After Hours With Kids

[AndreaDM]

Hi! I'm just looking for anyone who has taken young kids to any of the DAHs. We will be there on the 19th, myself, DD and her 2 kids 6 and 8, almost 7 and 9. I know every kid is different, etc. just looking for any experiences anyone can share. We wouldn't be doing anything else that day, so a nap might be possible and the goal would be to be at MK by 7. It's just a lot of money to shell out if they can't hang for the actual after hours. "Free" popcorn and ice cream might help lol. TIA!

 

[BrianL]

Hi! I'm just looking for anyone who has taken young kids to any of the DAHs. We will be there on the 19th, myself, DD and her 2 kids 6 and 8, almost 7 and 9. I know every kid is different, etc. just looking for any experiences anyone can share. We wouldn't be doing anything else that day, so a nap might be possible and the goal would be to be at MK by 7. It's just a lot of money to shell out if they can't hang for the actual after hours. "Free" popcorn and ice cream might help lol. TIA!

I can't say what it's like to bring kids, but I have definitely seen plenty of kids there - all the way to the end. It might help that lines are short - long waits likely make kids sleepy/cranky the most. It's probably good to not be doing anything else that day - relax and have a nap before heading over. That would probably be good for the kids - and probably the adults too! After Hours is a blast!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Honestly it's not something anyone can really answer for you as only you know your (grand)children and, what makes something 'worth it' to you. I've attended about 6 AH parties with my DD. Only you will know how you'd feel if you needed to leave early (even very early) if your child/children we done. Some families leave after fireworks and it's 'worth it' to them. Others cannot justify the cost even if they stayed from start to finish.

We've done an assortment of MNSSHP and MVMCP since my daughter was a toddler. Sometimes she slept through 1/2 the party and other times she partied from start to finish. Each time we went I made sure I was okay with leaving at whatever time was necessary to ensure it was 'worth it' to me. The year she slept I wandered around, went to watch some of the shows and dance parties, fireworks, etc. We were halfway down Main Street when she woke up so we turned around and partied together until the end! It's a great memory for us.

 

[AndreaDM]

Honestly it's not something anyone can really answer for you as only you know your children and, what makes something 'worth it' to you. I've attended about 6 AH parties with my DD. Only you will know how you'd feel if you needed to leave early (even very early) if your child/children we done. Some families leave after fireworks and it's 'worth it' to them. Others cannot justify the cost even if they stayed from start to finish.

We've done an assortment of MNSSHP and MVMCP since my daughter was a toddler. Sometimes she slept through 1/2 the party and other times she partied from start to finish. Each time we went I made sure I was okay with leaving at whatever time was necessary to ensure it was 'worth it' to me. The year she slept I wandered around, went to watch some of the shows and dance parties, fireworks, etc. We were halfway down Main Street when she woke up so we turned around and partied together until the end! It's a great memory for us.

Completely understandable which is why I specified I was just looking for other's experiences. If 10 people tell me their kids partied til 1 am that will be a different story then 10 people telling me their kids conked out at 9.

 

[lanejudy]

My child is now an adult, but at that age she would maybe have made it until 9pm if we stretched it. Even now, she's not a late night person and would never enjoy an AH event.

We wouldn't be doing anything else that day, so a nap might be possible

At their ages will you be able to get them to nap during the day? Even with the promise of a special event at night, many kids that age simply aren't wired to nap during the day.

As others posted -- you know your kids (grandkids) best. I'd look to your DD for her recommendation as to how she thinks they would do. And would it impact the next day's plans if they are tired and cranky.

 

[AndreaDM]

Right, I'm thinking maybe just them knowing about going to the park later will excite them enough to not sleep lol. No plans the next morning until brunch at 11:30.

 

[Philsfan77]

Hi! I'm just looking for anyone who has taken young kids to any of the DAHs. We will be there on the 19th, myself, DD and her 2 kids 6 and 8, almost 7 and 9. I know every kid is different, etc. just looking for any experiences anyone can share. We wouldn't be doing anything else that day, so a nap might be possible and the goal would be to be at MK by 7. It's just a lot of money to shell out if they can't hang for the actual after hours. "Free" popcorn and ice cream might help lol. TIA!

We will be doing our first one with our 2 boys 6 and 8 at the time we go this summer. I can't speak to the actual after hours event specifically, but we did MNSSHP this past year (they were 5 and 7) and we made it to 1130ish - could have made it the distance to midnight, but we were pretty happy with everything we accomplished and rolled out. They were still wired when we got back and didn't fall asleep until closer to 1. As others have said, you'll know the kids best, but for us it's doable.

 

[Lou'sMommy]

We haven't gotten to do an AF party yet, but we used to occasionally stay very late at MK when my kids were young. At that time, MK would sometimes close very late (maybe 1 am?). We have a very vivid memory of both them bright eyed and having fun all the way until we got back to our resort around 2 am. At that time one was 4 and the other was 11. They were always "slow burn', long endurance children. I will say that they seemed to be the exception. Maybe we remember it so well because we commented extensively on how almost all other children we saw were either fast asleep in their strollers or obviously at the end of their ropes! I guess like other have said, it all depends on your particular grandchildren.

 

[focusondisney]

Completely understandable which is why I specified I was just looking for other's experiences. If 10 people tell me their kids partied til 1 am that will be a different story then 10 people telling me their kids conked out at 9.

