After Hours Events - Ask Questions and Share Experiences Here

[Dug720]

I have definitely heard people comment that various AH events felt “festive.” They do market “free” snacks, special characters, and lower than average wait times. It’s not that much of a jump to say “hey, that sounds like it could be a festive atmosphere.” No? You don’t think Disney is marketing it that way? We’ll have to agree to disagree.

Yeah - we'll have to agree to disagree. Nothing in that says festive to me. It must just be me though since multiple people seem to think it's supposed to be a party.

 

[princesslover]

Yeah - we'll have to agree to disagree. Nothing in that says festive to me. It must just be me though since multiple people seem to think it's supposed to be a party.

I didn’t say “a party.” I said the implication with these little perks of the event is that the guest can reasonably expect an experience that is more “festive” than a run of the mill park day.

 

[marciemouse]

Once again, they *are* events.

They are not marketed as parties. They aren't supposed to have "party vibes".

I know it's an event, and I wasn't expecting party vibes. I was simply stating my impression in hopes that it may help others who are trying to determine if a HS After Hours event is for them.

Also, Epcot has a live DJ for their AH events, which, IMO, does lend the event some extra fun vibes. Again, just stating my impression with the goal of helping others make an informed decision.

 

[Dug720]

I didn’t say “a party.” I said the implication with these little perks of the event is that the guest can reasonably expect an experience that is more “festive” than a run of the mill park day.

As you said, we can agree to disagree. I don't see snacks as festive. Others do. That's fine.

I know it's an event, and I wasn't expecting party vibes. I was simply stating my impression in hopes that it may help others who are trying to determine if a HS After Hours event is for them.

Also, Epcot has a live DJ for their AH events, which, IMO, does lend the event some extra fun vibes. Again, just stating my impression with the goal of helping others make an informed decision.

I guess. I just never read any of the descriptions and thought it was remotely like a party - at least compared to the Halloween and Christmas parties.

 

[princesslover]

Also, Epcot has a live DJ for their AH events, which, IMO, does lend the event some extra fun vibes. Again, just stating my impression with the goal of helping others make an informed decision.

I went to Epcot Moonlight Magic event on July 17, 8 days after the DHS AH. They had a DJ that night which I agree — along with the snacks, lower crowd levels and wait times — did add to the party atmosphere. This is considered an “event” for DVC members but it definitely has a party feel which is why DVC members flock to these events and they are rated so favorably. I think the DJ definitely made a difference. (I also think the size of Epcot feels less bottle necked like DHS. People can spread out.)

I’ve been to MVMCP and that felt crowded and stressful to me. I was not a fan. Whether Disney “calls” it a party or not feels irrelevant here. It’s the experience of the guest that matters.

 

[Doug7856]

I've only been to Epcot After Hours where the DJ, character encounters and generally jovial atmosphere surprised me as I had just anticipated that the event as an opportunity to ride on the rides with little wait and enjoy free treats and drinks. It does seem to be common to refer to the After Hours events as "parties" and that certainly seems fair and a part of the culture of the DisBoards.

 

[scrappinginontario]

@princesslover and @Dug720, please move on. Each of you feel differently. This thread is to share experiences. Lets get back to sharing actual experiences rather than trying to convince one another that what we believe is 'right'. Each person's opinion is valid and the bantering back and forth isn't helping others.

Thanks.

 

[princesslover]

@princesslover and @Dug720, please move on. Each of you feel differently. This thread is to share experiences. Lets get back to sharing experiences rather than trying to convince one another that what we believe is 'right'. Each person's opinion is valid and the bantering back and forth isn't helping others.

Thanks.

Agreed!!! Let people share their experiences without judgement. That has been what I have been trying to say. Thank you.

 

[magicmountainmama]

TL/DR:
From 7:30-12:30, we rode:
RNR 4x
TOT 2x
Star Tours
Rise
MF
TSM
MMRR
9/10, highly recommend!

