Rope Dropping EPCOT Will Look Different on October 26th

Hold up! Rope dropping EPCOT this month just got a little different.

Spaceship Earth

It’s never a bad idea to check the park hours before heading into Disney World, but as a Florida local, I’m guilty of just assuming the parks open at the same time every day, which, while true most of the time, can definitely cause some issues. EPCOT is opening later than usual for a day this month, so let’s take a look at how that affects your plans.

On October 26th, EPCOT will open at 10 AM versus the usual 9 AM. It’s the same day as the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon, which can usually cause some delays across Disney World.

EPCOT

runDisney is a fun event where you get to run through Disney property, meet rare characters, and get fun medals. This event sells out fast and brings in thousands of people to Disney World four times a year. It usually means there are large crowds coming into the parks after their races to show off their fun medals.

©runDisney

What does this mean for your EPCOT day? Well, you should expect larger crowds due to the race, and if you’re planning on rope dropping, you’ll want to adjust your plans accordingly. You might want to start at another park and then park hop over later in the afternoon. This can also be a great day at the water park or just hanging around the hotel pool.

Crowds at EPCOT

It’s good to know when all the runDisney events are happening so you’re prepared for larger crowds. Here’s a look at the 2025 to 2026 season:

October 23rd to 26th, 2025 — Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
January 7th to 11th, 2026 — Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
February 26th to March 2nd, 2026 — Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
April 16th to 20th, 2026 — runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend

EPCOT

All the events are full for the upcoming season, but if you are planning on staying on property during any of the races, whether you’re running or not, make sure you book your hotel soon. Because there are so many people and since there is free transportation from the hotels to the races, hotels fill up quickly.

Don’t forget that EPCOT opens at 10 AM on October 26th, and keep following Disney Food Blog for more.

THESE DISNEY ADULT EPCOT HACKS ARE GETTING OUT OF CONTROL

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

When’s your next Disney World trip? Tell us in the comments.