**Disney After Hours - Magic Kingdom** FAQ & Discussion Thread

[GADisneyDad14]

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom "Disney After Hours" FAQ & Discussion Thread!



A centralized thread for Disney After Hours (DAH) information, discussion, and questions. ​

Quick Links:

Disney After Hours Event Information & FAQs
Post #2 - Event Description
Post #3 - Current Event Dates & Times
Post #4 - Ticket Price & Discount Information
Post #5 - Open Attractions
Post #6 - When Can I Get in the Park with a DAH Ticket?
Post #7 - Transportation Information
Post #8 - Miscellaneous Event FAQs


Event Review Posts
Post #10 - DISer DAH Event Review Posts


Historical Disney After Hours Information
Post #11 - Historical Date & Event Information
Post #12 - DAH-Related Links & Past DAH Threads
Post #13 - Year-Over-Year DAH Event Date Summary


Other Park Disney After Event Threads
Magic Kingdom "Villains After Hours" Discussion & FAQ Thread
Hollywood Studios "Disney After Hours" Discussion & FAQ Thread
Animal Kingdom "Disney After Hours" Discussion & FAQ Thread

See anything missing or anything you’d like added to this thread? Just let me know. Thanks!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Post #2 - Event Description

Magic Kingdom Disney After Hours event description per Disney's Website....

“Be among a limited number of Guests to enjoy a unique, 3-hour park experience—featuring more than 25 popular attractions and Character Greetings, with little-to-no wait!

When the crowds clear and the gates close, rediscover Magic Kingdom park after dark. Ever wish you could enjoy even more magic in less time? Disney After Hours gives a limited number of Guests—including you—access to dozens of unforgettable experiences in Magic Kingdom park!

Ice Cream, Popcorn & Select Beverages Included!

In the midst of the laughs and thrills, be sure to chill out with ice cream novelties and select bottled beverages—included in the cost of admission—available at carts stationed throughout the park. In addition, you can also purchase select menu items at Main Street Bakery and select locations throughout the park.

And remember: only a limited number of tickets are available for each night. Be sure to purchase your tickets today!”

More information and event details can be found on Post #8 - Miscellaneous Event FAQs

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Post #3 - Current Event Dates & Times

Disney has historically released DAH event dates in "groups." The current "groups" of dates are in the tables below. Historical DAH date information can be found in Post #11.


August 2019 - September 2019 Dates
Dates Announced: Wednesday 5/22/2019
Tickets on Sale: Thursday 5/30/2019

Table last updated 10/8/2019



November 2019 - January 2020 Dates
Dates Announced: Tuesday 8/20/2019
Tickets on Sale: Tuesday 8/20/2019

Table last updated 1/25/2020



January 2020 - May 2020 Dates
Dates Announced: Friday 11/1/2019
Tickets on Sale: Friday 11/1/2019

Table last updated 3/11/2020

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Post #4 - Ticket Price & Discount Information



Notes

• Ticket prices above apply to all ages 3+
• Children under 3 do not need a DAH ticket
• Day-of AP/DVC discounts are not available online day of but may be available at a ticket window (your mileage may vary)
• Regular theme park admission is NOT needed to attend Disney After Hours, you may enter the park officially at 7:00 pm with your Disney After Hours ticket (more info here)
• DAH tickets are like MNSSHP and MVMCP tickets (and regular park tickets for that matter) - once purchased, DAH tickets are nonrefundable
• It has been reported that AP discounted tickets can be purchased for the passholder and three others (can be non-passholders), I'd appreciate hearing about experiences or other information that may be different than these reports

How to Buy Tickets

• By Phone: 407-827-7185
• Online: Click Here

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Post #5 - Open Attractions

While subject to change, below is the list of attractions that have typically been open for Disney After Hours events. Please note, this list is NOT kept current with rides that may be offline for refurbishment for any particular DAH date.

Main Street USA
Meet Mickey Mouse & Tinker Bell at Town Square Theater
(While not published, Main Street Vehicles are usually out later in the event)

Fantasyland
"it's a small world"
Meet Ariel in Her Grotto
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Mad Tea Party
Mickey's Philharmagic
Peter Pan's Flight
Prince Charming Regal Carousel
Princess Fairytale Hall
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Barnstormer
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid

Liberty Square
Haunted Mansion

Adventureland
Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Caribbean
Swiss Family Treehouse
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room

Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Country Bear Jamboree
Splash Mountain

Tomorrowland
Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Space Mountain
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Post #6 - When Can I Get in the Park with a DAH Ticket?