We went to AH at DHS last night & loved it!
We arrived around 7:30 & had LL for RNR & TOT. When we came off TOT it had started to lightly rain so we headed to Star Tours to get indoors. It was, unsurprisingly, a walk on at about 8:45.
After Star Tours we went to Galaxy's Edge. They were checking wrist bands to enter the land but there were still a few day guests in the land. We went to Rise, posted wait of 65 minutes, but it was a walk on. Next we went to MF, also a walk on.
We spent a little time in Galaxy’s Edge, taking pictures & enjoying some of the shops since we’ve never been able to do that before due to crowds. My sons really enjoyed the shop with all the lightsabers. The whole land was amazingly empty!
Next we headed to Toy Story Land, about 10:15. Slinky had a posted wait of 40 minutes & the line was long enough that I think that was pretty accurate. TSM had a posted wait of 25 minutes, but we waited about 40 minutes. That was disappointing. We were planning to go back to Slinky but it still had a long line, so we decided to skip it & maybe come back later in the night.
Next up, we did MMRR with about a 10 minute wait. After that, about 11:15, we headed back down Sunset Blvd.
We rode RNR twice as a walk on. The preshow was running but we were not held in the waiting room. Just kept walking through. Next we went over to TOT, preshow was running as usual. No wait to get into the preshow but then a 5-10 minute wait to get into an elevator.
At this point it was 12:00 & we decided to go over to RNR for one more ride since we won’t be back before it closes. We thought we could maybe do RNR & then come back to TOT before 12:30, but RNR had a posted wait of 25 minutes at this point & that was accurate. We came off the ride at 12:33.
We made our way to the front & cast members were handing out the leftover boxes of popcorn, basically begging people to take them.
We did stop a few times throughout the night for snacks, which were plentiful & easy to find in many areas throughout the park.
For us, this event was well worth it! We loved being there after dark, the vibe is just amazing at HS! And there was no bobbing & weaving through crowds, everywhere was open & easy to walk through or stop for pictures without feeling like you’re in someone’s way.
Galaxy’s Edge at night & without crowds was gorgeous.
Toy Story land was the only crowded area of the park & we did not get a chance to ride Slinky, but it wasn’t a priority for us.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this event!

 

[Doug7856]

TL/DR:
From 7:30-12:30, we rode:
RNR 4x
TOT 2x
Star Tours
Rise
MF
TSM
MMRR
9/10, highly recommend!

We went to AH at DHS last night & loved it!
We arrived around 7:30 & had LL for RNR & TOT. When we came off TOT it had started to lightly rain so we headed to Star Tours to get indoors. It was, unsurprisingly, a walk on at about 8:45.
After Star Tours we went to Galaxy's Edge. They were checking wrist bands to enter the land but there were still a few day guests in the land. We went to Rise, posted wait of 65 minutes, but it was a walk on. Next we went to MF, also a walk on.
We spent a little time in Galaxy’s Edge, taking pictures & enjoying some of the shops since we’ve never been able to do that before due to crowds. My sons really enjoyed the shop with all the lightsabers. The whole land was amazingly empty!
Next we headed to Toy Story Land, about 10:15. Slinky had a posted wait of 40 minutes & the line was long enough that I think that was pretty accurate. TSM had a posted wait of 25 minutes, but we waited about 40 minutes. That was disappointing. We were planning to go back to Slinky but it still had a long line, so we decided to skip it & maybe come back later in the night.
Next up, we did MMRR with about a 10 minute wait. After that, about 11:15, we headed back down Sunset Blvd.
We rode RNR twice as a walk on. The preshow was running but we were not held in the waiting room. Just kept walking through. Next we went over to TOT, preshow was running as usual. No wait to get into the preshow but then a 5-10 minute wait to get into an elevator.
At this point it was 12:00 & we decided to go over to RNR for one more ride since we won’t be back before it closes. We thought we could maybe do RNR & then come back to TOT before 12:30, but RNR had a posted wait of 25 minutes at this point & that was accurate. We came off the ride at 12:33.
We made our way to the front & cast members were handing out the leftover boxes of popcorn, basically begging people to take them.
We did stop a few times throughout the night for snacks, which were plentiful & easy to find in many areas throughout the park.
For us, this event was well worth it! We loved being there after dark, the vibe is just amazing at HS! And there was no bobbing & weaving through crowds, everywhere was open & easy to walk through or stop for pictures without feeling like you’re in someone’s way.
Galaxy’s Edge at night & without crowds was gorgeous.
Toy Story land was the only crowded area of the park & we did not get a chance to ride Slinky, but it wasn’t a priority for us.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this event!

Thanks for the excellent report! We’re doing After Hours at DHS later this month so the reports is timely!

 

[princesslover]

TL/DR:
From 7:30-12:30, we rode:
RNR 4x
TOT 2x
Star Tours
Rise
MF
TSM
MMRR
9/10, highly recommend!

