A full day in Disney World is SO intense that we think “theme parking” should qualify as an Olympic sport.

Okay, maybe it’s not quite that bad, but still. You can train for months, walking laps around your neighborhood and hitting the gym, and STILL not be prepared for the heat that the Disney World parks bring…literally. You’re hitting 20,000 steps most days, sweating in the sometimes 100-degree heat, and partying from dusk till midnight — it’s a sport not made for the faint of heart. But if you’re a hardcore Disney parkgoer, then we’ve got a challenge for you: 18 hours straight in Disney World parks!

Typical Park Hours

On a regular day in Disney World, the four theme parks are typically open between 12-14 hours each. This doesn’t apply to the shortened hours we see sometimes during the winter, or the days with shorter park hours due to special events. Animal Kingdom and EPCOT are often open for 12 hours each, while Hollywood Studios is typically open for 12.5 hours. Magic Kingdom is most likely to have the longest park hours, having a schedule of 8AM-10PM or 9AM-11PM many days.

But in addition to these regular hours, there are ways to get MORE time in the Disney World parks. Guests of Disney World Resorts (and a few select other hotels on Disney property) can get in the parks 30 minutes early for Early Theme Park Entry every day.

If you’re staying at a deluxe Disney World resort, Extended Evening Hours are offered on select nights in select parks. (There’s a schedule on the Disney World website with the dates and parks available.) Typically, this event offers an additional 2 hours in the scheduled park after it closes to the public, and many rides will remain open.

Both Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours are included in your hotel stay if you book your trip at a qualifying resort. But there are also other ways to PAY to stay late in the parks.

Holiday Parties and After Hours Events

During the Halloween and holiday seasons, Magic Kingdom hosts two different hard-ticketed parties. On select dates August-October/November, you can attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and then from November-December, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is offered. To go to either of these events, you’ll need to purchase tickets in advance, and they’ll be bought separately from your regular park ticket for the day.

On the day of a holiday party, Magic Kingdom usually closes at 6PM to regular guests and then the party starts at 7PM for those who have purchased tickets (all party guests get a special wristband and Cast Members check around the park to make sure you’re wearing one). The parties usually last from 7PM-12AM, offering special entertainment, snacks, character meets, and ride overlays.

But the holiday parties aren’t the only hard-ticketed nighttime events.  Disney hosts After Hours events at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. These take place AFTER the park has closed for the day, and the schedule varies depending on the season, though each park on the list has its own After Hours webpage where you can view the event dates and ticket cost.

Like the holiday parties, you must purchase a ticket to attend an After Hours event, in addition to whatever regular park ticket you have for the day (or you can just get the After Hours ticket if you want to take a break in the morning). For the three regular theme parks, the hours are most often 10PM-1AM for these events, with ticket holders able to enter the park at 7PM. (Those hours can vary, so check the Disney World website for specifics on your date.)

So even if you don’t qualify for Extended Evening Hours, you can still shell out the cash to attend one of these events and stay late for one night.

So…What’s the Longest Day You Can Have in Disney World?

Okay, let’s do some math! To calculate the longest possible day in Disney World right now, we’ll start with the park opening times. Animal Kingdom typically opens the earliest, starting at 8AM most days. But with a Disney resort stay, you’d get in at 7:30AM because of Early Theme Park Entry.

Currently, the latest that any park is open is 1AM, thanks to either Extended Evening Hours or an After Hours event. You’d have to hop to a second park since Animal Kingdom isn’t offering either of those options at this time, but it’s possible to stay that late at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, or Hollywood Studios.

If you add up those numbers, you’re left with 17.5 hours of park opening time for the day. However, if you hop in line for a ride right before that closing time and then dilly-dally a little bit on your way out of the park (stopping to grab pictures of the empty park late at night!), it’s feasible that you could stay an hour past closing time, not leaving until 2AM. That’s a whopping 18.5 hours of park time in ONE DAY!

Now, we’re not saying we recommend it, because it would be one exhausting day, but if you’re up to the challenge it’s totally possible. And you would certainly be able to get a lot done!

How Do You Survive 18 Hours Straight in a Theme Park?

Now we’re asking the REAL questions! As we mentioned above, it’s possible to have a ridiculously long theme park day, but it might not be the best idea. (Bodies need rest, you guys!) But if you’re prepared to conquer an 18-hour day, we’ve got some advice for you.

First of all, PACE YOURSELF. Don’t go too hard or too fast early in the day, lest you completely wear yourself out. Take frequent breaks, drink a LOT of water, and keep in mind that you’ll probably be able to enjoy shorter wait times later in the evening (during After Hours or Extended Evening Hours), so you don’t have to rush from place to place.

Secondly, it might be a good idea to invest in Disney Genie+ during the daytime. It’ll help you maximize your time and then you won’t spend all of your park hours waiting in lines. Trust us, waiting in long lines (especially if they’re in the direct sun) can be one of the most exhausting things in Disney World.

Finally, we recommend planning a few “slow” points during your day. This might be a long table service meal, or it might be an indoor show with comfy seating. It’ll be nice to get off your feet, sit in the air conditioning, and just relax for a bit. You’ll thank us later!

So there you have it — the “18-hour challenge” for Disney World! It’s doable, but you might need a SECOND vacation afterward. Or at the very least, a calm and quiet resort day!

Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World news and updates, as well as all the tips you need to know to have the best vacation ever!

The Best Disney World Itinerary for a 5-Day Trip — Click Here!

Would you ever attempt an 18-hour day in Disney World? Tell us in the comments!