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

[GADisneyDad14]

Welcome to the "Official" Jan-Sept 2018 Disney After Hours Thread!
​

A one-stop shop for Disney After Hours (DAH) information and discussion.

Quick Links:
Post #2 - DAH Guest List
Post #3 - DISer DAH Review Links
​

Dates
December 2018 - March 2019 DAH Dates / Times
Tickets Went on Sale: September 6, 2018


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


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


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)


Helpful Links
Disney Parks Blog Announcement (June-Sept DAH Dates)
Disney Parks Blog Announcement (Winter 2018 DAH Dates)
DIS/WDW Info News Post
Official Disney DAH Website


Price



How to Buy Tickets
By Phone: 407-827-7185
Online: Disney After Hours Tickets


Cancellation Policy
Once purchased, DAH tickets are nonrefundable.


When Can I Get in the Park with a DAH Ticket?
Disney's website says "Official check-in for the event will take place at the Main Entrance to Magic Kingdom park beginning at 7:00 PM" (regardless of the actual start time of the DAH event).

For most 2018 dates, guests with DAH tickets have generally been allowed in the park at approximately 6PM.



Open Rides / Food & Beverage
Here's a year-over-year comparison of rides open during DAH.




Thanks for @Faceoff445566 for the pic of the Summer 2018 DAH handout:


FOOD & BEVERAGE

Included as Part of Your Event Admission
2016-2018 - During event hours enjoy select beverages, popcorn, and ice cream novelties.


For Purchase
2018 - Select menu items available at Main Street Bakery and Casey's Corner.
2017 - Select menu items available at locations throughout the Park, including Main Street Bakery, The Friar's Nook, and The Lunching Pad.



MERCHANDISE
2017-2018 - Select merchandise available for purchase at the Emporium. There is no specific DAH themed merchandise available during these events.


Event Lanyards
Guests are given plastic laminated "lanyards" for the event at check-in at the front entrance. This is how Disney knows who is/isn't a DAH guest. These actually make for a nice souvenir/keepsake and are an upgrade over the standard wristbands Disney uses at things like MNSSHP, MVMCP, and EMM. The 2017 lanyard is attached for reference.

Note, you have to get these at the front of the park - Disney does not set up "inside the park" stations like they do at a MNSSHP and MVMCP. Some guests reported being able to pick up their lanyard at Guest Relations off Town Square and the Liberty Square ticket office as well, but reports of success were inconsistent.

Update for Summer 2018 DAH Dates: Disney has started setting up a few lanyard pick-up station inside the parks. Locations include POTC and the FP Kiosk to the left of the Stitch entrance, and maybe a few others.

Update for 8/30/2018 Event: Disney gave attendees wristbands for use during the event and gave out lanyards as keepsakes upon exiting the park that evening.

Many thanks to @Bri036 for the Summer 2018 Lanyard pics:

 

[GADisneyDad14]

If you'd like to be added to the guest list, just let me know. Thanks!

2018 Disney After Hours Guest List

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


Saturday, June 30, 2018
@PatMcDuck
@saraheli
@HappyGrape
@scottishgirl1
@Dbktmc
@GaSleepingBeautyFan
@Bellabully
@msmith1026
@softball chick


Saturday, July 07, 2018
@wmoon
@Luvscrappin
@Rjw615
@AMusicLifeForMe
@swissfamilyrobinson
@NJShoreDad


Monday, July 09, 2018
@Ashley Marie
@5 at disney
@djc9699
@summerlvr
@will5mom


Saturday, July 14, 2018
@poodledogs55
@Chavaleh
@bvolek86
@pmurph
@betsarina


Saturday, July 21, 2018
@Minniemouse07
@uccats97
@senadler
@RDarling
@Cloe Colton
@houseofmouse5
@bcactus
@sfbank
@bcactus
@Haley R
@crabbygal902


Saturday, July 28, 2018
@junebug
@cmarsh31
@dmetcalfrn
@donaldanddaisy
@khcruise
@lilpiglet97
@mickeysmith
@DonnaDuck
@publix subs


Saturday, August 4, 2018
@123SA
@Funfire240
@kcm105
@tookydo
@0FF TO NEVERLAND
@Disneycouple99
@disneymagicgirl
@TrixieBel
@disneybeautyfnp
@DuchessandBerlioz
@DisHeels
@OhhBother
@pbb322
@Spunky946


Saturday, August 11, 2018
@123SA
@Funfire240
@elle101me
@disneyAndi14
@Omarhs
@Princess Madeleine
@KeithFromJersey
@erij11
@liball3
@scjo68


