Discover Disney After Hours at the Walt Disney World Resort

What is Disney After Hours?

Are you looking for a unique nighttime experience at Walt Disney World? Featuring unique characters, wild attractions or enchanting encounters, the Disney After Hours events at the Walt Disney World Resort may be just what you are looking for!  

For a few magical hours on select nights, the gates open after regular park hours for a limited number of guests to experience the magic under the moonlight. During this separately ticketed 3-hour nighttime event, experience short waits for attractions, unique character experiences, as well as select snacks including novelty ice cream, popcorn, and drinks.

What Makes This Different Than Extra Magic Hours?

Many Disney fans are familiar with Extra Magic Hours. This is where the parks open an hour earlier or stay open 2 hours later exclusively for Walt Disney World Resort Guests. There is no additional charge for these hours. Because Extra Magic Hours are free and included in a ticket, the biggest difference is in the crowds.

Extra Magic Hours can actually be a draw for many people and increase some crowds in the parks. Many guests with standard or single-day tickets will often gravitate to the park with the longest hours so that they can get the most park time in with their ticket. In comparison, guests visiting during a Disney After Hours event are guaranteed lower crowd levels than during Extra Magic Hours.

Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park

 With clear views of Cinderella Castle, Princesses and classic character favorites, perhaps the most magical of the After Hours events take place in the Magic Kingdom. Regardless of the event start time, After Hours guests can enter the park starting at 7 pm. This allows eventgoers to take in a few rides, dine and catch a viewing of Happily Ever After before the fun starts. Be a part of the few people walking against the crowds up Main Street USA while everyone else makes their way out. 

 It’s not often that you can ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train multiple times in one day. Lucky guests at this event can take advantage of the low wait times and ride it back to back before stopping for a crunchy popcorn break.

 

During After Hours, you get the chance to experience all of this and more. Encounter little wait times for more than 25 popular attractions and Character Greetings, including:

• Astro Orbiter
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Disney Princess Greetings at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Jungle Cruise
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• And much, much more!

 

 Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park Schedule 2020

Time: 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

Dates:

• Monday, March 9, 2020
• Monday, March 16, 2020
• Monday, March 23, 2020
• Monday, March 30, 2020
• Sunday, April 5, 2020
• Monday, April 13, 2020
• Monday, April 20, 2020
• Monday, April 27, 2020
• Tuesday, May 5, 2020
• Monday, May 25, 2020

Time: 9:00 PM to Midnight

Dates:

• Friday, January 17, 2020
• Monday, January 20, 2020
• Monday, February 3, 2020
• Monday, February 10, 2020
• Monday, February 17, 2020
• Monday, February 24, 2020
• Monday, May 11, 2020
• Monday, May 18, 2020

Time: 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Dates:

• Monday, January 6, 2020
• Monday, January 13, 2020
• Thursday, January 23, 2020
• Monday, January 27, 2020
• Friday, January 31, 2020
• Monday, March 2, 2020

Disney After Hours at Animal Kingdom Theme Park

 

Just like with the event at Magic Kingdom, guests can enter the park starting at 7 PM. Catch a ride on Kilimanjaro Safari and explore some of the animal trails. For the safety of the animals, many of these areas are not accessible during the event. But you’ll still be able to get a closer look at some of your animal friends. It is Animal Kingdom after all!

 

After Hours gives you the opportunity to experience little wait times for more than 25 popular attractions and Character Greetings, including:

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Na’vi River Journey
• Pandora Drummers – Swotu Wayä
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• DINOSAUR
• Mickey & Minnie Greeting at Adventurers Outpost
• Rivers of Light: We Are One
• Tree of Life Awakenings
• It’s Tough to be a Bug!
• TriceraTop Spin
• And more!

Disney After Hours at Animal Kingdom Theme Park 2020 Schedule

Time: 9:00 PM to Midnight

Dates:

• Thursday, February 27, 2020
• Thursday, March 5, 2020
• Thursday, March 12, 2020
• Thursday, March 19, 2020
• Thursday, March 26, 2020
• Wednesday, April 1, 2020
• Tuesday, April 7, 2020
• Tuesday, April 14, 2020
• Wednesday, April 22, 2020
• Saturday, May 2, 2020
• Saturday, May 9, 2020
• Saturday, May 16, 2020
• Tuesday, May 19, 2020
• Tuesday, May 26, 2020

What is the Experience Like?

There is nothing like walking up to an attraction that usually has more than an hour wait, only to walk on within minutes. Hop on Peter Pan’s Flight, grab a free Mickey Premium Bar, then head to a quick wait for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Want to read more about a personal After Hours adventure? Check out our full Disney After Hours experience review.

Is the Experience Worth it?

This is probably the most common question we receive. Here’s the answer: this event is well worth every penny! Many of our Dream Designers have attended and absolutely loved that this event was made for guests like us; those who have visited the park many times and appreciate the gift that was included in the price tag. This may not be an ideal event for families with small children or families visiting for the very first time, but It certainly has its place, and it has its clientele.

 

How Much is Disney After Hours?

Disney After Hours tickets can be purchased in advance for a price of $129 per adult or child, plus tax, or on the day of the event for $139 per adult or child, plus tax. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can take advantage of specially priced advance-purchase tickets for just $99 per adult or child, plus tax. While you are welcome to buy tickets upon your park arrival, only a limited number of tickets are available for each event. Purchasing your tickets in advance will secure your entrance and the availability at the event and save you a few bucks.

Are you ready for a night of fun at the Walt Disney World Resort? My Mickey Vacation is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and our Dream Designers can help you find the perfect night to attend during your upcoming visit. Contact us for more information, or request a quote if you’re ready to plan the vacation of your dreams!

Be sure to contact your favorite Dream Designer travel agent, or request your free quote by clicking here.