After Hours - Yes, I think I'm crazy

[BoilerBob]

Basic Context: My wife and son (5) will be arriving via Brightline a little after noon. We will be leaving for Disney Wish the next day. When we return from Port Canaveral after the cruise, we will be flying home the next day.
Basic Premise: My son is obsessed with rides. His favorite ride is PotC. He desperately wants to ride TT, SM, and SDMT because we could not do that last time we visited for a whirlwind 4-park day in January (which my wife said never again). He also loves Guardians and Frozen.
Problem: We will have partial days without rope drop because of travel to Orlando area both days.
Potential Solution: Epcot has after hours on the day before the cruise and MK has after hours on the night we get off the cruise.
Other Potential Solution - Just get an after 1 conference pass and hope for the best with lightning lanes.

The only reason I'm considering the after-hours is that on our last two visits (October and January), my son surprised the heck out of me by closing down the park on a regular day and also attending the Halloween party) by choice (we didn't force it and were prepared to leave earlier). I also dislike crowds and the LL game. My son's biggest struggle is waiting in lines (big surprise).

Do the AH events seem reasonable to you in this context or am I just pushing towards the outcome I want, realizing it could blow up spectacularly.

 

[Jonnnyap]

You didn't mention the dates, but I find that the AH events are much better because the temps/weather is cooler, and the parks are just more fun in the evenings. The crowds are less, too. I've never done the parks-to-cruise combo, so the travel might make you want to rest when you get back into Orlando, but if you're up for it, I'd say go for it and enjoy the atmosphere of the AH events. Seems like a good way to kickoff and end your trip. And 5 is a great age to be in WDW! But I also admit I might just be enabling your predetermined choice here.

Hope you have a fabulous time!

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Do it! (With no expectations tho)

 

[pirate33]

This is a great plan! My only caveat would be that it’s possible you may be too tired on one or both nights so I would be prepared to accept that or that you can’t stay for the whole event. But you can get so much done in a short time and, as someone pointed out, being in the parks at night is much more pleasant, and the AH events are very uncrowded. This will be much better than trying to go during the day, and you can relax in the day time.