After Hours Events - Ask Questions and Share Experiences Here

[holden]

They do have wine though, right? I was thinking we'd end our AH at Oga's and I'd have a glass of wine, take some pictures.

Take a look at the link I posted. They have wines listed but I'm not sure if they are "regular" wines.

 

[Maggie The Cat]

Take a look at the link I posted. They have wines listed but I'm not sure if they are "regular" wines.

Thank you. The blue one is a Chardonnay. I don't love it, but I certainly will drink it.

 

[Boardwalk III]

We went last night too and we had a different experience then those above. The lack of the buffer time means the rides are still very busy until about 10. We went to Star Tours during this time (after Fantasmic) which worked out well. Then at 9:30 we went on TSM twice and that was good as well. We went in the Slinky line and that looked too long but Rise showed at 15 min and Smugglers at 10 min (about 10 pm now) so we quickly headed there instead. We got in the Rise line and it was very long even on the outside so we knew it had to be longer than 15 so we bailed and headed to Smugglers. It was posted at 10 and would stay that way for the next half hour. At this point Rise jumped to 40 min. So we got in the Smugglers line. That line was a nightmare! It barely moved even though it continued to post 10 min so we all thought is would start moving and it is not easy to bail on that ride once you are in there. 45 min later we finally got to boarding. It turns out that the were only operating at half capacity (all while posting 10 min wait). Just as we got to the loading bays it posted at 40 min. Everyone in the line was furious. We ended up wasting 50 min at one ride! The biggest issue was they continued posting the wrong time and gave no hint they were operating at half capacity.

We did rush and got several TT rides in as well as MMRR in. But we had no time to do Rise or SD as those continued to have 15 min waits.

We stopped at GS on the way out to complain. She of course apologized and then eventually offered us each 2 future LL. We left this morning so hopefully we can use them in the future.

Another complaint was the parking. They parked everyone coming in around 7 about as far away as possible (way past the buses) even though that was completing unnecessary and there were plenty of open spots. That was a long way back to the cars!

So overall, I don’t know how I feel about AH now. We have been to a number of them before and this one was far more disappointing. And they definitely had less people at them. Plenty of snacks with short lines towards the end of the evening. As a poster about 2/22 indicated they were not ready at 9:30 with that but honestly that was difficult because there is no buffer. We did time that right though and we got drinks soon after the start.

I was there as well, but we didn’t do Smugglers so didn’t get stuck there. Had no idea this happened . How frustrating! We must have lucked out with our Rise timing as it was pretty much a walk-on. Although you had to walk to the whole queue line which took about 10 minutes.

 

[Pyxie]

So it's a "gimmick" wine and I can't just order a glass of white? That's good to know, thank you! (I'm allergic to red)

There is also a red wine listed on the menu, but I've never ordered wine there:

Goldschmidt Vineyards Imperial Guard, Sonoma​

Fully Clad Crimson-Colored, Nicely Focused Red Cherry and Raspberry aromas combined robust Red Berry Fruit Flavors, a touch of Caramel, Dark Chocolate, and spice with Long, Supple Tannis

 

[Boardwalk III]

Does this group have an opinion on which rides to hit first during AH, to allow daytime crowds to thin out? I was thinking MMRR or TSM might be the best options? Or even ToT?

We were there Wednesday night and started doing attractions around 9:30, starting with TSM and then MMRR. Worked out well.

 

[Betsyp]

It's a bar that looks like the cantina in Star Wars. They have only pre-made drinks (and they aren't good IMHO), beer and wine. Very limited food.

The atmosphere is cool, and if you can just go in and look around or sit and enjoy a drink, it's neat. It was a once and done for us. We stayed around 20 minutes and that was plenty.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/ogas-cantina/menus/

Oh that’s fun ! As long as I’m there, why not?

Thank you !

