Extended Evening Hours, After Hours 2023 - So Confusing

[Grasshopper2016]

It's just unbelievable how uncrowded the parks are during After Hours. There were times that it felt like we were the only ones there. Almost every ride was a walk on and even the most popular ones had very short wait times. You'll get more done in 3 hours during After Hours than you will all day during regular hours and you don't need a regular ticket to buy.

The park is empty. We would go 20 minutes without seeing another person. Ride lines were non existent.

We did a few After Hours events in the Before Times and greatly enjoyed them. And I plan to do them again if they are offered during my next visit.

But I think it’s worth pointing out that, at past After Hours events, crowds and lines were inconsistent and not always low. If you go back and read reports on these boards from those events in the past, you will find many people complaining that—on the particular night when they went—the park was crowded, the lines were nearly as long as during the day, and the posters felt misled and ripped off.

So there’s no guarantee.

 

[cakebaker]

We did a few After Hours events in the Before Times and greatly enjoyed them. And I plan to do them again if they are offered during my next visit.

But I think it’s worth pointing out that, at past After Hours events, crowds and lines were inconsistent and not always low. If you go back and read reports on these boards from those events in the past, you will find many people complaining that—on the particular night when they went—the park was crowded, the lines were nearly as long as during the day, and the posters felt misled and ripped off.

So there’s no guarantee.

I actually don’t recall seeing any complaints that parks were busy during these events. I know a few we went to were sold out and still very much not crowded. I’m going to try and search back because it does puzzle me that sold out events we went to were as I described.

I am more than a bit concerned that the new After Hours will not be the same experience. I recall that in prior years, they were advertised on the website as "little to no waits". Now it describes it as "lower waits". Words mean something with Disney and lower waits is not little to no wait. Time will tell, but I sure hope they haven't decided to turn these into yet another oversold and crowded event.

 

[Grasshopper2016]

I actually don’t recall seeing any complaints that parks were busy during these events. I know a few we went to were sold out and still very much not crowded. I’m going to try and search back because it does puzzle me that sold out events we went to were as I described.

Here are a few complaints that I just found poking around the old threads:

But FOP was more disappointing. It took 45 minutes to load the first time we rode. It took over 1 hour to load the second ride. With preshow and ride together with the wait, this was 90 minutes for one ride. Out of 3 hours total. Again, pretty disappointed in that.

Unacceptable that people are paying the amount of money they are only to have to wait in long lines. If Disney is going to market these things as events with minimal waits, then they need to staff accordingly and have an appropriate amount of theaters open.

It's past midnight and there are still 30 minute waits across the park, the walkways are crowded and food lines are long and slow. It doesn't really feel less crowded than it did prior to the event.

The waits do look pretty long. 30 for SDMT, 25 for SM, 25 for pirates.

Seriously disappointed at Jungke 20, PC 25+, SDMT 30 and SM 25.

I just don’t think this is acceptable for an AH.

the length of the lines was not acceptable.

Space was up to 55 minute wait at one point, Space, Pirates & 7 dwarfs never went under 30 minutes. Pirates line was to entrance all night. That’s way too long to wait for such a short event!!

I’m here and it’s not good. The crowds are heavy for an after hours and the lines for complementary snacks look more the crowds surrounding a UN envoy, and it’s 10:40. The pirates wait is 45, and merchandise is either sold out or running low at several locations. By way of background, we are a family of 5 Disney adults so the party was in the neighborhood of $700. We’ve done other after hours events, holiday parties, etc., so I’ve got an idea of what to expect. That said, this event crossed the mythical line people always seem to refer to; so much so, I’m at guest services getting my money back (and there are others here / the lady next to me just got a full day of fastpasses for tomorrow for the same reason). I have NEVER requested a refund from Disney before, so this is a big deal for me. I won’t do another of these events.

lines everywhere and the amount we paid (also family of 5 here ) this is unacceptable.

How have the parties been crowd wise? I know when they first started in AK there were a TON of complaints about how the lines weren't that great

It was good, I thought though that it was more crowded compared to other reviews that I have read.

Ouch. That's at 11:44 wdw time. Yikes.

We were there last night and it was not good. Crowded, waits everywhere and waits of 45 - 50 minutes on mine train and space mountain. Space was down over 30 min and big thunder down for 40ish minutes. I’m really not happy with the price I paid for my family of five to attend. We were tired and grumpy and just left the park at 12 without complaining. Feeling sorry I did that, it’s actually caused me a pretty poor nights sleep thinking about the waste of cash!

To be clear, the vast majority of reviews expressed satisfaction with the generally short wait times. But it does seem like some of the events were overcrowded and oversold.

And I agree with you that the change in language in the description of the new events is concerning!