The 'official' park entry time per Disney is 7:00 pm, regardless of the actual start time of the Disney After Hours event.

I'll repeat that just for clarity - ALL DAH event dates allow for official park entry at 7:00 pm, regardless of the DAH event hours on that date.

While this has varied over time, MK has tended to let DAH guests in prior to 7:00 pm, sometimes as early at 6:00 pm.

What if Already in the Park? In-Park Disney After Hours Credential Pick-Up Locations

• For guests who have already entered the park via a regular park ticket or AP admission prior to 7pm, various locations are available to pick-up your DAH credentials:
  • The area outside of the Laugh Floor / Buzz Lightyear entrances
  • Tortuga Tavern
  • Liberty Square ticket office
  • City Hall guest relations office
  • Note: These locations have changed/morphed over time: if you see other locations or find any of the above to not be available on your night, please let me know.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Post #7 - Transportation Information

• The information below applies to the regular Disney After Hours event. For Villains After Hours (June-August 2019), Disney offered monorail and boat service after the event.
• Regular Magic Kingdom Disney transportation options end at their 'normal' times after the regular park closing time during a DAH event.
• This means some Disney transportation options will NOT be running at the end of the DAH event:
  • Monorails will NOT be running
  • MK Resort boat launches (the small resort boats) will NOT be running
  • The MK Ferry to the TTC WILL be running
  • Buses WILL be running to ALL resorts (even resorts that do not normally have bus service such as Poly and GF), but many will be in non-traditional groupings
• As far as other transportation options:
  • Minnie Van service runs until 12:30 am. The MK Minnie Van pick-up location is at the MK bus plaza.
  • Uber / Lyft / Taxi service is available from the TTC. Alternatively, you can walk to CR and use those services from there as well.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Post #8 - Miscellaneous Event FAQs

Have anything you'd like to see added her? Let me know, thanks!

An Important Difference Between DAH & MNSSHP/MVMCP

• Disney After Hours is "hard-ticket" event similar to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP), except that it takes place after the 'normal' park closing time for that day.
• Unlike MNSSHP and MVMCP, for DAH Disney does NOT necessarily actively "clear" the park of day guests for the event.
  • Day guests can get in a ride line up until 1 minute before closing time and are free to leave the park, shop, etc at their leisure after regular park closing time just like any regular night in the Magic Kingdom.
  • DAH credentials (lanyards or wristbands) are needed to enter a ride line once the event begins.
  • Disney has historically been very strict with enforcement of needing to see DAH credentials at line entrances.
  • In this regard, DAH operates in a similar manner to PM Extra Magic Hours vs the 'park clearing' you see with MNSSHP and MVMCP.
• For Villains After Hours, Disney has been actively clearing the park of non-ticketed guests after park closing.

Day Guest Carry-Over Into DAH Event Time from Rides and/or Nighttime Entertainment

• As noted above, day guests can enter a ride line 1 minute before park closing.
• Also, depending on the date, some nighttime entertainment such as Happily Ever After (HEA) or Once Upon a Time (OUAT) can be scheduled to begin at the same time (or sometimes after for OUAT) the DAH event starts.
• If HEA is scheduled for the same time as the DAH start time, yes, there will be a large crowd still in the park for the first part of your DAH time.
• Historically this has not had a material impact on DAH, but some may not like the fact daytime entertainment carries over into "paid event time."

Ice Cream Novelties / Popcorn / Drink Carts

• Carts are generally located at various locations around the park.
• Unlimited ice cream, popcorn, and sodas/bottled water are all included with a DAH ticket.
• Ice cream selections consist of the 'normal' ice cream bar options at snack carts in the Magic Kingdom - Mickey Bars, Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich, Strawberry Bars, etc.
• A consistent 'complaint' about DAH is that cart lines can be annoyingly long at times. BTMR can be a walk on but the snack cart nearby can have 20 people in line - go figure.
• Generally speaking, I recommend that if you see a long cart line, just move on to the next one in another part of the park.

