By: Stefanie Brackin, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
The Extended Evening Theme Park Hours are an on-site perk for Walt Disney World guests staying at a Deluxe Resorts, DVC Villas, and select other hotels. Extended Evening Theme Park Hours has two types of resort eligibility, they occur two nights per week, are at two parks, and run for two hours. It’s usually every Monday at Epcot and every Wednesday at Magic Kingdom. That schedule does change from time to time but is accurate most of the time. However, using a travel planner will allow you to know the ins and outs of these extra park hours with no stress or cost to you!
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours doesn’t involve as many people and occurs less frequently than Early Park Entry. The nighttime benefit is exclusively for guests staying at Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas (Disney Vacation Club units), and other select hotels (currently only the Swan & Dolphin and Shades of Green). Guests staying at Value or Moderate Resorts are not eligible for Extended Evening Hours, but everyone staying onsite is eligible for Early Park Entry. While originally promoted as a special perk for the 50th Anniversary Celebration, Walt Disney World has confirmed that Extended Evening Hours will continue throughout all of 2023 for guests staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort, or other select hotels.
After Hours events and Extended Evening Hours differ some as well. Extended Evening Hours are “free” for guests staying in the deluxe hotel tiers, are shorter in duration, and do not include refreshments. After Hours and Extended Evening Hours are also held on different dates. If money is no object, After Hours is undoubtably better but Extended Evening Hours are a great thing as well.
The other big difference is that you can accomplish a tremendous amount during Extended Evening Hours. I have experienced the extended park hours at both Epcot and Magic Kingdom, and it’s been uncrowded by the end, with most attractions being walk ons. It really is a great time!
Another very large perk is the opportunity for an extra virtual queue exclusively for Extended Evening Hours guests for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This is the most popular ride in Walt Disney World right now, so it is almost a guaranteed way to ride this incredible attraction.
