How to Make the Most Out of Disney After Hours Events — 2025 Tickets on Sale Now!

Hi Weaver!

Ticket prices are the same for Disney World Resort hotel guests (including those at Swan & Dolphin). There was an opportunity for hotel guests to purchase tickets before the general public, but not at a discount. The only discounts available for After Hours tickets are for Annual Passholders, DVC Members and cast members.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Sharon!

Spring break season is one of the busier times of year, so we think an After Hours event could be a great opportunity for lower crowds. The local public schools in the surrounding area will be on break from March 17-21, so if your trip falls within this period, we would recommend. The weather can greatly vary in March — it is common to have chilly mornings and evenings but warm to hot days, though a light jacket or sweatshirt should be toadally fine.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Hi Boo!

Disney did not mention an exact time for when tickets will go on sale. While After Hours events can sell out as the dates get closer, these events don't normally sell out as quickly as the holiday themed parties, so we think you should be able to get them on the first day with no problem, regardless of when they go on sale.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Fred!

Disney did not confirm a specific time that tickets will go on sale tomorrow for guests staying at select hotels. Undercover Tourist will start selling After Hours tickets on Sept. 10.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Emily!

After Hours events can sell out as the dates get closer, but don't worry — you should be OK for the first day tickets go on sale!

Stay cool!

Tad

Have a frogtastic time, Karen!

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Emily!

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has generally started in August over the past few years, so we would not expect more After Hours dates for Magic Kingdom in August. Last year, After Hours at EPCOT took place through August, so adding more dates could be more likely than Magic Kingdom, but still not guaranteed. Going off last year's history, once Disney had announced dates for EPCOT, they did not add any more.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Kristin!

Yes, you can go on any rides during the pre-event time. Once the event starts, then select attractions may close, depending on what's offered during After Hours at each park.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Caverly!

If you want to avoid After Hours crowds completely, then it's best to visit a different park that day. Though we don't see as much of an impact from After Hours crowds compared to the special parties at Halloween and the holidays. It's a smaller capacity event, and the event guests aren't allowed to enter until 7 p.m. (which is only two hours of park time since the park closes at 9 p.m.). The park also does not close early (unlike the Halloween and holiday parties), so you would still be getting the full day.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Leanne!

Absolutely!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Hi Kristi!

We've updated the list of rides to reflect what's currently confirmed on the website, but Star Tours, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror were available during After Hours events this previous year.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Hope!

After Hours event tickets go on sale Nov. 14, so hop back then!

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi there!

We've updated — Disney Park Pass reservations will not be needed with standard date-based tickets starting Jan. 9, 2024. (Though if you're an annual passholder, you would still need to make a reservation.)

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Billy and Karen!

Yes, After Hours events are separately ticketed events. Hope this helps!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Sharon!

Historically, After Hours events have run from early in the new year to the summer, so we don't expect we'll hear of more dates until later this year. However, H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon should still be going on during your trip! We'll continue to keep this post up to date as we hear more.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Christine!

We think it largely depends on your schedule — will that be the only day you'd be able to go to either Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios? Because if so, the question becomes, "Would you rather see Fantasmic! or Happily Ever After?" and pick the other park (MK, if you want to save Fantasmic for another day, or HS, if you want to see HEA on another night). But if you plan to go to this park a second day so you don't miss the nighttime entertainment, then we'd say Hollywood Studios. It's closer, and we think it's easier to hop between HS and EPCOT (you could take the monorail from MK but have to transfer at TTC).

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Mickey4life!

This is the first time After Hours will be hosted at EPCOT, so we don't know exactly which restaurants will be open. Based on After Hours at other parks, most dining locations will be closed but a select number of quick-service restaurants may remain open. We'll be sure to update once we attend!

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Avani!

There are a couple of options at play, so I want to be super clear with the following:

After Hours Events: After Hours events are currently taking place on select nights at Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. Additional After Hours dates were announced a few weeks ago, but it did not include an extension for Magic Kingdom dates, so as far as we know, those will end March 27 for the time being. Disney could bring it back in the future at Magic Kingdom, but not likely for your dates of travel. For Hollywood Studios, After Hours had been extended to June 28, so if more dates are added in the future, it would be more than likely for dates beyond June 28 and not during your travel dates.

Extended Evening Hours: Because you are staying at the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, you would have the Extended Evening Hours benefit at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. If this wasn't already on your radar, wanted to bring attention to it, especially for Magic Kingdom.

Overall, we think you can go ahead and purchase your park tickets! If, by any chance, more After Hours dates are released during your visit (but again, not too likely), you would be able to modify your theme park reservations, as long as there's availability.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Micheal!

If you're at Walt Disney World Resort hotel guest, you can buy tickets starting today! If not, the general sale begins March 3, 2023.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Frankie!

At this time, we don't know any future dates beyond what has been announced (though in the past, Disney has extended dates throughout the year), so we'd just keep hopping back — we'll update our post if we hear any news!

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Kari!

That's a great question! We would think so (as it's open during Early Entry), but since After Hours at EPCOT hasn't happened before, we're not 100% positive. Though if you arrive during the pre-event time, which starts at 7 p.m., it should be open!

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Jill!

Toadally :) in fact, we suggest doing anything that isn't available during the event. Enjoy!

Stay cool!

Tad

We think so! Generally, you'll see a sign out front indicating that tickets are still available. Good luck!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Mel!

Yes, in the past, Disney has extended After Hours dates, though we still don't know exactly what's in store for this year. Other past themes have been Disney Villains After Dark at Magic Kingdom and H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Vern!

