Disney MK After Hours Event - Crowds during day??

[plumedeb]

Disney announced an After Hours event for the date that we were scheduled to be at Magic Kingdom. We are not planning on attending the after hours event, and just wondering how this will impact the crowds during the day. Should I change my park schedule and stay away from the MK that day?

 

[kmb584]

Disney announced an After Hours event for the date that we were scheduled to be at Magic Kingdom. We are not planning on attending the after hours event, and just wondering how this will impact the crowds during the day. Should I change my park schedule and stay away from the MK that day?

It won't have much, if any, impact on crowds. The event doesn't start until 11 pm, though people can enter as early as 7 pm. Unlike MNSSHP and MVMCP which tend to decrease crowds during the day of a party, AH doesn't have a similar effect since the park isn't closing early.

 

[anomamatt]

It won't have much, if any, impact on crowds. The event doesn't start until 11 pm, though people can enter as early as 7 pm. Unlike MNSSHP and MVMCP which tend to decrease crowds during the day of a party, AH doesn't have a similar effect since the park isn't closing early.

Actually... After hours starts at either 8 or 9 pm. And you can enter at 4pm with an after hours ticket.

As for the impact on crowds, probably minimal. Fewer people with 1 day tickets but possibly more guests who are in making it a day in MK with DAH tickets.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I’ll chime in too. The second poster reported incorrect information about the start time of the DAH dates announced for 2018. It is either 8pm or 9pm depending on the date, as @anomamatt noted. Note that DAH in 2017 and also 2018 was/is offered on select nights Jan-March which naturally have either 8 or 9pm closings as standard hours.

Judging from crowds last year, any impact to regular MK crowds would be very minimal. Maybe a little crossover traffic late day, but it’s not going to be enough to notice.

I guess it’s possible the event could explode in popularity this year and my opinion might not be valid, but that’s not likely to be the case.

FWIW, I’m going to DAH in Feb and I don’t plan to show up until sometime in the hour before natural park closing.

 

[Haley R]

I don't think you can get in at 4 pm. I'm pretty sure the earliest you are allowed in is 7 pm.

 

[Elle23]

We spent the day at MK in January on an After Hours night (a Tuesday), and the crowds weren't bad at all. The only way I knew there was even an event that night was from reading these boards.

 

[anomamatt]

I don't think you can get in at 4 pm. I'm pretty sure the earliest you are allowed in is 7 pm.

No, you could get in at 4 last year. I and many others did. They had the lanyards out at 4 as well. They didn’t advertise it, but it’s what happened. Just like any party...

 

[whiporee]

No, you could get in at 4 last year. I and many others did. They had the lanyards out at 4 as well. They didn’t advertise it, but it’s what happened. Just like any party...

That's true of last year, but I'd wait until the reports from this year are out before planning on that. Based on the new gap between park close and party hours, WDW may be trying to reduce some of the crossover hours in these events. Maybe not, but I'd hate to get there at four and have to hang out for three hours.

 

[anomamatt]

That's true of last year, but I'd wait until the reports from this year are out before planning on that. Based on the new gap between park close and party hours, WDW may be trying to reduce some of the crossover hours in these events. Maybe not, but I'd hate to get there at four and have to hang out for three hours.

It's Disney, so a change without notice is always possible. But 4pm has always been the earliest entry time for every party (whether MNSSHP, MVMCP and DAH). There was no change with respect to 4pm entry this year with MNSSHP (I entered at 4pm with only a party ticket). We will see with MVMCP because they are ending regular park hours early, but the belief is that 4pm park entry will continue to be OK.

 

[Haley R]

It's Disney, so a change without notice is always possible. But 4pm has always been the earliest entry time for every party (whether MNSSHP, MVMCP and DAH). There was no change with respect to 4pm entry this year with MNSSHP (I entered at 4pm with only a party ticket). We will see with MVMCP because they are ending regular park hours early, but the belief is that 4pm park entry will continue to be OK.

I really hope they keep it at 4 pm. We are planning on going March 1 for DAH and extra hours are always great! We do have a ADR at Wilderness Lodge, though so we would have to give that up.

 

[anomamatt]

I really hope they keep it at 4 pm. We are planning on going March 1 for DAH and extra hours are always great! We do have a ADR at Wilderness Lodge, though so we would have to give that up.

I'm going Jan 19 and will report back. My brother will only have a DAH ticket that day and our plan is to get there at 4.

 

[Haley R]

I'm going Jan 19 and will report back. My brother will only have a DAH ticket that day and our plan is to get there at 4.

Okay, cool! I'll make sure I keep watching to make sure.

 

[bcactus]

I'm going Jan 19 and will report back. My brother will only have a DAH ticket that day and our plan is to get there at 4.

We will be there at 4 that day also!

 

[Haley R]

Do you print the tickets out or do they send them to you?

 

[senadler]

My tickets showed up right away in MDE.

Also, when we went two years ago, we did get in at 4 PM, but this was the information that I received in my email when I purchased the tickets for this year.



We all have an AP so it doesn't really impact us, but just thought I would post it.