Opening Time Delayed at Epcot for Two Dates in Late October
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World in late October, you’ll want to be aware that EPCOT will open an hour late on two dates. Epcot is scheduled to open at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 23rd and Sunday, October 25th. This later opening is due to the Disney Wine and Dine Half-Marathon Weekend, which takes place October 22nd through the 25th.
As you may know, Epcot normally opens at 9:00 a.m. with early entry hours for resort guests starting at 8:30 a.m. The later park opening means that early theme park entry will begin at 9:30 a.m. For reference, early theme park entry is a benefit that allows select resort guests to enter the park up to 30 minutes before the official opening time.
This later opening is typical for runDisney race weekends. Most races start and finish at the far end of Epcot’s parking lot. If you’re driving in the area this weekend, you’ll also want to be aware of potential early morning road closures while the race is taking place. runDisney will post a digital event guide before the race with a map of expected road closures and times.
Regular Disney transportation will be provided from the resorts to the parks. So if you’re staying at a Disney Resort, you shouldn’t encounter an issue when using Disney transportation, other than the later start.
As far as planning goes, these dates might be better suited for visiting another park, especially if you’re an early riser. You might also consider planning an afternoon arrival at Epcot if you’re park-hopping. With the late start and road closures, you can expect more traffic near the park’s entrance until at least lunchtime or 1:00 p.m. If we’re driving to Epcot on a race date, we always wait until things have had a chance to settle down. It is not uncommon for traffic to build as guests attempt to park at Epcot.
For a complete overview of weather, crowd patterns, and events for the entire month, see our guide to visiting Disney World in October. If you’re new to the planning process or need a refresher, you might also like our step-by-step guide to planning a Disney World vacation. Check back with ResortsGal.com for more updates.
In the Comments
Did you know that Epcot often opens later for select race dates? Will you avoid driving to Epcot on race weekend? Let us know in the comments below.
