Your 2023 Guide to Disney After Hours Events

Disney After Hours is a separately ticketed nighttime event at Walt Disney World. Disney After Hours began in 2016 and rose in popularity once Disney parks reopened after the pandemic closures. Since then, Disney After Hours has offered guests a unique way to experience the parks with minimal crowds on select nights during the year. Curious about what it’s like and whether you should join in on the nighttime fun during your Disney vacation? Read this guide to learn more! 

What’s Included With Disney After Hours Admission?

Disney After Hours allows guests to visit one theme park three hours after it closes for regular day guests on select days throughout the year. These limited-capacity events give you plenty of opportunities to enjoy some of the park’s attractions with minimal wait times. Typically, you will wait in line for an average of 10 to 30 minutes per attraction—even at some of the park’s most popular rides! Guests can enter the park at 7 pm on event nights, giving you two to three hours of “mix-in” time where you experience all of the theme park’s attractions and entertainment before the event officially begins. This is a great time to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks or grab a bite to eat at a table service restaurant inside the park. 

You also receive complimentary snacks and drinks once the event officially begins. Complimentary refreshments include unlimited popcorn, ice cream novelties (like Mickey Bars and ice cream sandwiches), and bottled soft drinks.

2023 Event Dates and Locations ​

Disney After Hours is offered during non-peak times at Walt Disney World. As of January 2023, events have been announced at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios through April. Here are the currently announced event dates and locations: 

Magic Kingdom
After Hours events run from 10 pm and 1:00 am, with admission beginning at 7 pm. Here are the current After Hours event nights for 2023: 

• January 16 & 23
  
• February 16, 20, & 27
  
• March 2, 6, 13, 16, 20, & 27
  

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
After Hours are from 9:30 pm to 12:30 am at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with admission for event guests starting at 7 pm. While all January After Hours events are sold out, here are the other currently announced event dates: 

• February 15 & 22
  
• March 8, 22, & 29
  
• April 5 & 19
  

Available Attractions and Entertainment ​

Here are some of the attractions that may be available at After Hours events (these are always subject to change at any time): 

Magic Kingdom

• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  
• Haunted Mansion
  
• “It’s a Small World”
  
• Jungle Cruise
  
• Peter Pan’s Flight
  
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  
• Space Mountain
  
• Mickey Meet & Greet at Town Square Theater 
  
• Princesses in Fairytale Hall 
  
• Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid 
  
• Pirates of the Caribbean
  
• Astro Orbiter 
  
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant 
  
• Jungle Cruise 
  
• Mad Tea Party 
  

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• 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!
  
• Tower of Terror
  
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (until February 20)
  

There are also additional viewings of Disney Movie Magic and Wonderful World of Animation (the two projection shows at the Chinese Theatre) just for After Hours attendees. 

In addition, there may be special character meet and greets available throughout the event. 

Tips for Visiting ​

Disney’s After Hours are separately ticketed events. Prices range between $145 and 159 per person, depending on the event night. Since you get to enter the park two or three hours before the event officially starts, you get to spend up to six hours there. Complimentary snacks and drinks are included with your ticket price, but select quick-service food locations are also open. However, no table service restaurants are available during the event.  

Disneyland After Dark ​

Like Disney After Hours events at Walt Disney World, Disneyland also offers guests the chance to explore Disneyland park with minimal crowds and exclusive entertainment during select nights throughout the year. Disneyland After Dark allows guests to spend four hours inside the park after it’s officially closed to day guests. Since you can enter the park three hours early, you could spend up to seven hours at the park during an event night! Each event has a unique theme, like the Sweetheart Nites geared toward couples, which take place on January 31 and February 2, 5, 7, 9, 14,& 16. There is also a princess-themed event that will take place on March 7 & 9. During the event, Disneyland guests enjoy live entertainment, character meet and greets, unlimited PhotoPass downloads, and the ability to enjoy the park’s world-famous attractions with minimal wait times. 

Add An After Hours Event to Your Disney Vacation with Just Add Magic Travel®

One of the greatest benefits of adding an After Hours event to your Disney vacation is riding some of the most popular attractions with substantially less time spent waiting in line. You’ll also get to enjoy complimentary snacks and bottled beverages. After Hours events also allow you to beat the heat and enjoy the parks when the humidity is low (although temperatures are generally mild in the winter and spring in Florida). Disney releases After Hour event dates seasonally throughout the year. Although dates have only been officially announced through April 2023, more event dates may be announced in the coming months. Get a free quote for your trip here! Be sure to sign up for the Just Add Magic Travel email newsletter to get updates about Disney events and travel news. For more Disney vacation travel tips, check out the blog!