The Disney World parks have varying hours, so you want to keep an eye on the calendar and DFB’s updates so that you know how early you can enter the parks and how long you can plan to stay.
Sometimes those hours change when there are special events happening inside the park, during holidays or other busy times, or just because! Most of the changes aren’t too drastic (maybe the difference of an hour or two), but we just saw an updated schedule for the Magic Kingdom that is pretty significant.
According to Disney World’s calendar, Magic Kingdom is scheduled to close at 4:30PM on January 25th, 2022.
That’s a BIG difference from the normal closing time of 8 or 9PM that we’re used to seeing at this park! We’re not sure why the Magic Kingdom is currently set to close that early, but it’s possible that the park’s hours will change, so be sure to check for updates as the date gets closer.
We recently saw a surprising update followed by a quick change when EPCOT showed that it was closing at 10PM instead of midnight on New Years Eve. When we checked back soon after, the closing time was back to 12AM on that day.
So, it’s possible that this closing time will change. But if it doesn’t change and you don’t have a park hopper ticket, you might want to consider switching your park reservation to one of the other theme parks on January 25th so you can have MORE time in the parks. As of the time of writing, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open until 7PM, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT will both be open until 9PM on January 25th.
We’ll let you know about any other big changes, so keep following DFB for more updates as you plan your next Disney World vacation!
Click Here to Learn How to Tackle a Holiday Trip to Disney World Like a Pro!
Don't Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season!
The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2023 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Pre-Order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2023 now!
-
- A full What's New!! chapter for the 2023 Holiday Season
- A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season
- How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!)
- ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM.
- And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! ;-D
Click HERE to pre-order your 2023 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT!
As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don't love it, you get your money back!
Want Even MORE?

-
- Pre-Order The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2023
- Pre-Order The 2023 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Guide
- The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Holidays 2023
- Pre-Order 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Guide
- All Three DFB Snack Guides
Click HERE to order your DFB Everything Bundle!
MORE Disney World Holiday INFO!
Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Get All of the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa!
Learn Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events
Watch Our Video About What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays
Check Out Our Photos & Reviews of the Holiday Treats in Disney World from 2022
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Are you heading to Magic Kingdom soon? Let us know in the comments.
TRENDING NOW

NEW Happy Meal toys are coming to McDonald's!

There are a few Disney World spots you may want to avoid if you're wandering...

In this all new DFB Video, we're helping you AVOID wasteing money during your next...

Want to know the very BEST snacks to get in Disney World in 2023? We've...

We're here with the TOP restaurants from Disney Springs! Find out where you'll find the...

Can't decide where to eat in Magic Kingdom? We can help! Here are the BEST...

EPCOT is one of the best Disney World parks to grab a bite to eat....

How can you celebrate Disney's 100th Anniversary at Disney World? We've got the details!

Dining in Disney World can be stressful when dealing with dietary restrictions so here is...

We're in Disney World every single day, and we've eaten at EVERY restaurant. That means...

We have MORE details about the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Sip and...

Here's all the Disney 100th Anniversary merchandise you can grab online right now!

The new Signature Celebration Package at Cinderella's Royal Table will offer guests character dining in...

If you're going to drink one drink from each EPCOT pavilion, these are the drinks...

Here's where you can find ALL the 50th anniversary golden statues at Disney World!

We've got a FIRST LOOK at the 'Princess and the Frog' makeover coming to Splash...

One of Disney World's BIGGEST money-makers might be in trouble. Recently, many DVC members have...

There are so many great options for restaurants in Disney World, so how do you...

See how one celebrity goes undercover in the Disney parks!

We're ranking ALL of the Disney World hotels!
Hi, I read your email and blog frequently and can tell you the reason that MK is closing at 4:30 on January 25th. That evening Disney is celebrating their cast members with milestone anniversaries of 10, 15, 20, 25 up to 50 years. The park will be reserved for these cast members and their guests only. I’m sure this isn’t announced publicly, but cast members have already been told and invited to this event so I don’t think the hours will change.
Based on past experience, the early Magic Kingdom closure may be the Cast Member service awards event. Historically they have done this November-December timeframe and closed the part around 4pm. It is a special night for those being recognized.
January 25th was our first MK day and just happened to change our mind so we could get the evening hours. Glad I switched.
Is it a return of the annual Cast member annual party? We actually went to Magic Kingdom on this day a couple years ago and it was great. Park was pretty empty.
Thanks, Cathy!
Thanks for the heads up – BUT the park will definitely be less crowded that day. In August there was a Saturday where MK closed at 6 pm (large corporate rental that night) and we decided to keep to our original plan of going to MK that day, since it was not our only day at MK we decided to enjoy the pool that evening< and so glad we did. The park was EMPTY that day. I mean from opening (which had changed from 9 am to 8 am so be sure and check the opening time before you go) until noon there were no lines- NONE. I rode Splash 3 times in a row without getting off the ride (now granted I was riding with someone confined to a wheelchair who requires a lot of work on my part to transfer into the ride vehicle so that may have played into it). Then rode Big Thunder 4 times without getting off the ride) plus all of the rides in Adventureland and everything but Mine Train in Fantasyland without a wait at all. It turned out to be the best day of our entire trip. Multiple rides on everything and an evening at the pool.
Thanks DFB for keeping us informed of everything Disney.