If you’re planning a Walt Disney World trip for early January 2027, there’s one detail you’ll want to add to your plans right now. EPCOT will be opening an hour later than usual on three mornings in early January. For guests hoping to rope drop the park, ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind first thing, or get a head start on World Showcase, that delay could throw off your whole day if you aren’t expecting it.The reason for the later openings is one Disney regulars will recognize. Every January, runDisney returns to Walt Disney World for Marathon Weekend, arguably the biggest race weekend of the entire runDisney calendar. Thousands of runners take over the roads and parks for several mornings in a row, and EPCOT sits right at the center of it all. When races start and finish at EPCOT, the park needs extra time before it can welcome regular guests.Delayed openings are typical when runDisney takes over Walt Disney World, but this year includes a surprise: a third late-opening day that hasn’t been part of the schedule in recent years. Disney has already posted the updated hours, so guests can adjust their plans now instead of finding out the morning of. Here’s everything you need to know about EPCOT’s delayed openings and how to plan around them.When Is Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend?Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 2027 takes place January 6 through 10. The races fill four straight mornings:5K10KHalf marathonFull marathonThis year is extra special because it marks the 30th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. Disney says Donald Duck will be the star of every race.Credit: DisneyEPCOT’s Late Opening DaysAccording to Disney’s park hours, EPCOT will open at 10:00 AM instead of 9:00 AM on these three days:Thursday, January 7Saturday, January 9Sunday, January 10On those mornings, Early Theme Park Entry for Disney Resort hotel guests moves to 9:30 AM. EPCOT will still close at 9:00 PM as usual.The later openings fall on the 5K, half marathon, and marathon mornings. The 10K morning, Friday, January 8, keeps EPCOT’s regular schedule, with Early Theme Park Entry at 8:30 AM and a 9:00 AM opening.Credit: Jesse James, FlickrThursday Is the SurpriseThe Thursday delay is new compared to recent years. In both January 2025 and January 2026, EPCOT opened at 10:00 AM only on the half marathon and marathon mornings.Disney hasn’t explained why Thursday has been added this time. Park hours can always change, so it’s a good idea to check them again closer to your trip.EPCOT Hours for Marathon WeekendHere’s the full schedule for EPCOT during Marathon Weekend:Wednesday, January 6: Early Theme Park Entry 8:30 AM, open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PMThursday, January 7: Early Theme Park Entry 9:30 AM, open 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (delayed opening)Friday, January 8: Early Theme Park Entry 8:30 AM, open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PMSaturday, January 9: Early Theme Park Entry 9:30 AM, open 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (delayed opening)Sunday, January 10: Early Theme Park Entry 9:30 AM, open 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (delayed opening)Credit: runDisneyWhat Race Mornings Look Like at EPCOTLast January, both the half marathon and full marathon started and finished at EPCOT.The half marathon started at 5:00 AM, sending runners north along World Drive through Magic Kingdom before heading back to EPCOT. The full marathon started even earlier, at 4:30 AM, taking runners through all four Walt Disney World theme parks before finishing at EPCOT.Disney’s schedule had the final half marathon finishers arriving around 9:45 AM and the final marathon finishers around 12:30 PM.If the 2027 courses are similar, most half marathon runners should be done before EPCOT opens at 10:00 AM. Marathon Sunday is different, though. Runners could still be in EPCOT through at least noon, so guests arriving right at opening should expect heavy foot traffic around the finish area.Credit: DisneyRoad Closures and Travel TimeRace mornings also bring road closures around Walt Disney World. Those closures can slow down buses and rideshares, even if you aren’t heading to EPCOT. Give yourself extra travel time on race days so you don’t end up stuck in traffic.How to Plan Around the DelaysThe good news is that the other parks keep their normal hours on all three late-opening days:Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Opens at 8:00 AMMagic Kingdom: Opens at 9:00 AMDisney’s Hollywood Studios: Opens at 9:00 AMThat makes these mornings a great time to start at a different park. You can enjoy the early hours somewhere else, then head to EPCOT later in the day once the crowds of finishers and spectators have thinned out.Here are a few planning tips:Start your day elsewhere. Animal Kingdom’s 8:00 AM opening gives you a big head start.Save EPCOT for the afternoon. Especially on Sunday, when marathon runners may be in the park until noon.Use Park Hopper if you have it. Moving to EPCOT later is easy with the right ticket.Watch for road closures. Build in extra travel time on race mornings.Double-check park hours. Disney can update schedules before your trip.Don’t Let the Delay Ruin Your DayAn hour may not sound like much, but if you’re planning to rope drop EPCOT, it can change your entire morning. By knowing about the delayed openings now, you can plan around them and still enjoy a great park day.Marathon Weekend brings a fun, energetic atmosphere to Walt Disney World, and with a little planning, you can make the most of your trip even with EPCOT opening late.Will you be at Walt Disney World during Marathon Weekend in January?The post Disney World Confirms Delayed Openings at EPCOT in January 2027 appeared first on Inside the Magic.