 

[sdk1231]

Have attended various AH events, and the most recent were HS AH on 2/15 and MK on 2/16.
With both events, we were at different parks earlier in the day, and arrived right around 7ish. We also ate, watched some of the night shows, and shopped for a bit, before the start time of each actual event. I wanted to mention it because we could've accomplished even more rides.

2/15 Hollywood Studios starting at 9pm
- MMRRW x 1
- Rise of the Resistance x 3
(bathroom break and brief stop at Batuu market)
- Alien Swirling Saucers x 1
- SDD x 2
(ice cream and water)
- ToT x 2

Total 9 rides. We had a great time! Both Tower and Rise were down at first, so we were thrilled with how things worked out.

2/16 Magic Kingdom starting at 8:30:
-7DMT x 1
- Buzz Light-year x 1
- Space Mountain x 2
(furious panic walk back to Town Square lost and found to find missing driver's license. Driver's license retrieved!!!)
- Winnie the Pooh x 1
- Peter Pan x 1
- 7DMT x 2
(ice cream and water)
- Haunted Mansion x 1
- Magic Capets x 1
- PotC x 1
- BTMRR x 2
- Haunted Mansion x 2

Total 15 rides. Another great night minus the driver's licence fiasco.

Oh... so Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is open during After Hours?

 

[Doug7856]

Great thread! We're planning to do the Epcot After House this summer (was hopping or Magic Kingdom, but we're happy to have Epcot). Looking forward to reports from Epcot.

 

[jenjersnap]

We did both MK AH on 3/6 - where I unfortunately slipped and fell in the queue of our third ride so we spent the rest of the night in First Aid - and DHS AH on 3/8 now in a wheelchair. I thought the evening went okay since we did hit our ride goals. We arrived around 8 and I stacked 3 LL before regular close

Star Tours x 1 (LL)
Runaway Railroad x 2 (1 LL, 1 during party)
Slinky x 2
Swirling Saucers x 1
Toy Story x 1
Rise x 1
Smuggler’s Rebellion x 2 (1 LL, 1 during party)

We did have a bad experience at Oga’s that night. We had an adr shortly before park close. They told us the estimated wait was 30 minutes. I asked if we would have time to ride SR and was assured by a CM there would be enough time. Well, we received a table ready text just as we entered the ride and didn’t arrive back at Oga’s until exactly 11 minutes after the text. Our adr was canceled and nothing would make them budge, not even pointing out they said we had time. It was my husband’s actual birthday and his only request so the whole thing was a big bummer cherry on top of a trip that went seriously awry. So, don’t leave the area no matter how long they say the wait will be!

 

[martymcflyy85]

Can you use your magic band to check in and get the bracelet for the After Hours event? Or do you have to use the app on your phone?

Also, are you able to see the ride photos during the After Hours event?

 

[SkyGuy]

Can you use your magic band to check in and get the bracelet for the After Hours event? Or do you have to use the app on your phone?

Also, are you able to see the ride photos during the After Hours event?

I used my magic band to check in at both MK and HS. Yes, we got ride photos as well as a whole bunch of PhotoPass photos. Lots of photogs and no lines at ours.

 

[Pyxie]

We did both MK AH on 3/6 - where I unfortunately slipped and fell in the queue of our third ride so we spent the rest of the night in First Aid - and DHS AH on 3/8 now in a wheelchair. I thought the evening went okay since we did hit our ride goals. We arrived around 8 and I stacked 3 LL before regular close

Star Tours x 1 (LL)
Runaway Railroad x 2 (1 LL, 1 during party)
Slinky x 2
Swirling Saucers x 1
Toy Story x 1
Rise x 1
Smuggler’s Rebellion x 2 (1 LL, 1 during party)

We did have a bad experience at Oga’s that night. We had an adr shortly before park close. They told us the estimated wait was 30 minutes. I asked if we would have time to ride SR and was assured by a CM there would be enough time. Well, we received a table ready text just as we entered the ride and didn’t arrive back at Oga’s until exactly 11 minutes after the text. Our adr was canceled and nothing would make them budge, not even pointing out they said we had time. It was my husband’s actual birthday and his only request so the whole thing was a big bummer cherry on top of a trip that went seriously awry. So, don’t leave the area no matter how long they say the wait will be!

