Magic Kingdom park hours fluctuate in 2023, relying upon crowds, seasonal occasions, and extra. This information covers regular opening & closing instances, plus Early Entry, Prolonged Evenings, After Hours, rope drop, fireworks, and extra. Moreover, we’ve ideas & methods for beating the crowds and avoiding instances of day when attendance is highest.
Park hours are added to DisneyWorld.com’s 5-day calendar on a rolling foundation, sometimes 60 days prematurely. Walt Disney World additionally has a month-to-month calendar that isn’t as straightforward to search out, and this at present has hours dumped in ‘batches’ a lot additional prematurely. Talking of which, these month-to-month calendars comprise placeholder hours that may be prolonged based mostly on attendance and resort occupancy projections.
For some time, the preliminary launch of park hours was virtually meaningless, as each single park and date would see extensions. That is less-pronounced of a observe now, and the hours which might be launched are very often the ultimate hours. With that stated, Disney nonetheless provides hours–they only are much less prone to happen throughout the board. Now, it’s extra focused to weekends, holidays, and particular days when the parks are forecast to be busier. We’ve seen precisely this state of affairs play out round Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Yr’s, MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Spring Break, Easter, and so forth.
Most dates, Magic Kingdom is open from 9 am till 11 pm. Nevertheless, there are another working hours which might be potential:
- 8 am till 10 pm (Principally ‘After Hours’ occasions–see under)
- 9 am till 10 pm (Least busy dates–frequent within the low season)
- 8 am till 4:30 pm (Forged Member Service Celebration occasions–very uncommon)
- 8 am till 6 pm (Social gathering Season–see under)
Greater than every other park, Magic Kingdom has shorter hours than up to now. Whereas 2023 is already bettering as in comparison with the final two years–when the park extra generally closed at 10 pm–its hours are nonetheless brief as in comparison with historic precedent.
Magic Kingdom used to usually function from 8 am till 12 am, with Additional Magic Hours even later. This schedule remains to be frequent at Disneyland, however not Magic Kingdom. Right here’s hoping that adjustments as staffing shortages relent all through 2023.
As famous above, there are numerous dates when Magic Kingdom closes even earlier. This greatest exception is “Social gathering Season” in Magic Kingdom, which runs from mid-August via late December throughout days when Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering (MNSSHP) or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Social gathering (MVMCP) particular occasions are held within the evenings.
On these dates, Magic Kingdom opens at 8 am and closes to common ticket holders at 6 pm. MNSSHP and MVMCP are separately-ticketed, that means that solely those that bought occasion tickets are capable of keep in Magic Kingdom after 6 pm. (These events run till midnight.) In different phrases, the park stays open 5 hours later to common company when MNSSHP and MVMCP usually are not held.
Most guests behave accordingly, making the intuitive selection and visiting Magic Kingdom on non-party days after they can spend 4-5 additional hours within the park. In consequence, Magic Kingdom is considerably much less busy in the course of the day time hours on dates when events are held within the night, and far more busy on non-party days.
All through Social gathering Season, Magic Kingdom usually has 9/10 or 10/10 crowd ranges on non-party days, with Saturdays being the worst. On social gathering days, Magic Kingdom sometimes has 1/10 to 4/10 crowd ranges. That quantities to a median wait time differential of about 20 to half-hour per trip, which provides up over the course of the day to the purpose you can accomplish extra within the party-shortened days when Magic Kingdom closes at 6 pm.
This identical dynamic doesn’t exist round one other exception, which is dates of 2023 After Hours at Magic Kingdom. That’s largely as a result of these are a lot much less frequent and solely see Magic Kingdom shut one hour earlier–which is totally offset by opening an hour earlier.
At present, After Hours at Magic Kingdom is just scheduled for Winter and Spring 2023, however given their recognition and what number of dates are already offered out, we count on many extra dates within the months to come back. After Hours at Magic Kingdom is a pleasant spluge, however we far want After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios–particularly for many who have already got entry to Prolonged Night Hours at Magic Kingdom.
Talking of which, there are two choices for expanded park hours at Magic Kingdom should you’re staying in an on-site resort. These are Early Entry and Prolonged Night Hours, which change Additional Magic Hours within the morning and at evening. When you’re unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the morning possibility, study extra in our Information to Early Entry at Walt Disney World.
Early Entry is usually underwhelming at Magic Kingdom. That is for a few causes. First, Magic Kingdom is the preferred park at Walt Disney World, and lots of company (mistakenly) assume Early Entry is most “essential” right here and prioritize it accordingly. Second, Magic Kingdom often opens at 9 am, and that makes Early Entry extra approachable for households–it’s simpler to be up and out the door in time for that. To that time, Early Entry is far more helpful on these 8 am park opening days, as fewer folks can or will reap the benefits of the 7:30 am beginning time for Early Entry.
Prolonged Night Hours are sometimes held at Magic Kingdom on Wednesday–generally Tuesday. This 2-hour providing for choose on-site resort company is massively advantageous, and you’ll accomplish nearly each high-profile attraction throughout that point. (See our Information to Prolonged Night Hours at Walt Disney World for extra about eligibility and technique.)
It’s additionally a pleasant approach to take pleasure in Magic Kingdom, providing a serene expertise that’s an effective way to decompress from the sooner chaos throughout peak season. Prolonged Night Hours is similar to After Hours, albeit shorter and with out the “free” refreshments. The upside is that it doesn’t value an additional $100+ per individual! (See Magic Kingdom Prolonged Night Hours Picture Report.)
