If you love empty parks and short wait times…Disney just gave you a BIG reason to stay up late!
Walt Disney World has officially released its Extended Evening Hours schedule for May 2026, and this perk continues to be one of the most underrated ways to experience the parks.
With select parks staying open after closing for eligible guests, this is your chance to ride more with fewer crowds, but you’ll need to know exactly when and where to go.
What Are Extended Evening Hours?
Extended Evening Hours are a special perk available only to guests staying at:
- Deluxe Disney Resorts
- Deluxe Villa Resorts
- Select other participating hotels
On select nights, these guests can enjoy up to two extra hours inside a Disney park after it officially closes, often with significantly lower wait times.
Disney has confirmed the following Extended Evening Hours dates for May 2026:
- Monday, May 4 — Disney’s Animal Kingdom (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
- Wednesday, May 6 — Magic Kingdom (10:00 PM – 12:00 AM)
- Monday, May 11 — Disney’s Hollywood Studios (9:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
- Wednesday, May 13 — Disney’s Animal Kingdom (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
- Monday, May 18 — EPCOT (9:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
- Wednesday, May 20 — Magic Kingdom (10:00 PM – 12:00 AM)
- Monday, May 25 — EPCOT (9:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
- Wednesday, May 27 — Magic Kingdom (10:00 PM – 12:00 AM)
These dates rotate between parks, giving guests multiple opportunities to take advantage of the perk depending on their travel plans.
If you’re used to seeing EPCOT dominate these late-night hours, May brings a shift.
Disney has temporarily rotated Extended Evening Hours to include:
- Animal Kingdom
- Hollywood Studios
For example, Animal Kingdom is hosting the perk twice this month — a rare occurrence — while Hollywood Studios gets a special slot on May 11.
This change gives guests a unique opportunity to experience parks like Pandora — The World of Avatar after dark, which is typically not included in this offering.
What You Can Expect During Extended Evening Hours
While attraction availability can vary, guests typically get access to:
- Headline rides (like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind or TRON Lightcycle / Run)
- Select attractions with shorter wait times
- A more relaxed park atmosphere
At EPCOT, for example, attractions like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, and Test Track are often included.
Extended Evening Hours might just be one of the BEST perks at Walt Disney World right now. But there’s a catch: not everyone has access. Because this perk is limited to Deluxe-level resort guests, availability is more exclusive than standard park hours.
If you’re staying at a qualifying resort, this is your chance to experience the parks in a completely different way — with fewer crowds and more magic after dark.
We’ll be tracking more Disney World updates, park hours changes, and planning tips to help you make the most of your trip — so be sure to check back soon for everything you need to know before you go.
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