Were you able to purchase Genie+ just with your After Hours ticket or did you also have a park ticket for that day?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Were you able to purchase Genie+ just with your After Hours ticket or did you also have a park ticket for that day?

I don’t believe G+ is in place for AH events unless it’s being used for the overlap period when party guests are allowed entry and day guests are still in the park.

 

[Pyxie]

I don’t believe G+ is in place for AH events unless it’s being used for the overlap period when party guests are allowed entry and day guests are still in the park.

Right. The poster I quoted stated they made G+ selections for the overlap time, so that's why I was asking if they already had a park ticket that day or if they were able to do this with just having the AH ticket.

 

[PPFlight75]

We attended the MK AHs event 3/6. We got there around 730pm. The line to enter with party tickets was crazy long so we entered the regular entrance using our APs and park pass. We walked back to see the wait for Pirates and see if there was a party check in spot at Tortuga's and there was. Quick and easy checked in for the party. We decided not to ride and checked in for dinner at Skipper Canteen. We finished around 845 and did Tiki Room, Pirates (walk on), and Jungle Cruise (17 min wait). Then it was time for the party and we did:
BTMM- 5 min wait
BTMM- walk on
HM- closed so we got a snack
Peter Pan- 10 min wait
SDMT- 15 min
Pooh- less than 5 minute
Snack
People Mover- walk on
Buzz- walk on
HM now open- only wait was for the doors to open then walk on
final snack
We took our time and did what we set out to do and left around 1215. We had been up all day and done HS that morning so we were tired and happy.
Our bus showed up right when we got there so a great ending!
We felt the crowd was much lower that previous AH events at MK and were thrilled with the low crowd and nice weather. Would love to do again!

 

[Cherrychip]

Adding my AH experience at MK on 3/6. We had day tickets and rope- dropped Fantasy land in the morning, riding everything that land except 7dwarves before we left for a break so we didn’t return until after 8 for the AH event. There was no line to get the wristbands at that point and we walked back to Astro Orbiter while the fireworks show was going on. We rode Astro Orbitor, Peoplemover and Buzz and then were able to grab snacks about 5 minutes before the official start time. My DH doesn’t like roller coasters but my girls and I love them, so he took our 2 year old on a few rides like Jungle Cruise and Small World while we prioritized the mountains. We did Space x3 and were able to use the lightning line until day goers cleared the que. Next we grabbed snacks and ate on the way to Big Thunder, getting a quick photo in front of the castle on the way. We rode Big Thunder x3, grabbed more snacks and ate on the way to Haunted Mansion x1, then over to 7dwarves which we rode x3-I texted DH while we were in line there and he grabbed us some final ice cream treats to eat on the way out. We had a blast and I would totally do this event again- it was a great way for my bigs to get their fill of the coaster rides!

 

[Cherrychip]

Does this group have an opinion on which rides to hit first during AH, to allow daytime crowds to thin out? I was thinking MMRR or TSM might be the best options? Or even ToT?

I think any of those would probably be fine. I’d probably choose whichever one will involve the least backtracking so either ToT and then make your way to the next area you want to hit or MMRR since it is more central.

 

[jenjersnap]

Were you able to purchase Genie+ just with your After Hours ticket or did you also have a park ticket for that day?

Yes, we purchased Genie+ for the day. Started out at AK in morning.

 

[Pyxie]

Yes, we purchased Genie+ for the day. Started out at AK in morning.

Got it, thanks. So you did have a day ticket.

 

[jenjersnap]

Got it, thanks. So you did have a day ticket.

I don’t think I ever implied otherwise, but, yes, I have an AP. The idea of stacking LLs came from an AH thread here - possibly this one. Thanks to whoever suggested it!