"Official" 2018 Disney After Hours (DAH) Thread (Now Closed, see New 2019 Thread)

[Iowamomof4]

We are now considering a trip sometime at the end of Jan through the beginning of Feb. The dates we were first looking at were 1/29 (Tues) through 2/8 (Thursday). If they offer DAH next year on the same days as this year, we would only see DAH on our first night (1/29) and then we'd be flying home during the second one (2/8). Am I crazy for adjusting our dates to try to include more possible DAH nights? Like, if we went home one day later (2/9), we might be able to do DAH the night before we leave. Or arriving one day earlier would make it easier to do DAH on that Tuesday night (1/29). Ugh... so unsure of what to do. It's all theoretical right now anyway.

Thanks for letting me think out loud.

 

[123SA]

Just purchased tickets for 6/30 and was able to immediately book fast passes for that night (no other tickets in MDE except for event ticket).

What time is your first one?

 

[amy1115]

Add us to the list for Aug 30th!! It's also my birthday. I am soooo excited to celebrate in Magic Kingdom!

 

[iivye]

What time is your first one?

6:20; I figured if I get in a little earlier than 7 great but if I don't I will still have time to make the window. This also allowed me to schedule 3 fastpasses before the 10 pm park closing.

 

[Haley R]

We are now considering a trip sometime at the end of Jan through the beginning of Feb. The dates we were first looking at were 1/29 (Tues) through 2/8 (Thursday). If they offer DAH next year on the same days as this year, we would only see DAH on our first night (1/29) and then we'd be flying home during the second one (2/8). Am I crazy for adjusting our dates to try to include more possible DAH nights? Like, if we went home one day later (2/9), we might be able to do DAH the night before we leave. Or arriving one day earlier would make it easier to do DAH on that Tuesday night (1/29). Ugh... so unsure of what to do. It's all theoretical right now anyway.

Thanks for letting me think out loud.

I don’t think you’re crazy at all! Dah is so worth rearranging a trip for.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I don’t think you’re crazy at all! Dah is so worth rearranging a trip for.

Didn't I read on this thread you're from Iowa, too? (or am I confusing you with someone else? )

 

[Haley R]

Didn't I read on this thread you're from Iowa, too? (or am I confusing you with someone else? )

Nope that’s me!

 

[Mimi Q]

We are so excited to do this Saturday!!

 

[whiporee]

The extended family is all psyched. There are nine of us tonight -- my brother and his two teen daughters and then us with our twin 11-year-olds and a 14er. We're gonna get there about 630 and see what happens.

I won't be able to post tonight, but I'll try to get something up tomorrow morning when we wake up. Hope it resembles the ones we've heard about in the past.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

6/28 is here... the first night of the summer DAH series.

Tickets are still available online for tonight (and all future dates), so no sell out yet.

Small DISer crew it seems:

Thursday, June 28, 2018
@ashmac8
@Bri036
@whiporee
@NatureBoyChris

Obviously a lot less DISer focus for these summer dates. I wonder how much of that is event saturation, random results given the small DISer population, or maybe indicative of summer demand? Impossible to say I guess.

Hope everyone has a great evening!

 

[Thomasfouraker]

I just checked online and tickets are available for tonight but not for AP holders at a discounted rate.

Perhaps a phone call could rectify that for AP or DVC members who were looking for a last minute discounted ticket.

My family and I did DAH in Jan and March of this year and will look into one or two this summer as well.

We just did 4 days mid June and it was miserably hot. We went because out of state family was down visiting and wanted to go. Otherwise summer time is not a typical time we like to go because of the heat.

I think the demand is less because it was relatively short notice to allot for planning for many during a time when other vacations may have already been planned. In addition, MNSSHP and MVMCP are just around the corner that people may opt for as opposed to DAH, or scheduled due to the earlier release of dates.


If I may make one statement, an observation from my previous two trips this year. I went to one of the first then one of the last DAH dates in Jan and March. January, CM seemed confused, disorganized and there were a greater number of non-lanyard wearers throughout the park during the time. In March, they had CM staged turning guest away at each hub outlet that did not have a lanyard and they remained there throughout the night. Crowd levels were less, most CM knew and honored the lanyard FP prior to event start time and it was overall a better, smoother experience.

