As most of the day's crowd departs and the lights come up in the park, Disney World offers a whole different type of magic—Disney After Hours!
If you're considering adding After Hours tickets to your family's Disney World packages, Get Away Today can show you how it’s done with ticket options and the best strategies to ensure your night is as enchanted as possible.
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Magic Kingdom After Hours Dates and Tickets
In this article, we will be discussing everything to know about Disney After Hours Events at Magic Kingdom. The best part is, anyone with an After Hours Event ticket can join in on the fun!
Step into a land of enchantment during this exciting nighttime event—available on select evenings in 2024 including:
- April 8, 22, 29
- May 13
- June 13, 27
What’s Included During Magic Kingdom After Hours
Your After Hours ticket gets you access to Magic Kingdom for up to six hours. The official After Hours party happens after regular closing time. That means all the other day time guests make their way home for the night and the attractions are yours to explore!
- Get a head start on the fun by entering the park as soon as you’re permitted at 7:00 pm ET
- After Hours at Magic Kingdom officially runs from 10:00 pm to 1:00 am ET
- Attractions are open, with lower wait times since the number of tickets for this event is limited
- Snacks are included like select ice cream novelties, popcorn and bottled beverages, available at carts stationed throughout the park
- Exclusive showing of the nighttime fireworks spectacular, Disney Enchantment
- Early arrivals to the event will have the opportunity to see both Happily Ever After and Disney Enchantment on the same evening!
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Magic Kingdom After Hours Tips
Arrive at Magic Kingdom ready to begin the fun as close to 7:00 pm ET as possible! These “mix in” hours are the perfect time to get situated without feeling rushed, grab a meal or locker if needed and be ready for some pre-party fun.
1. Don’t Be Late
While Magic Kingdom is open for a specific set time, you will want to get to the park as soon as check-in is allowed so that you can experience everything. Some rides and attractions may be closed during After Hours events, so you’ll want to ride those during “mix in” hours.
Be sure to check out the attraction schedule ahead of time and plan to visit anything that closes with the park in the overlap time after you arrive.
2. After Hours Entrance
When you arrive at the park, look for the After Hours or Special Event turnstile at the gate. This check-in area will distribute your wristband and any other amenities included with your ticket.
If you have regular daytime admission tickets and are already enjoying the park, look for After Hours or Special Event stations inside the park to get your evening wristband. This way, you won't have to exit and re-enter.
3. Get a Good Dinner In
Many restaurants and dining options will close when the park does. While After Hours guests enjoy complimentary snacks like popcorn and ice cream, you should ensure everyone gets a filling dinner in beforehand to fuel up for the night. Take a look at some of our favorite places to eat at Magic Kingdom here.
4. Make a Plan
With shorter lines, you should be able to ride more rides in less time. However, making a game plan before your visit is still helpful. Make a list of your must-dos, study a park map, and come up with the best route to take. Remember to prioritize the attractions you're most excited about, along with special offerings only available during your After Hours Event.
Here’s an overview of Magic Kingdom Park to help you plan even more.
5. Dress Comfortably
As the sun sets, the weather shifts. Check the weather forecast before your visit and ensure you are dressed appropriately. Pack an extra layer to keep warm as the park cools down at night.
6. Pack a Backpack
Speaking of packing, bring a backpack. Bring water bottles to keep hydrated, snacks to supplement your Disney treats, a portable phone charger to keep your battery charged late at night, and an umbrella or poncho in case of rain. You'll also want to stash away any souvenirs to keep your hands free.
7. Don’t Forget Meet and Greets
Special meet and greets often happen during After Hours Events and they are very popular among guests. If meet and greets are important to your group, be sure to prioritize seeing your favorite Disney pals during the event hours.
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Booking Your Disney After Hours Vacation
There are a lot of Disney ticket packages to choose from when planning your or your family’s big Disney vacation. However, if you’ve always wanted to experience a Disney theme park with shorter lines and smaller crowds, After Hours tickets may be the perfect addition to your trip.
Just be sure to plan ahead, pack the necessities, and grab a Joffrey’s iced latte or two to be able to stay up past midnight!
We recommend…
We recommend at least a 4-day 1 Park per Day ticket so you can experience one day at each of the main theme parks. Then add on an After Hours event ticket for one night of your stay to extend the magic.
Our Walt Disney World travel experts will help you with every step of the way. We can help you choose your hotel, decide which Disney World tickets are best for your stay and walk you through everything you need to know. You can book your Disney World vacation online or by calling us at 855 GET AWAY.
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