Though prices are on the rise and entertainment cuts are ongoing, it looks like crowds are simply not abating in 2020 at Walt Disney World, as Disney is predicting higher than normal crowds in March and April during the Spring Break travel season. In order to cope with what will likely be huge crowds, Disney has made the following changes to their calendar, which will hopefully give guests a little extra time to experience their favorite attractions even though guest levels will be extremely high
1. Extended hours at the Magic Kingdom
Though new attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have been drawing guests early in the morning, guest levels are still high at Walt Disney World’s flagship park, which will be adjusting its hours in March and April to the following:
- March 1, 6, 7: Park Hours Extended to 9:00 PM (Previously 8:00 PM)
- March 8-16 & 18-31: Park Hours Extended to 10:00 PM (Previously 9:00 PM)
- March 17: Park Hours Extended to 11:00 PM (Previously 9:00 PM)
- April 1 – 4: Park Hours Extended to 10 00PM (Previously 9:00 PM)
As a result of the extended hours, Extra Magic Hours on March 25th and April 1 have been pushed back to 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM from 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM.
Interestingly, though guest levels at this park are projected to be higher in the coming weeks, the Guest Experience Team at the Magic Kingdom will only be available during a reduced schedule from 10:00 AM through 7:00 PM. After this time guests who need help can visit the Liberty Square Ticket Office, City Hall, or the Guest Relations window at the Main Entrance for any help with ticketing, reservations, and more. Right now no other changes to the Guest Experience Team are expected at other parks.
2. Extended hours going in to effect at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well
Though the Magic Kingdom is seeing later closings, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will see earlier openings next month, as Disney has also adjusted the operating hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, moving opening times up to 8:00 AM from March 1 – 14 2020, an hour earlier from the previously posted 9:00 AM openings. Though this is still later than the 7:00 AM openings we saw back in January, demand for the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction continues to bring guests to this park early in the morning
3. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also seeing later closings and additional showings of Rivers of Light
Much like the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be extending hours in March, with the following days seeing a late 9:00 PM closing:
- March 14
- March 16-18
- March 21-23
- March 28
Due to these late closings on these dates Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be performing two evening showings for Rivers of Light: We Are One with the first of the night at 8:15 PM and the second just past park closing at 9:30 PM.
Though there are a lot of changes coming to most of Walt Disney World’s theme parks, it look like, at least for now, things are staying mostly the same at Epcot. However, if that changes, we’ll let you know!
