Disney World Attractions with Unusual Hours

Disney posts daily hours for each of the theme parks, but that doesn’t mean that every single attraction in the parks follow those same hours. Some attractions typically open an hour or more after the rest of the park, while others may close well ahead of other attractions.

Odd hours are usually instituted for practical reasons. For example, it doesn’t make much sense to run the Animal Kingdom’s Kilimanjaro Safari after dark because you wouldn’t be able to see the animals. Similarly, the Kali River Rapids ride will soak guests to the bone. The ride often won’t run in the early morning during the winter so that guests don’t experience hypothermia. In other cases, some attractions have shorter hours because of perceived guest interest. An example of this is the Magic Kingdom’s Country Bear Jamboree which does not usually open until 10:00 a.m., even when the rest of the park opens at 9:00, because few guests make this attraction a first-thing-in-the-morning priority.

Of course, special hours are noted on the Lines app and taken into consideration when constructing Touring Plans, but sometimes it’s nice to have a cheat sheet of all the wonky attractions in one place.

I’ve taken a look at a sampling of Walt Disney World Times Guides from the past two years and complied a list of attractions that typically have operating hours that are different than the rest of the park.

Bear in mind that schedules regularly change and that hours may vary due to crowd levels, weather, and other circumstances. In all cases, check Lines and the current Times Guide for the most up to date information. Also be aware that not all attractions are open during Extra Magic Hours. Additionally, restaurants, retail venues, character greetings and show-type attractions have their own fluctuating hours.

Animal Kingdom

• The Boneyard: Typically will not open until 10:00 a.m. May close 1-2 hours prior to park closing.
• Camp Minnie-Mickey: Typically will not open until 10:00 a.m.
• Kali River Rapids: Often will not open until 10:00 a.m.
• Kilimanjaro Safari: Typically closes at dusk.
• Maharajah Jungle Trek: May close 1-2 hours prior to park closing.
• Pangani Forest Trail: May close 1-2 hours prior to park closing.
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch: Typically will not open until 9:30 a.m. Often closes at dusk.
• Wildlife Express Train: Typically will not open until 9:30 a.m. Closes 10-15 minutes prior to Rafiki’s Planet Watch closing time.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground: May open up to one hour after park opening. May close 1-3 hours prior to park closing.
• Magic of Disney Animation: May open up to one hour after park opening. May close 1-2 hours prior to park closing.
• Muppet*Vision 3D: May close 1-2 hours prior to park closing.
• Studios Backlot Tour: May open up to one hour after park opening. May close 1-2 hours prior to park closing.

Epcot

• Agent P Adventure: A new attractions, so patterns not yet available. But assuming that it follows the schedule of its predecessor the Kim Possible Adventure, will typically close one hour prior to park closing.



• Captain EO: May close 2 hours prior to park closing.
• Ellen’s Energy Adventure: May close 2 hours prior to park closing.
• Innoventions: May close 2 hours prior to park closing.
• Journey into Imagination: May close 2 hours prior to park closing.
• Living with the Land: May close 2 hours prior to park closing.
• Soarin’: May have operating hours longer than official park hours.
• World Showcase Countries, including Kidcot Fun Stops and all related attractions: Virtually never open before 11:00 a.m.

Magic Kingdom

• Country Bear Jamboree: Typically will not open until 10:00 a.m. Often closes 1-3 hours before park closing.
• Hall of Presidents: May close 1-2 hours before park closing.
• Liberty Square Riverboat: Typically will not open until 10:00 a.m. Usually closes at dusk.
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor: May close 1-2 hours before park closing.



• Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom: Typically closes one hour prior to park closing.
• Tom Sawyer Island: Typically will not open until 10:00 a.m. Usually closes at dusk.
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress: May close 1-2 hours prior to park closing.
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room: May close 1-2 hours prior to park closing.
• Walt Disney World Railroad: Typically closes 1-3 hours prior to park closing. Will not run during fireworks presentations.

So fellow tourists and touristas, have you encountered any other usual operating hours during your Walt Disney World travels? How have unusual operating hours impacted your planning or touring schedules? Let us know in the comments below.