Disney World Releases 2026 After Hours Dates

[Sandisw]

I feel like that’s nearly impossible to ever actually collect on….

While I have never done it for DVC, it’s been very helpful for other delays I and others have had with cruises!

 

[Brian Noble]

Think it's worth it with a nap beforehand?

I have learned the hard way that having firm plans on an arrival day is a mistake---not because I missed things, but because travel days can sometimes be more stressful than expected. I would not plan it in advance. If I arrived the day of and was feeling it, and tickets were still available, then I'd be willing to go.

 

[jennypenny]

It only lists like 9 rides for MK? No Tiana or Pirates? Is that right?

 

[Niklnip]

I have learned the hard way that having firm plans on an arrival day is a mistake---not because I missed things, but because travel days can sometimes be more stressful than expected. I would not plan it in advance. If I arrived the day of and was feeling it, and tickets were still available, then I'd be willing to go.

This is true. We’re discussing rearranging some of our plans around (that we haven’t even made properly yet) to accommodate. It wouldn’t be our first time being chaotic for a couple days.

Our flight in is in the early morning so there should be room to nap and have lunch/dinner… again, provided we do actually go for it. We’re weighing options. Would probably save a couple days of lightning lane buys.

 

[Brian Noble]

there should be room to nap and have lunch/dinner…

Unless you have a multi-hour flight delay....or your room isn't ready until 5...or you are raring to go at 3PM and don't want to nap....etc. etc. etc.

I've started to plan less and less over the years. If I am going to be at WDW for N days, I figure I have room for at most N-2 "special" things, and probably less. No more than one per day, nothing on arrival day, nothing on departure day, and try to avoid three "special" days in a row.

Inevitably, I can't do everything in a trip. That's okay---there will be other trips, and that is the luxury of owning a timeshare! I know I will be back. For example, I've been going to Disney Parks regularly for more than 20 years now, and this year is the first time I'll see MNSSHP, and have only done one other hard ticket event, ever---Pirate and Princess, if you remember that one. I do try to do one or two "big things" each trip. There are plenty of options!

 

[jennypenny]

I remember the Pirate and Princess party at MK. I loved that one. We haven't done another one since, that's why I was asking about the MK After Hours. There are 7 of us though (and we're treating) so it'll be $$ and I can't imagine it's worth it with half the rides closed. We can do the 'free' Epcot EMH on the same night.

We never even schedule a dining reservation for arrival or departure day anymore, just in case travel isn't going as planned. Too much worrying. And I'd rather buy days of lightning lanes instead of investing in a 3 hour window to do what you want at a special event. What if it rains? What if someone is sick? What if travel doesn't go as planned? etc etc. I think I'd rather buy MPLL and SPLL every day ... which is probably less than one party ticket. I think I'd even rather pay more for a Premium Pass (which you can buy day-of most of the time) and have the whole day to do everything. I think I'd only buy a special event ticket if it was for a day that I didn't have a park ticket so getting in early and doing the whole night might be worth it.

 

[I Run Long]

Both EP and HS dates line up with our next trip. Don't know if EP is worth it for After Hours - opinions?

 

[AstroBlasters]

The value of “worth it” really depends on the total overall cost relative to your amount of disposable income, how often you go, and how much you value your vacation time.

My 16 year oldest son LOVED the MK and HS after hours event. Free ice cream/pop corn/fruit bards/sodas/waters, short lines on all the rides (it didn’t seem like any were closed), plenty of space to watch fireworks at MK and you could walk up just before it started…..

 

[VGCgroupie]

Both EP and HS dates line up with our next trip. Don't know if EP is worth it for After Hours - opinions?

For Guardians alone makes it worth it to me and Test Track being open now makes it even better. I wish my day was Epcot but its MK