EPCOT Extends Operating Hours for 2024 International Festival of the Holidays

5 hours ago in "Epcot International Festival of the Holidays"

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Posted: Friday September 20, 2024 3:30pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has announced that starting November 29, 2024, EPCOT’s hours will shift to 9:00 am to 9:30 pm.

2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays overview

This additional 30 minutes aligns with the beginning of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, a seasonal event featuring various holiday festivities, performances, and food offerings. Early Entry and Extended Evening hours will increase this to 8:30 am - 11:30 pm on select days.

This change in operating hours continues the trend introduced in 2023, when EPCOT’s holiday season closing time was reduced from 10:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays overview

Running from November 29 through December 30, 2024, the International Festival of the Holidays will celebrate holiday traditions from around the world. Highlights of the festival include:

Candlelight Processional: A retelling of the Christmas story featuring a celebrity narrator, massed choir, and a 50-piece orchestra.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season: A vibrant tribute to Christmas and Kwanzaa through Gospel, R&B, and holiday music.
Meet Santa Claus: Guests can visit with Santa at the Odyssey Pavilion.
Holiday Storytellers: Storytellers from around the world share holiday lore and legends in World Showcase.

2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays overview

The festival also features Holiday Kitchens, where guests can enjoy seasonal dishes and treats from various cultures, the Holiday Cookie Stroll, and Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses, a festive version of the popular attraction. Families can participate in Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt, which sends guests on a quest around World Showcase to help Olaf find lost holiday traditions.

2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays overview

Discuss on the Forums

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Disone53 minutes ago

I feel like the headline should have been "Epcot confirms normal holiday operating hours." I miss when they used to be opened at 10:00 p.m. during the summer and the holidays.

MisterPenguin55 minutes ago

https://www.wdwmagic.com/events/holidays-around-the-world-at-epcot/news/20sep2024-epcot-extends-operating-hours-for-international-festival-of-the-holidays.htm

castlecake2.013 days ago

Nothings been officially announced but I’d be surprised if they didn’t

Comped13 days ago

Are they filming the parade this year for TV like last year? My mother asked me (as she really enjoyed it last year), and I had no idea. So I figured one of you may know

DCBaker15 days ago

Bookings for Table Service dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant, Cinderella’s Royal Table and The Plaza Restaurant during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will open today at 2pm ET, according to an update on the Walt Disney World website: Check back September 5, 2024 at 2:00 PM ET to make a reservation at this restaurant during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

wdwmagic17 days ago

Both parties need a complete revamp, but when they sell out, it's a hard argument to make.

wdrive17 days ago

That argument would work for except park tickets haven’t gone up the same amount. From 2002 a one day ticket was $48-50. Now you’re looking at $150 minimum, a 200% increase. €33.95 in 2002 to say an average of $170 per ticket today is a 400% increase

mattpeto17 days ago

MVMCP is a fun party, but it's got personally stale for me as I've done it a few times (+ the AH Very Merriest 2021 selection). Dreamlights would have really tempted me. I pivoted to Jollywood and I'm attending opening night.

DCBaker18 days ago

According to the Walt Disney World website, opening night (November 8) for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has sold out (this is the first date in 2024 to sell out). To compare, the first night that sold out in 2023 occurred on September 10.

tancJul 25, 2024

Decided to go to both of the first parties of the year. I have two park tickets I can redeem anytime, but only good until they raise the price of tickets and then I have to pay the difference. Pretty excited to go for the first time!

PhicinfanJul 24, 2024

My wife and I are doing both, Very Merry and Jollywood nights this year in early November. First time for both of us. Looking forward to seeing how these go.

gorillaballJul 24, 2024

I’d pick one to sample for starters. Very Merry is a proven item, you know what you will get. Jollywood is still finding itself in my opinion.

tancJul 23, 2024

Debating about going to the first parties or not for both parks... never have done them and would like to see it at least once.

Jumping FountainsJul 21, 2024

Oh, I don’t know much about timeshares. I think back to growing up and I don’t even know if there were anything but the hotel deluxes at the time. Not to say that that’s relevant here, but just…lots of change in my lifetime!