Walt Disney World has updated its operating calendar for the first week of December 2026, giving guests additional time at three of its four theme parks.
The latest adjustments affect Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom between November 30 and December 5. Some changes add an extra hour in the morning, while others extend operating hours into the evening.
Magic Kingdom receives the most substantial adjustments, including two days with 15 hours of regular park operation.
The changes follow a separate round of operating-hour extensions for Thanksgiving week, as Disney continues adjusting its calendar for the busy holiday season.
Magic Kingdom Adds Earlier Openings and Later Closings
Magic Kingdom will operate from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2, and Saturday, December 5.
Both dates previously showed a 9 a.m. opening and 10 p.m. closing, meaning Disney has added two hours of regular operating time to each day.
Guests eligible for Early Theme Park Entry will be able to enter at 7:30 a.m. instead of 8:30 a.m.
Monday, November 30, also receives an extension. The park will maintain its 9 a.m. opening but remain open until 11 p.m., one hour later than originally scheduled.
Two additional dates, Thursday, December 3, and Friday, December 4, will now open at 8 a.m. rather than 9 a.m.
Both evenings are scheduled for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, so Magic Kingdom will still close to regular day guests at 6 p.m.
The earlier openings provide additional attraction time before those early closures.
Tuesday, December 1, remains unchanged, with a 9 a.m. opening and 6 p.m. closing for the separately ticketed Christmas party.
Hollywood Studios Opens Earlier December 4 and 5
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has added an extra half-hour of morning operation on Friday, December 4, and Saturday, December 5.
The park will now open at 8:30 a.m. instead of 9 a.m., with Early Theme Park Entry beginning at 8 a.m.
Closing times remain unchanged.
Hollywood Studios will close at 9 p.m. on December 4 and at 7 p.m. on December 5.
The December 5 early closing accommodates Disney Jollywood Nights, the separately ticketed holiday event.
For guests hoping to experience the park’s attractions before evening entertainment begins, the earlier opening provides another opportunity to fit additional experiences into the day.
Animal Kingdom Adds Up to Two Hours
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will remain open later on three consecutive days.
On Thursday, December 3, and Friday, December 4, the park will close at 7 p.m. instead of 6 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, receives an even larger extension, with the closing time moving from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The December 5 schedule gives Animal Kingdom a full 12 hours of regular operation, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Morning hours and Early Theme Park Entry remain unchanged.
The later closing times are particularly relevant during the holiday season, when the park features seasonal entertainment and nighttime presentations around the Tree of Life.
Eligible Disney Resort hotel guests also have Extended Evening Hours scheduled at Animal Kingdom on Wednesday, December 2, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
EPCOT Hours Remain Unchanged
EPCOT is the only Walt Disney World theme park without changes in this round of calendar adjustments.
The park remains scheduled to operate from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. throughout November 30 through December 5.
Eligible resort guests can still take advantage of Extended Evening Hours on Monday, November 30, from 9 p.m. until 11 p.m.
EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays will also be underway during this period, having opened November 27.
Updated December 2026 Park Hours
| Park | Date | Updated hours |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Kingdom | Nov. 30 | 9 a.m.–11 p.m. |
| Magic Kingdom | Dec. 2 and 5 | 8 a.m.–11 p.m. |
| Magic Kingdom | Dec. 3 and 4 | 8 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| Hollywood Studios | Dec. 4 | 8:30 a.m.–9 p.m. |
| Hollywood Studios | Dec. 5 | 8:30 a.m.–7 p.m. |
| Animal Kingdom | Dec. 3 and 4 | 8 a.m.–7 p.m. |
| Animal Kingdom | Dec. 5 | 8 a.m.–8 p.m. |
These adjustments are especially useful for guests planning visits around Christmas parties, when regular park hours can vary considerably from one day to another.
Disney frequently revises operating hours as travel dates approach, so guests should continue checking the official Walt Disney World calendar and My Disney Experience app before their visits.