FPs with a DAH Ticket

• FPs are not available during the DAH event, all rides are standby only.
• DAH tickets will allow for FP booking during regular park hours prior to the event, so - if you have no other FPs booked that day - one could book FPs during with a DAH ticket during the regular park hours before the event.
• In the past, occasionally guests who book FPs with "party tickets" (such as Disney After Hours, MNSSHP, MVMCP) in combination with certain trip details/configurations can potentially cause Disney's system to flag your account for insufficient ticket entitlements and you will receive an e-mail warning that your last day of FPs will be cancelled if you do not address the problem. Who and exactly why people get this warning remains elusive, although reports are relatively infrequent.

PhotoPass Photographers

• PhotoPass photographers are out on Main Street during DAH.
• While it is difficult to ever get truly empty Main Street / Castle photographs, this can be an excellent time to capture pictures with low background crowds.
• It can also be a good time to work with the photographer to capture some "fun" shots you might not otherwise do when photographer lines are long. At times, you may have the photographer all to yourself.

Tangled Restroom Lantern PhotoPass

• The Tangled Lantern PhotoPass shot has typically been available during DAH.
• Waits based on my personal experience have been in the 10-20 people in line range, roughly speaking.

Merchandise

• There is no event specific merchandise for Disney After Hours.

Open Shops / Restaurants

• The following stores and restaurants are open during DAH:
  • Emporium
  • Main Street Bakery (Starbucks)
  • Casey's Corner

How Many Tickets are Sold for Disney After Hours?

• Disney does not release this information. Reports of ticket counts are purely speculation or rumor.

Does Disney After Hours Sell Out?

• Yes, DAH does have a history of selling out sometimes, but not always.
• Accurate sell-out date information for the current set of DAH dates can be found in the table HERE and for historical dates in the tables here HERE.

Does The Kiss Goodnight Run After Disney After Hours?

• Reports have indicated that the Kiss Goodnight 'may' run at 30 minutes and 45 minutes after the end of the DAH event. As with any night, your mileage may vary.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Post #9 - Hold

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Post #10 - DISer DAH Event Review Posts

Hard-ticket events such as Disney Afters Hours are expensive and many of us come to the DIS to decide if these types of things are "worth it." In my opinion, there is no better resource than the collective thoughts, opinions, and experiences of DISers who have attended DAH.

Links to in-thread review/experience posts are posted below. Good, bad, or ugly - all event reviews and experiences are helpful.

For reference, a MOUNTAIN of 2018 DAH DISer review links from the prior thread can be found HERE.

@kikik - 3/2/2020
@prairiesarah - 3/2/2020
@Dakota Dexter - 3/2/2020
@Liddypool - 3/2/2020

@NotTheBatesMotel - 2/24/2020
@Harlaxton - 2/24/2020
@TheMick424 - 2/24/2020
@Mermaidtails1323 - 2/24/2020
@jdd - 2/24/2020
@DisneyKCKC - 2/24/2020

@katherine52478 - 2/17/2020 & more here
@KandyM - 2/17/2020
@stace1214 - 2/17/2020
@rileyz - 2/17/2020
@mla973 - 2/17/2020 & more here
@xiphoid76 - 2/17/2020
@disneymagicgirl - 2/17/2020
@NiceOneSimba - 2/17/2020
@StayAwake - 2/17/2020

@ShelleyLovesOrlando - 2/10/2020
@MASNYC10023 - 2/10/2020
@mrsxsparrow - 2/10/2020
@eliseisawkward - 2/10/2020

@ninafeliz - 2/3/2020

@Matt961 - 1/31/2020
@Lsdolphin - 1/31/2020
@MickeyMouse55 - 1/31/2020
@frjohnk - 1/31/2020

@SDJEL - 1/27/2020
@ksinniger - 1/27/2020
@Moneypenny - 1/27/2020
@Kricketnp - 1/27/2020