But all that tells you is parents of 10 kids saw your thread. The parents of 20 kids who reacted differently might never have seen it. And were the 10 kids were the same or different personalities than your grandkids as far as their reactions to changes in their routines? Too many variables to predict how your family will react based on someone else’s kids.

My niece took her kids to WDW for the first time when they were 3 & 5. They did a MK day rope drop to closing at 11. At home these kids are normally up by 7, nap & have a strict bedtime before 8. They 3 yo fell asleep in the stroller just before fireworks, the 5 yo kept going the whole time. They slept in the next day, stayed at the resort for a pool day tho.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Hi! I'm just looking for anyone who has taken young kids to any of the DAHs. We will be there on the 19th, myself, DD and her 2 kids 6 and 8, almost 7 and 9. I know every kid is different, etc. just looking for any experiences anyone can share. We wouldn't be doing anything else that day, so a nap might be possible and the goal would be to be at MK by 7. It's just a lot of money to shell out if they can't hang for the actual after hours. "Free" popcorn and ice cream might help lol. TIA!

Lasting memories can be made at unexpected places, like a late night at MK.

My fondest Disney memory is chasing my then 3 year old daughter back to the entrance of Space Mountain moments before midnight with her screaming ‘One More Time Daddy’ all the way.

 

[Marthasor]

I wouldn't have even attempted this when DS was that age. We would occasionally do MNSSHP and MVMCP but knew, going in, we were leaving after the fireworks because he was absolutely done by then. If there is any question in your mind as to whether they will make it through the night or not, why spend the money? I agree with others - ask your DD. She will know best if her kids will be able to handle such a late night. WDW can be absolutely exhausting - new environment, different schedule, a ton of walking - it is really hard to predict how anyone will handle an after-hours event particularly younger children.

 

[sponica]

I have a 5.5 year old and a 9.5 year old. In no way would I do an after hours with my kids. It does not matter what time they go to bed the night before, my youngest is up at 5 AM no matter what. Maybe they can both make it to 9 one night early in a trip.

My kids would get more done with early entry and judicious use of lightning lanes and it would be more enjoyable for us.

 

[AndreaDM]

I wouldn't have even attempted this when DS was that age. We would occasionally do MNSSHP and MVMCP but knew, going in, we were leaving after the fireworks because he was absolutely done by then. If there is any question in your mind as to whether they will make it through the night or not, why spend the money? I agree with others - ask your DD. She will know best if her kids will be able to handle such a late night. WDW can be absolutely exhausting - new environment, different schedule, a ton of walking - it is really hard to predict how anyone will handle an after-hours event particularly younger children.

Of course I've already asked my daughter, she thinks they can hang, but I'm afraid even if they're awake they'll be craannkkkyyyy! Just looking for other's experiences

 

[GADisneyDad14]

At those ages I had AH and party experiences where my kids were hard changing / could hang all night, and others where they couldn't (or it was clear that I shouldn't push things). I feel like it was 80% all good but an occasional experience that wouldn't be in the cards. I always had the mindset that if for some reason plans change, I wouldn't think twice about the cost/money, that was the risk I was willing to take.

I sometimes found a good solid sit down dinner meal helped a ton - like somewhere to get some good protein (eg, steak, grilled chicken, etc), ideally table service. For one, it sets a good base for the night, two, it can be used to pass some time.

YMMV!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I don't think others experiences will help you much, but I'll throw mine in - my kid is a late night owl like his mama and he can rock a midnight Disney park day. Even at age 3, he was still going strong at midnight. No crankiness, no tears, no (visible) exhaustion. We have never left a Disney event early (or any special event, Disney or not) because he does great.

But he is not a morning person - rope drop ain't happening in our house!

The parents will know best on what their child can handle, and how to navigate it. My niece at his age was DONE by 7pm - but her mama warned me she would probably turn into a pumpkin around then, and she did!

 

[sponica]

Of course I've already asked my daughter, she thinks they can hang, but I'm afraid even if they're awake they'll be craannkkkyyyy! Just looking for other's experiences

If it's early in the trip, it might be worth the risk. But I would in no way take the chance at the end of the trip.

 

[ghtx]

Obviously you know your own kids better than any of us. I took my young-ish kids to the Halloween party one year, which I think is not quite as late as After Hours. They enjoyed it. We slept in the following day (I think it was our travel day so we just slept in until we had to check out of the hotel).

 

[AndreaDM]

I wanted to update in case anyone else had the same questions. The kids did great, went hard then fell asleep on the bus on the way back to Pop lol.

HOWEVER - the entire DAH was a bit disappointing. We went knowing BTMM was down for refurb, and that Tiana's wouldn't be open during the 10-1 event. We could have rode between 7-10 but it was COLD and we did not want to be cold AND wet. Then there were a number of attractions down due to some smoke from the 9pm fireworks. Ariel was down all night, girls were disappointed. Space was down until about midnight and 7DMT was down until 12:30, leaving only 30 minutes to ride. Side note, I have never seen so many line jumpers as I did in that line - everyone had kids/friends/partner up ahead. With so many of the larger attractions down, it sent everyone to Tron making that line very long. It became very challenging to do more than a few things without criss-crossing all over the park, and 3 hours goes by fast! We did enjoy the free included snacks and walking around with fewer crowds, but all in all, I expected a better experience for $200 pp.

I'm not being a negative Nelly, just offering our experience from the 1/19 event.