What to know before Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom open on Friday, October 9. All times are Eastern Time.
Magic Kingdom
| Park hours | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Early Theme Park Entry from 7:30 AM for Disney resort hotel guests) |
| Tonight | Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (separate ticket); day guests leave at 6:00 PM |
| Weather | High 87°F, low 73°F, overcast clouds, 100% chance of rain |
| Crowd forecast | 5 out of 10 (5 is a typical day at this park) |
| Lightning Lane | Multi Pass $37 |
| Rope-drop pick | Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: usually about 8 min at opening vs. 37 min at its peak |
| Busiest stretch | Usually 4 PM–7 PM (headliners average 37 min) |
| Closed today | Jingle Cruise: Closed through at least Dec 17, 2026; Walt Disney World Railroad - Fantasyland: Closed through at least Oct 29, 2026; Walt Disney World Railroad - Main Street, U.S.A.: Closed through at least Oct 29, 2026; Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress: Closed through at least Dec 17, 2026 |
Today at Magic Kingdom, be prepared for an early park closure at 6:00 PM as Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes over, running until 12:00 AM. Also, expect overcast clouds and a 100% chance of rain throughout the day.
Rope drop plan
Early Entry for eligible guests begins at 7:30 AM, with general park opening at 8:00 AM. To save time, consider heading to Tiana's Bayou Adventure in Frontierland, which typically has a 6-minute wait at opening, saving 25 minutes from its typical peak of 38 minutes. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland usually sees an 8-minute wait at opening, saving 26 minutes from its typical peak of 37 minutes. Both of these attractions are also available via Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Lightning Lane: worth it today?
Lightning Lane Multi Pass is available for $37 today and is not sold out. There are no Lightning Lane Single Pass options available today. If you plan to ride Tiana's Bayou Adventure or Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, the Multi Pass could offer flexibility, though they are also good rope drop options.
Shows and timing
Catch Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire at 10:00 AM, 11:35 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:55 PM, or 4:00 PM. The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade steps off at 2:00 PM. For those attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular will be performed at 7:35 PM, 9:05 PM, 10:35 PM, and 11:59 PM.
Plan your day
- Rope Drop: Consider heading to Tiana's Bayou Adventure or Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin right at Early Entry (7:30 AM) or park opening (8:00 AM) to typically save over 25 minutes compared to peak waits.
- Weather & Party: With a 100% chance of rain and the park closing at 6:00 PM for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, plan your outdoor activities and dining accordingly to maximize your time before the early closure.
- Peak Times: The park typically sees its highest waits between 4 PM and 7 PM, with headliner rides averaging 37 minutes. This period overlaps with the park's early closure, so plan to see a show like Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire at 4:00 PM or depart before the crowds build.
- Closures: Jingle Cruise is closed through at least Dec 17, 2026, so you won't be able to experience it today.
EPCOT
| Park hours | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Early Theme Park Entry from 8:30 AM for Disney resort hotel guests) |
| Weather | High 87°F, low 73°F, overcast clouds, 100% chance of rain |
| Crowd forecast | 6 out of 10 (5 is a typical day at this park) |
| Lightning Lane | Multi Pass $32 |
| Rope-drop pick | Test Track: usually about 61 min at opening vs. 81 min at its peak |
| Busiest stretch | Usually 5 PM–8 PM (headliners average 64 min) |
| Closed today | Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses: Closed through at least Nov 26, 2026; Soarin' Around the World: Closed through at least Dec 17, 2026 |
Prepare for a rainy day at EPCOT, with overcast clouds and a 100% chance of rain. Keep in mind that Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses and Soarin' Around the World are closed today, which may affect your plans.
Rope drop plan
Early Entry for eligible guests begins at 8:30 AM. If you're looking to start with a popular attraction, Test Track in World Discovery typically has a 61-minute wait at opening, saving you about 16 minutes compared to its usual peak. Alternatively, Frozen Ever After in World Showcase usually sees a 39-minute wait at opening, also saving around 16 minutes. Both of these attractions are also available via Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Lightning Lane: worth it today?
The Lightning Lane Multi Pass is available today for $32 and is not sold out. There are no Lightning Lane Single Pass options listed for EPCOT today.
Shows and timing
Enjoy a variety of performances throughout the day. The JAMMitors kick off the entertainment at 8:30 AM, followed by ¡Celebración Encanto! at 9:45 AM. Later in the morning, you can catch Matsuriza starting at 11:00 AM, Mariachi Cobre at 11:15 AM, and Voices of Liberty also at 11:15 AM.
Plan your day
- Consider heading to Test Track or Frozen Ever After right at Early Entry to experience shorter waits, though both are also available via Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
- Be aware that Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses is closed through at least November 26, 2026, and Soarin' Around the World is closed through at least December 17, 2026.