The timing of Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks present varies relying upon the time of dusk. Within the winter when the sundown happens earlier, the fireworks can even transfer ahead to between 8 pm and 9 pm. This creates a spot of about 2-3 hours between the top of the fireworks and park closing.
In the summertime, sundown happens later (clearly). Consequently, the fireworks should comply with swimsuit and there often isn’t a lot time between the conclusion of the fireworks and park closing. This results in crushing crowds all leaving Magic Kingdom on the identical time, which is depressing and chaotic. (See Avoiding Magic Kingdom’s Night Exodus for pictures exhibiting how unhealthy this could get.)
Whatever the timing of fireworks v. park closing, you’ll be able to keep away from this Magic Kingdom mass exodus just by lingering. One of many causes we suggest New Fantasyland in our Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing Information is as a result of that space has lighter crowds and makes it simpler for leaping in line for Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare proper after the fireworks.
In contrast to the opposite parks, it’s not frequent for desk service eating places to supply Advance Eating Reservations proper up till park closing at Magic Kingdom. At the very least, not when the park closes at 11 pm. Often, Be Our Visitor Restaurant and different widespread eating places settle for ADRs till 9:30 pm, and even the final company out of these eating places are often leaving shortly after park closing–no later than the ultimate company off Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare.
When you’re nervous about transportation again to your resort, don’t. Formally, transportation to the theme parks begins roughly 2 hours previous to park opening time and runs till roughly 1 hour after the parks shut. That is the data you’ll discover on Walt Disney World’s web site, and what Forged Members will inform you.
Unofficially, transportation after park closing continues so long as persons are contained in the park. As a lot as Kingdom Keepers IRL may sound, Disney gained’t go away you stranded at a park. Generally it’s nearer to 2 hours after the parks shut when transportation ends. Forged Members are methodical about clearing the parks and radio to bus drivers to verify they stick round till the entire stragglers are accounted for.
We have now left Walt Disney World theme parks lengthy after park closing many, many instances and have by no means had a problem. If something, delaying departure so long as potential is one of the best plan of action. You get to take pleasure in park closing serenity and usually tend to have a bus all to your self!
Most lands of Magic Kingdom are often cleared fairly shortly, apart from Essential Road. You’ll be able to often take your time buying on the Emporium and elsewhere, and never have any points. Except you actually drag your toes leaving, the monorail and numerous watercraft will often nonetheless be working while you go away Magic Kingdom. If not, buses will get you wherever it’s worthwhile to go.
When you’re not eligible for Early Entry, common rope drop (official park opening time) remains to be good at Magic Kingdom as a result of Frontierland and Adventureland usually are not open throughout Early Entry. This makes rope drop alone, or Early Entry plus rope drop an awesome strategy. When you’re solely eligible for rope drop, doing Frontierland and Adventureland first and saving Fantasyland till later within the day could be a workable strategy.
There are additionally sufficient worthwhile secondary sights in Magic Kingdom you can spherical out the remainder of your day with stress-free, low wait exhibits and extra. A lot of our smartest and sexiest readers take pleasure in filling out the center of their days by watching Nation Bear Jamboree on repeat. Talking of which, stage exhibits like that, plus different leisure and character meet & greets usually open late and shut early, so plan accordingly.
Other than the primary couple of hours and the very finish of the evening, crowds are pretty constant all through the day in Magic Kingdom. In contrast to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, there’s not a day and night lull–Magic Kingdom has probably the most to do and has the best attendance of all 4 parks.
There’s additionally no actual zig-when-they-zag technique like at EPCOT, the place you are able to do the park “backwards.” Magic Kingdom is simpler to navigate because of its structure and extra compact dimension. Do the preferred sights very first thing within the morning or in direction of the top of the evening–particularly people who enchantment to households with babies. Fill in the course of the day with stage exhibits, leisure, and less-popular sights. Fairly intuitive from a planning perspective.
In relation to the intersection of technique & park hours, one other nice possibility at Magic Kingdom is Lightning Lanes. Genie+ works higher at Magic Kingdom than every other Walt Disney World park, and it’s actually no contest. In My Day Utilizing Genie+ Lightning Lanes at Magic Kingdom, I cowl how a lot I used to be capable of get performed–just about every part.
Due to a excessive worthwhile attraction rely out there through Lightning Lanes, Magic Kingdom is the one park the place we extremely suggest shopping for Genie Plus. Not solely does it supply one of the best bang-for-buck, but it surely’s the least aggravating since each attraction often has Lightning Lane availability till no less than noon. This isn’t potential on the different parks, particularly Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT the place trip reservations refill for the preferred sights fairly shortly.
To that time, for Magic Kingdom technique & planning perception see the next posts:
Finally, that ought to cowl what it’s worthwhile to learn about park hours at Magic Kingdom. Though the usual working schedule is 9 am till 11 pm, there are a ton of exceptions to that all year long–particularly in the course of the ‘Social gathering Season’ months of August via December.
In contrast to the opposite three parks, there isn’t a lot in the way in which of counterintuitive crowd-beating technique at Magic Kingdom. Arriving early and staying late don’t do fairly as a lot right here as elsewhere–if something, Early Entry usually isn’t as helpful as many followers would count on. However, sound technique utilized all through the day–or shopping for Genie+ to make use of Lightning Lanes–will nonetheless put you better off and help you accomplish so much throughout a day at Magic Kingdom!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study lodges on our Walt Disney World Motels Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every part it’s worthwhile to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider regular park hours in 2023 at Magic Kingdom? Choose to reach very first thing for Early Entry, later within the morning, afternoon, or night? How do you reap the benefits of attendance dynamics at Magic Kingdom to beat the crowds? Do you agree or disagree with something in our information to park hours at Magic Kingdom? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!