Both Savi's Workshop and Droid Depot have limited walk-ups available during After Hours events.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Kate!

So, our answer is a bit complicated — at a certain point near the end of the day, the parking toll booths close and people who are arriving can just drive through and not pay. However, there isn't a specific time when this hoppens, so it's hard to guarantee that the toll booths will be open or closed when you arrive. Though if they are open, you would need to pay full price. We can say that based on our personal experience going to After Hours events this past week, there was still a parking toll attendant at one park but not the other (and we aimed to arrive around 7 p.m., give or take a little, for both events at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios). If you arrive closer to the event's official start time, there's definitely a better chance of not paying for parking. But that leaves you with less time in the park since you can enter at 7 p.m. so you wouldn't be able to maximize your time. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Stay cool!

Tad

That's correct, Cid! Have a frogtastic time!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Jen!

While it wouldn't hurt to avoid Hollywood Studios on the dates that After Hours takes place, it's not toadally necessary since the regular park hours aren't affected (unlike Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, which close Magic Kingdom to the general public earlier than usual). If you do go on an After Hours date, you may see a spike in crowds starting at 7 p.m. when After Hours guests can enter the park. However, After Hours attendance should be very limited, so it really shouldn't be a significant increase.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Megan!

If visiting in March, you'll likely face spring break crowds, so the After Hours event may be a good option if you want to avoid the normal daytime crowds since attendance is limited during After Hours. After Hours will only be available at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, so considering the age group, we'd recommend Hollywood Studios, which has more thrill rides such as Tower of Terror and Rock 'N' Roller Coaster. (However, we'll say that Magic Kingdom wouldn't be a bad choice either because it has a larger number of attractions, so there are more things you could do during that time.)

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Katherine!

Disney After Hours tickets are on sale now for hotel guests at Disney World (including Swan & Dolphin and Shades of Green), and tickets for the general public go on sale starting Oct. 7, 2022.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Nellie!

No — while the Extended Evening Hours schedule has not been released past December, we'd expect the Extended Evening Hours benefit for Deluxe Resort hotel guests to continue into 2023. The After Hours events and Extended Evening Hours would fall on separate nights during the week.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Steven!

To attend just an After Hours event, you would only need the After Hours ticket (no theme park ticket is necessary unless you're hoping to explore Magic Kingdom or another park earlier in the day). Hope this helps!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Hi Kelley!

Buses will still be running after the event.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi there!

Yes, even without a wristband, you can stay for the regularly scheduled fireworks, "Happily Ever After," before Magic Kingdom closes :) It's only the event-specific shows, such as the stage show at Villains After Hours, that are limited to event guests only once the park closes to the general public.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Linda!

Yes, but only select gift shops remain open during the parties. If there's something you have your eye on, we recommend shopping before the park officially closes for the evening and tucking it away into a backpack or bag for safekeeping :)

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Brittany!

We are so excited for you - we really love these events! We'd suggest planning a few FastPass reservations (if it's for some of the bigger rides) before the party officially starts to maximize time before the event. We'd also plan to tackle any rides that won't be open during the event first. You can continue to check wait times on the app as the night progresses, and wait times will drop off as the night goes on, so we'd suggest saving some of the bigger rides for later in the evening if you can wait that long. Keep in mind that, just like on normal nights, the castle will be closed off for fireworks, so you'll want to plan your route accordingly so you don't have to get rerouted (we made that mistake and had to try to make our way past fireworks crowds into Tomorrowland!) if you aren't watching them. We started at Casey's Corner for a hot dog dinner, then made our way to Adventureland and around to Frontierland, before Fantasyland and Tomorrowland - then back to Big Thunder and Pirates for another ride :) We essentially worked counter-clockwise, but it's toadally up to you and your family's priorities! You can also check general wait times when you enter the park to see which land seems to be the best overall and work your way around that way to avoid trekking back and forth. Have a great time!

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi R M!

No, unfortunately the ticketed early entry time (7 p.m., for example) is the earliest After Hours guests can enter without regular park admission.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Bea!

Likely this gap is just to allow cast members some extra time to filter out anyone without a wristband for the party; expect that rides, shows, etc. will continue on as normal, but you may need to show your wristband before you're permitted to hop on a ride.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Pam,

Yes, the stations with the free snacks don't open up until the event starts. (But once they do, get all the Mickey ice cream bars your froggy heart desires.) Have fun!

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Sheri!

You can start riding right away! Event-specific activities and decor won't be active until party time, but your access to the rides is good as soon as you're able to enter the park.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Jeannie,

The following locations offer additional food and beverage items for purchase at Animal Kingdom's After Hours events: Pongu Pongu in Pandora, Snack Cart near Tiffins Restaurant, Thirsty River Bar in Asia and Dino Diner in Dinoland U.S.A.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Jason!

If you were in a line at 10 p.m. as the park closes, you'd still need to wait in the regular line. Our strategy (when lines have been long) have been to hit the most in-demand rides later in the evening after park closing when lines are shorter and instead hit the lines with the shorter rides early to maximize our time.

Stay cool!

Tad

Hi Mandy!

We would definitely suggest eating prior to the event and planning on taking advantage of some villainous treats during the party itself. Then, you can catch the fireworks and start riding (and/or meeting!) One other tip: take a peek at the rides that will be open during the event (and there's a lot of them, so you're in luck!) If there are any NOT listed, you'll want to ride those before official park closing. Have fun!

Stay cool!

Tad