- Plan for the typical peak wait times between 5 PM and 8 PM, when headliner waits usually average 64 minutes, and be prepared for the 100% chance of rain throughout the day.
- Catch one of the many World Showcase performances, such as Sergio starting at 11:50 AM or Entertainment at Germany Gazebo from 12:40 PM.
Hollywood Studios
| Park hours | 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM (Early Theme Park Entry from 8:00 AM for Disney resort hotel guests) |
| Weather | High 87°F, low 73°F, overcast clouds, 100% chance of rain |
| Crowd forecast | 6 out of 10 (5 is a typical day at this park) |
| Lightning Lane | Multi Pass $37 |
| Rope-drop pick | The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: usually about 14 min at opening vs. 50 min at its peak |
| Busiest stretch | Usually 5 PM–8 PM (headliners average 52 min) |
Get ready for a day at Hollywood Studios! With Early Entry starting at 8:00 AM, you can get a head start before the park officially opens at 8:30 AM. Be prepared for overcast clouds and a 100% chance of rain today.
Rope drop plan
For rope drop, consider The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror on Sunset Boulevard, where you could save 31 minutes with an opening wait of 14 minutes. Toy Story Mania! in Toy Story Land is another good option, with an opening wait of 17 minutes, typically saving 28 minutes. Both are also available via Lightning Lane Multi Pass, so you may not need to rope drop them. Alternatively, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets on Sunset Boulevard typically has a 34-minute wait at opening, saving 28 minutes.
Lightning Lane: worth it today?
The Lightning Lane Multi Pass is available today for $37 and is not sold out, offering a way to bypass standby lines on multiple attractions.
Shows and timing
Catch a show like For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, running from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, or The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, with performances from 10:00 AM until 7:55 PM. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! has shows from 10:45 AM to 4:30 PM.
Plan your day
- Arrive for Early Entry at 8:00 AM to get a jump on popular rides like Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets or The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
- Be ready for the weather: today brings overcast clouds and a 100% chance of rain, so pack rain gear.
- Plan to enjoy shows or take a break during the typical peak hours from 5 PM to 8 PM, when headliner waits usually average 52 minutes.
- Consider purchasing the Lightning Lane Multi Pass for $37 to reduce wait times on eligible attractions throughout the day.
Animal Kingdom
| Park hours | 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Early Theme Park Entry from 7:30 AM for Disney resort hotel guests) |
| Weather | High 87°F, low 73°F, overcast clouds, 100% chance of rain |
| Crowd forecast | 6 out of 10 (5 is a typical day at this park) |
| Lightning Lane | Multi Pass $25 |
| Rope-drop pick | Kali River Rapids: usually about 7 min at opening vs. 48 min at its peak |
| Busiest stretch | Usually 11 AM–2 PM (headliners average 42 min) |
Get ready for a day of adventure at Animal Kingdom! With early entry starting at 7:30 AM, eligible guests can get a head start before the park officially opens at 8:00 AM. Expect overcast clouds and a 100% chance of rain today, so plan accordingly.
Rope drop plan
For rope drop, Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain and Kali River Rapids both typically have a wait of just 7 minutes at opening, saving you 32 and 37 minutes respectively compared to their typical peak waits. Kilimanjaro Safaris usually sees a 26-minute wait at opening, saving 25 minutes. Note that all three of these attractions are also available via Multi Pass, so you may not need to rope drop them.
Lightning Lane: worth it today?
The Lightning Lane Multi Pass is available for $25 today and is not sold out. This could be a good option for rides like Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, which are included.
Shows and timing
Catch early performances like Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe at 8:10 AM or Animal Encounters: Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight at 8:15 AM. DiVine has a single performance at 8:35 AM. Festival of the Lion King begins at 10:00 AM, with shows continuing hourly.
Plan your day
- Utilize Early Entry at 7:30 AM to head to Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain or Kali River Rapids, which typically have very low waits at opening.
- Plan indoor activities or shows during the typical peak hours of 11 AM to 2 PM, when headliner waits average 42 minutes and rides like Avatar Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey are at their worst. The 100% chance of rain also makes this a good time for covered attractions.
- Consider purchasing the Lightning Lane Multi Pass for $25 if you want to experience multiple popular attractions without waiting, especially since Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain are included.
- Don't miss a performance of Festival of the Lion King, with the first show at 10:00 AM, or catch the unique DiVine at 8:35 AM.
For a personalized ride order, try our free day planner. Planning another day? See the Walt Disney World crowd calendar.
Hours, prices and the forecast are as of 5:02 AM ET on October 9. Disney can change them during the day.