We’re sure you’ve heard it over and over again, “Disney World is changing!” It might sound like we’re beating a dead horse, but right now it’s more true than ever.
DINOSAUR
As we head into 2026, we’re bracing for impact and adjusting our plans to fit in all of the different changes. That’s why we’re breaking down the major changes hitting the resort in January 2026.
2026 is shaping up to be a big year for Disney World. It’s a year of growth and saying goodbye, starting off in the first month of the year. If you aren’t prepared, some of these changes might throw a real wrench in your plans.
Festival of the Arts Kicks Off
One of the biggest January changes is the start of another EPCOT festival. EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts starts on January 16th, 2026, and we genuinely couldn’t be more excited.
2025 Festival of the Arts
This festival has been around since 2017, and now we can’t picture the year without it. It focuses on three artistic disciplines: the Culinary, Visual, and Performing Arts! This festival definitely has the prettiest bites, plus real Broadway stars come and perform for the Disney on Broadway Concert Series.
Liquid Nitrogen Minnie cake pop with berry sponge cake, white chocolate ganache, and colorful chocolate splats
This festival also adds lots of artwork to check out around the park, and you can even become part of the classics thanks to the special Disney PhotoPass frames. This festival can really make a case for the best festival if we’re being honest, so we can’t wait to check it all out!
Everything We Know About The Festival of the Arts Here
New Hotel Policy
In less happy news, January 1st, 2026, will see the start of a new hotel policy at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
Right now, in 2025, if you book a campsite, they can accommodate up to 10 people. Starting in January, fully-equipped campsites will only accommodate 8 people. The decrease in the maximum number of guests allowed will apply to Premium Campsites, Premium Meadow Campsites, Full Hook-Up Campsites, Tent or Pop-Up Campsites, and Preferred Campsites. Essentially, all of the campsites that aren’t cabins. The cabins at Fort Wilderness will still accommodate up to 6 guests.
Bunk beds in the cabins
This change will make camping a bit tougher for larger groups when it comes to camping. We are serious big fans of Fort Wilderness, thanks to the serene location, amazing dining, and fun experiences that you can only find at this Magic Kingdom resort.
Learn More About Fort Wilderness Resort Here
Extended Evening Hours Are BACK
If you’re a Disney Deluxe Resort guest in 2026, a huge perk is back in January! Extended Evening Hours allow those resort guests extra time in the parks after the sun has gone down. They don’t occur in every park every night, so you’ll need to plan around that.
Cinderella Castle at night
Extended Evening Hours for January 2026 (as announced so far) are:
- Thursday, January 1st — Animal Kingdom, 6PM – 8PM
- Monday, January 5th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM
- Wednesday, January 7th — Magic Kingdom, 9PM – 11PM
- Monday, January 12th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM
- Wednesday, January 14th — Magic Kingdom, 9PM – 11PM
- Monday, January 19th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM
- Wednesday, January 21st — Magic Kingdom, 9PM – 11PM
- Monday, January 26th — Disney’s Hollywood Studios, 9PM – 11PM
Hollywood Studios at night
This perk gives you time in the park once the heat dies down, with lower wait times and fewer crowds. If you can stay up late, this is one of the best times to be in the park. You can see which rides will be open at each park and which hotels qualify right here.
Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests
The Skyliner Will Be Closed
A major mode of transportation in Disney World will be temporarily closed in January! The Disney Skyliner makes stops at Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Caribbean Beach, Riviera Resort, Pop Century, and Art of Animation.
Skyliner
It’s a really cool way to “fly” over Disney World as you head to your next destination, and it is considered a major perk for the four hotels we mentioned. If you’re planning on soaring in January, you need to know the Disney Skyliner will be closed from January 25 – 31, 2026. In its place, Disney will be providing complimentary bus service so you aren’t trapped.
Disney World’s Skyliner
Luckily, the closure is pretty short, but if you’re staying at these resorts during that week, it can impact how you get around Disney World.
What You Need to Know About the Skyliner Closures in Disney World in 2026
Last FULL Month of DinoLand U.S.A.
Finally, we’re ending on some pretty sad news. January 2026 will be the last month EVER that you can head into DinoLand and ride DINOSAUR. It makes us sick just writing it down, but we know change is inevitable.
DINOSAUR
This land, located in Animal Kingdom, is closing permanently to make way for the brand-new Tropical Americas-inspired land called Pueblo Esperanza. DINOSAUR, and what’s remaining of this land, will close permanently on February 2nd, 2026. The last day to ride the attraction is February 1st, 2026, which means a majority of fans will say goodbye in January.
Crowds Near Dinosaur
It’s also important to remember this will most likely lead to a big spike in wait times for the attraction throughout the month of January. The land has slowly worked through phased closures since January 2025, so we’ve been able to mourn its extinction slowly.
Pueblo Esperanza Construction
The new land is expected to open in 2027, although Disney hasn’t given us an official opening date just yet. We aren’t ready to say goodbye, so if you see the DFB employees crying near the DINOSAUR exit, don’t say a word.
Everything We Know About Pueblo Esperanza Coming To Animal Kingdom
January is shaping up to be a big month in 2026, so it’s time to get ready! Be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney reminders, news, and more.
Disney Is Opening 11 New Rides in 2026. Here’s the Full List
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Extended hours for DELUXE HOTEL GUESTS. ANOTHER PERK FOR THE RICH GUESTS. Disney why don’t you offer this perk to ALL DISNEY HOTEL GUESTS. DISNEY YOU ARE DISGUSTING.