I am a west coaster who grew up at
Disneyland and have been an AP holder for most of the past 30 years. I took one blow out family trip to WDW in Nov 2014, where we attended
MVMCP and really enjoyed the uncrowded attraction lines.
Fast forward to Feb 2017, where I find myself in Orlando for two nights on business. I have to work during the day but have evenings free. I ran through Epcot the night I arrived (exhausting but I got to spend more time in World Showcase as it was one area we didn't spend enough time) and found out about Disney After Hours the second night (Feb 9th). This was mid-week and had no trouble buying a ticket the night before.
Disney After Hours was hands down the best event I have ever attended for riding major attractions without a wait. The park was the most empty I have ever seen any theme park on any coast (and Disneyland Paris). It took me a bit to adjust to riding solo but once I started... holy smokes!!!
I came in an hour before the park closed for regular visitors, grabbed some Starbucks and watched Wishes from the bottom of Tomorrowland Terrace -- Tink flew right over my head. Not bad for walking up as it started.
Once the park closed to regular visitors, the CMs and security were checking lanyards at every attraction. I waited in ZERO lines for anything: walked onto a waiting rocket on Space without stopping. Took the back path behind the raceway to the circus area and saw ONE other person (it felt bizarre to be so alone!). Dumbo was going around empty and people were literally walking on Barnstormer.
I was still a little shy but finally lost my awkwardness at riding solo after 30 mins of wandering and did a quick walk on of Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, and then started riding 7 Dwarves Mine Train. Literally, we may have stopped for 60 seconds in the loading area before getting into our mine car. After you rode, everyone was just walking right back on.
Later, they opened the queue so you didn't even have to go all the way out. You just circled back after you passed the cottage. I rode five times in a row and became more comfortable as there seemed to be a lot of solo visitors.
After that, I headed to Haunted, while talking to family on the phone. I face timed them so they could see walkways that were literally empty. I just missed an elevator (is it an elevator at WDW like DL?), so I stood alone in the graveyard for a few minutes...a few creepy minutes. Just me standing outside the entry doors...alone! Luckily other people came because I think it would feel really weird to be in the parlor alone but it was appropriate for Haunted Mansion!
After Haunted, I walked on Big Thunder and Splash Mountain. It was me and two other people in our log. The logs were going around empty and it was a nice night (not too cold to keep people away).
On the back path behind Country Bears (I think it's technically Adventureland) I stopped and took a picture as there was no one back there but me. It was really weird and the greatest feeling ever combined. I can still feel it as I write this!
Next I walked onto a waiting Pirates boat (sensing a theme yet?) and there was one couple and me on our boat. Yep, you guessed it -- boats were going around empty.
Headed back to FL and rode Peter Pan again and finished up riding 7DMT another five times and then the night ended.
It was an incredibly full three hours and I could have done more if I didn't waste some of the first 45 minutes getting used to touring solo.
I can't recommend this event high enough, if you want to ride headliners without waits. GO!!!!!!!!!! Do what you need to, in order to go!!!!!! Best event I have ever attended.
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