Ultimate Guide to Disney Villains After Hours

in Events, Walt Disney World

disney villains after hours

Credit: Disney

After hours events at Walt Disney World are becoming more and more popular. For these events, you need to purchase a separate special ticket (not your regular park admission). These events are limited to a certain number of Guests so be sure to buy your ticket ahead of time to guarantee admission!

One of the more popular After Hours events at Walt Disney World is the Villains After Hours event at Magic Kingdom. Disney Villains are extremely popular, but they aren’t seen very often throughout the parks — Aside from during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or the select few villains who have daily meet and greets, such as Gaston in Magic Kingdom.

Something to keep in mind is with these After Hours events, you do NOT need to purchase a regular park ticket to attend your “after hours” event. The event tickets will cover Guests’ entry into the park for the After Hours event. If you want to explore and enjoy the Magic Kingdom or any other Disney theme park during the normal admission hours, then that’s when you will have to purchase a regular theme park admission ticket.

Disney Cinderella Castle
Credit: Disney

In case you aren’t familiar with this event, we put together an entire guide to help you navigate the offerings for the popular After Hours event — Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park. Within this Villains After Hours guide, we will cover the following (If you are looking for certain information, click on the bullet point to jump to that specific section):

Lady Tremaine, Disney Villains After Hours
Credit: Disney

What is an After Hours Event?

After Hours events at Disney World take place after the parks close to the general public. Guests who wish to enjoy an After Hours event will need a special ticket in order to be admitted. The official Disney World website states:

Enjoy a special evening event at one of our theme parks—featuring tons of Disney fun!

An Extra Dash of Pixie Dust

What is Disney Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park?

The official Walt Disney World website describes this special ticketed event as:

Take a walk on the vile side and party with Disney’s most nefarious fiends.

A Wonderfully Wicked Time Magic Kingdom park presents Disney Villains After Hours, a separately ticketed, special nighttime event showcasing some of Disney’s best-loved baddies! Disney Villains After Hours lets a limited number of Guests experience the park for an additional 3 hours after it closes.

A Wonderfully Wicked Time

disney villains after hours
Credit: Disney

When Does Villains After Hours Take Place?

In 2019, Disney Villains added a wicked twist to Disney After Hours event nights during the summer months. From June 6-August 8, Villains After Hours had events on select nights.

In 2020, the Disney Villains After Hours events were planning to take place on select nights, starting February 7 through July 10, however, due to the temporary closures because of the pandemic, Villains After Hours events were canceled.

villains after hours
Credit: Disney

Themed cuisine at Disney Villains After Hours

There are many specialty food items offered at this After Hours event, all themed off of popular Disney villains of course! In 2019, Disney Villains After Hours offered two fan-favorites, Evil Emperor Zurg’s Noodles and Not-So-Poison Apple Cupcakes. Though this menu is subject to change each year, here are some past popular food items we hope to see return!

The Just Take Three treat consists of three beignets dusted with powdered sugar and is served with creamy vanilla ice cream, which is then topped with whipped cream and chocolate ganache.

The Body Language dessert is a cookies and cream mousse with chocolate cake, glaçage, and meringue tentacles garnished with a chocolate shell.

villains after hours food
Credit: Disney

The Hades Temptation is a frozen mocktail “Cosmo” made with lemonade, violet syrup, and a gummy worm garnish.

The Poor Unfortunate Soul features black raspberry soft-serve over Cherry Coke and is then garnished with a sugar crown.

The Painting the Roses Red is a cheesecake mousse with raspberry gelee, red cocoa butter, and buttercream leaves!

The Voodoo Magic specialty beverage includes shimmering lemonade vitamin water with green apple syrup garnished with a purple candy straw!

voodoo magic
Credit: Disney

What are the themed activities at Disney Villains After Hours?

Disney Villains After Hours is not only filled with lots of themed and unique food items but also special events. Here is a list of past events that took place during Villains After Hours.

Villains’ Cursed Caravan

According to Disney Parks Blog, “This new [for 2020] wicked procession, presented twice during the night, also features Maleficent the Dragon, Gaston, Oogie Boogie, Cruella DeVil, Captain Hook, Ursula and more!”

