2 Disney World Hotel Perks Are CHANGING Next Month

Don’t head out to your first stay at a Disney World hotel in 2026 without knowing about these changes!

Typhoon Lagoon

It’s really looking like 2026 will be a massive year for Disney World. Expansion projects are hitting the ground running, and Disney is delivering some big-time perks to its guests. Speaking of which, Disney World has already announced two significant changes regarding already-established hotel perks.

Disney has confirmed that Free Water Park Entry is returning as a Disney hotel perk…but there will be a catch in 2026.

Blizzard Beach

This perk debuted in 2025 and allowed any guest staying at a Disney World hotel free entry into one of Disney’s two water parks — Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon — on check-in day. The perk’s limitation was controversial, as it allowed you and your party access ONLY on the day you check in…which is problematic if you’ve been flying for several hours and get to Florida late in the afternoon or evening. It’s also subject to availability and dependent on good weather. These tickets are also nontransferable, so if you don’t use them on Day 1, you lose them.

Typhoon Lagoon

Well, the perk will be EVEN MORE LIMITED in 2026, as the perk will be switching over to summer availability ONLY, rather than year-round. So if you’re looking to hit up the water parks for free in the winter beginning this upcoming January, you’re out of luck.

Blizzard Beach

But that’s not the only perk change hitting Disney World in 2026. If you are staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, January will also usher in a change regarding Extended Evening Hours.

Tower of Terror at night is spooky

Disney revealed that Extended Evening Hours will move to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the end of January 2026. These special hours allow guests staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Walt Disney World Resort hotel to enjoy an extra two hours at a select park on select nights.

Hollywood Studios

Starting January 7th, 2026, Extended Evening Hours switch over to EPCOT on Mondays and Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on other days. However, they adjust again later in the month on Monday, January 26th, when they switch over to Hollywood Studios for one evening.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Here is a look at the current schedule for Extended Evening Hours at Disney World:

Extended Evening Hours for January 2026:

Thursday, January 1st — Animal Kingdom, 8PM – 10PM
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 — Hollywood Studios, 9PM – 11PM
Wednesday, January 28th — Animal Kingdom, 6PM – 8PM

Extended Evening Hours for February 2026 (as announced so far):

Monday, February 2nd — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM
Wednesday, February 4th — Magic Kingdom, 9PM – 11PM
Monday, February 9th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM
Wednesday, February 11th — Magic Kingdom, 9PM – 11PM
Monday, February 16th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM

Time to Ride This at Night!

More changes are bound to hit Disney World in 2026, and we’ll be covering all the latest updates and important news that you’ll need to be aware of before your next vacation. Keep it posted right here at DFB to stay in the know!

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