We went to AH at DHS last night & loved it!
We arrived around 7:30 & had LL for RNR & TOT. When we came off TOT it had started to lightly rain so we headed to Star Tours to get indoors. It was, unsurprisingly, a walk on at about 8:45.
After Star Tours we went to Galaxy's Edge. They were checking wrist bands to enter the land but there were still a few day guests in the land. We went to Rise, posted wait of 65 minutes, but it was a walk on. Next we went to MF, also a walk on.
We spent a little time in Galaxy’s Edge, taking pictures & enjoying some of the shops since we’ve never been able to do that before due to crowds. My sons really enjoyed the shop with all the lightsabers. The whole land was amazingly empty!
Next we headed to Toy Story Land, about 10:15. Slinky had a posted wait of 40 minutes & the line was long enough that I think that was pretty accurate. TSM had a posted wait of 25 minutes, but we waited about 40 minutes. That was disappointing. We were planning to go back to Slinky but it still had a long line, so we decided to skip it & maybe come back later in the night.
Next up, we did MMRR with about a 10 minute wait. After that, about 11:15, we headed back down Sunset Blvd.
We rode RNR twice as a walk on. The preshow was running but we were not held in the waiting room. Just kept walking through. Next we went over to TOT, preshow was running as usual. No wait to get into the preshow but then a 5-10 minute wait to get into an elevator.
At this point it was 12:00 & we decided to go over to RNR for one more ride since we won’t be back before it closes. We thought we could maybe do RNR & then come back to TOT before 12:30, but RNR had a posted wait of 25 minutes at this point & that was accurate. We came off the ride at 12:33.
We made our way to the front & cast members were handing out the leftover boxes of popcorn, basically begging people to take them.
We did stop a few times throughout the night for snacks, which were plentiful & easy to find in many areas throughout the park.
For us, this event was well worth it! We loved being there after dark, the vibe is just amazing at HS! And there was no bobbing & weaving through crowds, everywhere was open & easy to walk through or stop for pictures without feeling like you’re in someone’s way.
Galaxy’s Edge at night & without crowds was gorgeous.
Toy Story land was the only crowded area of the park & we did not get a chance to ride Slinky, but it wasn’t a priority for us.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this event!

Based on experiences here, there seems to be a pattern of Slinky being a challenge for various reasons. Seems like if this is a priority for people, they probably should have expectations very low for riding it.

Was the 4 x on RNRC just the party hours or starting at 7:30?

Glad you had a fun night.

ETA: never mind. I re-read your post and see you did say 7:30-12:30. Apparently I lack reading comprehension.

 

[UpstateMick]

Did the HS after party on Wednesday night and EPCOT after party last night. To begin, I am not the typical after hours goer. Solo traveler who just wanted to experience park atmosphere with low crowds and at night out of heat. Really enjoyed HS. Atmosphere was wonderful and everything was easy to access. EPCOT was something I'd never do again. The party music pumped throughout park for 3 hours is just annoying (again, not your typical guest here). Was looking forward to EPCOTS atmosphere BGM loops. Got stuck and evacuated off of Grand Fiesta, Figment was down, and LWTL had very few boats running and they packed them. I also waited 40 minutes for a bus back to Wilderness Lodge at the end of the night. I would happily do HS again but would never pay for EPCOT again.

 

[Doug7856]

Did the HS after party on Wednesday night and EPCOT after party last night. To begin, I am not the typical after hours goer. Solo traveler who just wanted to experience park atmosphere with low crowds and at night out of heat. Really enjoyed HS. Atmosphere was wonderful and everything was easy to access. EPCOT was something I'd never do again. The party music pumped throughout park for 3 hours is just annoying (again, not your typical guest here). Was looking forward to EPCOTS atmosphere BGM loops. Got stuck and evacuated off of Grand Fiesta, Figment was down, and LWTL had very few boats running and they packed them. I also waited 40 minutes for a bus back to Wilderness Lodge at the end of the night. I would happily do HS again but would never pay for EPCOT again.

We’re doing the same later this month. We’ve only done Epcot After Hours and really enjoyed it. Hopefully we won’t experience too many rides down for either event.

 

[Nole95]

Here is what I posted last February when we did Epcot AH. We are going again next Thursday. The only difference is I think I’ve read that TT no longer has their preshow area. Is that correct?

We arrived shortly after 6 and went to the holding area where all the AH people enter. They ended up letting us enter Epcot just after 6:30, so that was a nice little bonus.

Over the course of the night, we were able to do the following.

Spaceship Earth
Soarin
Mission Space
Mexico
Remy
Test Tack (x2)
Guardians (x3)

We literally finished our third ride on Guardians right at 1am.

I will say that the only thing with Epcot is that the rides with pre-shows do take up a lot of time. I timed Gurdians, and from the time the first pre-show started to the time we exited the coaster was 20 minutes. I believe all three times we rode we were in the queue for about 15 minutes before the pre-show. My watch said 12:23 when we entered the building for the third time, and we got off at 1am. We probably could have squeezed in another ride on TT and/or Soarin and got in the Guardians line just before 1am. However, we decided to not worry about it.

Guardians and TT eat up the most time. Everything else was manageable and walk on most of the night.

Food carts were easy to spot, and the DJ music was piped in all around the park.

 

[Michaeluk92]

It is so frustrating that they run the pre shows on event nights, I wish we could just walk through. Would mean more people could ride too.