Disney After Hours Explained: How It Works, What’s Included & Is It Worth the Cost?

Kristi DeRubertis,

Experience Disney After Hours at Walt Disney World: Exclusive Access, Shorter Waits & More!

If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing Walt Disney World with shorter lines, fewer crowds, and exclusive entertainment, then Disney After Hours is the ultimate way to enjoy the magic! These limited-capacity, separately ticketed events give guests after-dark access to some of the most popular attractions, plus complimentary snacks and unique character meet-and-greets.

What is Disney After Hours?

Disney After Hours is a special nighttime event that allows guests to explore select Disney parks after they close to regular visitors. With short wait times, exclusive experiences, and the ability to ride top attractions with ease, this event is perfect for those who want to maximize their Disney experience.

Where Can You Experience Disney After Hours?

Each After Hours event takes place at a different Disney World theme park, offering unique attractions and entertainment.

✨ Magic Kingdom After Hours

Enjoy classic and thrilling rides with minimal wait times, including:

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Space Mountain
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Peter Pan’s Flight

Witness the park’s iconic nighttime ambiance without the daytime crowds!

🎬 Hollywood Studios After Hours

Step into movie magic with access to some of Disney’s most exciting rides, including:

  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Plus, meet Star Wars characters and enjoy the neon-lit beauty of Toy Story Land at night!

🌍 EPCOT After Hours

There is nothing like seeing Spaceship Earth illuminated at night, well ok- maybe seeing it at night with minimal crowds.

Guests can enjoy EPCOT’s headliner attractions, including:

  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
  • Frozen Ever After
  • Test Track
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Spaceship Earth

🦁 Animal Kingdom After Hours

Explore the park’s breathtaking nighttime landscapes while riding:

  • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • Expedition Everest
  • Na’vi River Journey
  • Dinosaur
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris (experience the animals after dark!)

The Tree of Life Awakenings show also adds a magical touch to your after-hours adventure.

What’s Included with Disney After Hours?

✅ After-Hours Park Access (Enjoy 3 extra hours after the park closes)
✅ Shorter Wait Times (Limited crowds mean quicker rides!)
✅ Complimentary Snacks (Unlimited ice cream, popcorn & select beverages)
✅ Exclusive Character Meet-and-Greets (Meet rare Disney characters!)
✅ Unique Nighttime Atmosphere (Experience Disney parks in a whole new way)

Disney After Hours Tickets & Dates

Since Disney After Hours events are separately ticketed, guests need to purchase special event tickets to attend. These events take place on select nights throughout the year and typically run from 9:00 PM to midnight (with early entry allowed before the official event start time).

Tickets often sell out fast, so it’s best to book early if you want to experience this exclusive Disney event!

Is The Cost Worth It?

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World, you might be wondering if Disney After Hours is worth the extra cost. Absolutely, unequivocally the answer is, YES- After Hours are worth the cost and then some. While it’s a separately ticketed event, the exclusive perks can make it a great value for families. Here’s why:

1️⃣ Minimal Wait Times = More Attractions

During the day, long wait times can make it hard to experience multiple rides—especially with kids. But at Disney After Hours, the limited crowd size means wait times are dramatically reduced. You can easily ride more attractions in 3-4 hours than in a full park day!

2️⃣ No Need for Genie+ or Lightning Lane

Since Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes come with extra costs, families often spend more just to skip long lines. With Disney After Hours, you’re essentially getting built-in “skip-the-line” access without extra fees.

3️⃣ Complimentary Snacks = Savings on Food

Families know how expensive food can get at Disney! With unlimited ice cream, popcorn, and select drinks included in the ticket price, you can save money while keeping everyone fueled for the night.

4️⃣ Cooler Temperatures & Less Exhaustion

Florida’s heat can be draining—especially for little ones. Since After Hours events happen at night, the cooler temperatures make it easier for families to enjoy the park without the mid-day exhaustion.

5️⃣ More Relaxed Park Experience

With fewer crowds and a quieter atmosphere, your family can truly enjoy the magic of Disney without the stress of navigating large daytime crowds.

The Bottom Line…

Whether you’re with your family, on a trip with no kids, or even by yourself- Disney After Hours can actually be more efficient and enjoyable than a full park day, especially if you focus on the number of attractions you’ll experience rather than just the event duration.

Ready to Book?

Planning a Disney vacation can be overwhelming, that’s why we always recommend Academy Travel when planning your Disney dream vacation. Academy Travel is a Diamond EarMarked agency, meaning they have achieved the highest level of Disney’s EarMarked Program, which recognizes top-performing agencies specializing in Disney vacations. The best part? Their services are completely free, so you get expert guidance without paying anything extra. CLICK HERE and claim your FREE Disney vacation quote today!

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