“Villains Unite the Night” Stage Show

According to Disney Parks Blog, ‘Villains Unite the Night’ Stage Show: Hades and Meg from Hercules will set the castle stage ablaze in this show which will also feature appearances by Jafar, The Queen, Dr. Facilier and Maleficent.

DJ Cinderella Castle

According to Disney Parks Blog, “Dance the night away during this sinister soiree as a party DJ electrifies the night with monstrous music on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt stage.”

maleficent steampunk magic kingdom
Credit: Disney

PhotoPass at Villains After Hours

Magic Kingdom has select PhotoPass photographers located throughout the park to allow for fun and unique photo opportunities. As Disney Parks Blog describes, “Strike a pose at special themed photo locations scattered throughout the park.”

In case you aren’t familiar with PhotoPass, Disney describes the service as:

Capture Priceless Memories with Disney PhotoPass

Preview all your Disney PhotoPass photos from Walt Disney World Resort, then purchase photo downloads and prints to share. Choose just your favorites or buy them all with Memory Maker!

Get Everyone in the Picture

Let Disney PhotoPass create picture-perfect memories of your whole family at iconic park locations—plus capture photos and videos at select attractions.

Linking Your Photos

It’s easy to link your photos to your Disney account! You can use your MagicBand, Disney PhotoPass card, theme park ticket or annual pass. When you wear your MagicBand to the park, your attraction photos will even be automatically linked to your account. runDisney photos can also be linked to your account using your bib number.

disney world
Credit: PhotoPass/Inside the Magic

Snap Up Unlimited Photo Downloads for Your Vacation

Enjoy unlimited iconic, professional photos captured by Disney PhotoPass for just one price with the
purchase of Memory Maker. Includes family photos captured throughout the parks –
from iconic park locations to participating attraction locations – that are easy to share.

Purchase Personalized Photo Products

Preserve your Disney memories on personalized photo gift products.

What rides are open during Villains After Hours?

Over 20 different rides and attractions are open during Disney Villains After Hours. Disney Parks Blog states “Experience low wait times at more than 20 attractions and experiences throughout the park.” These attractions include:
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Swiss Family Treehouse
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Enchanted Tiki Room
  • Splash Mountain
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Country Bear Jamboree
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
  • Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
  • The Barnstormer
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Mad Tea Party
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Space Mountain
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Astro Orbiter
  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Two of these attractions have special villainous adventure overlays which is only available during the Villains After Hours events. These include both Space Mountain in Tomorrowland and Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland.

space mountain lights on
Credit: Disney

How long will you wait for rides during Disney Villains After Hours?

Because this is a special themed ticketed event, lines for the attractions will be much shorter than on an average day. Most attractions tend to be walk-ons (less than 5 minute waits) while some can still get up to 20-30 minute waits.

Is FastPass offered during Villains After Hours?

So yes and no. Although you cannot book FastPasses during the actual After Hours events you can book them with your After Hours event ticket beginning at 7 pm until the event actually begins.

As we recently reported in another article, “You can use your event ticket to secure FastPasses for Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom attractions. But here’s the catch: FastPasses are only available until the park closes to non-event guests. Meaning, in the case for Disney Villains After Hours, guests have from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. to reserve FastPasses for their favorite rides.  Once the “after hours” event begins, all rides are stand-by only.”

Merchandise at Villains After Hours

These were the merchandise selections for the 2020 Villains After Hours event. Though merchandise varies from year to year, here is a look at what Guests can expect for upcoming years.

Oogie Boogie Sipper

oogie boogie
Credit: Disney

Disney is known for their adorable and themed sippers — For the 2020 Villains After Hours, Disney debuted a new Oogie Boogie sipper!

Hades Merchandise

villains merchandise
Credit: Disney

Hades took center stage in the design of many of the 2020 items like the signature event pocket t-shirt, the Hades themed jacket and even the villain’s tank top!

Evil Queen Merchandise

evil queen necklace
Credit: Inside the Magic

Need to add a little bling to your wardrobe? Check out this Evil Queen themed necklace! This is certainly a must-have for all villains fans!

With the words “Evil Queen” as the center and a bright red heart on its side, this Evil Queen themed necklace will make you stand apart from the crowd, just like in true villains fashion.

