Disclosure: I was invited to attend Disney After Hours.
@SparklyNicole and @TheJimDoyle
Many moons ago, I attended Grad Nite at Walt Disney World. I’ve been to Magic Kingdom a thousand times but the memory of being in Fantasyland with girls from my dance class and seeing literally no one else is a happy memory I’ll never forget. I remember feeling like the park was open just for us, I mean it kind of was, and how fun it was to walk up to rides and just hop on with no line. Well, the Disney After Hours event feels like that. Magic Kingdom Park stays open late just for guests attending this event and on the night we went it was.. quiet. A wonderful, magical quiet. Me and my husband walked from ride to ride in a peaceful park and enjoyed walking on to all of the rides we could fit into the three hour event. If you enjoy long, romantic strolls under the lights of Fantasyland, this is your perfect date night. Note that we got started a little after 10:00 p.m. and swam upstream against everyone leaving the park which put us back a little on time. My biggest tip for this event is to not get there when it begins at 10:00 p.m. Honestly, get there before Happily Ever After fireworks if you want to make the most of your night. Whether you want to see the fireworks or not, this will give you a relaxed start and get you on the most rides. Our night looked like this:
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Jungle Cruise
***popcorn break***
Pirates of the Caribbean
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
***ice cream break***
The Haunted Mansion
Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Popcorn, ice cream and bottled beverages are a complimentary treat at Disney After Hours which is a really nice touch. For this event you’ll check in at the gate and get a lanyard with a (super cute) credential that you’ll wear throughout the party. I did see a sign to check in for Disney After Hours inside the park in Liberty Square near Sleepy Hollow. Wearing your credential around lets Cast Members know you’re attending the event.
I felt the park empty out tremendously after the fireworks and then again at 10:00 p.m. I wasn’t sure if the rides would have waits left over from the guests who had visited for the day. I was really surprised to see the waits in Adventureland where we started our evening were basically zero minutes by 10:15 p.m. I’m sure waits will differ on different nights of this event but I was pleasantly surprised all night long.
Is Disney After Hours worth it?
My short answer is absolutely yes! The draw of Disney Parks for me was always the rides. (As I’ve gotten older I’ve grown an appreciation for live entertainment and nighttime shows but that’s another blog post.) When I was little, going on rides always came before parades, characters and fireworks. Those things often meant lines were shorter at the rides so that’s where we went! If you’re in the same Small World boat as me on this, have ever dreamt of walking around an empty Magic Kingdom or wanted to be able to ride your favorite ride over and over again with no wait then Disney After Hours is worth doing. It definitely felt more exclusive and less crowded than an Extra Magic Hours evening.
If you appreciate special events for the additional entertainment offerings you find at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this might not be for you. There isn’t anything extra at Disney After Hours, it’s more about what there isn’t: crowds.
What time can you get into Magic Kingdom for Disney After Hours?
Considering you can get into the park starting at 7:00 p.m. with your Disney After Hours ticket you can definitely get a lot in including the fireworks if that’s your thing.
Disney After Hours Prices and Annual Passholder Discount
Disney After Hours tickets are $124 plus tax but if purchased in advance prices go down to $119 plus tax. Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club Member prices are $89 plus tax. Prices are the same per adult or child. For tickets you can book online on the official Disney site or by calling the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 939-7679.
Note: I was asked if the $89 applies to Annual Passholders only or if you’re able to purchase more than one ticket at the special rate. I looked through My Disney Experience signed in on my laptop under Parks & Tickets, then Special Event Tickets and saw that I was able to purchase up to 10 adult and 10 child tickets at the Passholder rate. That should cover your whole party! Make sure you’re signed in so your Annual Passholder perks apply.
Disney After Hours Dates 2018
Hours are 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM on the following dates:
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Saturday, July 7, 2018
Monday, July 9, 2018
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Saturday, August 11, 2018
and 9:00 PM to midnight these dates:
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Thursday, September 20, 2018
For more information, like what attractions to expect to see open, or to purchase tickets visit the official site for Disney After Hours.