This Popular Hotel Perk Is Coming Back for 9 Days in August

Staying on Disney World property has always come with a few extra perks that make the higher price tag feel a little more worth it.

EPCOT

From Early Theme Park Entry to complimentary transportation, Disney has built in plenty of reasons to book a Disney-owned or partner hotel instead of staying off-site. But one of the most sought-after perks isn’t available to everyone — it’s reserved for guests staying at select higher-tier resorts, and it’s back on the calendar for several nights in August.

That perk is Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, and it gives eligible guests the chance to stay in a park well after it closes to the general public. Unlike Early Theme Park Hours, which happen across multiple parks every day, Extended Evening Hours are only offered at one park per date. During these bonus hours, guests can enjoy select attractions, along with select merchandise and food and beverage locations, all with noticeably thinner crowds than during regular park hours.

Animal Kingdom During Extended Evening Hours

As for the schedule, EPCOT and Magic Kingdom will trade off hosting Extended Evening Hours through most of the month, with Animal Kingdom getting a turn as well. Here’s the full lineup for August:

August 3 — EPCOT, 9-11 PM
August 5 — Magic Kingdom, 10 PM-12 AM
August 10 — EPCOT, 9-11 PM
August 12 — Magic Kingdom, 10 PM-12 AM
August 17 — EPCOT, 9-11 PM
August 19 — Magic Kingdom, 10 PM-12 AM
August 24 — EPCOT, 9-11 PM
August 26 — Disney’s Animal Kingdom, 6-8 PM
August 31 — EPCOT, 9-11 PM

Magic Kingdom

So who actually gets access to this perk? Extended Evening Hours are available to guests staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Walt Disney World Resort hotel for the length of their stay. The eligible resorts are:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort (this benefit applies to the DVC Cabins only, not standard Fort Wilderness cabins)
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort

If you’re staying at one of the eligible resorts on any of these dates, it’s worth building your evening plans around whichever park is hosting that night, since shorter lines can mean squeezing in a few extra rides or a relaxed dinner with far less hassle.

EPCOT Spaceship Earth Nighttime Show

Extended Evening Hours remain one of the best reasons to book a Deluxe or DVC resort for your next Disney World trip, especially if you’re hoping to beat the crowds during a busy August visit. Keep checking back with Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news, park updates, and everything else you need to plan your next trip.

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