Disney After Hours 2024: Everything You Need to Know

Disney After Hours 2024: Everything You Need to Know

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Disney After Hours 2024: Everything You Need to Know

This is your complete guide to Disney After Hours 2024! Does your idea of a perfect Disney day include late nights at the parks, unlimited snacks and super low wait times for your favorite rides? If so, then you’re going to LOVE Disney World After Hours! You’ll get to see the parks come to life after the crowds head home and the hot Florida sunsets. There is so much to love about Disney After Hours Events, and we’re here to tell you all about it!

As fun as an extra dash of magic might sound, it’s important to keep in mind that Disney World After Hours is a time-limited, separately-ticketed event. When we were Florida residents, we loved beating the Florida heat and grabbing tickets for After Hours Disney events for the perfect nights. There was nothing like low crowds, no waits, and incredible views of Disney at night! 

We hope you find this post helpful, and if you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World, be sure to check out our other FREE vacation planning tools. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next vacation. This includes helping you find the best time to buy Disney World tickets as well as book amazing Walt Disney World vacation packages!

For a detailed look into everything you need to know before purchasing your Disney After Hours tickets, read on! 

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Disney World, check out our Disney Crowd Calendar! 

 Disney World Crowd Calendar

What is Disney After Hours 2024?

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So, what are After Hours Disney Events? Get yourself ready for a night of fun during Disney World After Hours 2024 where you can experience the parks in an entirely different way! Disney After Hours is a completely separate/additional ticket, which does not include park admission until 7:00 PM. It’s important to note the events don’t start typically until 8 PM or later. Guests that participate in Disney After Hours events get 3 hours of extra magical fun with unlimited snacks, drinks and entertainment! We find that Walt Disney World After Hours events are some of the best ways to meet exclusive characters, have low wait times and have an experience that you’ll never forget!

When will Disney After Hours return?

Now that we have gone over the basics you might be wondering, when will Disney After Hours return? Disney After Hours have officially returned in 2024 with exclusive nights at Magic Kingdom Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT this winter.

What are the Disney After Hours 2024 events?

  • Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom
  • Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios
  • Disney’s H2O Glow After Hours Event
  • Disney After Hours at EPCOT

 Which Parks Offer Disney After Hours?

As of today, only a few of Walt Disney World’s four parks are currently offering After Hours:

  • Typhoon Lagoon
  • Magic Kingdom After Hours
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios After Hours 
  • Disney’s After Hours at EPCOT

How much are 2024 Disney After Hours tickets?

  • Disney’s After Hours at Magic Kingdom – Starting at $155 per person
  • Disney’s After Hours at Hollywood Studios – Starting at $155 per person
  • H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon – Starting at $59 per person
  • Disney After Hours at EPCOT – Starting at $99 per person
  • Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – Starting at $99 per person

Disney After Hours event tickets at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios can be purchased by all guests with prices ranging from $155 to $175. There are discounts for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members. 

Although an additional cost of admission we think having the ability to enter the park as early as 7:00 PM is a huge plus! This allows you time to watch the fireworks or grab a bite to eat before heading over to your favorite rides.

What are the 2024 Magic Kingdom After Hours Event Prices?

  • Thursday, January 11 – $155/125*
  • Monday, January 15 $165/135*
  • Monday, January 22 $165/135*
  • Thursday, February 1 $165/135*
  • Monday, February 5 $165/135*
  • Monday, February 12 $175/145*
  • Thursday, February 29 $175/145*
  • Monday, March 4 $175/145*
  • Monday, March 18 $175/145*
  • Monday, April 8 $175/145*

*(price/price for Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members)

This event takes place from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM. You can get a head start on the fun by entering the park at 7:00 PM—a few hours before the event officially begins.

What are the 2024 Hollywood Studios After Hours Event Prices?

  • Wednesday, January 10 $155/125*
  • Wednesday, January 24 $165/135*
  • Wednesday, February 21 $175/145*
  • Monday, February 26 $175/145*
  • Wednesday, March 13 $175/145*
  • Wednesday, March 20 $175/145*
  • Wednesday, March 27 $175/145*
  • Wednesday, April 3 $175/145*
  • Wednesday, April 10 $175/145*

*(price/price for Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members)

This event takes place from 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM. You can get a head start on the fun by entering the park at 7:00 PM

What are the 2024 EPCOT After Hours Event Prices?

