Disney World Extends Theme Park Hours for Magic and Animal Kingdom in March

Walt Disney World Releases Early March 2025 Operating Hours: Extended Evenings & Earlier Starts

If you’re planning a March visit to Walt Disney World, take note! Disney has just announced a series of updates to the operating hours for both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, including extended evening hours, earlier openings, and more chances to pack in extra magic during your trip. Here’s a full rundown of all the changes heading your way.

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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Key Updates & Dates

• March 2–3: Extended closing time from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
• March 4 & 7: Extended closing time from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• March 8: Extended closing time from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Revised Operating Hours

• March 2–3: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
• March 4 & 7: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
• March 8: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

What This Means for You: You can explore Pandora – The World of Avatar later into the evening, watch the sunset on Kilimanjaro Safaris, and indulge in more time for late-day adventures with the animals!

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Magic Kingdom

Early Entry Changes

• March 2–3: Early Entry now begins at 7:30 am (instead of 8:30 am)

If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can jump into the fun an hour earlier, grabbing those coveted front-of-the-line opportunities at your favorite rides before general park guests even arrive.

March Hours & Closings

• March 2:
  • Park opening: 8:00 am (moved up from 9:00 am)
  • Closing: 11:00 pm (extended from 9:00 pm)
• March 3:
  • Park opening: 8:00 am
  • Closing: 10:00 pm
• March 4:
  • Park hours: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm (closing extended from 9:00 pm)
• March 5–6:
  • Park hours: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm (closing extended from 9:00 pm)
• March 7–8:
  • Park hours: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm (closing extended from 9:00 pm)

Extended Evening Hours

• March 5: Extended Evening Hours now run from 10:00 pm – 12:00 am (previously 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm)

What This Means for You: Even more time to explore your favorite Magic Kingdom lands, enjoy nighttime parades or fireworks, and snag souvenirs from Main Street, U.S.A. By kicking off the day earlier and staying later, you’ll have ample opportunity to experience the park at different times of day—including those magical nighttime hours when Cinderella Castle shimmers under the lights.

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Planning Tips

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1. Arrive Early: With some Magic Kingdom days now starting at 8:00 am, arriving bright and early can help you hit top attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Space Mountain before the crowds.
2. Stay Late: Take advantage of the extended hours to catch After-Hours Entertainment, unique nighttime views of your favorite attractions, or that last spin on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (if it’s open!) before closing.
3. Check for Special Events: If you’re a Disney Resort hotel guest, remember to plan around your Extended Evening Hours on March 5 to maximize your nighttime fun.
4. Leverage Lightning Lane and Genie+: With longer days, you can strategize your attraction reservations to spread out your must-do rides and shows.

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Final Thoughts

Between sunrise safaris at Animal Kingdom and late-night fireworks at Magic Kingdom, there’s never been a better time to squeeze a little more pixie dust into your Walt Disney World vacation. Keep these hour changes in mind as you put together your itinerary—then get ready for a truly memorable March adventure, from dawn ‘til long after dusk.