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.
Cinderella Castle
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.
©Disney
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.
Evening in the Magic Kingdom
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.
Spaceship Earth
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.
Tree of Life’s “Beacon of Magic” nighttime lighting
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!
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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.