Magic Kingdom After Hours coming back (DAH); Reviews: Page 18 >>

[Accident]

Ferries running to ttc only - they said until 30 minutes after close

They were running later. I got off the ferry at 11:30 and it was getting ready to leave again and there was a second one already on it's way back with the next group. (11pm was the after hours end time)

 

[RhodyChief]

We had an absolute blast tonight. Got to the park around 7:00, hit up Casey's Corner for some corn dog nuggets, watched the castle projection show (never seen it before, enjoyed it!) and then we got started on rides. So from about 7:45 until 11 this is what we did:

PotC
Splash Mountain (x2)
Thunder Mountain (x3)
stopped for ice cream/popcorn/soda
Haunted Mansion
Peter Pan
7DMT (x2)
Meet Rapunzel & Tiana
stopped for ice cream
VotLM
7DMT (x2)
Tomorrowland Speedway
stopped for soda
Buzz Lightyear
Meet Talking Mickey at Town Hall

Almost everything was a walk on except for Tomorrowland Speedway, which ended up being a wait of 10-15 minutes. They only had one track of cars running (so only 4 vehicles to be loaded) and actually had to go get more cars to keep up with the people in line. I'm not sure if it was really slow a few minutes before we got there but we decided to stick it out since it had been a few years since we went on it and wanted to ride it at night. In all honestly it only prevented us from riding Buzz a 2nd time, and even then we might have been able to squeeze it in but we wanted to make sure we met Talking Mickey (which was great!) before the end of the night.

We went back and forth on booking this for the entire week and just decided to do it a few hours before hand, but let me tell you if you've been on the fence: It's absolutely worth it, even at $119 a pop. I'd love the chance to do it again in the future!

 

[redkop1969]

I can't wait to do this next week. Thanks for all the updates

 

[stpie]

Thank you so much for all the helpful info! I would not have booked if not for seeing this thread and all the contributors.

May I ask, what rides NOT to miss on the non-DAH day? For a family with 2 intrepid kids, age 9 and 11.

We are going to MK two days before our DAH. We have FP+ for 7DMT, Space Mountain, and BTMRR.
On the website and here, I see some or most of the rides listed. But I am unfamiliar with many if not all of the smaller or lesser known rides and the ride descriptions on the WDW website are overwhelming for me.

*Which rides do you suggest that we try to go on our regular MK day, given that they will be closed at DAH?*

Thank you in advance!

 

[KendallR]

Can we be sure that we'll be able to get in earlier than 7 PM? We have a BOG reservation for 6:40 but do not have regular park tickets for that day, only the after hours tickets.

 

[redkop1969]

Can we be sure that we'll be able to get in earlier than 7 PM? We have a BOG reservation for 6:40 but do not have regular park tickets for that day, only the after hours tickets.

People in this thread have said they got in at 4.30pm. The MDE app allowed me to book FP from 5pm so we are going to give it a go

 

[Limes96]

Can we be sure that we'll be able to get in earlier than 7 PM? We have a BOG reservation for 6:40 but do not have regular park tickets for that day, only the after hours tickets.

My son reports he got in last night at 4:02. Sounds like they are there with the lanyards at 4:00 sharp.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Sounds like another great night! Cannot wait for our turn!

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

Can we be sure that we'll be able to get in earlier than 7 PM? We have a BOG reservation for 6:40 but do not have regular park tickets for that day, only the after hours tickets.

The podium was up at 4 yesterday. We had to go to guest relations first so we didn't get in until 4:30. MDE let me make FPS fir 430, 530 & 630. I'll write more later but last night was amazing! And we had no problem with our bus at the end of the night.

 

[kmc8826]

We walked in last night about 4:20. We have AP's so plan was to just go in on it and get the lanyard later, but they had the DAH entrance all set up with multiple CM's and no traffic around so we just when in that way and got the lanyards.

My oldest and I had gone in May and then all 5 of us (girls 10, 8, 6) went last night. It seemed maybe a little busier than when we went in May, but probably not by much. The crowd seemed to be more of people who knew what they were doing and the value of what they had purchased versus in May when it seemed to be more conference people who probably had scored free tickets. (In the end of the May event there were people waiting to get on Stictch).