Hopefully the same learning curve doesn't present itself this summer as many of the CM I am sure are still there and should remember the process.

 

[mcurrence]

Hope everyone has an AMAZING time tonight! Please keep us posted

 

[poodledogs55]

Disney keeps advertising via Twitter and Instagram today. I really wish they’d stop.

With that said, everyone have fun tonight! I can’t wait to hear the reports!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I just checked online and tickets are available for tonight but not for AP holders at a discounted rate.

Perhaps a phone call could rectify that for AP or DVC members who were looking for a last minute discounted ticket.

My family and I did DAH in Jan and March of this year and will look into one or two this summer as well.

We just did 4 days mid June and it was miserably hot. We went because out of state family was down visiting and wanted to go. Otherwise summer time is not a typical time we like to go because of the heat.

I think the demand is less because it was relatively short notice to allot for planning for many during a time when other vacations may have already been planned. In addition, MNSSHP and MVMCP are just around the corner that people may opt for as opposed to DAH, or scheduled due to the earlier release of dates.


If I may make one statement, an observation from my previous two trips this year. I went to one of the first then one of the last DAH dates in Jan and March. January, CM seemed confused, disorganized and there were a greater number of non-lanyard wearers throughout the park during the time. In March, they had CM staged turning guest away at each hub outlet that did not have a lanyard and they remained there throughout the night. Crowd levels were less, most CM knew and honored the lanyard FP prior to event start time and it was overall a better, smoother experience.

Hopefully the same learning curve doesn't present itself this summer as many of the CM I am sure are still there and should remember the process.

The bold is an excellent point. Disney has a rather rough track record with the first night of almost any event. DAH, MNSSHP, MVMCP - you’ll almost inevitably see a good number of reports of poor coordination, CMs don’t know any info, unorganized park entry points, lack of park clearing, etc.

Go back and read the first night reviews for the winter dates and you’ll see a fair number of complaints about how they handled park entry.

Anyway, hopefully there won’t be too many first night jitters this go around, but you never know I guess.

 

[amy1115]

Can't wait to hear the first reviews! @GADisneyDad14 you can add me to the list for Aug 30th. Thank you!

 

[HatboxHaint]

I like how disney's promo video for DAH they just posted on their blog has talking Mickey right out of the gate, the main street electrical parade and "Wishes"

 

[Minniemouse07]

What do people think about booking a HEA dessert party the same night as DAH. We are going in September and probably won't be able to make any other HEA show because of all the halloween parties. Is it a waste of time? I figured that the crowds don't thin out until after HEA anyway, so doing the viewing and grabbing a few desserts won't eat into the DAH time too much. Thoughts?

Thanks!

We are going on July 21st...it is my dd's 17th birthday. We have an HEA Fireworks cruise booked the night before and dinner at BoG at 5:30p.

I know that we won't be able to see the projections from the cruise, but I am having a difficult time rationalizing pricey Dessert Party tix (there are three "adults") just for reserved spots since we will have a big dinner before and unlimited Mickey Bars after. This will also be dd's only day at MK (ds and I will have an afternoon before she arrives), so I don't want to eat up touring time if we don't have to.

I'm planning to arrive at 2pm that afternoon and have FP+s so we can take care of all of Tomorrowland before dinner and expect we can do everything else after dinner and during DAH. I guess I will leave it up to the birthday girl if she wants to watch HEA from a decent spot.

For as much as they are...I think all DAH tickets should include a preferred viewing location for HEA.

 

[lucas]

Can't wait to hear the first reviews! @GADisneyDad14 you can add me to the list for Aug 30th. Thank you!

We're going on the 30th, too!

 

[donaldanddaisy]

The extended family is all psyched. There are nine of us tonight -- my brother and his two teen daughters and then us with our twin 11-year-olds and a 14er. We're gonna get there about 630 and see what happens.

I won't be able to post tonight, but I'll try to get something up tomorrow morning when we wake up. Hope it resembles the ones we've heard about in the past.

Thank you for giving us some kind of report! I'm hoping that since they did it recently, there shouldn't be too many growing pains, but who knows. Just excited to start seeing reports role in!

 

[heidijanesmith]

Didn't I read on this thread you're from Iowa, too? (or am I confusing you with someone else? )

Nope that’s me!

Another Iowa girl here!