What to know before Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom open on Friday, October 16. 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 89°F, low 73°F, clear sky, 48% chance of rain |
| Crowd forecast | 5 out of 10 (5 is a typical day at this park) |
| Lightning Lane | Multi Pass $39 |
| Rope-drop pick | Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: usually about 8 min at opening vs. 38 min at its peak |
| Busiest stretch | Usually 11 AM–2 PM (headliners average 35 min) |
| Closed today | Jingle Cruise: Closed through at least Nov 2, 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 24, 2026 |
Today, Magic Kingdom closes early at 6:00 PM for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, so strategic planning is key to maximize your day. Early Entry for eligible guests begins at 7:30 AM, offering a valuable head start before the park officially opens at 8:00 AM.
Rope drop plan
Early Entry for eligible guests starts at 7:30 AM. For those entering at 8:00 AM, consider heading to Tiana's Bayou Adventure in Frontierland, where the typical wait at opening is 6 minutes, potentially saving you 23 minutes compared to its typical peak wait of 36 minutes. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland typically has an 8-minute wait at opening, saving 27 minutes, and Jungle Cruise in Adventureland typically has a 6-minute wait at opening, saving 23 minutes. These rides are also available via Lightning Lane Multi Pass, so you may not need to rope drop them.
Lightning Lane: worth it today?
A Lightning Lane Multi Pass is available today for $39. This pass can be a good option to save time on popular attractions, especially if you prefer not to rope drop rides like Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, or Jungle Cruise. No Lightning Lane Single Pass options are listed as available today.
Shows and timing
Catch the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at 2:00 PM. Other performances include Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire at 10:00 AM, 11:35 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:55 PM, and 4:00 PM, and the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade at 11:05 AM. For those attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular has showtimes at 7:35 PM, 9:05 PM, 10:35 PM, and 11:59 PM.
Plan your day
- Arrive for Early Entry at 7:30 AM to make the most of your day before the park closes at 6:00 PM for the special event.
- Consider rope dropping Tiana's Bayou Adventure or Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin to experience popular attractions with typically low waits at opening.
- Plan to take a break or see a show during the typical peak hours of 11 AM to 2 PM, when headliners like TRON Lightcycle / Run, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Peter Pan's Flight usually see their longest waits.
- Note that Jingle Cruise, Walt Disney World Railroad - Fantasyland, Walt Disney World Railroad - Main Street, U.S.A., and Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress are closed 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 89°F, low 73°F, clear sky, 48% 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 | Soarin' Across America: usually about 10 min at opening vs. 38 min at its peak |
| Busiest stretch | Usually 5 PM–8 PM (headliners average 66 min) |
| Closed today | Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses: Closed through at least Nov 26, 2026 |
Eligible guests can begin their day at EPCOT with Early Entry starting at 8:30 AM, ahead of the park's 9:00 AM official opening. Expect clear skies with a high of 89°F today, but be aware of a 48% chance of rain.
Rope drop plan
For those utilizing Early Entry, Soarin' Across America typically has a wait of 10 minutes at opening, saving 23 minutes from its typical peak wait of 38 minutes. Remy's Ratatouille Adventure usually sees a 33-minute wait at opening, saving 16 minutes from its typical peak of 63 minutes. Both are available via Lightning Lane Multi Pass, so you may not need to rope drop them.
Lightning Lane: worth it today?
A Lightning Lane Multi Pass is available for $32 today. It can be a good option for popular attractions, including Soarin' Across America and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.
Shows and timing
Enjoy live entertainment throughout the day. Catch the JAMMitors starting at 8:30 AM, ¡Celebración Encanto! from 9:45 AM, and Matsuriza from 11:00 AM. Mariachi Cobre begins at 11:15 AM, and the Rose & Crown Pub Musician performs from 1:30 PM.
Plan your day
- Start early or use Multi Pass: Eligible guests can use Early Entry at 8:30 AM for Soarin' Across America or Remy's Ratatouille Adventure. A Lightning Lane Multi Pass for $32 is also available and could save time on headliners like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which peaked at 110 minutes yesterday.