 

[hlrubin507]

OP here -- Thank you so much everyone for the helpful clarifications and comments.

My confusion stemmed from that there were no dates for Extended Evening Hours (Monday nights currently for the MK) beyond December, but there ARE "after hours" ticketed events on Monday nights in the MK starting in January. This is what makes it look like they might be stopping the "extended evening" offering for deluxe guests. Even if they continue to offer this benefit on a different night, your comments clarified FOR ME that the cost of staying deluxe to enjoy this offering is not worth it (not even close).

I fully understand that they are separate offerings, but your comments really clarified that the ticketed after-hours event is a world away from the extended evening for deluxe guests (much less crowded). Mostly.

I may consider the ticketed event but -- again based on the helpful comments -- I am going to hold off on purchasing until after some of these have taken place and there is a better read on the value (i.e. how long/short ARE those waits). If I could replace a day of my multi-day ticket with the after-hours tickets, even though it is far fewer hours, it could be a good value for us because we could ALSO take the whole day off and relax after 3 busy days of park touring without worrying over missing out on our favorite MK rides. We are pretty ride-focused park tourers, and we have been to Disneyland many, many times (we live on the West Coast) so all but about 3 attractions at the MK we ride at Disneyland every year, sometimes multiple times That said, a pilgrimage to the World isn't complete without a visit to the MK so...we shall see! Either a regular park ticket day or the after-hours ticket, TBD. I will stay tuned!

 

[DaviVascaino]

OP here -- Thank you so much everyone for the helpful clarifications and comments.

My confusion stemmed from that there were no dates for Extended Evening Hours (Monday nights currently for the MK) beyond December, but there ARE "after hours" ticketed events on Monday nights in the MK starting in January. This is what makes it look like they might be stopping the "extended evening" offering for deluxe guests. Even if they continue to offer this benefit on a different night, your comments clarified FOR ME that the cost of staying deluxe to enjoy this offering is not worth it (not even close).

I fully understand that they are separate offerings, but your comments really clarified that the ticketed after-hours event is a world away from the extended evening for deluxe guests (much less crowded). Mostly.

I may consider the ticketed event but -- again based on the helpful comments -- I am going to hold off on purchasing until after some of these have taken place and there is a better read on the value (i.e. how long/short ARE those waits). If I could replace a day of my multi-day ticket with the after-hours tickets, even though it is far fewer hours, it could be a good value for us because we could ALSO take the whole day off and relax after 3 busy days of park touring without worrying over missing out on our favorite MK rides. We are pretty ride-focused park tourers, and we have been to Disneyland many, many times (we live on the West Coast) so all but about 3 attractions at the MK we ride at Disneyland every year, sometimes multiple times That said, a pilgrimage to the World isn't complete without a visit to the MK so...we shall see! Either a regular park ticket day or the after-hours ticket, TBD. I will stay tuned!

they only release EEH information weeks at a time, usually no more than 2 months in advance.
There is no info about Jan/Feb 2023 because we are still in October. By end of the month you should start seeing days for Jan

 

[wilkydelts]

they only release EEH information weeks at a time, usually no more than 2 months in advance.
There is no info about Jan/Feb 2023 because we are still in October. By end of the month you should start seeing days for Jan

You should see January this weekend if they continue releasing as they have.

 

[cakebaker]

Here are a few complaints that I just found poking around the old threads:



























To be clear, the vast majority of reviews expressed satisfaction with the generally short wait times. But it does seem like some of the events were overcrowded and oversold.

And I agree with you that the change in language in the description of the new events is concerning!

It was interesting to go back and read some of the reviews I had completely forgotten about. To be honest, I've tried to block out all the memories I have about that time frame in 2020, the closure really hit us hard. We actually had a couple of After Hours booked for our ill fated March trip but never got to experience them as WDW closed the day our trip was to have started. I even posted myself in that thread, puzzled about the crowded conditions that were being described. With my memory refreshed, I do recall those complaints, but they were all centered around 1 event- 2/17 and apparently it was a hot mess. But it appears the following events were as uncrowded as ever. . There weren't many events after 2/17, but all seemed to have reverted back to the extremely low crowd levels.

I don't know what happened with that 1 event, tickets not limited correctly or what, but it was definitely not the norm. I know there were always complaints about the VAH's- villains after hours events- which is what had got me concerned about these new events. The verbiage for after hours was always little to no waits. VAH's were advertised as lower wait times. I sure hope it means nothing, but I won't be surprised to see increased crowd levels- that would be a real shame since, with that one exception, they've always been amazing.

The verbiage has me very concerned though and I'll be anxiously waiting to to hear reports about it.