  • Friday, February 2 $149/119*
  • Thursday, February 8 $149/119*
  • Thursday, February 15 $159/129*
  • Thursday, March 7 $159/129*
  • Thursday, March 28 $159/129*
  • Thursday, April 4 $159/129*

*(price/price for Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members)

This event takes place from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM. You can get a head start on the fun by entering the park at 7:00 PM

2024 Disney After Hours Event Prices – H2O Glow After Hours Event

  • Dates and pricing for H2O Glow at Typhoon Lagoon has not been announced for 2024. We will update your right here with 2024 dates and pricing.

*(price/price for Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members)

Related post: Blizzard Beach vs. Typhoon Lagoon: Which is the Best Disney Water Park?

What’s Included In Disney After Hours Tickets? 

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Free. Mickey. Bars.

Need we say more? Actually, we must say more. As a matter of fact, not only are unlimited Mickey Bars free with admission, but so are ALL Mickey novelty ice creams, as well as select bottled beverages (water, Sprite, Coke and Diet Coke) and even popcorn! While most counter service and quick service restaurants will be closed, carts stationed in select locations will remain open for your late-night cravings. Yippee! 

It is important to note that depending on what WDW After Hours event you choose to go to, there will be specialty exclusive items for purchase, as well. But the majority of the snacks at Disney After Hours Party come completely included.

Disney H2O Glow After Hours

This summertime Disney After Hours event is unlike any other because it is in the water park Typhoon Lagoon. There will be free entertainment throughout the night at Disney H2O Glow, as well as free snacks like ice cream, popcorn and bottled soda. For this Disney After Hours Event, guests are given free glowing accessories to wear throughout the night with having fun!

Related post: Disney World Pictures and Disney PhotoPass Guide

What are the Benefits of Going to Disney After Hours Events?

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Our favorite benefits of Disney After Hours events are no crowds and no waiting in lines for some of your favorite Disney World rides. If you ever wondered what Disney parks looked like completely empty, you’ll get a pretty good feel for it by attending Disney After Hours. Disney also keeps almost all of the most popular attractions from Space Mountain to Haunted Mansion, and Flight of Passage to Expedition Everest open so you’ll have the opportunity to ride them as often as your heart desires. A perk that regular ticket holders wouldn’t have the chance to do on any given day!  

With H2O Glow After Hours event, we love that there is nighttime entertainment, such as a DJ to start the party right! You can even get glowing accessories and party the night away in the pool.

Our favorite Disney World After Hours benefits:

  • Low Wait Times
  • Exclusive Character Meet and Greets
  • Low Crowds

Special Note: Not all of the rides and attractions are open during Disney After Hours events.

Related post: Complete Guide to the Disney Genie

Disney After Hours Rides and Attractions

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Magic Kingdom After Hours Rides

  • Space Mountain
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Astro Orbiter
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Haunted Mansion
  • it’s a small world
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Tron Lightcycle/Run

Hollywood Studios After Hours Rides

  • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
  • Toy Story Mania!

EPCOT After Hours Rides

  • Frozen Ever After
  • Gran Fiesta Tour
  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
  • Living with the Land
  • Mission: SPACE
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Test Track

Typhoon Lagoon H2O Glow After Hours Rides

  • Bay Slides
  • Castaway Creek
  • Crush ‘n’ Gusher
  • Gangplank Falls
  • Humunga Kowabunga
  • Mayday Falls
  • Miss Adventure Falls
  • Storm Slides
  • Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool

All attractions are subject to change without notice.

Related post: What are the Best Rides in EPCOT? Best Attractions at EPCOT Ranked

Disney After Hours Character Meet-and-Greets

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Disney includes character meet-and-greets in every Disney After Hours event. However this does not include all characters you can meet during normal operating hours.

If attending be sure to ask a Disney cast member which characters will be at your Disney After Hours event. You can make sure to save time and skip those characters during the day.

H2O Glow After Hours Event Characters

When we attended this event in 2019, these were the characters we met:

  • Forky
  • Buzz Lightyear
  • Jessie and Woody
  • Partysaurus Rex

We also attended the Typhoon Lagoon H2O Glow After Hours 2022 we saw the following characters:

  • Stitch
  • Lilo
  • Mickey, Goofy, Minnie, Donald in their beach gear

As of the 2024 H2O Glow After Hours event at Typhoon Lagoon still has the same characters as last year, which was super cute! All of our favorite characters were in their beach gear and ready for a day in the sun.

Related post: Complete Guide to Disney World Halloween Events

What are the Disney After Hours Dates for 2024?

