Finally – A Great Extra From Disney That You DON’T Have to Pay For

Disney Genie+. Disney MagicBands. Disney’s Magical Express replacement.

All of these extras at Walt Disney World used to be free for Disney Guests but are now chargeable services as part of a Disney vacation.

Many Disney Guests are getting frustrated with Disney’s apparent focus on charging Guests for every little extra piece of magic in its theme parks, with the replacement of FastPass certainly the most significant debate.

Now, Disney has added a surprising extra perk for all Disney Guests – and you don’t have to pay extra for it!

A day at Disney’s EPCOT theme park is one that usually allows for a relaxing breakfast at maybe Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or the Grand Floridian Cafe.

EPCOT typically opens later than Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with its usual opening time being around 10 a.m.

Well, as of today, February 28, EPCOT is now opening at 8:30 am. instead of 10:00 am.

That’s right, it’s opening a whopping 90 minutes before the usual opening time – and you don’t need Extra Magic Hours or an extra paid ticket to get this special early entry. The full changes from Walt Disney World’s calendar are:

• February 28 – March 5, March 13-19: Park hours extended 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (previously 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
• March 6 – 12: Park hours extended 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (previously 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

This is an historic hours change for EPCOT. We haven’t seen early opening times like this since even before the COVID-19 pandemic when World Showcase had a staggered opening.

Disney has not clarified why this change has happened, but with crowds increasing lately, it may be to try to help alleviate some of the crazy wait times we’ve been seeing on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After.

We saw insane crowds at Walt Disney World over President’s Day weekend, with the Disney Park Reservation System all booked up for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

It’s just great to see some extra morning magic hours for all Disney fans, not just those who have paid for it or who are staying in a Disney Resort Hotel.

Of course, celebration buttons, the Electrical Water Pageant, free Animation Experience drawing classes, and more are all still free at the Walt Disney World Resort.

So, if you’re heading to Disney’s theme parks this month, get ready for some extra magic hours at EPCOT!