This isn’t the only Evil Queen themed merchandise that was available at 2020 Disney Villains After Hours. There was a wide variety of jewelry featured around the Evil Queen, her poisoned apple, and the iconic bright red heart.

evil queen
Credit: Inside the Magic

Character Couture

If you are looking to really bring out your wicked side for the Villains After Hours event, check out Disney’s Character Couture. The Disney stylists are here to help you bring your villain’s costume together by helping provide hair and makeup styles to match that costume.

The official Disney World describes Character Couture as:

Put your wicked side on display with professional hair and/or makeup designed with a scheming Disney villains in mind.

Express your individual style with professional, one-of-a-kind beauty looks inspired by iconic Disney characters.

Get Glammed Up, Disney Style

Rock a fun hairstyle or makeup look themed after one of your favorite Disney characters or themes! Whether you’re going for a mighty hero, crafty villain, brave princess or galactic defender, our professional stylists will skillfully work their magic to help you get into character during your visit to the parks or at a special event.

villains after hours
Credit: Disney

Participating Locations

  • The Salon at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Salon by the Springs at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • La Vida Salon at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
  • Ship Shape Salon at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort
  • In-room services are offered for an additional fee at participating Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

To book an appointment, call (407) WDW-GLAM or (407) 939-4526.

hairstyle
Credit: Disney

The official Walt Disney World Resort website states the following:

Hairstyling

Treat your tresses to a classic, character-inspired hairstyle.

Hairstyling

Price: $75 ($60 for Guests 12 and under)

  • Full consultation
  • Hairstyle of your choice like cascading curls, intricate braids or an elegant updo
  • Heat styling
  • Select accessories available for an additional cost
makeup
Credit: Disney

Makeup

Make a statement with a classic, character-inspired beauty look.

Makeup

Price: $50 ($40 for Guests 12 and under)

  • Full consultation
  • Cosmetic application to eyes, lips and cheeks―can be subtle or dramatic
  • Note: Guests should arrive with foundation already applied
nails
Credit: Disney

Nails

Go for the complete look by adding nails.

Nails (Add-On)

Price: $20 ($15 for Guests 12 and under)

In order to enjoy this service, you will need to book a hairstyling and/or makeup session.

  • Nail polish application
villains after hours
Credit: Disney

In-Room Services

Let us bring the Character Couture experience to you!

In-Room Services

Price: an additional fee of $25 per reservation

This option is only available at participating Disney Resort hotels. Please call to find out more information.

disney princess
Credit: Disney

Inspired Looks

Disney Princesses

Dream big with hair and/or makeup inspired by a beloved Disney heroine.

Disney Princess

Popular Inspirations Include:

  • Ariel
  • Belle
  • Cinderella
  • Elsa
  • Merida
  • Mulan
  • Jasmine
  • Tiana
villains after hours
Credit: Disney

Disney Villains

Put your wicked side on display with hair and/or makeup designed with a scheming Disney villain in mind.

Popular Inspirations Include:

  • Cruella de Vil
  • Gaston
  • Hades
  • Maleficent
  • Queen of Hearts
  • Scar
  • Ursula
disney villains
Credit: Disney

Mickey and Friends

Play up your favorite accessories with a beauty nod to Mickey, Minnie or one of their pals.

Popular Inspirations Include:

  • Mickey
  • Minnie
  • Daisy
star wars
Credit: Disney

Galactic Defender

Embody the spirit of an epic space warrior by sporting hair and/or makeup with a cosmic twist.

Popular Inspirations Include:

  • Ahsoka Tano
  • Darth Maul
  • Rey
  • Princess Leia

Know Before You Go

The official Walt Disney World Resort website states the following:

Appointments

Character Couture beauty services at Walt Disney World Resort are very popular. To make a reservation or for information regarding Character Couture package pricing, please call (407) WDW-GLAM or (407) 939-4526. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Cancellation

If reservations have not been cancelled within 6 hours of the appointment time, the full-service amount will be charged.

villains after hours
Credit: Disney

Age Requirement

This experience is designed for Guests of all ages. Guests younger than 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times—during service treatment times and in lounge areas. Please speak to a Cast Member if you have any questions.

Time Required

Services will take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the service selected.