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Disney’s Magic Kingdom After Hours Party Dates 2024

2024 Magic Kingdom After Hours dates are here and we are so excited to share the news!

  • January: 11, 15, 22
  • February: 1, 5, 12, 29
  • March: 4, 18
  • April: 8

Disney’s Hollywood Studios After Hours Party Dates 2024

  • January: 10, 24
  • February: 21, 26
  • March: 13, 20, 27
  • April 3,10

Disney’s H2O Glow After Hours Party

  • H2O Glow dates have yet to be announced for 2024. We will update you here when there is an announcement!

Disney After Hours at EPCOT dates

  • February 2, 8, 15
  • March 7, 28
  • April 4

Related Page: Complete Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets 

Is Disney After Hours Worth It?

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Another one of the most popular questions we receive is, are the Disney After-hours events worth it? And as a general rule of thumb, if your main goal is to get on as many rides as possible with as little wait time as possible the Disney After Hours Events are worth it with the main reason being that a majority of the most popular rides are open for guests to enjoy. These rides include Slinky Dog Dash, Star Wars Rise of the Resistance, Flight of Passage, Snow White’s Mine Train, Space Mountain, and Expedition Everest.

2024 Disney After pros:

From our experience, some of the benefits of Disney After Hours is being able to get onto as many rides as possible during the three-hour event. We specifically find this to be a great benefit for families who might only be visiting Disney World for 2-3 days and are trying to visit all 4 Disney World parks. In the past, we have been able to go onto every single Magic Kingdom ride open during the Disney After Hours events within three hours just because of how few people are in the parks. And the main thing to take away is that the Disney After Hours events are different from Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in terms of crowds. It’s also important to note that the 2024 Disney After Hours events are very late at night in some cases not starting until 10:00 PM so they are a great fit for night owls.

We find Disney After Hours to be worth it if:

  • You’re a thrill seeker looking to ride Flight of Passage, Snow White’s Mine Train, Space Mountain, and Expedition Everest.
  • You’re a night owl who prefers late nights over early mornings.
  • You’ve always dreamt of experiencing the parks without the crowds.
  • You’re planning on visiting WDW for a short period of time and only want to experience the most popular attractions.

Disney After Hours cons

We always find the biggest con to the Disney After Hours events to be the additional charge to attend. On Average, it costs guests around $11.00 per person per hour to enjoy spending time in the Disney parks and with the After Hours events that price will go up to $30.00 – $40.00. Of course, however, you have to take into account that you will be getting on more rides with your time. Another con that we are not crazy about is how late the events end with some of them ending around 1:00 AM in the morning. It’s important to plan accordingly and give your family some extra time to sleep in the next day.

When Disney After Hours isn’t worth it:

We find it better to skip a Disney After Hours event if:

  • You’re traveling on a limited budget.
  • You’d prefer a full day at the parks to experience everything they have to offer beyond rides.
  • You’re traveling with kiddos that have scheduled bedtimes.

Related Article: Guide to Disney World Deluxe After Hours 

Tips & Tricks For Disney After Hours Events 2024

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  • Make sure your group eats dinner before you arrive. Although your ticket includes unlimited snacks, most food locations will be closed.
  • Arrive at 7:00 PM and take advantage of the extra hour in the park.
  • If you arrive early plan to visit any attractions that might be closed during your Disney After Hours event.
  • Game plan and have a list of which rides are most important to go on.
  • Soak it all in! As a former Disney cast member, there is truly something special about an empty Disney park. Enjoy the experience!

Related post: Complete Guide to the Best Hotels Near EPCOT Orlando

Disney World After Hours 2024 FAQ

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Q: How much are Disney After Hours events?

A: Depending on the Disney After Hour event, you could be paying anywhere between $59 – 180! The After Hours events at Disney that happen during the summer, like H2O Glows After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon, are cheaper than the holiday After Hours events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Annual Passholders can pay as little at $54 for a ticket for the Typhoon Lagoon After Hours event.

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our Disney  World Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down the best time to visit Disney World based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a Disney World Travel Agent for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a Free Quote for all Disney World Vacation Packages. The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your Walt Disney World Tickets, and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets.

Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at Theme Park Today, as well

Michael Belmont

Michael Belmont is the owner and chief editor at Theparkprodigy.com, an authorized Disney and Universal travel agent. He specializes in Disney and Universal theme park tickets and vacation packages, as well as daily park plans to help optimize vacation time. Michael and The Park Prodigy have been featured on ABC’s Florida affiliate, WTFV, as well as over 10 Disney focused blogs. As owner, Michael manages The Park Prodigy blog and social media, a Disney themed podcast, and a Disney and Universal focused YouTube channel. Prior to starting The Park Prodigy, Michael was a long time Disney and Universal enthusiast, frequent visitor of the parks, and even served as a Walt Disney World Cast Member in Orlando, Florida!