Disney After Hours Events are just that – seprate ticketed events that take place at Disney World Parks once the park closes. The price can be a little intimidating, especailly after forking out hundreds for regular park tickets. But the event is worth the price, if you like having the park pretty much to yourself. Check out these tips to make the most out of the Disney After Hours Events.
I was invited to attend Disney Villains After Hours Event as a Guest of Priscila from SocialParenting.com. All thoughts and opinions are honest and 100% my own.
Tips to help make the most out of Disney After Hours events
- What you need to know
- Rest up and don’t waste a regular ticket day
- Plan to Arrive Early
- Come prepared for the weather
- Ride the attractions that are not available during After Hours
- Take advantage of the “free” snacks and drinks
- Visit the characters
1. What you need to know: Disney After Hours basics
Disney After Hours is a special event that takes place once the park has closed. It does require a separate ticket to attend which does come with a hefty price tag. For regular After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom Park tickets are $125 plus tax when purchasing in advance, $129 plus tax at the front gate. For Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom advance tickets are $139 plus tax and $144 plus tax at the ticket booth.
I recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to save that extra.
There are discounts available for Disney Vacation Club members and Walt Disney World Annual Passholders.
Dates, times and locations of events
Magic Kingdom Park (10pm – 1am)
- Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019
- Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019
- Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019
- Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019
Magic Kingdom Park (9pm – 12am)
- Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
- Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019
Disney’s Hollywood Studios (9:30pm – 12:30am)
- Friday, July 26, 2019
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park (9pm – 12am)
- Monday, July 29, 2019
- Monday, Aug. 5, 2019
- Monday, Aug. 12, 2019
- Monday, Aug. 19, 2019
- Monday, Aug. 26, 2019
- Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019
- Monday, Sept. 9, 2019
- Monday, Sept. 16, 2019
- Monday, Sept. 23, 2019
Magic Kingdom – Disney Villains (10pm – 1pm)
- Thursday, July 25, 2019
- Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019
- Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019
2. Don’t waste a regular park ticket day
If you go to the parks during the day, by the time the event starts you’ll already be tired. So, hang out poolside or take advantage of the downtime to enjoy all the fun stuff your resort offers.
This way you’re all rested and ready to go when the sun goes down!
Plus, it can save you a little bit of cash, if you don’t fork out for that extra park day.
3. Prepare for the weather
Yes, that hot Florida sun may have gone down, but that doesn’t mean that it’s cooled off too much. And it does mean that the afternoon rain has come through, so the humidity is up…
Which for me is worse than a blazing sun! When we attended, it was around 75 degrees at 1am, but I was still sweaty and gross.
Make sure you have your fans, cooling towels, ponchos and dress for the weather!
4. Use your ticket to get into the park early
With an After Hours ticket, you can get into the park as early as 7pm! Which in some cases gives you up to 6 hours in the parks. And with small crowds and wait times that is as good as a full day in the park.
5. Arriving early? Hit the attractions that are closed during the After Hours Event
While only select rides are open during an After Hours event, arriving early allows you the opportunity to hit those that will be closed.
And you can try to schedule some Fastpasses for the few hours between park closing and the start of the event. But make sure all Fastpasses start BEFORE park closing.
We arrived around 8:30ish and were able to snag a one for 8:55pm.
6. Eat all the free snacks and drink all the free beverages
Ice cream, popcorn and select bottled beverages are included with your Disney After Hours ticket! So take advantage of that.
Certain lines can get long, but they move quickly, so don’t let that discourage you from getting your snack on! And let me tell you – the water and premium Mickey bars were a lifesaver for us during the Disney Villains After Hours.
And don’t be afraid to grab a bottle or two of Coke to go home with you!
7. Do the character meet and greets
Personally, I hate “wasting” valuable park time standing in line to meet characters. But during the late-night events, the lines are more manageable and in my opinion, you get more one on one time with the characters.
For more spooktacular fun: Check out my tips for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Are Disney After Hours events worth the cost?
That is the $125 question – right? Honestly, I don’t think they are worth the money for everyone.
If you have young ones that can’t hang late at night or won’t sleep in the stroller than the late-night events are probably not a great fit for you. But if you have older kids or the younger ones can rock the night away these events are an awesome way to had a little extra fun to your trip.
And if you’re planning a quick weekend trip and want the chance to hit all the top rides – a Disney After Hours event is perfect for you! Those traveling on a tight budget, I don’t think you’d find it worth the hefty ticket prices.
The Disney After Hours events are a blast and you truly can accomplish quite a bit during the time. So, if you can afford the tickets, GO! You won’t regret it.
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