I also observed that not all the ice cream stands had all the ice cream varieties. It was a little hit and miss. Some had popcorn and some didn't. Having the popcorn was a nice option.

Notwithstanding that my girls all had ice cream in their hands and a little on their faces we got a great castle/Partners statue picture which pretty much by itself made it "worth it" for me. Riding both Peter Pan and Pooh three times in a row is not my favorite thing but the girls loved it.

 

[AngiTN]

Thank you so much for all the helpful info! I would not have booked if not for seeing this thread and all the contributors.

May I ask, what rides NOT to miss on the non-DAH day? For a family with 2 intrepid kids, age 9 and 11.

We are going to MK two days before our DAH. We have FP+ for 7DMT, Space Mountain, and BTMRR.
On the website and here, I see some or most of the rides listed. But I am unfamiliar with many if not all of the smaller or lesser known rides and the ride descriptions on the WDW website are overwhelming for me.

*Which rides do you suggest that we try to go on our regular MK day, given that they will be closed at DAH?*

Thank you in advance!

I'd say Belle for sure. Not sure they are very successful at getting enough participants during DAH to do a show. We've never tried though, just a guess.

Tom Sawyer Island is another that I'm fairly sure is closed. Probably the boat too. Again, neither are something we do on a regular basis so I didn't try to use them on DAH night

Can we be sure that we'll be able to get in earlier than 7 PM? We have a BOG reservation for 6:40 but do not have regular park tickets for that day, only the after hours tickets.

My son reports he got in last night at 4:02. Sounds like they are there with the lanyards at 4:00 sharp.

Yes, it's been reported many, many times, both back last year and this, they set up the check in point at 4:00. No, they do not advertise you can get in then but you can. There is nothing in the advertisements that you can get in at 4:00 with a party and it's the same. It's just how they are set up for ticketed events. You always get in at 4:00

 

[PSofiasMama]

Another opinion that this was an amazing event! I went last night with my daughter who is 5 1/2. Side note, we flew in from Seattle yesterday as well so our body clocks were still on west coast time - bonus!

We had a fantastic time and I would recommend this to event! As others reported all CMs were extra happy which created an even more magical environment. Also, the characters took so much extra time with my daughter and that created some very memorable experiences. The only downfall is that we ran out of time - time flew by and we were so sad to leave.

Into the park at 7:
Small world
Carousel
Under the sea
Met Ariel

Around 8:
Dumbo (while watching fireworks)
Goofys (3x without getting off)
Met rapunzel and Tiana
Speedway
Astro orbiters
Peter Pan
Magic carpets (3x without getting off)
Jungle cruise
Pirates
Big thunder
7dmt (6x!!!!)
Met Mickey
7dmt (2x!)

We also stopped at 6 or so photo pass photographers and had water/ice cream/ popcorn stops mixed in.

We had good bus karma. Where the last ones on a completely full bus and the first stop at AK - Jambo.

Now off to go wait in some lines !!!

 

[minorthr]

We did this last night as well. By far the best money we have ever spent at Disney World. Went with my DW and DS who flew in wednesday night just for this event and left this morning

We didn't arrive till 530pm as I'm in town for work and my DW and DS did Epcot and Studios then met me at Magic Kingdom

We went on Haunted Mansion then had dinner at Jungle Navigators restaurant.

Got finished dinner around 730 and went on pirates which was a walk-on and unfortunately ended up in the 1st row and got soaked like splash mountain soaked.
Then did Big thunder mountain and it was 8

Got popcorn water and a ton of ice cream while we walked to peterpan

than it was
pan
small world (the cast clapped as we entered because we were the only ones there)
Philharmonic
Princess meet left side
Princess meet right side
Mine coster twice
Pooh (broke down as we were getting on)
Mine coaster
DUmbo
Barn stormer 3x never got off
Ariel
Mine coaster
Pooh (working now)
mine coaster
tea cups
space mountain
buzz
mine coaster
Mickey

I'll second the time issue, really wish it was an hour longer we really didn't want to leave and normally after a long day at the parks we just want to go back to the room and crash. We did not wait to go on any rides everything was a walk-on even 7dmt. Only waiting we did was for the Characters and snacks.

