More Magic for Less with Disney After Hours

It's no secret that prices are up - in the grocery store, online, and even on vacation. So it's worth exploring options to get the best bang for your buck when making your spring and summer travel plans. Disney After Hours events allow guests to experience the parks at Walt Disney World with lower crowds, shorter wait times, and complimentary snacks, making this one way to stretch your vacation budget even further!

Magic Kingdom after dark; Enjoy low crowds and reduced wait times at an After Hours event.

The events take place for three hours after park closing, although your ticket allows for entry up to 2-3 hours prior to park closing. (For example, an Epcot After Hours event that is scheduled to begin at 10 pm allows After Hours ticket holders to enter the park as early as 7 pm!)

There is a limited number of tickets for these events, and most dates are showing plenty of availability - it's like having the park to yourself! I did one of these events back in the pre-pandemic days, and could literally walk from one attraction to another without even seeing another group of people. Additionally, the wait times were all 10 minutes or less... most rides were just a walk-on.

Need some fuel to get you through the late hours? Ice cream treats, popcorn, and select bottled beverages are available at no additional cost throughout the park. On top of these "free" snacks, some other dining locations will be open with food for purchase.

Depending on the park, entertainment may also be available - but I would recommend entering early when you can to catch any nighttime spectaculars (like Fantasmic!) during their regularly scheduled times.

After Hours events include most park attractions, like Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollwyood Studios. Check for full availability, as attractions during special events are subject to change.

Ticket prices vary by park and date, but let's take a look at one of the Hollywood Studios dates for this summer and do a quick cost comparison. For this scenario, I'm looking at a family of four with 2 adults + 2 children visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. We also have to factor in that for a regular park day in Hollywood Studios, I'm going to recommend Lightning Lane access to the most popular attractions. And let's assume that this family really wants to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (who wouldn't?!) so they decide to purchase Individual Lightning Lane passes for that attraction to secure a return time and shorten their wait.

Single Day Park Tickets - $666.70

2 snacks & beverages per person - estimated $15 per guest = $60

Lightning Lane Access - varies by date and park, estimated $25 each guest = $100

Individual Lightning Lane for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance - varies by date and attraction, estimated $15 each guest = $60

Grand Total: $886.70

Disney After Hours Tickets - $702.92

Popcorn, Ice Cream, Select Bottled Beverages - included!

Lightning Lane Passes won't be available (or necessary!) during Disney After Hours

Grand Total: $702.92

That's more than $180 saved!

All things considered, our hypothetical visitors are saving money, experiencing more rides in a shorter amount of time, and even ducking out like Donald when it comes to the Florida sun in favor of the cooler evening hours!

After Hours events include early theme park entry 2-3 hours prior to the event start time

It's also worth noting that Disney park tickets are typically less per day the longer you stay, so consider purchasing a multi-day ticket or vacation package, and adding an After Hours event as a special activity or a way to get more time in your favorite park (or a park you might not spend all day in typically). This is where I love to help guests strategize on how to make the most of their time and budget :)

Is an After Hours event for everyone? Maybe not. I wouldn't tell a first-time visitor to skip a day at Magic Kingdom in favor of Disney After Hours, you know? But if you are returning to the parks, traveling with older kids or adults, or want to prioritize attractions then this might be an entirely new way to experience the magic!

2025 Walt Disney World After Hour Events:

EPCOT - Select nights through September 25, 2025

Hollywood Studios - Select nights through September 3, 2025

H20 Glow at Typhoon Lagoon - Select nights through September 13, 2025

Interested in learning more or purchasing your own After Hours tickets, or other options for exclusive theme park access? Use my complimentary planning services to get the most out of your Walt Disney World vacation!