Are the Disney After Hours Events Worth It?

May 25, 2019

Are the Disney After Hours Events worth it? I hear this question quite a bit as people learn about these events.

My short answer is – an emphatic YES! The After Hours events are now available at 3 different parks at Walt Disney World – the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In my opinion, there are several great reasons to experience these events. Here is my short list!

5.) Have more time in your favorite parks.

If you are visiting Walt Disney World, it’s always nice to see and do as much as you can. Whether you opt to visit another park during the day and then attend After Hours or schedule in a “rest day” and then head out for the evening, it’s great to get extra time in the parks.

My suggestion? Head to one park in the morning, come back and relax, eat a nice dinner and then head out again in the evening! You will then have at least 5 extra hours to enjoy a second park!

4.) The Snacks and Drinks are Free.

Can you say unlimited Mickey Ice Cream Bars? There are snack stands set up throughout the park and guests are free to choose any snacks and drinks they would like. The choices include a Mickey Ice Cream Bar, a Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich, a fruit bar, and popcorn. Drink choices include Coke products, including bottled water.

3.) You Can Typically Enter the Park Starting at 7:00 pm.

While these events officially start at 9:00 pm, guests are often allowed to enter the parks earlier. Recently, I attended the Hollywood Studios After Hours and was able to enter just before 7:00 pm. Doing this will allow you to have extra time in the park and even enjoy the nighttime shows if you would like to, before enjoying the many attractions available during the event.

You will be given a wristband when you enter the park, indicating that you have a ticket to the After Hours event. As it gets close to park closing, you will be asked to show this wristband before entering the lines to the attractions.

2.) The Great Photo Opportunities

Who doesn’t want to have a picture in front of Cinderella Castle with a practically empty park? Whether you want to get pictures in front of one of the park icons or hop in line for a photo op with your favorite characters, there are many chances for great photos with minimal waiting and low crowds!

1.) The Lines are Practically Non-Existent.

This, in my opinion, is by far the biggest selling point. On any given day, the wait time for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is easily at least a 60-minute wait time or longer, depending on the time of year. For Slinky Dog Dash, the wait in the stand-by line is often 90 minutes or longer.

Every time that I have attended an After Hours event at Walt Disney World, the wait times for all of the attractions were less than 30 minutes. Often, it was WAY less than 30 minutes! I was able to experience several attractions more than once, with a wait time of just a few minutes! At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I rode Slinky Dog Dash three times in less than an hour! That in itself makes coming to these events worth every penny for me!

So, are the Disney After Hours events worth it? Well, there’s really only one way to find out! But, if you like short lines, your favorite attractions, free snacks and extra time in the parks, why not give it a try and enjoy a fun night out?

Are you thinking of going to one of the Disney After Hours events? Let’s get started planning your next vacation! As an agent with Key to the World Travel, the official travel partner of Chip and Co., I can help you plan your trip to any Disney Destination and beyond! Contact me today at k.greer@keytotheworldtravel.com or fill out the quote request form below. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram too for all the latest news and planning tips.

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