@tinabina919 - 1/20/2020
@mickeymom22 - 1/20/2020

@Tink9721 - 1/13/2020
@Greg P. - 1/13/2020
@JBurke - 1/13/2020

@Temp77 - 1/6/2020

@OhhBother - 12/9/2019
@Tink1987 - 12/9/2019
@Rich M - 12/9/2019

@PlutosNumberOneFan - 11/18/2019
@Alison S - 11/18/2019

@roxiepenguin - 9/26/2019
@iujen94 - 9/26/2019
@Shellbells - 9/26/2019
@katherine52478 - 9/26/2019
@ILuvDisney78 - 9/26/2019

@sheila14 - 9/19/2019
@jberndt10 - 9/19/2019
@suemom2kay - 9/19/2019

@Pdollar88 - 9/12/2019
@BattyKoda - 9/12/2019

@Traveling on cc points - 9/5/2019

@mamamelody2 - 8/29/2019
@HuskyForever - 8/29/2019
@Trinity88 - 8/29/2019
@Mrs Grumpy - 8/29/2019

@caitycaity - 8/22/2019
@winnieofpooh - 8/22/2019
@ShootingStar106 - 8/22/2019

@MKTokyo - 5/30/2019
@skuttle - 5/30/2019

@smile145 - 5/23/2019
@Thomasfouraker - 5/23/2019

@pugbug - 5/16/2019
@L&Lfan - 5/16/2019
@canyoncam - 5/16/2019
@DLo - 5/16/2019
@kylieh - 5/16/2019
@HopperFan - 5/16/2019

@dachsie - 5/9/2019
@FredQc - 5/9/2019
@Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina - 5/9/2019 & Pics
@Daisy1940 - 5/9/2019

@cakebaker - 5/2/2019
@rn448698 - 5/2/2019
@Raya - 5/2/2019
@L_MD - 5/2/2019

@msmith1026 - 4/11/2019
@slduck - 4/11/2019
@Ron Rico - 4/11/2019
@MotherKnowsBest - 4/11/2019
@cel_disney - 4/11/2019
@Superchikk - 4/11/2019

@CogsworthTN - 4/4/2019
@RolloTomasi - 4/4/2019
@PolyRob - 4/4/2019
@Mrjoshua - 4/4/2019

@mamapenguin - 3/28/2019
@PPFlight75 - 3/28/2019
@michelepa - 3/28/2019
@Family B - 3/28/2019
@jaceraden - 3/28/2019
@juuuliebeth - 3/28/2019

Note: 3/21/2019 experienced an extended 7DMT closure for part of the event.
@Nina - 3/21/2019 & Here
@Justplainchy - 3/21/2019
@nicdu - 3/21/2019
@Mango7100 - 3/21/2019
@R Coffin - 3/21/2019
@Disney Teresa - 3/21/2019
@amarie - 3/21/2019
@Rowlf the Dog - 3/21/2019

@Spacecow - 3/7/2019
@Syndrome - 3/7/2019
@KCSherri - 3/7/2019
@sls404 - 3/7/2019
@fiasco32 - 3/7/2019
@ryanpatricksmom - 3/7/2019
@GADisneyDad14 - 3/7/2019
@melliemelo - 3/7/2019

@georgina - 2/21/2019
@UpstateMick - 2/21/2019
@iujen94 - 2/21/2019
@Geomom - 2/21/2019
@NiceOneSimba - 2/21/2019

@dbb727 - 2/14/2019
@snowglobe - 2/14/2019
@LLS - 2/14/2019
@AngiTN - 2/14/2019
@ConnecticutNonna - 2/14/2019
@TNickell27 - 2/14/2019
@mollygirl13 - 2/14/2019

Note: 2/7/2019 experienced an extended 7DMT closure during the event.
@Zmack - 2/7/2019
@focusondisney - 2/7/2019
@NMAmy - 2/7/2019
@Yooper Writer - 2/7/2019
@lurkyloo - 2/7/2019
@E.Jane - 2/7/2019
@cadien - 2/7/2019

@Haley R - 1/28/2019
@ruby33 - 1/28/2019
@Ambehnke - 1/28/2019
@Chavaleh - 1/28/2019
@sjberg79 - 1/28/2019
@JessM - 1/28/2019

@Remy is Up - 1/24/2019
@KEK1 - 1/24/2019
@DisMomma241 - 1/24/2019
@Eeyore54 fred - 1/24/2019
@Lisa F - 1/24/2019
@Cordy2424 - 1/24/2019

