There's a special kind of joy that comes from visiting one of Walt Disney World's (WDW) theme parks when crowd levels are low. While there are ways to plan your trip to WDW at less crowded times—like not during school breaks or amid periods of rainy weather—there's one way to guarantee you'll be visiting Disney theme parks at times when crowds are significantly less. During Disney After Hours events, which currently take place at three Disney theme parks and one water park, guests gain park access after the day's official park closures for a more people-free experience.
During Disney After Hours events, attractions are open and wait times are significantly lower. Guests get three extra hours in the parks and there are treats like popcorn, soda, and ice cream included in the cost of the event ticket. There are also special opportunities to meet and pose for photos with characters, as well as the bliss of walking through a Disney park where far less people than normal mill about. These events add romance to many of the romantic spots at Walt Disney World!
Want to attend a Disney After Hours event at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park? Read on for more on the Disney After Hours events at Walt Disney World.
Disney After Hours Events at Walt Disney World
Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park
Experience Magic Kingdom Park for three hours after its gates close with Disney After Hours. During the event, guests are treated to lower wait times, snacks, and more, all of which are included in the price of an event ticket.
- Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park runs on select nights through June 27, 2024.
- During this after hours event, Disney shows the Disney Enchantment fireworks show exclusively for guests. This means if you arrive at Magic Kingdom before the night's Happily Ever After showing, you can catch both shows in one evening.
- Ticket prices range from $155 to $175 for regular admission, with a discounted rate for annual pass holders and Disney Vacation Club members that ranges from $125 to $145.
- Event times are 10 p.m. through 1 a.m., but ticket holders can enter the park as early as 7 p.m. on the night of the event.
- It's best to buy tickets online in advance, as they may sell out ahead of time.
- Most Magic Kingdom attractions, including TRON Lightcycle Run and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, are open during the event, with lower-than-normal wait times.
- Ice cream, popcorn, and bottled drinks are included in the cost of your ticket, and available at carts throughout the park. Additionally, Main Street Bakery and Casey's Corner remain open for food purchases.
Disney After Hours at EPCOT
The best way to experience a less-crowded version of EPCOT is to attend a Disney After Hours event within the theme park. Treats, low attraction wait times, and earlier park admission are all perks available to ticket holders.
- Disney After Hours at EPCOT runs on select nights through July 18, 2024.
- During this after-hours event, guests will have an opportunity to meet characters and pose for photos.
- Ticket prices range from $149 to $159 for regular admission, with a discounted rate for annual pass holders and Disney Vacation Club members that ranges from $119 to $129.
- Event times are 10 p.m. through 1 a.m., but ticket holders can enter the park as early as 7 p.m. on the night of the event.
- It's best to buy tickets online in advance, as they may sell out ahead of time.
- Most EPCOT attractions, including Frozen Ever After and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, are open during the event, with lower-than-normal wait times.
- Ice cream, popcorn, and bottled drinks are included in the cost of your ticket, and available at the Mission: Space, Imaginations, Connections, and Fountain Popcorn carts throughout the park.
Disney After Hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Another incredible chance to experience Disney Parks after they've closed to the public is Disney After Hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Once the gates to the park close on select evenings, the park becomes a crowd-free playground where guests can enjoy all the fun of a Disney park without the chaos of tons of park-goers.
- Disney After Hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios runs on select nights through August 29, 2024.
- During this after-hours event, guests will have an opportunity to meet characters and pose for photos.
- Ticket prices range from $145 to $175 for regular admission, with a discounted rate for annual pass holders and Disney Vacation Club members that range from $115 to $145.
- Event times are 9:30 p.m. through 12:30 a.m., but ticket holders can enter the park as early as 7 p.m. on the night of the event.
- It's best to buy tickets online in advance, as they may sell out ahead of time.
- Most Hollywood Studios attractions, including Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, are open during the event, with lower-than-normal wait times.
- Ice cream, popcorn, and bottled drinks are included in the cost of your ticket, and available at carts throughout the park. Additionally, Milk Stand and Woody's Lunch Box remain open for food purchases.
Disney After Hours at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
A perfect warm-weather activity, the after hours event at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is a great way to cool off on hot nights. This Disney. After Hours event, known as H2O Glow Nights, is a three-hour event that takes place once the water park has closed for the day.
- Disney After Hours at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park runs on select nights through August 30, 2024.
- During this after-hours event, guests will have an opportunity to meet characters and pose for photos, as well as attend a DJ dance party on the water park's beaches.
- Ticket prices range from $75 to $85 for regular admission, with a discounted rate for annual pass holders and Disney Vacation Club members that ranges from $60 to $70.
- Event times are 8 p.m. through 11 p.m., but ticket holders can enter the park as early as 6 p.m. on the night of the event.
- It's best to buy tickets online in advance, as they may sell out ahead of time.
- Most Typhoon Lagoon attractions, including Miss Adventure Falls and the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, are open during the event, with lower-than-normal wait times.
- Ice cream, popcorn, and bottled drinks are included in the cost of your ticket, and available at carts throughout the park. Additional restaurants and bars within the park remain open for the purchase of food and drinks.
If you're interested in more Disney date ideas check out Disney Springs Happy Hour ideas as well as our itinerary for a Monorail Pub Crawl.
