Are After Hours Events at Disney World Worth It?

What are After Hours Events?

After Hours events are a special ticketed event that allows attendees to visit the parks after regular hours. If you buy an After Hours only ticket, you do not get access to the park all day, only for the time stated on the ticket (it varies but is usually 2-3 hours before the official event starts). They do not happen every day and Disney World just released the dates for 2026.

Pros to After Hours Events

The parks are definitely less busy after the official start time, even starting to thin out after any evening shows (like fireworks). I attended a Magic Kingdom's After Hours last year and managed to do 7 rides, including Tron in less than 4 hours. For Magic Kingdom, there was also a second fireworks show that happened at 11pm, so I accomplished a lot, seeing two different fireworks show, plus 7 rides (including Tron and Mine Train), plus shopping and treats in about 4.5 hours (I could have stayed longer but I think I had already done 10K steps just after 8pm). At Magic Kingdom, free popcorn and Mickey-shaped ice cream was also included.

Cons to After Hours Events

When you compare the cost of the After Hours ticket to the cost of the regular park admission, it's about the same price depending on the day (with dynamic pricing) for a much shorter time in the park (around 6 hours). It also might not work if you have folks in your group that can't stay up late. It also means getting back to your hotel room around 2am (if you maximize your time) which can impact your next day. Another consideration is light, if you're going in the summer, this won't be as much of a problem but when I went in January, it was already fully dark out so the types of photos I could take was very limited.

So Is It Worth It?

For me, it was 100% worth it. I was travelling to Orlando for work so it was the only time I could have made it to the park. It was also significantly less busy and I was able to get onto several rides with short or no waits. I could have made it onto more rides if I wanted to but I got on the ones that were a priority for me. I wouldn't suggest doing it after a full park day, because then you're really only paying for an extra 2.5-3 hours for the price of a park ticket. If you do want to do it, make it the only way you see the park, you should be able to accomplish what you want within that time. 

Have you been to an After Hours event? Did you think it was worth it?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Three Common Mistakes People Make When Visiting Disney World

Who knew a vacation would have so much homework? 😰 If you're visiting Disney World for the first time, it can feel very overwhelming and let's be real, it's not a cheap trip so you want to make sure you have the best vacation possible. Here are 3 mistakes people often make when planning their Disney vacation. 1.  MISSING OUT ON PARK TIME : If you’re not used to visiting the parks, you might assume that you can arrive at park opening and make it for rope drop. Or that park closing means the rides shut down right at that time. You should arrive at least 30-60 minutes before park open to get to the parks and get through security. And know that as long as you’re line when the park closes, you’ll be able to ride the ride. 2.  NOT PREPARING FOR FLORIDA WEATHER : It’s easy to assume that it’s always sunny in Florida, it’s the Sunshine State after all but don’t be fooled, rain storms can move in fast and furious. Bring lightweight rain gear in your backpack. 3.  ASSUMING TH...
Read more

What are the Categories of Disney World Resorts?

Staying at Disney World can help you extend the magic beyond your park days but with so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide what makes the most sense for you and your crew. Disney World Categories There are three levels or categories of Disney World resorts, value, moderate, and deluxe.  Value Resorts Value resorts are the most economical choice. They are more similar to a motel-style but still include the Disney magic. The most economical option is typically the All-Star Resorts, which are themed music, movies, and sports. They each have theme pools and amenities. Pop Century and Art of Animation are also considered value resorts. These two are a bit more expensive because they are on the Skyliner route for Epcot and Hollywood Studios. These are great for groups looking to stay on property to get the free transportation, parking, and early entry but want a more economical option.  Moderate Resorts Moderate resorts are a great option for folks who wan...
Read more