@TISHLOVESDISNEY - 1/17/2019
@NYCANC - 1/17/2019
@TheFloatingBear - 1/17/2019

@Beiji - 1/7/2019
@abbiesmomma - 1/7/2019
@firsttimemom - 1/7/2019

@Shelbizzles - 12/10/2018
@Elsaspiritanimal - 12/10/2018
Note: 12/3/2018 had long periods of 7DMT and Space Mountain downtime during the event.
@connorlevismom - 12/3/2018
@Saltywardog - 12/3/2018
@MicroBeta - 12/3/2018
@ELLH - 12/3/2018
@FFstreetDoc - 12/3/2018
@Nixon128 - 12/3/2018
@mrsxsparrow - 12/3/2018
@jhoannam - 12/3/2018

Note: 11/26/2018 seems to be among the lightest attended nights in the history of Disney After Hours. Reported crowds and ride wait times (mainly 7DMT) were much lower than the overall reports from prior events.
@Tessaf - 11/26/2018
@Elle23 - 11/26/2018 & 11/26/2018
@Babs1975 - 11/26/2018 & 11/26/2018
@Magnoliafan - 11/26/2018
@jalpert - 11/26/2018 & 11/26/2018
@apxstitch - 11/26/2018

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Post #11 - Historical Date & Event Information

Disney has historically released DAH event dates in "groups" as represented in the tables below:

May 2019 Dates
Dates Announced: Thursday 3/28/2019
Tickets on Sale: Thursday 3/28/2019

Table last updated 6/2/2019



November 2018-April 2019 Dates
Dates Announced: Thursday 9/6/2018*
Tickets on Sale: Thursday 9/6/2018*
*11/26/2018 was added to the line-up late 10/2018
* 2/21, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, and 4/11 2019 were added 11/15/2018

Table was last updated 4/13/2019




2018 January-March DAH Dates / Times
Tickets Went on Sale: September 14, 2017


2018 June-September DAH Dates / Times
Tickets Went on Sale: May 2, 2018


2017 DAH Dates / Times
Tickets Went on Sale: December 8, 2016

Note: Accurate "sold out" data is not available for the Winter 2017 dates as it was not being accurately tracked. Thread posts at the time generally suggest 3/2 and 3/9 potentially sold out at/around the day-of.

2016 DAH Dates / Times
Tickets Went on Sale: March 23, 2016

Thursday, April 14, 2016 (11PM - 2AM)
Thursday, April 21, 2016 (10PM - 1AM)
Thursday, April 28, 2016 (10PM - 1AM)
Thursday, May 5, 2016 (10PM - 1AM)
Sunday, May 8, 2016 (11PM - 2AM)
Thursday, May 12, 2016 (11PM - 2AM)
Thursday, May 19, 2016 (11PM - 2AM)

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Post #12 - DAH-Related Links & Past DAH Threads

Old DIS Disney After Hours Threads
"Official" 2018 Disney After Hours (DAH) Thread

Disney's Official Disney After Hours Page
Click Here

Older Disney After Hours-Related Links
Disney Parks Blog Announcement - September 6, 2018
Disney Parks Blog Announcement - May 2, 2018
Disney Parks Blog Announcement - September 14, 2017
WDWInfo Article - September 14, 2017

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Post #13 - Year-Over-Year Disney After Hours & Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom Event Date Summary

Black = Disney After Hours
Red = Villains After Hours

Chart updated 1/25/2020

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hold for future use if needed.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Good job

I know I have a loooooooooooong way to go on July, but I am really hoping we can do it then!!

 

[lambdabeta]

Add me to the list for Dec 3rd. Can't wait. We have never been.

 

[mcurrence]

GADisneyDad14 This is AWESOME!!! Thank you so much for moderating this !!!
I think besides Peter Pan being closed, I read somewhere that the Speedway will also be closed for some months ..
Your time and work on this is truly appreciated!

 

[NYCANC]

Please add me to the list for 1/17.
Very excited to finally get to experience this event!

 

[Elsaspiritanimal]

Add me and my SIL for 12/10! Third time can't wait!!

 

[Zmack]

We are going on 02/7, our first DAH very excited.