Planning a Walt Disney World vacation in January? You might want to take another look at your park schedule before finalizing those plans.
Disney World has confirmed an upcoming adjustment to EPCOT’s operating hours, and it could catch some visitors off guard if they aren’t paying attention.
While EPCOT typically follows a fairly predictable schedule, several dates in January 2027 will look a little different. Guests hoping to arrive early, experience popular attractions, and get ahead of the crowds could find themselves waiting longer than expected.
The good news is that the changes only affect a handful of dates. However, anyone visiting during this particular stretch of January should prepare for a slightly different experience.
EPCOT Will Open Later on Three Dates in January 2027
Disney World has scheduled delayed openings at EPCOT on three dates in January 2027.
Rather than welcoming regular guests at 9 a.m., the park will open at 10 a.m. on the following dates:
- Thursday, January 7, 2027
- Saturday, January 9, 2027
- Sunday, January 10, 2027
That means guests visiting on these dates will lose an hour of their usual morning park time.
Fortunately, EPCOT will still close at 9 p.m. on all three dates, giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy attractions, restaurants, and entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening.
However, the adjustment could create some headaches for guests who prefer arriving at the parks as early as possible.
For visitors who typically start their EPCOT mornings with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, or another popular attraction, that later opening could require a change in strategy.
And there’s a specific reason Disney World is making these adjustments.
Disney World’s Marathon Weekend Is Behind the Schedule Change
The delayed openings are connected to the 2027 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, which takes place January 6 through January 10.
Each year, thousands of runners participate in runDisney events that take them through various areas of Walt Disney World, including its theme parks.
These races begin extremely early in the morning, often hours before regular visitors arrive.
For 2027, several races will involve EPCOT, requiring Disney to adjust its operating schedule to accommodate participants.
The 5K takes place on Thursday, January 7, beginning at 4:30 a.m.
On Saturday, January 9, runners will participate in the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, which begins at 5 a.m.
The weekend concludes with the full Walt Disney World Marathon on Sunday, January 10, starting at 4:30 a.m.
Because runners will be traveling through EPCOT, Disney needs additional time to accommodate the events before opening the park to regular visitors.
Although these adjustments aren’t unusual during major runDisney weekends, they can still surprise families who aren’t familiar with the race schedule.
Disney World Resort Guests Will Also See Early Entry Changes
Guests staying at eligible Walt Disney World Resort hotels should also prepare for an adjustment to Early Theme Park Entry.
Normally, EPCOT opens at 8:30 a.m. for eligible resort guests, giving them a 30-minute advantage before regular admission begins at 9 a.m.
However, that benefit will shift on January 7, 9, and 10.
Instead of entering at 8:30 a.m., eligible guests will be able to enter EPCOT beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Regular park admission will follow at 10 a.m.
Importantly, Disney isn’t eliminating Early Theme Park Entry on these dates. Eligible resort guests will still receive their usual 30-minute head start.
The entire morning schedule is simply moving back by an hour.
That distinction matters for families who book Disney hotels specifically to take advantage of early park access.
Anyone planning to use that benefit should double-check their arrival time rather than automatically heading toward EPCOT at their usual hour.
Should You Avoid EPCOT During Marathon Weekend?
A delayed opening doesn’t necessarily mean guests should remove EPCOT from their vacation plans.
However, visitors who want the longest possible park day might prefer choosing another date.
According to the currently published schedule, EPCOT is expected to follow its regular 9 a.m. opening on January 6, January 8, and January 11.
Those dates could provide better opportunities for guests who prefer starting their mornings earlier.
Visitors should also remember that marathon weekend can affect transportation and traffic patterns throughout Walt Disney World.
With thousands of runners participating in the events, guests may encounter temporary road restrictions or transportation adjustments around the resort.
Allowing extra travel time could help prevent unnecessary frustration, especially when heading to dining reservations or trying to arrive before the park opens.
Of course, Disney can adjust its operating calendar as January approaches, so visitors should continue monitoring the My Disney Experience app for the latest information.
Check EPCOT’s Schedule Before Your January Vacation
For most guests, the January changes won’t dramatically affect their EPCOT experience.
The park will still operate until 9 p.m., and eligible resort guests will retain their Early Theme Park Entry benefit.
However, losing an hour in the morning can make a difference for families trying to experience as many attractions as possible.
With three delayed openings scheduled during Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, a little advance planning could help visitors avoid an unexpected surprise.