 

[Skywalker3]

Have never done a paid after hours, but for the first time in about 15 years, did the extra evening hours at MK. We found it fabulous. This was last week, a VERY busy holiday week after Columbus day, wait times during the day were terrible, we missed doing a lot of things. Our only MK time was going to be for extended evening hours. I totally think tho we were helped by rain, from about 9-10:30. We left BWV around 10:15, still very lightly rainng, only ones on the bus. Just before 11, Space still had a wait, about 20-25 mins. Then we did Astro Orbiter, 25 mins, and waste of time. That line always sucks. After that though, EVERYTHING was a walk on, except maybe Seven Dwarfs. When we passed it, around 12:15, it had a posted 20 mins time. DS was able to ride Space after that a few times, no wait. Thunder was walking straight on, at HM, walked right into the first room, etc. I think every night/experience will be different. If time was limited, I'd look into the paid option, if extended n/a. I think it takes time to clear the queues of regular guests, especially headliners like FoP, so there will be waits at those rides.

 

[DaviVascaino]

You should see January this weekend if they continue releasing as they have.

Why weekend? Curious why you were so specific. Thanks

 

[wilkydelts]

Why weekend? Curious why you were so specific. Thanks

Cause the recent trend is to release the next week of Extended Hours on Friday or Saturday each week.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Park Hours have been announced until Jan 2, 2023.

Extra Evening Hours for deluxe resort guests is included at Epcot on Mon, Jan 2, 2023.

EEH was announced as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations so is anticipated to last through Mar 31, 2023.

 

[sponica]

Park Hours have been announced until Jan 2, 2023.

Extra Evebing Hours for deluxe resort guests is included at Epcot on Mon, Jan 2, 2023.

EEH was announced as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations so is anticipated to last through Mar 31, 2023.

And I am not at all surprised that a phone CM said it wasn't on the schedule....because the schedule hadn't been posted.
I'll be interested to see how the EEH and AH shake out in concert with each other though.

 

[DaviVascaino]

Park Hours have been announced until Jan 2, 2023.

Extra Evebing Hours for deluxe resort guests is included at Epcot on Mon, Jan 2, 2023.

EEH was announced as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations so is anticipated to last through Mar 31, 2023.

GREAT GREAT NEWS.

My first time staying at a deluxe Disney hotel in Feb 2023 and I would be so sad to miss this.

 

[focusondisney]

Park Hours have been announced until Jan 2, 2023.

Extra Evebing Hours for deluxe resort guests is included at Epcot on Mon, Jan 2, 2023.

EEH was announced as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations so is anticipated to last through Mar 31, 2023.

Thanks for the info. I’ve been checking the Extended Evening Hours page & it’s not showing there yet.

 

[pmas]

If EEH isn't continued through 2023 then I'll definitely be amending my reservation down to a Moderate I think. It's not worth the upgrade alone, but was a nice addition that we would have utilised as a late night rather than early morning family! But I'm finding it harder to justify the price. The amount I'd save would pay for us to upgrade our Universal component to an Express Pass hotel.

 

[DaviVascaino]

If EEH isn't continued through 2023 then I'll definitely be amending my reservation down to a Moderate I think. It's not worth the upgrade alone, but was a nice addition that we would have utilised as a late night rather than early morning family! But I'm finding it harder to justify the price. The amount I'd save would pay for us to upgrade our Universal component to an Express Pass hotel.

it should be, EEH is showing up for Epcot on Jan 2nd 2023

 

[scrappinginontario]

If EEH isn't continued through 2023 then I'll definitely be amending my reservation down to a Moderate I think. It's not worth the upgrade alone, but was a nice addition that we would have utilised as a late night rather than early morning family! But I'm finding it harder to justify the price. The amount I'd save would pay for us to upgrade our Universal component to an Express Pass hotel.

it should be, EEH is showing up for Epcot on Jan 2nd 2023

EEH was announced as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations lasting for 18 months from Oct 1, 2021 - Mar 31, 2023. After that, I would not be at all surprised to see EEH discontinued.

 

[focusondisney]

It’s on the deluxe resort extra hours page now. Going thru all of 2023! Same days as before so far.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/extended-evening/

“Our popular extended evening hours benefit for Guests staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels will continue beyond the 50th Anniversary celebration throughout all of 2023!”

 

[thptrek]

The scheduling seems strange. For our upcoming trip on Jan 23 I can do Epcot Extended Hours or pay MK After Hours. For Jan 25 I can do MK Extended Hours or pay HS After Hours. Why run events on the same dates and make me choose?

 

[focusondisney]

The scheduling seems strange. For our upcoming trip on Jan 23 I can do Epcot Extended Hours or pay MK After Hours. For Jan 25 I can do MK Extended Hours or pay HS After Hours. Why run events on the same dates and make me choose?

That’s our week too. We’ll have the same decision. No idea what the thought process is.