- Avoid the evening peak: Highest waits are typically between 5 PM and 8 PM for attractions such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, and Frozen Ever After.
- Note a closure: Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses is closed today through at least November 26, 2026.
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 89°F, low 73°F, clear sky, 48% 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. 49 min at its peak |
| Busiest stretch | Usually 12 PM–3 PM (headliners average 52 min) |
Expect a clear sky today at Hollywood Studios, though a 48% chance of rain means you should be prepared for potential showers. Peak wait times are typically from 12 PM to 3 PM, so planning your headliner attractions early is key.
Rope drop plan
For those with Early Entry starting at 8:00 AM, consider heading to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, where you can usually save 24 minutes off its typical peak wait by arriving at opening. Alternatively, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror on Sunset Boulevard typically has a 14-minute wait at opening, saving 30 minutes, and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets has a 31-minute wait at opening, also saving 30 minutes.
Lightning Lane: worth it today?
A Lightning Lane Multi Pass is available for $37 today. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance also offers a Lightning Lane Single Pass. Both The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets are available via Multi Pass, which may mean you don't need to rope drop them.
Shows and timing
Don't miss the first showing of For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at 9:30 AM or The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure which starts at 10:00 AM and runs frequently throughout the day. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! has its first show at 10:45 AM.
Plan your day
- Arrive for Early Entry at 8:00 AM to tackle Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance or The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror before crowds build, as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance averaged 55 minutes yesterday, peaking at 80 minutes.
- Consider purchasing the Lightning Lane Multi Pass for $37 to save time on popular attractions like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
- Plan your lunch or a break during the typical peak hours of 12 PM to 3 PM, when headliner waits average 52 minutes and rides like Slinky Dog Dash and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance are usually worst.
- Catch a show like For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at 9:30 AM or The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure starting at 10:00 AM to enjoy entertainment during potentially busy ride times.
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 89°F, low 73°F, clear sky, 48% chance of rain |
| Crowd forecast | 6 out of 10 (5 is a typical day at this park) |
| Lightning Lane | Multi Pass $29 |
| 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 43 min) |
Today, Animal Kingdom opens for Early Entry at 7:30 AM, with general admission starting at 8:00 AM. With a 48% chance of rain later in the day, consider prioritizing outdoor attractions early. The park closes at 7:00 PM.
Rope drop plan
For those arriving at rope drop, Kilimanjaro Safaris typically saves 23 minutes compared to its average peak wait of 52 minutes. Kali River Rapids and Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain also offer significant time savings, typically 37 and 27 minutes respectively, if you arrive early. Both Kali River Rapids and Expedition Everest 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 today for $29. This can be a good option for popular rides like Kilimanjaro Safaris, Kali River Rapids, and Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, which are also recommended for rope drop.
Shows and timing
Festival of the Lion King has its first show at 10:00 AM, with additional performances every hour until 4:00 PM. You can also catch the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe starting at 8:10 AM, or Animal Encounters: Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight at 8:15 AM.
Plan your day
- Arrive for Early Entry at 7:30 AM or general park opening at 8:00 AM to experience Kilimanjaro Safaris, typically saving 23 minutes compared to its average peak wait.
- Consider purchasing the Lightning Lane Multi Pass for $29 to bypass lines on popular attractions like Kali River Rapids or Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain.
- Plan indoor activities or shows during the typical peak hours of 11 AM to 2 PM, when headliner waits average 43 minutes. Avatar Flight of Passage averaged 57 minutes yesterday, with a peak of 105 minutes. Kilimanjaro Safaris averaged 39 minutes yesterday, with a peak of 70 minutes.
- Catch a performance of Festival of the Lion King, with the first show at 10:00 AM, or enjoy the Eco-Rhythmics starting at 8:35 AM, especially with a 48% chance of rain later in the day.
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 5:01 AM ET on October 16. Disney can change them during the day.