NEWS: Disney World is reducing theme park hours beginning Sept. 8

Walt Disney World’s theme parks have been open for nearly a month now and Disney has been regularly making operational modifications to everything from health and safety guidelines to ride procedures to dining offerings in the parks. This has now extended to park hours, with Walt Disney World’s website showing reduced opening hours across all four parks beginning Sept. 8.

With the exception of a morning rush at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as guests attempt to join the Virtual Queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, crowds have been notably light since day one. On a fiscal third-quarter earnings call on Tuesday, Disney Chief Executive Bob Chapek noted that Walt Disney World has experienced a “higher-than-expected level of cancelations,” with fewer people choosing to travel to Orlando because of Covid-19.

In an apparent response to this reduced demand, beginning Sept. 8, Disney has cut park hours by between one and two hours daily as follows:

Magic Kingdom – 9AM to 6PM (previously closed at 7PM)
EPCOT – 11AM to 7PM (previously closed at 9PM)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – 10AM to 7PM (previously closed at 8PM)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – 9AM to 5PM (previously opened at 8AM and closed at 6PM)

Reductions at other Orlando theme parks

Last month, Universal Orlando announced a reduction in theme park operating hours by one hour daily for the month of August, with the Universal Orlando website currently listing those same reduced hours through October. Universal Studios Florida is open from 9AM to 5PM and Universal’s Islands of Adventure is open from 10AM to 6PM.

SeaWorld Orlando has opted to close on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the end of 2020 and encourages guests to review park hours one to two weeks before visiting, as park hours are subject to change.

Annual passholders weigh in

Disney’s management of low capacity has been met with criticism from Walt Disney World Annual Passholders, who have faced limited availability through the Disney Park Pass system, Disney’s new reservation-based system that requires guests to hold a dated reservation prior to visiting the park. While Disney World resort guests and regular ticket holders have been able to secure Park Passes for the park of their choice nearly every day, Annual Passholders have struggled with limited Park Pass availability by comparison.

As always, Disney World’s park hours are subject to change so be sure to check Walt Disney World’s website or the My Disney Experience app before your visit to confirm operating hours.

About the Author: DBTN - FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF DBTN

My enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when my parents took our family to WDW for a vacation. My first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, I have made a trip to WDW almost every year from age 13. As far as I knew there was only one place to vacation! My fascination with WDW began on that first trip. I wanted to know how things at WDW operated and what made it so magical. I wanted to know details like how many people worked there and the length of the monorail track. It is that fascination that fueled my interest in WDW. Each year that my family vacationed at WDW, I learned more about WDW as they built more parks and added more attractions. I am not the average fan; I want to know all the details and I love researching the facts of WDW. I research facts through the Internet, books and DVDs. To me, the best part is to conduct research trip at WDW. After college, my father was transferred to Orlando and I moved with my parents. Seeking employment, I applied for a job at WDW. I passed the first rounds of interviews and was proud to join the Disney family as a security cast member! The job was great. It included Disney-specific training and security training before assuming four duties: driving a security vehicle, standing a post, working in a resort or walking a park or other area. Sometimes I even had special duties like working the Epcot Christmas Processional. I would escort the celebrity guests from backstage to onstage. Interestingly, every cast member is given a WDW fact book monthly to aid in answering guest questions. The pocket book contained great Disney facts that added more fuel for my thirst of Disney facts. Well, all-good things must come to end so we moved back to NJ. In the summer of 2010 I moved back to Florida I am now living in Orlando less then 15 minutes from WDW and living the dream and have fun along the way. Favorite Park – Magic Kingdom Favorite Character – Mickey Mouse Favorite restaurant – California Grill Favorite attraction – Toy Story Mania Favorite resort – Bay Lake Tower / Contempoary First time at a disney park – 1976 & have been every year since Who was on your first disney trip – My entire family Favorite disney memory – My first trip and my first trip with my kids How far do you live from disney now – 15 minutes When is your next Disney trip? – every weekend Favorite Disney Movie – Jungle Book & Toy Story

NEWS: Disney World is reducing theme park hours beginning Sept. 8