When you visit Disney World, there are official rules that you have to follow.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

For example, there are very specific rules about wearing costumes in the parks, particularly for adults. There are rules about what you can and can’t bring into the parks when you visit. There are also some unspoken rules that are, more or less, common sense. However, there is one rule, but it’s kind of weird — and well, this rule could be Disney just lying to you.

So as you probably know, Disney World’s theme parks have very specific opening hours and closing hours. We’re going to talk about a park’s official closing time. You might think this is the time when you would absolutely 100% be kicked out of the park if you’re still hanging around, right?

EPCOT at night

But that’s just not the case. The closing hours are more of a guideline than an actual rule. We’ll give you an example: Disney’s Hollywood Studios might have a closing time of 9PM. However, the last showing of Fantasmic! may start AFTER that, at 9:30PM (yes, this is common).

Fantasmic!

So the park CAN’T actually close at 9PM because it has to wait until that last showing of Fantasmic! finishes — which is around 10PM. So, you’re actually going to get to stay in Hollywood Studios an hour AFTER the park officially closes. It will take some time to usher everyone OUT of the park, too, so the actual closing time might be even later than that.

Hollywood Studios at night

You’ll also notice that many restaurants in Disney World parks take reservations AFTER the park officially closes, meaning if you have a late reservation, you’re getting to stay in the parks later than that. We’ve seen this often at Oga’s Cantina, for example, and we also think this is the BEST time to get reservations because Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge hits a lot different when almost everyone else has left the park.

Oga’s Cantina

Another thing you might have noticed if you’re in a park late at night is that shops will generally stay open later than the official park closing time. This is most obvious in Magic Kingdom. We like to spend a little extra time in the shops after the park officially closes to avoid the crowds (and get in a little bit of final shopping, of course).

Magic Kingdom at night

Finally, did you know you can often get in line for a ride RIGHT at park closing time? Yep! It’s usually a great way to ride an attraction with a shorter wait time. So, of course, the park doesn’t actually close until everyone has had a chance to get that final ride in and make their way to the exit.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

So yes, all four of Disney World’s theme parks have official closing times. But those closing times aren’t EXACT and parks don’t actually close until everyone has actually LEFT the parks, which happens later. So no, you don’t have to make it for the exit right at closing time — you have plenty of wiggle room to get a last ride in, do some shopping, and even grab a bite to eat.

With that being said, though: Don’t be deliberate in trying to always push the limit on park closing times. Cast Members have to wait until you’re out of the parks before they can help close up and go home. So be mindful of their time, too. This is just some extra information so you don’t have to worry if you’re standing in line, shopping, or can ONLY get a late dining reservation when a park closes.

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

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How late have you ever been in a Disney World park after official closing time? Share with us in the comments!