NEWS: Additional Dates Now On Sale for Disney After Hours in 2020
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 Thomas Smith:
Attention fans of our Disney After Hours events: there are now more event dates to choose from in 2020 at both Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
In addition to the dates already available at both Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, even more events will be available so you can be a part of these special nighttime experiences on select nights:
Magic Kingdom Park
- January 17, 20
- January 23, 27 & 31 – NEW
- February 3, 10, 17 & 24 – NEW
- March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 – NEW
- April 5, 13, 20 & 27 – NEW
- May 5, 11, 18 & 25 – NEW
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- January 9, 16, 22 and 30, 2020
- February 6, 13, 19 and 27, 2020
- March 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2020
- April 1, 7, 14 & 22 – NEW
- May 2, 9, 16, 19 & 26 – NEW
These specially ticketed experiences occur after the gates close for the night, extending access to favorite attractions and providing you with more opportunities to have magical experiences. Your event ticket also allows you early entry into the park, beginning at 7 p.m.
For three fun-filled nighttime hours, when you purchase your ticket for each park, you can have exclusive access with lower wait times for favorite attractions, plus receive complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select beverages.
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 has still not added dates for Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 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!
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.