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

[mcurrence]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/mvmcp-and-scheduling-fp-4-6pm.3633529/

Just skimming this it appears it's been a big mess

Hoping we have better luck...on the bright side, even if we don't get to schedule some extra fast passes..we should be able to enjoy the MK like no other!!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/mvmcp-and-scheduling-fp-4-6pm.3633529/

Just skimming this it appears it's been a big mess

Hoping we have better luck...on the bright side, even if we don't get to schedule some extra fast passes..we should be able to enjoy the MK like no other!!!

Yeah, I haven’t followed that thread... or I did for a bit until I realized it was more mess than I felt like trying to understand!

I’m personally OK with no FPs. I really only plan to go in early enough to see HEA, I won’t be busting down the door at 4pm to get in the park. Although I can see why it would be more important/appealing for some folks who want to maximize some MK time.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

True but we were able to make fast pass selections between 4:30-7:00 this past year just like the Christmas and Halloween parties. Does anyone know if they were able to do it this year for those attending the Halloween or Christmas parties? Although we don't need them during the after hours, it's nice to have FPs if you arrive earlier than the 7:00 formal check in time. I can't see why DAH tickets would be treated any different than the party tickets...

Also, I don't remember when DAH tickets were announced for 2017...this has been the earliest you can buy them. I know I ended up buying mine for Feb. 2017 within the 30 day window...did anyone buy them earlier than 60 days for 2017?

There was more than one thread about how to get around the problem of not being able to make fast passes for the parties.

 

[anomamatt]

Yeah, I haven’t followed that thread... or I did for a bit until I realized it was more mess than I felt like trying to understand!

I’m personally OK with no FPs. I really only plan to go in early enough to see HEA, I won’t be busting down the door at 4pm to get in the park. Although I can see why it would be more important/appealing for some folks who want to maximize some MK time.

I totally agree. I'm fine with no FPs and there really should not be any... However... it's just in my nature to try. haha.

I have always gotten the extra FPs for parties and I know all the tricks. So I'm pretty sure they have locked DAH out of the "party FP loophole" (if it's really a loophole for parties, that is debatable as many different answers have come from WDW). If they did lock down DAH FPs, it will be interesting to see if this happens with parties next year.

This difference from 2018 does make me wonder (and second guess) about early park admission... I went in right around 4pm in 2017. I will, of course, test this on Jan-19. I have my DAH ticket on a phantom (for which I have a MB), so I won't use my AP to enter MK on Jan-19...

.

 

[anomamatt]

True but we were able to make fast pass selections between 4:30-7:00 this past year just like the Christmas and Halloween parties. Does anyone know if they were able to do it this year for those attending the Halloween or Christmas parties? Although we don't need them during the after hours, it's nice to have FPs if you arrive earlier than the 7:00 formal check in time. I can't see why DAH tickets would be treated any different than the party tickets...

I had (and used) FPs booked on a 2017 MNSSHP ticket with no problem (using the usual "tricks").

 

[mcurrence]

I guess we'll see what happens. I do hope they let us in earlier than 7..I think the idea behind it is crowd control..they don't want a ton of people waiting to go in right at 7:00 -but that may be more true for the XMAS and Halloween party since there are a ton more people for those parties.

For those who don't have a day ticket and it's their only MK day (like me) it's nice to get a couple of rides off the list and then focus on the high wait times

 

[rosysubmarine]

Not going to lie, I mostly wanted FPs so I could try to see Happily Ever After without all the craziness.

 

[anomamatt]

Not going to lie, I mostly wanted FPs so I could try to see Happily Ever After without all the craziness.

Sorry to burst your bubble (twice now, first being no FP so far with DAH tix), but FP has not offered for HEA for some time now (nor parades).

 

[Lesley Wake]

Not going to lie, I mostly wanted FPs so I could try to see Happily Ever After without all the craziness.

Don't quite know how that would have helped, they don't have FPs for firework viewing anymore! Your best bet would be to do the dessert party (I highly recommend the plaza garden viewing).

 

[rosysubmarine]

Sorry to burst your bubble (twice now, first being no FP so far with DAH tix), but FP has not offered for HEA for some time now (nor parades).

Oh noooooo!

Kidding, I'd rather have my bubble burst now than on 60 days out freaking out because I can't find the FP option for HEA.

