Extremely Pleased with After Hours

[NicholeC]

We just returned from a 4 day trip to WDW and we had tickets for MK After Hours. Originally we weren't planning on going to parks that day but after the new AP discount came in we decide to go. And let me tell you, it was WORTH EVERY PENNY.

I went with my mom and brother, this is my brothers 1st trip in almost 10 years and I he was a hard sell to get to go to begin with but he thoroughly enjoyed the AH event and I think he really got to experience all the magic and wonder of Disney without the stress of crowds (and heat).

We arrived to MK around 845 and this is everything we did:
1) Buzz Lightyear
2)PeopleMover
3) Dumbo
4)Under the Sea
5) Big Thunder (during Wishes, magical)
6) Haunted Mansion
7) Jungle Cruise
8) POTC
9) it's a small world
10) Peter Pan
11) Meet with Rapunzel/Cinderella
12) 7DMT
13) Winnie the Pooh
14) Buzz Lighytear (4 times through without getting off the ride, we were aiming for Galactic Hero)

We also ate 6 ice cream "novelties" and got 12 bottles of water/pop.

Overall the CMs were amazing, especially at Buzz, they kept asking how we did each ride.
At some points we literally enjoyed just sitting and wondering at the amazement of an empty Main Street.

At the end of the day, I highly encourage this event and hope they continue it!

 

[TxWriterMama]

We attended May 5 and May 8 and loved it too. Worth every penny we paid and would do it again (and again...and again...)

 

[NicholeC]

We were there the 8th as well! Not that we saw any one hahaha

 

[AngiTN]

DH and I went on the 8th too.

We had a fabulous night. Stayed through the last minute. Loved that they still did the Kiss Goodnight

 

[disneydeal]

I've also done all those rides late night and loved them too.. Last few years in June for free during reg park hours that were extended till 2 am.

 

[anneboleyn]

The general consensus on this board seems to be that this event is amazing! I hope they continue it. I think if they held DAH during the Halloween and Christmas party seasons, it would be extremely successful!

 

[wilkeliza]

I was hoping this would happen in June. We planned a very last minute reconnect trip and this would be perfect addition to the trip.

 

[TChrist05]

OP....did you pay full price of $149.00 per person? I myself just cannot justify $447.00 + tax. Even with 6 Mickey Bars ($24.00) and 12 bottles of soda($36.00) it just seems crazy. Heck, I can almost buy an annual pass for 1 person. Don't get me wrong, if people want to spend that kind of money for 3 hours so be it. Just seems crazy since Disney used to give you this for free minus the novelties and soda. We were offered these for free but it was past my bedtime. Glad you enjoyed it though.

 

[Mikie]

So glad you had a great time! I'm still trying to guess whether this has been capped at the great low crowds people are seeing, whether the price has naturally set the crowd level, or whether it's artificially low because not a lot of people know about it. I really believe it will be continued and that evaluating it is one reason summer hours have seen very little adjustment since their initial release. Just waiting to see what additional dates they offer and at what price.

 

[AngiTN]

The events have been "sold out" each night
Not technically sold mind you, since some were given for free but they were all "sold"
That said, I can't imagine they are making a single dime on the event.
Not with how many they are giving away and selling at half price.
They are not operating on a skeleton crew at the park either. There are CM all over the place
So while I enjoyed it and would go again I do not expect to see it continue

 

[maryj11]

It sounds like so much fun. I think we will do it if they extend it into June. I would never do it if we were a big family, that would just cost way to much.

 

[SouthernBuckeye]

I'm glad so many people are enjoying this opportunity! I get why some people don't want After Hours to be a success. I wasn't thrilled at first either. But then I thought about how much time we could actually be in the park, how much we could do and I really miss uncrowded parks! Plus CMs seem to be enjoying the laid back evenings and all the reviews I've read are amazing. I wonder why it seems Disney hasn't marketed this at all. I was there for a short trip in March and would've attended if it was offered. We will return in November for a longer trip and would book it if dates were announced well in advance. The thing is when you plan everything 180/60 days out, I think this was/is too hard to add in last minute. More importantly, if I didn't read these boards, I wouldn't even know Disney After Hours exists. So when I see posts about this event being a failure, I find it hard to believe it's just because the cost was too high.

 

[jsgrant5]

How are they giving them away and how can you get it half price?

 

[CMNJ]

How are they giving them away and how can you get it half price?

The half price option is only for AP and DVC members
The giving away seems to just be in the right place at the right time

 

[Planogirl]

I've also done all those rides late night and loved them too.. Last few years in June for free during reg park hours that were extended till 2 am.

Us too and we didn't even pay extra for it. But then some of those praising this have few posts so maybe they're not as familiar with EMH.

 

[NicholeC]

OP....did you pay full price of $149.00 per person? I myself just cannot justify $447.00 + tax. Even with 6 Mickey Bars ($24.00) and 12 bottles of soda($36.00) it just seems crazy. Heck, I can almost buy an annual pass for 1 person. Don't get me wrong, if people want to spend that kind of money for 3 hours so be it. Just seems crazy since Disney used to give you this for free minus the novelties and soda. We were offered these for free but it was past my bedtime. Glad you enjoyed it though.

We only paid 75 a person because of AP. Being the type-A I and I figured to break even we each had to have 1 mickey bar and 2-3 waters a piece. We definitely went over that

 

[NicholeC]

So glad you had a great time! I'm still trying to guess whether this has been capped at the great low crowds people are seeing, whether the price has naturally set the crowd level, or whether it's artificially low because not a lot of people know about it. I really believe it will be continued and that evaluating it is one reason summer hours have seen very little adjustment since their initial release. Just waiting to see what additional dates they offer and at what price.

I hope they continue it as well. I made sure to do my part and give a raving review in the survey

lus CMs seem to be enjoying the laid back evenings and all the reviews I've read are amazing.

The CMs were great. We rode Buzz 4 times through and they became friends by the end!

Us too and we didn't even pay extra for it. But then some of those praising this have few posts so maybe they're not as familiar with EMH

Very familiar with EMH, just don't go when they are extended to these hours otherwise I would fully take advantage of it...

 

[winterwhite]

Us too and we didn't even pay extra for it. But then some of those praising this have few posts so maybe they're not as familiar with EMH.

Or they go at a time of year when EMH isn't really that great OR they don't go on a Wednesday when its even offered.

I have never been on a Disney vacation on a day that offered evening EMH and I've been 12 times in the past 5 years. We are never here on Wednesdays.

 

[focusondisney]

Wondering if those who said it was worth every cent paid full price ($149) got the AP or DVC discount ($79) or were comped their tickets. I'd love this to be available when we go in September & I'd probably actually pay full price. But since very few people seem to be actually paying full price, I don't expect it to be offered after the already announced dates.

 

[NicholeC]

Wondering if those who said it was worth every cent paid full price ($149) got the AP or DVC discount ($79) or were comped their tickets. I'd love this to be available when we go in September & I'd probably actually pay full price. But since very few people seem to be actually paying full price, I don't expect it to be offered after the already announced dates.

We did get the AP discount but we were already considering it at the full price and now after experiencing it I probably would still do it at full price