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Disney After Hours at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom offers Guests the opportunity to experience the Park with no crowds and shockingly short wait times. As we previously reported, this event is running thru September. Inside the Magic decided to participate in this seasonal event at the Magic Kingdom to see if it lives up to its promise.
Disney After Hours is a separately ticketed event with a premium price of $119. The limited number of Guests per event makes for a unique, 3-hour Park experience with more than 25 popular attractions and Character Greetings. By excellent, Disney means no lines for any appeal lasting longer than 10 minutes.
Here are the wait times I experienced for some of the Park’s most popular attractions. These rides generally face wait times of 1 – 2 hours.
Space Mountain‘s wait time during the event was only 10 minutes.
Pirates of the Caribbean was 5 minutes.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was 5 minutes.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had a wait time of 5 minutes.
Peter Pan’s Flight was 10 minutes.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin was at a 5-minute wait.
In addition to the Park’s unbelievably short wait times, there were no crowds. Regardless of what part of the Park you visit, you’ll only encounter small family groups.
Restaurants are closed during the event as it doesn’t start until 10 pm. However, bottled sodas, popcorn, Mickey Bars, and assorted popsicles are offered to Guests as part of admission.
Related : Disney World Wait Times Shockingly Low This Weekend
Admission to Disney After Hours is priced at $119 per person, so this is by no means a cheap event. Yet with the cooler nighttime weather, the lack of lines, and complimentary food offering, some Guests may find this event suits them well as it’s possible to experience more rides in these 3 hours than a full day at the Park. I would find this particularly attractive on the first day of my vacation when I have been traveling throughout the day, and a regular daytime Park pass would provide less than a full day at the Park. If you like to avoid crowds and wish to quickly experience all of your favorite attractions in a few hours, this is the experience for you.
During peak season, the price of a one-day ticket to the Magic Kingdom will run you the same amount, although you may not be able to experience every attraction when the Park is at standard capacity. Compared to a regular full-day Park admission, this experience only runs for 3 hours, from 10 pm to 1 am, but you can enter the Park at 7 pm. Therefore you get 6 hours in the Park with the first 3 hours more crowded, making that an ideal time to visit less popular rides or watch the fireworks. The short wait times and small crowds occur once the Park is closed to the general public and only event attendees are present.
Price alone makes Disney After Hours an event with a more limited appeal. But depending on your vacation plans and personal preferences, this is an option that should be considered given the number of attractions you can experience.
Disney After Hours will run at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on July 21, 28, August 4, 11, 30, and September 20.
For more information about Disney After Hours or to purchase tickets, be sure to visit the official website.
