Everything You Need to Know About How Disney After Hours Works

Good Things Do Happen Late

Your Guide to How Disney After Hours Works

Heading off to Disney World? Trying to figure how Disney After Hours Works? Let’s look at everything you need to know to about Disney After Hours events!

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Hey Disney Vacationers! Welcome to your ultimate guide on how Disney After Hours works—the special ticketed event transforms an ordinary visit to Disney World into an unforgettable night of fun! Imagine roaming around Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or EPCOT with virtually no wait times for your favorite rides and attractions. Not only does this event offer exclusive access to the parks during less crowded hours, but it also spoils you with complimentary treats like unlimited popcorn and ice cream. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about Disney After Hours so you can decide if it’s the perfect addition to your Disney vacation. Plus, I’ll share some top tips to make the most of these magical nights, ensuring your experience is as delightful as it is memorable.

What is it?

Understanding How Disney After Hours Works

Disney After Hours is a separately ticketed, time-limited event that allows guests to enjoy select Disney World parks after normal operating hours. Imagine having the park almost to yourself, with minimal lines for popular attractions like Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion, and enjoying character meet-and-greets without the usual wait. Plus, the event includes complimentary treats like popcorn, ice cream, and select beverages to keep you refreshed throughout the night!

The Basics of Disney After Hours

Times and Locations

This event typically occurs on select nights at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT. Depending on the park, the event can run from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. or from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. What’s exciting is that you can enter the parks as early as 7 p.m. with your After Hours ticket, giving you extra time to enjoy the attractions before the official event start time.

What It’s Not

Don’t confuse Disney After Hours with Extended Evening Hours, which is an exclusive perk for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resort hotels. Extended Evening Hours allow those guests to stay in the parks a few hours beyond the regular closing times without requiring a separate event ticket.

Planning Your Disney After Hours Visit

To make the most of Disney After Hours, here are some tips and insights to consider:

Arrival

Aim to arrive by 7 p.m. if you can. With your After Hours ticket, you can enter the parks by 7 p.m., giving you time to enjoy additional attractions before the nighttime event kicks off.

Wristbands

Upon arrival, head to designated turnstiles to receive a special event wristband. If you’re already in the park with regular admission, look for stations inside the park where cast members distribute wristbands.

Transition Time

There’s a brief overlap when regular park guests are leaving, and After Hours guests are just starting their night. This transition is typically quick, ensuring that you can start enjoying the low wait times as soon as possible.

Dining

Most restaurants close during the event, so consider eating dinner beforehand. However, unlimited complimentary snacks are available throughout the event to satisfy any late-night cravings.

Tickets for you Disney After Hours events are available through the Disney World website or your Disney Vacation Planner

Attractions and Entertainment

Disney After Hours is renowned for its significantly lower wait times for rides, with wait times usually around the 10 minute mark. Most attractions are open, although some may remain closed. Here is list of the 2024 attractions:

Magic Kingdom

Jungle Cruise
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Pirates of the Caribbean
Swiss Family Treehouse
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Haunted Mansion
“it’s a small world”
Mad Tea Party
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Peter Pan’s Flight
Prime Charming Regal Carrousel
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
The Barnstormer
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Space Mountain
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
TRON Lightcycle / Run (available via standby)

EPCOT

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Frozen Ever After
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
Living with the Land
Mission: SPACE
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Soarin’ Around the World
Spaceship Earth
Test Track

Note World Showcase from China through Morocco is closed during the event.

Hollywood Studios

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Star Tours — The Adventures Continue
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Alien Swirling Saucers
Slinky Dog Dash
Toy Story Mania!
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Fireworks and Special Shows

At Magic Kingdom, the night is alight with the spectacular fireworks show “Enchantment,” which is exclusive to Disney After Hours. Guests can experience this magical display, where music, lights, and pyrotechnics combine to create unforgettable moments. If you arrive early during regular park hours, you might also catch the beloved Happily Ever After fireworks, giving you a double feature of dazzling sky-high artistry.

Over at Hollywood Studios, you can enjoy Fantasmic! And, at EPOCT the brand new Luminious show, prior to the respect park’s regular closing time.

Dance Parties and Live Music

At EPCOT, the atmosphere vibrates with energy as live DJs spin popular tracks, turning parts of the park into a vibrant dance floor. Join Disney characters who are ready to dance the night away with you. These lively gatherings are a fun way to let loose and enjoy the music under the stars.

Character Meet-and-Greats

Disney After Hours provides a rare opportunity to interact with Disney characters with much shorter wait times. Character meet-and-greets during After Hours are more intimate, allowing for memorable interactions. At Magic Kingdom, you can meet iconic characters like Mickey at Town Square Theater and the Disney Princesses at Princess Fairytale Hall. Hollywood Studios offers encounters with some rare characters like Stitch and Jiminy Cricket, which can vary by night, adding an element of surprise to your visit.

If characters are your top priority, I would recommend prioritizing them during your early entry time, as they become more limited during the official Disney After Hours event.

Photo Opportunities

Disney After Hours also offers unique PhotoPass opportunities that are hard to come by during regular hours. At Magic Kingdom, for instance, you can pose with Rapunzel’s lantern in the “Tangled” area, creating a magical scene with virtually no wait. These special moments are captured by Disney’s professional photographers, ensuring you go home with high-quality keepsakes.

Special Tips and Considerations

Maximize Your Time

Prioritize attractions you can’t miss and plan your route to minimize backtracking across the park.

For the most popular attractions like Rise of Resistance, TRON, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Guardians of the Galaxy, I would recommend waiting until the second hour of your event to experience these attractions.

Take Breaks

Don’t forget to slow down and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the park at night. Grab a complimentary ice cream and take in a quieter, more relaxed Disney experience.

It’s rare to be one of only a few people in a Disney park.

Is Disney After Hours Worth It?

Deciding whether Disney After Hours is worth it depends on several factors, including your budget, schedule, and personal preferences.

If you’re looking to experience the magic of Disney with fewer people and cooler temperatures, this event might be perfect for you.

However, if you prefer a full park experience with shows and all attractions running, you might want to stick to regular hours.

As the Sunsets, Fun Begins!

Disney After Hours provides an exclusive, intimate park experience that can make your Disney visit truly unforgettable. Whether you’re dancing under the stars at Magic Kingdom or racing through the galaxy at EPCOT, the memories made during Disney After Hours will last a lifetime. So, are you ready to experience the magic?