The new year is right around the corner, and that means a new year of additions, changes, and adjustments happening all over the Disney World parks!
EPCOT Rope Drop Crowds
Some of them we won’t know about until they happen, while others we know have been in progress for years, or we’ve already gotten a heads-up that they’re on the way. If you’ve got a trip planned for Disney World in January 2027 and you know you plan on visiting EPCOT, there’s a pretty big change on THREE different days that you’ll want to keep in mind, because it absolutely WILL affect your rope drop plans.
The runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend takes place around the resort from January 6th – January 10th, 2027, and this means that crowds around the parks will (usually) increase exponentially during an otherwise quieter time of year. If you’re someone who knows that you’ll be visiting during this time, there’s been a change to EPCOT’s hours that is 100% going to affect your morning plans.
EPCOT
The race itself lasts for four days, and for three of those days, EPCOT will be opening late! On Thursday, January 7th, Saturday, January 9th, and Sunday, January 10th, the park will open at 10 AM instead of the usual 9 AM. This also means that Early Entry for hotel guests will begin at 9:30 AM instead of 8:30 AM.
Early Entry at EPCOT
The reason for the delay is to allow runners more time to move through the race, which goes through all of the Disney World parks, especially EPCOT. Delaying the opening time for regular guests also allows more time for Cast Members to ensure that the course is entirely cleared of any debris or changes that may have happened during the race. It’s important to note that transportation around the parks will still be available as usual, but traffic is expected to be worse during race weekends due to volume and road closures. While Disney World buses can navigate these easily and know where to go, if you’re driving your own car, you may find yourself getting a bit confused, so allow additional travel time.
©Disney
EPCOT is still open until 10 PM on all three days, which means that unfortunately you’ve got one less hour of park time, whether you’re participating in the race or not. Keep in mind, as well, that with this time adjustment, it’s very likely that many non-race guests will choose to visit EPCOT on Friday the 8th to get the full park experience, so crowds could be higher.
More Recent EPCOT News!
- Why You Should Avoid EPCOT on These 3 Random Days in January
- Vandalism, Influencers, and the WORST Resident Ever are Plaguing Tiny Train Town in EPCOT
- 2 NEW Annual Passholder Perks Coming to Disney World
- 14 Nights When EPCOT Will Be CROWDED During the Festival of the Holidays
- What It Really Costs to Eat 3 Meals Per Day at Disney World in 2027
Want to be extra prepared for EPCOT next year? Check out our video below!
We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB!
2027 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Themes Revealed
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