Prices and Gratuity

All prices, package components, accessories, hairstyles and information contained herein are subject to change without notice. A 20% gratuity will be automatically applied to all services. Additional gratuities may be included at your discretion. Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disney® Visa® Cardmembers are eligible for a 15% discount.

Disney Villains After Hours
Credit: Disney

How do you get tickets to Villains After Hours?

In 2020, tickets for Disney Villains After Hours were available to purchase in advance for $145 plus tax or $155 plus tax on the event night. Plus, Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club Members can save even more if they take advantage of the $30 discount.

If you purchase an event ticket, Guests are allowed entry as early as 7 pm, which gives these Guests time to enjoy fireworks before heading off to the select attractions!

For more information on Disney Villains After Hours and to purchase your tickets, visit DisneyWorld.com/VillainsAfterHours or call the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 939-2742.

Ursula, Disney Villains After Hours
Credit: Disney

Our Review of Villains After Hours

Inside the Magic gave an honest review of a recent Villains After Hours event to help Guests find out if it’s worth it for them.

In regards to the attractions, we say “The Space Mountain overlay is most comparable to the overlay the attraction got during 2018’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, which included the lights being turned off in the ride and a special soundtrack playing in the background. Similar to Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean also offers a similar overlay from Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. With the overlay, live pirates can be found in both the queue and the attraction.”

In regards to the parade and Maleficent’s special appearance, we said “A special and new experience that’s never been done before in the park that this event offers is the special appearance of Maleficent throughout the park during the night. The fire-breathing dragon moves along the park’s parade route during the three hours of the event and is joined by a team of dancers who clear her path.”

disney villains
Credit: Inside the Magic

When it comes to PhotoPass, Inside the Magic highly recommends stopping at every PhotoPass photographer you spot, especially if you enjoy the offerings during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! “For guests who enjoy Disney’s Magical PhotoPass experiences, you may want to look out for the fun offerings that are exclusive to this event! We posed with Maleficent, the fire-breathing dragon and Tinker Bell. However, the experience offers even more photo ops to take advantage of around the park.”

In regards to the entertainment and events offered at the Villains After Hours events, we had to say the following:

Never done before at any After Hours event, Disney Villains After Hours offers an exclusive nighttime stage show, which features all of Disney’s most famous villains! Some of the hilarious hoodlums found in the show include Hades, Meg, The Queen, Maleficent, Jafar and many more!

Nothing can compete with the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular from Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. But, Villains Unite the Night was still a very enjoyable show as it featured fireworks, everyone’s favorite villains, lighting effects, music and much more. 

villains after hours
Credit: Inside the Magic

Some of our final thoughts regarding the 2019 event:

What Disney Parks fan doesn’t love walking around Magic Kingdom after hours with shorter ride wait times, exclusive entertainment, and included snacks and beverages? However, this luxury comes at a price.

Compared to a single day ticket at the Magic Kingdom, which ranges in cost between $109 – $159, the $139 cost of Villains After Hours is as much or more as a full day at the park. And if you purchased a regular ticket, you would have access to the park from opening to close. Although, Villains After Hours offers food and entertainment not found during a normal day’s visit to the park, which is something to consider when deciding if this experience is right for you. Additionally, you can fit in many more rides each hour you spend in the park with this experience, if that is how you choose to spend your time.

In comparison to the regular After Hours events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, this event is priced a little higher. Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom’s regular After Hours events run for only $125. The $14 upcharge for the additional theming and entertainment makes sense given the exclusive nighttime show, and other exclusive experiences found only at Disney Villains After Hours.

To read more of our review, click here.

disney photopass
Credit: PhotoPass/Inside the Magic

Need Help Planning Your Next Walt Disney World Vacation?

If you need help planning your next Walt Disney World vacation to experience the popular Villains After Hours event, the Authorized Planners at Academy Travel have you covered! Academy Travel has earned the highest designation that Disney can bestow upon a travel agency, EarMarked Diamond!

As long as you book your trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can rest assured that you will be working with an agency that Disney has vetted and is willing to associate their brand with that agency due to the knowledge and service level you will find at that particular agency.

Ready to find out what your dream vacation will cost? Click here to get a free no-obligation quote.

Do you have an upcoming Walt Disney World vacation? Will you be attending Villains After Hours in the future? Let us know when you plan on visiting in the comments below. 

in Events, Walt Disney World

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