Magic Kingdom Disney After Hours

We all know how bad those Disney blues hurt. Especially when it’s your last night in the park before heading home. There still isn’t enough time in the day now that the park closes at 10 pm. Well, ladies and gentlemen, the team here at WDW Vacation Tips has a solution. Recently discovered, Disney After Hours at the Magic Kingdom offers a remarkable experience you and your family will want to do again and again. You and a handful of guests will embark on a crowd-less journey through the magical lands with magically short lines.

Back in January of 2018, I surprised my boyfriend with two tickets to After Hours. It was extremely special because we were able to go on rides that we normally wouldn’t wait over an hour for. We attended the event on the first night of our vacation, so, no exaggeration, we were able to complete the entire park two and a half times. Going back the next day, we did two more laps around. It is exceptionally worth spending nearly $120 for a ticket to After Hours because guests are finally able to re-ride their favorites right away!

What is the Magic Kingdom After Hours

After Hours is a separately ticketed experience that allows guests to wander throughout the park once it has closed. Once regular visitors have left, it is your turn to walk Main Street, U.S.A without the bustling crowds you would normally find during the day. The beautiful thing about this event is they really limit the number of tickets sold. So when you are here you feel like you have the whole park all to yourself. Once the event officially kicks off expect just about a walk on to every attraction open during the event. With your After Hours ticket, you can enter the park at 7 p.m. and stay until midnight or 1 a.m. (the end of the event varies by date). Note the event doesn’t officially start until 9 p.m or 10 p.m. depending on the evening.

All Disney After Hours event tickets cost $125 for advance purchase and $129 for day-of purchases. Disney Vacation Club members and Annual Passholders do receive a discounted price $95 + tax.

The check-in process is much like the one they have set up for the Halloween and Christmas party. Once at the front of the Magic Kingdom you will want to follow the signs of Cast Members who have specially marked After Hours signs (typically the right-hand side of the turnstiles). There you will be able to scan your ticket, get your wristband and special map for the evening. 

If you are planning on spending your whole day at the Magic Kingdom you won’t have to leave the park to go back and get your special wristband. Disney has set up stations where you can check in and get your special wristbands, like in Tomorrowland.

Tip: Hop on some rides while everyone is watching the fireworks show for so insanely short weight times and unique firework views! Also, check your event guide. Not all attractions will be open after the 9 p.m. party kickoff. So if you arrive at 7 pm this is a great time to squeeze in those rides that will be closed later. Lastly, make sure you soak in the magic of being able to stay while everyone else exits the park is the most magical, thrilling feeling. Wave goodbye! You now have the keys to the kingdom.

Rides During the Disney After Hours Event at the Magic Kingdom

During Dinsey’s After Hours Event at the Magic Kingdom, guests are able to walk right up to over 25 fan favorite rides. Operating rides include:

• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Jungle Cruise
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• Enchanted Tiki Room
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Splash Mountain
• Country Bear Jamboree
• Haunted Mansion
• The Barnstormer
• Dumbo
• “it’s a small world”
• Mad Tea Party
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Space Mountain
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

Character Meet and Greats for the Magic Kingdom After Hours

• Mickey Mouse and Tinker Bell at Town Square Theater
• Disney Princesses in Princess Fairytale Hall
• Ariel in her grotto

Snacks During the Disney After Hours

Not only are guests welcomed to ride just about anything, but Cast Members are also set up at nearly every food cart. After Hours provides their guests with free bottled drinks, popcorn, and…you’re not ready…Mickey Premium ice cream bars. In fact, all the frozen treats you find on the carts in the park are yours free of charge! I told you it was worth it, right?

So here is an example of the frozen treats that we got for FREE the night we went. The ever classic Mickey Ice Cream Bar, Mickey’s Ice Cream Sandwich, Frozen Banana Chocolate Cover with Nuts, Olaf Frozen Lemonade Strawberry Bar, and a Strawberry Fruit bar. 

From personal experience, I recommend cutting corners. Bring a backpack and every time you want water, grab another free bottle. Having extra bottles handy are good to refill the next day, or to keep in your hotel room. The downside is lugging around all that extra weight. It’ the same struggle that you have when gathering up candy at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. 

Extra Magic During the Disney After Hours

As I mentioned, guests are welcomed into the Magic Kingdom before the nighttime shows. This gives guests time to meet friends, catch the show, and grab some dinner at their favorite spot.

One last bit of magic the After Hours has available for guests is select character meet and greets. Now, you and your little princesses don’t have to wait over an hour to meet Cinderella and Elana of Avalor. This gives each person a little more time to interact with their favorite character. Being in the parks with no one else also is the perfect excuse to look for hidden Mickey’s and hidden magic.

While planning your next trip, the WDW Vacation Tips team highly suggests you and your family check the After Hours calendar to check if your dates qualify. Disney After Hours is an event that should be experienced at least once. Beating the crowds and the heat of the day is truly a no-brainer. If you do, be sure to check out our article to become a pro at finding hidden secrets! See ya real soon.

Why Splurge on an After Hours Event?

Getting an extra four to six hours at the Magic Kingdom may not seem like a great deal for the price tag. But you have to factor in while this ticket may be close to the cost of a one-day park ticket it’s going to guarantee you small crowds. The low crowd level periods at Disney World don’t really exist these days. If you want to run from ride to ride with no lines they only way to do it is to pay for one of Disney’s premium events.

Villans After Hours at the Magic Kingdom

If the standard After Hours event wasn’t enough Disney went ahead and outdid themselves by adding a new villains version of the event. For the summer of 2019, Disney Villains After Hours will take on a wickedly fun villains theme, with exclusive entertainment, food & beverage, merchandise and more.

Here’s a taste of what new elements to expect:

• A Brand-New Disney Villains Stage Show – Hades and Meg from “Hercules” will set the castle stage ablaze in this all-new stage show, Villains Unite the Night, which will also feature appearances by Jafar, The Queen, Dr. Facilier and Maleficent.
• Spot Maleficent the Dragon –  Maleficent the Dragon, with her Steampunk style and signature wicked grin, will be let loose for the first time at night – breathing fire as she creeps through the park as a one-of-a-kind experience for party guests.
• Villanous Enhancements: Discover surprising, villain-inspired additions at Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain.
• Wickedly Good Food & Beverage -A variety of special food & beverage offerings will also be available for purchase, including tasty desserts, drinks and dishes inspired by The Queen, Cruella de Vil, Maleficent, Hades, Dr. Facilier and even Emperor Zurg.
• Event Merchandise – Event attendees can also purchase new logo merchandise, as well as items from a curated collection of the best Disney Villains merchandise available.
• One Notorious Item to Note: Ever driven to stand out in their unpredictable and audacious fashion, while the Villains will be entertaining guests in the new stage show, they will not be participating in character greetings during the event.

If you really wanna get in on the action, feel free to show off your sinister side by dressing in attire inspired by your favorite baddie.

Disney Villains After Hours tickets cost a bit more at $139 plus tax in advance, $144 plus tax on the event night. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog in the coming weeks for booking details! Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club Members can take advantage of a $30 discount and purchase tickets for $109.