours offerings.
Still hoping to ride Rise of the Resistance on your visit? planDisney has shared a helpful tip: try entering the standby line right before park close. Once the park officially closes, the queue typically moves faster since Lightning Lane access has ended for the day.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also embracing long-term change. The Grand Avenue area has recently been closed off, signaling the start of construction for Monstropolis, a vibrant new land inspired by Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. The upcoming land will include a groundbreaking suspended coaster themed to the film’s memorable door chase sequence.
As Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared at last year’s D23 Expo in Anaheim, “The first time I saw Monsters, Inc., all I wanted to do was ride on one of those doors like Mike and Sulley… You’ll go into the factory and experience the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park.”
He added, “Remember in the movie how those claws grab the doors and hoist them up into the air to take them away? We’re doing that, too. And you’re going along for the ride.”
Stay tuned for more updates on the future of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the exciting changes shaping every corner of Walt Disney World Resort.