I'd love to see the fireworks, but I've heard nightmares about how bad the crowds get. We just might have to watch them on the DIS!

 

[Haley R]

Oh noooooo!

Kidding, I'd rather have my bubble burst now than on 60 days out freaking out because I can't find the FP option for HEA.

I'd love to see the fireworks, but I've heard nightmares about how bad the crowds get. We just might have to watch them on the DIS!

We've never had any problems watching the fireworks, but I've never gone with children before. We always stand off to the right of the castle.

 

[mcurrence]

Don't quite know how that would have helped, they don't have FPs for firework viewing anymore! Your best bet would be to do the dessert party (I highly recommend the plaza garden viewing).

I looked into this but you would have to buy a ma Day ticket, dessert ticket and dah ticket !!!

 

[Lesley Wake]

Oh noooooo!

Kidding, I'd rather have my bubble burst now than on 60 days out freaking out because I can't find the FP option for HEA.

I'd love to see the fireworks, but I've heard nightmares about how bad the crowds get. We just might have to watch them on the DIS!

You can also try to go into the fenced in area in front of Casey's Corner. Many people don't realize it is open for general guests so they won't take advantage of it!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

You can also try to go into the fenced in area in front of Casey's Corner. Many people don't realize it is open for general guests so they won't take advantage of it!

Yeah, this is my go-to spot. Depending on the crowd and the time it can sometimes be hard to GET to that garden area, but if you can get there it’s often a good spot to squeeze in.

 

[RDarling]

I was able to book FP on DAH for 1/19. Yesterday was the 60 day mark for my 5 day park tickets that I will use 1/20-24. This am I went in and tried for FP on the 19th with my DAH day and it worked. Hope they let us in a bit early! Also The website says HEA on 1/19 is at 8pm. Do they move everyone else to the front/hub area or are there going to be people throughout the park until 8.

 

[focusondisney]

I was able to book FP on DAH for 1/19. Yesterday was the 60 day mark for my 5 day park tickets that I will use 1/20-24. This am I went in and tried for FP on the 19th with my DAH day and it worked. Hope they let us in a bit early! Also The website says HEA on 1/19 is at 8pm. Do they move everyone else to the front/hub area or are there going to be people throughout the park until 8.

I haven't been yet, but my understanding is that it is a regular park closing. People will be in the park & getting in lines until 8 pm. And that it does take a bit for the regular guests to clear out of the rides & park. I think I read that at 8, people with DAH tickets go thru the fastpass line until everyone else is gone.

 

[mcurrence]

You will be surprised at how quickly everyone leaves...most will be watching HEA or in that area anyway. Also, these are "low" attending dates to begin with so I think that by 8:30 the latest, even 7d and the popular rides were a walk on

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I was able to book FP on DAH for 1/19. Yesterday was the 60 day mark for my 5 day park tickets that I will use 1/20-24. This am I went in and tried for FP on the 19th with my DAH day and it worked. Hope they let us in a bit early! Also The website says HEA on 1/19 is at 8pm. Do they move everyone else to the front/hub area or are there going to be people throughout the park until 8.

Thanks for checking in reagarding FPs.

Similar to what @focusondisney said, it’s just like a regular park closing. People can get in line for a ride at 7:59PM and will be allowed to ride.

Now granted, I believe HEA is at 8PM that night as well, so that pretty much serves as a natural ‘collector’ of folks in the hub/Main Street area. Once the show is over, those folks will bolt (HEA lasts 18 minutes, FYI). Anyone else still in the park will eventually leave or be escorted out at some point.

DAH ticket holders have lanyards and CMs were very diligent about checking, particularly on rides - at least from what I saw.

 

[mcurrence]

I was able to book FP on DAH for 1/19. Yesterday was the 60 day mark for my 5 day park tickets that I will use 1/20-24. This am I went in and tried for FP on the 19th with my DAH day and it worked. Hope they let us in a bit early! Also The website says HEA on 1/19 is at 8pm. Do they move everyone else to the front/hub area or are there going to be people throughout the park until 8.

Well this is encouraging! Were you able to book for all 6 days then?

 

[mlp1933]

DH and I just got tickets to 1/26. This will be our first DAH and we couldn't be more excited!