EPCOT Opening Later on Three Days in January 2027

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World this January, you’ll want to be aware that EPCOT is scheduled to open later than usual on three dates. The park will open at 10:00 a.m. on these dates due to the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. Those dates are: Thursday, January 7th; Saturday, January 9th; and Sunday, January 10th. Early theme park entry for eligible Disney Resort hotel guests will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on each of these dates.

This later opening is due to road closures for the 5K on Thursday, the half-marathon race on Saturday, and the full marathon on Sunday. The park is scheduled to operate during regular hours on Friday, January 8th, the day of the 10K. If you plan to drive to Epcot (or anywhere on property) on any of these mornings, you’ll likely run into road closures.

EPCOT’s Updated Hours for the 2027 WDW Marathon Weekend

Here’s a better look at those dates and times:

• Thursday, January 7, 2027: Park opens at 10:00 a.m. | Early Entry: 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Saturday, January 9, 2027: Park opens at 10:00 a.m. | Early Entry: 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Sunday, January 10, 2027: Park opens at 10:00 a.m. | Early Entry: 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

For reference, a portion of EPCOT’s parking lot serves as the start and finish area for races during Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. Regular Disney transportation will continue to operate between the resorts and theme parks. If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can still use Disney transportation to reach EPCOT, although the park will open later than usual.

We tend to think that these dates may be better suited for visiting another park and/or planning an afternoon arrival at EPCOT. For example, if you have the park hopper entitlement, you might prefer to start your day at another park and hop to EPCOT later. (We would probably avoid EPCOT entirely on Sunday because of the length of the race and because it tends to be busier on weekends.)

As for driving to the parks on the day of a major race, I typically wait until after lunchtime. Traffic can back up as guests attempt to enter EPCOT’s parking lot, so arriving later may help you avoid delays. Don’t be surprised if you have to park in the grass.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is a huge event that brings in many runners and spectators. As for Epcot opening later, that is typical of all runDisney events. We have a list of the entire runDisney 2027 schedule if you’re looking for next year’s dates.

For a complete overview of weather, crowd patterns, and events throughout the month, see our guide to Disney World in January. If you’re looking for ideal dates, you might like our Best and Worst Months to Visit Disney World.

If you’re just getting started, our ultimate resource is our Disney World Vacation Planning Guide. It walks you through the entire planning process step by step. Be sure to check back with Resorts Gal for the latest Disney news, planning tips, and resort reviews. You can also join our newsletter list to receive updates.

In the Comments

Will you be visiting during the 2027 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend? Will any of these later openings affect your plans? Let us know in the comments.