NEWS: More Dates Announced for Disney After Hours Events

Disney After Hours is a special after regular hours ticketed event similar to the Halloween and Christmas parties, and is a great way to experience the park after dark. Unlike those parties, which are very busy, Disney After Hours allows you to enjoy the parks with very small crowds, little to no wait on attractions, and complimentary treats and drinks. These events have grown in popularity and Disney has added more dates to the calendar for these events. Catch all the details below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Jennifer Fickley-Baker:

Disney After Hours events are such a hit among Disney fans that we wanted to share the latest news with you: new dates have just been announced for both Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

In case you aren’t familiar with Disney After Hours events, these evening events are your opportunity to experience the magic of a Disney theme park for three hours after regular park hours, which means little wait for attractions, experiences and character greetings. You can even enter the park early, starting at 7 p.m. on your event night, before Disney After Hours begins. Ice cream novelties, popcorn and select beverages are also included in your Disney After Hours admission once the party starts.

At Magic Kingdom Park, guests can expect little wait at 25 plus attractions and experiences, including favorites like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Space Mountain and many more.

Magic Kingdom Park

The event takes place from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM on the following dates:

• Thursday, August 22, 2019
• Thursday, August 29, 2019
• Thursday, September 5, 2019
• Thursday, September 12, 2019
• Monday, November 18, 2019 – NEW
• Monday, December 9, 2019 – NEW

The event takes place from 9:00 PM to midnight on the following dates:

• Thursday, September 19, 2019
• Thursday, September 26, 2019
• Friday, January 17, 2020 – NEW
• Monday, January 20, 2020 – NEW

The event takes place from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM on the following dates:

• Monday, January 6, 2020 – NEW

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests can enjoy the best the park has to offer at night, including the resplendent Tree of Life Awakenings, adventures within Pandora – The World of Avatar and more.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Monday, August 26, 2019
• Tuesday, September 3, 9, 16, 23, 2019
• October 5, 9, 19, 26 and 30, 2019 – NEW
• November 5, 13 and 19, 2019 – NEW
• December 7, 14 and 18, 2019 – NEW
• January 9, 16, 22 and 30, 2020 – NEW
• February 6, 13, 19 and 27, 2020 – NEW
• March 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2020 – NEW

Buy early and save! Check out the latest dates and prices for “Disney After Hours” at Magic Kingdom Park and at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Click here for our full review of the Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom.

Click here for our full review of Disney After Hours at Animal Kingdom.

As you can see, Disney did not add dates the the Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With large crowds expected for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we’re not surprised they are not continuing the event there. We’re hopeful they will bring back the event at Hollywood Studios sometime next year.

RELATED ARTICLE: Top 5 Special Events at Disney World

by Mike and Jamie Sylvester

Every day is a special day at Walt Disney World! But, sometimes Disney pours out a little extra pixie dust and arranges special events that are completely worth the extra ticket admission (if necessary) in our opinion. Count down with us as we list the top 5 special events at Disney World that you’ll want to add to your Disney “must-do list” today!

5 – Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

This annual event at Epcot has become a popular favorite among many Disney fans! The International Flower and Garden Festival is a spring event in which Disney has a chance to show off their impeccable landscaping and gardening skills. Bright colors, sense satisfying aromas, and lush greenery are just about everywhere you turn at Epcot during the festival. While there are a few extra admission costs for tours and events, most all of the Flower and Garden Festival is open to any guest entering Epcot’s gates with a valid theme park ticket! The festival boasts breathtaking gardens, topiary art in the form of several favorite Disney characters, how-to seminars, outdoor kitchens, play areas for the kids, a butterfly garden, and an outdoor concert series with some classic hits. We purposely try to arrange our trips around the spring season so we don’t miss the beauty! This festival runs from early March to early June.

4 – Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Visit the World Showcase at Epcot this holiday season. Explore how each of the 11 countries celebrate the holiday season with unique traditions that include all of the senses. Taste the delicious holiday cuisines, listen to the seasonal music, and be prepared to take photos of the special costumed performers. The best part in our opinion is the Candlelight Processional! A 50-piece orchestra, mass choir, and a celebrity narrator share the story of Christmas. We have goosebumps just thinking about it! Just like the Flower and Garden Festival above, all guests need is a valid park ticket to enjoy this special event. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Epcot glow under all the shimmering lights!

3 – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

While we’re talking about the Christmas season, what better way to celebrate than to party with Mickey! Head on over to Magic Kingdom on specific days between early November through mid-December for a Christmas party unlike any you’ve ever experienced. Crowds dwindle as Magic Kingdom is open on Christmas Party evenings only to special event ticket holders. The attractions are still open so wait times are typically very short! But most importantly – experience snow on Main Street U.S.A., check out the characters in their holiday best, sing along to your favorite Christmas tunes, catch the parade, and ooh and aah in the glow of fireworks! This year during the Christmas Party, guests will be able to experience Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration which is a live stage show in front of the Cinderella Castle. Buy your special tickets as soon as possible, as this event does tend to sell out.

2 – Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Have you ever wanted to taste your way around the world? Well – we have a special annual event for you! The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is held from late August through mid-November. When you enter that World Showcase at Epcot with valid theme park admission, you’ll immediately begin to smell the flavors of the world. Stands and kiosks seem to be just about everywhere with special sampling and plates of uniquely flavored food, plus beer and wine, from several different countries. Why not “Eat to the Beat” while you’re enjoying the amazing food with a concert series led by popular artists! Special demonstrations and seminars are also available such as mixology, culinary, and even cheese seminars. Some of the special seminars are an extra fee, but there are several experiences included in your park admission. The other costs, of course, are the food and wine you plan to taste! There are Food and Wine Cards you can purchase so you don’t have to reach for the wallet at every station which acts much like a gift card.

1 – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Magic Kingdom’s ghosts and goblins come out to party! But, no worries – this party is definitely family friendly and “not-so-scary” for that reason. We rank Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in the number one spot because, well, this Mouse knows how to throw one awesome Halloween Party! Kids especially love trick-or-treating as Magic Kingdom is open to special ticket holders for the party only (just like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party). The dates for the party are select nights from mid-August through November 1. The great news is most all of the attractions are open and with crowds much smaller, guests can hop off and on rides easily. What would trick-or-treating be without costume?! Guests of all ages are welcome to wear costumes but keep in mind there are costume guidelines. This year guests will have a chance to enjoy Happy HalloWishes Fireworks where Disney Villains cast spells over the Cinderella Castle. The evil Sanderson Sisters will use their magic in the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. One of our favorite parts has to be the Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade which has all of the favorite Disney characters in their spooktacular Halloween costumes, along with an appearance from the creepy Headless Horseman. We can’t wait!

What is your favorite special event? We’d love to hear from you!