As most of the crowds depart and settle in for the night, the party is just getting started for guests of Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts or other select hotels!
Extended Evening Hours is an exclusive benefit offering two extra park hours after regular closing for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villa Resorts, and select partner hotels. This perk features significantly shorter lines for popular attractions and extra virtual queue opportunities during a Walt Disney World Resort vacation.
Extended Evening Hours at Disney World is a whole different type of magic, often with fewer people and shorter lines for even the most popular attractions. Best of all, it’s free for guests of Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts or other select hotels as announced.
In this article we’ll tell you exactly how to add this freebie to your vacation and maximize your time in the parks—night owl style!
Extended Evening Hours at a Glance
At Walt Disney World Resort there are now more ways to extend the fun than ever before. When we talk about Extended Evening Hours, most people are referring to one or more of these three options:
- Disney Extended Evening Hours (Complimentary for select Resort guests)
- Disney After Hours Events (Separately ticketed events)
- Disney Early Theme Park Entry (Complimentary morning access for all Disney Resort guests)
It is common for guests to search for terms like "Disney World deluxe resort after hours" or "deluxe resort after hours," but it's important to note that "After Hours" refers to a paid, separately ticketed event. The complimentary perk we are discussing in this article is officially called Disney Extended Evening Hours. The best part is, this perk is included in select vacation packages booked with Get Away Today.
Extended Evening Hours Questions & Answers
Disney World Extended Evening Hours is a two-hour bonus operating hours that takes place on select nights at select Disney parks after closing time.
That’s right Extended Evening Hours guests are able to stay late at select parks after closing! Attractions are open and even an extra opportunity to join the Virtual Queue may be included.
Only guests of select Disney properties can remain inside and enjoy the extended evening hours magic! It’s a fantastic addition to your Walt Disney World vacation and especially nice for arrival days when a full park day isn’t an option.
Question: Which Hotels get Access to Disney Extended Evening Hours?
Answer: Extended evening theme park hours is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, which include:
Disney Deluxe Resorts
- Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney's Beach Club Resort
- Disney's BoardWalk Inn
- Disney's Contemporary Resort
- Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney's Wilderness Lodge
- Disney's Yacht Club Resort
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
- Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Disney's Beach Club Villas
- Disney's BoardWalk Villas
- Disney's Old Key West Resort
- Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
- Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World®
Question: How does Disney enforce extended hours?
Answer: If you are wondering how Disney enforces extended hours, the process is seamless but strict. Once the park officially closes to regular daytime guests, Cast Members are stationed at the entrance of every operating attraction. To enter the standby line or Lightning Lane, you must scan your MagicBand, Disney ticket (tied to a hotel reservation), or Key to the World card. The system verifies that you have an active reservation at an eligible resort. If you are not staying at a qualifying hotel, you will politely be turned away and directed toward the park exit.
Question: When are Disney’s Extended Evening Hours?
Answer: Extended hours don’t happen every day of the year—these exclusive opportunities are limited in dates and times. View the Hours & Events Calendar to see specific times for each event night.
Question: What are some of the best rides to go on during Extended Evening Hours?
Answer:
At Magic Kingdom, some of the best attractions to enjoy with lower wait times include:
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- TRON Lightcycle / Run
At EPCOT, we suggest riding these for lower wait times:
- Frozen Ever After
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Remy's Ratatouille Adventure
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, some of the best attractions to enjoy with lower wait times include:
- Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Slinky Dog Dash
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
- Toy Story Mania!
At Animal Kingdom, we suggest riding these for lower wait times:
- Avatar Flight of Passage
- Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Extended Evening Hours Tips
Besides staying awake to enjoy it all, here are a few tips we’ve used to get the most out of those precious hours at night.
1. Get a Good Dinner In
Many restaurants and dining options will close when the park does. You don’t want to take up your evening hours dining, so be sure to eat earlier. Take a look at some of our favorite Quick Service dining locations at Walt Disney World here.
2. 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 a couple of must-dos. Remember to prioritize attractions that typically have longer wait times during the day.
3. 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.
Booking Your Walt Disney World 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 stay late for at least 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.
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 stay late for at least 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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