Extra Magic Hours did not return to Disney World when it reopened last year. However, Disney announced that these would be replaced beginning October 1st with Extended Evening Hours.
So what exactly is the difference between the old Extra Magic Hours and the new Extended Evening Hours? We’re breaking it down for you here!
There are a lot of similarities between these two programs, but there are also a couple of key differences. To start, we’ll summarize the Extra Magic Hours system that was in place before Disney World closed for the pandemic.
Extra Magic Hours
Extra Magic Hours was only available to guests staying at a Disney World hotel, including on-property resorts like the Walt Disney World Dolphin & Swan Resorts, Shades of Green, select Disney Springs area hotels, and Four Seasons Resort Orlando.
One Disney park per morning night would have Extra Magic Hours, which was usually 1–2 hours before or after normal closing time. Each of the four parks took part in the program and alternated hosting the extra hours.
Guests could start their morning before park opening, or stay after and enjoy select rides and attractions during that time!
Extended Evening Hours
The biggest difference between these two programs is that Extended Evening Hours are only available to guests at Disney’s Deluxe Resorts and Villas. Also participating are the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, and the Shades of Green hotel.
The full list of hotels qualifying for Extended Evening Hours are:
Disney Deluxe Resorts
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Other Select Hotels
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
- Shades of Green on Walt Disney World
So far, Extended Evening Hours have so far only been announced for Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, although Disney has said that all parks will be participating eventually. For those two parks, the Extended Hours will be two hours after normal closing time.
Like with Extra Magic Hours, only select rides, attractions, shops, and restaurants will be open during Extended Evening Hours. Guests will also need admission and a theme park reservation for the same park on the same day to experience the Extended Evening Hours.
Keep following AllEars for more info on Disney’s new policies!
Click Here to Learn Who Qualifies for Extended Evening Hours!
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Can the extra hours be utilized if you have park hopped into the park ( your reservation that day was for a different park)?
As someone who has visited Disney World for years with my family I am a little let down. I saw the extra Magical hours as a perks of staying on the Disney property. My family has stayed at resorts in all price ranges. Now it seems that if you don’t spend enough on your resort your not as appreciated. It seems no longer is stay at a Disney World resort enough. On my first trip in 1988 we stayed off properly. Seeing the Disney resorts and learning about all that Disney offered with staying on the grounds, we realized the Magic of staying on the grounds. The fact you were treated the same way and had the same perks and access no matter which resort. Staying at Disney resort made your experience Magical. I thinks that was Walts dream and desire for Disney World. We always felt if we wanted to try a value or moderate resort that left more money for the parks and souvenirs. I am coming to see that Disney may now be becoming like everywhere else. You more you will pay me the better I’ll treat you. I use to defend the price of Disney World vacation to friends and co-workers by the statement “yes it is pricey but you will be treated like no other place on earth. If you stay at one of the All Stars or the Grand Floridian. Your vacation and experience is the same and you will be treat like no other. I those days are gone.
Once again DisneyWorld is being very discriminatory. You either stay at our most expensive hotels or we don’t care about you. Disney is becoming very disappointing, and I for one believe Walt Disney would be very upset.