Did you know that you can actually spend 20 hours in a single day riding rides, seeing shows, and experiencing attractions in the Disney World theme parks? Well thanks to some creative scheduling, you CAN. But only for a few special days… .

If you’re juuuuust crazy enough to want to actually do this, we’ve got the details!

It’s all about making sure that you use additional Disney park hours and events to their full potential. Disney has a few options like Extra Magic Hours and Disney After Hours events that will allow you to get to the park really early or stay really late. Now be prepared to be exhausted. A 20-hour day at Disney isn’t easy!! But who needs sleep, right?!

Head To Hollywood Studios at 6AM

Usually Disney theme parks are open for around 12 hours per day, or less. Sometimes — during very busy seasons — you can do a park for a 16-hour day. But if your goal is to spend 20 straight hours in the Disney World theme parks, you’re going to need to take advantage of special opening times and special events.

For our 20-hours-in-disney-parks challenge, you’ll want to head to Hollywood Studios first. Here’s why: Disney will  be letting ALL guests into Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting at 6AM from August 29-31 for the grand opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! That will get you well on your way to your 20 hour goal.

Read more about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge here! 

But if you won’t be in town during those few opening days, worry not. We can still get you to 20 hours in the parks. Disney has announced that they will be offering EXTRA Extra Magic Hours for resort hotel guests at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios for several weeks this Fall to offset the anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge crowds.

Extra Magic Hours are times when the park opens exclusively for Disney resort hotel guests and guests of select Good Neighbor hotels. And though Disney offers Extra Magic Hours throughout the week, Extra EXTRA Magic Hours will allow guests to visit the three participating parks for extra hours EVERY DAY from September 1 – November 2.

These Extra Extra Magic Hours will start at 6 AM at Hollywood Studios, 7 AM at Animal Kingdom, and 7 AM at Magic Kingdom. Please remember that not every attraction will be open during this time.

So whether you go on opening weekend, or use Extra Extra Magic Hours this Fall, Hollywood Studios is the park that will get you your first 16 hours of park time.

Stay Late With Disney After Hours

Now it’s time to figure out how to stay in the parks late. This is another KEY part of being able to stay in the parks for 20-hours in a single day! Recently, Disney released a few more Disney After Hours dates for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.

You can check out the new After Hours dates here!

After Hours

is a ticket add-on that allows guests to stay in a park for three hours after the park closes to the general public.

Now Disney does limit ticket sales, which ultimately means that if you choose to purchase a ticket, you’ll be able to enjoy the parks after closing with little to no lines! Hello, five-minute wait on Flight of Passage!!

What’s important about this is that After Hours will allow you to stay into in the parks until 12 or 1 AM depending on the park and the night. And if you happen to hop in line for an attraction or make a merchandise stop at The Emporium at closing, then you’ll easily be in the park until 2 AM.

As currently scheduled, only Magic Kingdom has After Hours until 1AM during the time period where Hollywood Studios is offering 6AM openings. Dates are as follows:

Magic Kingdom After Hours Dates During Hollywood Studios’ 6AM Opening Window

• Thursday, August 29, 2019
• Thursday, September 5, 2019
• Thursday, September 12, 2019

So, if you hit up both events and stay until the last song is sung, this means that you’ve spent 20 out of 24 hours (6AM to 2AM) in a Disney theme park!

Enjoy the Late Night Events at Disney Springs

Don’t want to buy an additional ticket but still want to hang out around Disney ’til 2 AM? Then, head over to Disney Springs! You can head to locations like Paradiso 37, The Edison, and Splitsville for late-night happenings as many of these locations stay open until 1 or 2 AM on the weekends.

So, to make the 20-hour Disney day happen this way, you’ll need to start things off at 6AM (or earlier if they end up letting guests in before official opening), and end the day with Disney After Hours or a couple of drinks over at Disney Springs ’til 2 AM.

And if you’re interested in learning more about Disney After Hours, feel free to check out our video below. We will give you guys a bit more details and a bit of our feedback on whether the event is worth the money.

OK, we know you can do it! Who’s in?!

Do you think you can conquer 20 hours in the parks? Let us know in the comments below!