 

[Accident]

*Which rides do you suggest that we try to go on our regular MK day, given that they will be closed at DAH?*

I would approach it different, take your time and really enjoy magic kingdom in a relaxed way instead. the street performers, the things to see, window shop.. anything with a long line will be opened during dah so it's ok to skip some of them. Ride what strikes your interest, try some snacks, look around a little more. skip the long lines if it's not interesting you to wait for a quick ride.

edit: tom sawyer, tiki room, people mover, (stitch if it happens to be opened as it's seasonal but I also recommend never riding stitch), stores, carousel of progress, street performers and that's about it that's closed during dah.

 

[stpie]

Thank you, AngiTN, I really appreciate your input. I had not heard of those attractions as this is our first time. it is so helpful to have your experience.

Thank you Accident, I love your suggestion to relax and enjoy the MK more, rather than rush through to the big rides. That is such awesome advice!

 

[little tess]

I'm so excited! Am scheduled to fly in from CO for March DAH. This will be our 1st time at MK and it's a perfect opportunity for us: low crowds, moderate temperatures and a finite window of time so as to minimize vacation burnout. Thank you everyone who's shared your experiance. Seeing MK through your eyes has been instrumental in deciding to take the leap!

 

[mcurrence]

I'm so excited! Am scheduled to fly in from CO for March DAH. This will be our 1st time at MK and it's a perfect opportunity for us: low crowds, moderate temperatures and a finite window of time so as to minimize vacation burnout. Thank you everyone who's shared your experience. Seeing MK through your eyes has been instrumental in deciding to take the leap!

Hi All!
We truly had a great time! Wanted to take a minute to give some feedback on this wonderful event
We drove down day of from Georgia so it was a long busy day (7 hours, no naps since my girls are almost 10 and 8 and lots of pool time at the Poly) but they held up really well! For the record, I saw plenty of younger kids, some sleeping in strollers and no melt downs I think someone mentioned before, the excitement of running around a pretty empty park can be magically energizing (now the bus drive back is another story LOL)
We got to the park around 7 and had a fast pass for 7D, Pooh, Barnstomer and then we did the People Mover. The park was pretty busy with lots of large groups with matching shirts (we noticed this too at Epcot the next day?) Then the party began!
This is what we did:
Dumbo
Speedway 2x
Buzz
Peter Pan
Small World
Space Mountain 3x
Big Thunder 4X
7D one more time
Haunted Mansion
Pirates
Ariel
Everything was a walk on !!!
We stopped quite a bit and grabbed waters and ice cream- Popcorn was definitely not as available as the ice cream-it took me a bit to find some
The only other negative is that we asked for napkins at least 3 or 4 times at different stations and they had none....just something to take note of especially for those with young kids and messy ice cream lol! I had wipes but assumed they would all have napkins? My kids think I'm a bit OCD so maybe it's me... LOL!
We took plenty of pics, no meet and greets, but were able to really take the time to notice the small stuff. Everyone seemed happy and excited to be there so it was a different vibe than on those busy days for sure.

We left about 5 minutes to close. The cast members were very good about asking where we were headed and sent you to a specific cue. I'm pretty OK with buses but must admit it was a bit of a let down after the event, especially staying at one of the monorail resorts. The bus was completely full. Luckily we were the second stop after Wilderness Lodge but the bus was still standing room when we got off..I'm assuming it was doing all Deluxe hotels? For a minute it was confusing because the bus recording said our first stop was the Pop, the bus driver said nothing to the contrary until we stopped at Wilderness...
Without question our best Magic Kingdom trip and worth every penny

 

[mcurrence]

that was a pic entering at 7

then leaving

 

[mcurrence]

Wish my pics were accident quality !!!lol

 

[mcurrence]

its a 1000ish crowd tonight. They also didnt tell anyone to leave but have egress from hub blocked for nonlanyards.

Curious was this about the same as your Jan Friday visit? Thanks again for all your insight !