Thursday, August 30, 2018
@GillianP1301
@HatboxHaint
@lvcourtneyy
@lucas
@4vrdreamin
@uccats97
@Lsdolphin
@h&D3
@amy1115
@AngiTN
@firsttimemom
@terri33inne
@GraceLuvsWDW
@Clare Voince
@aac2407
@RDarling
@Shellyb84



Thursday, September 20, 2018
@DQUIN5340
@Araminta18
@seltzer77
@jenjersnap
@shairpdrh
@areno79
@kkbookmom
@sara_s
@DWoodall
@mcurrence
@PrincessDuck
@Elsaspiritanimal
@VAtink
@yoda22
@KaitorTot
@beaprn
@veeraltolia
@mdmetromom
@amalone1013
@hhhaleybird
@mlee.sunny
@Remy is Up
@princesstinkerbelle
@HeadlessLegoMom



Winter 2018 DAH Dates

Friday, January 19 (8PM-11PM)
@anomamatt
@Wackdawg
@bcactus
@MaryLovesPoohBear
@CrabbyPatty
@famsen
@pattyw
@heidijanesmith
@PatMcDuck
@RDarling
@Rmurphy005
@Disney_Princess83
@Elbygrl
@Scooter2376
@Princess Michele


Friday, January 26 (8PM-11PM)
@hosler427
@honeymo78
@kippynumber1
@First timer
@ksinniger
@MrsInsG
@Sammi & Mittz
@Liver Lips Mcgrowl
@mlp1933
@CAQDaddy
@UpstateMick
@jcconn
@TheFloatingBear
@Daisybell911
@Silock
@collegeprogram01
@fiasco32
@Star Tourist
@Dviro
@lexybear
@DavidHobart
@ALMinVA
@lynn_s


Tuesday, January 30 (8PM-11PM)
@OhhBother
@krauh
@sdomino11
@BurTam
@focusondisney
@amandaleigh2
@Limes96
@Amanda&Mike
@Aflyingbuttress
@Karen46
@Euby
@dolewhipdreams
@Lsdolphin
@mcurrence
@katherine52478
@kmc8826
@SteveH
@lulu2121
@subtchr
@TropicalDIS
@Staren
@fgnghg5821
@intricatejewel
@flyersud99
@theme_park_mom
@summerlvr
@happiest place
@Thomasfouraker
@Armycavprincess


Thursday, February 8 (8PM-11PM)
@coasternut22
@jaybee1026
@kerreyn
@lizabu
@DisneyGuy
@fstone
@MommaBerd
@hereforthechurros
@Brandilla
@kellyarms20
@April P
@erinscreen
@GMatisse
@Arubaflower
@fitgirlFL
@sky13


Thursday, February 15 (9PM-12AM)
@eeyoreandtink
@CarolynFH
@dwsandy
@georgina
@sadliltear
@julezdisney
@disneyAndi14
@ceeceegee
@PlutosNumberOneFan
@cancersucks
@nancy155
@disneyAndi14
@lovedisney123
@junebug
@melliemelo
@monique5


Thursday, March 1 (9PM-12AM)
@Haley R
@MIAMouseketeer
@igrsod
@senadler
@Lesley Wake
@foodiddiedoo
@bjschil
@Johndubbya
@MischaOz
@SmithSmith
@lvcourtneyy
@wootejl
@to be tink
@TIGGER1981
@Danadanes
@cindyfan
@BrownHP800
@cruisecrasher
@Momfoaj
@Thomasfouraker


Thursday, March 8 (9PM-12AM)
@Tinkerbell58
@Pdollar88
@bbangel
@MermaidMommy
@jenushkask8s
@indyannamom
@csmom
@rosysubmarine
@DisDreaming4116
@Mopedmom1
@Elsaspiritanimal
@Minniemoo15
@kristenabelle
@lata
@TexasKiwiPrincess
@The_Big_Goof
@ConnecticutNonna
@Disney.Denise
@EeyoreME
@pitpat

 

[GADisneyDad14]

(these links go directly to posts later in the thread)

DISer Reviews for June-Sept 2018 DAH Events

@Faceoff445566 - 6/28/2018
@Bri036 - 6/28/2018
@whiporee - 6/28/2018
@ashmac8 - 6/28/2018

@iivye - 6/30/2018
@msmith1026 - 6/30/2018
@PatMcDuck - 6/30/2018
@saraheli - 6/30/2018

@frangi - 7/7/2018
@Ashley Marie - 7/7/2018
@wmoon - 7/7/2018
@AMusicLifeForMe - 7/7/2018
@Luvscrappin - 7/7/2018

@Ashley Marie - 7/9/2018
@will5mom - 7/9/2018
@djc9699 - 7/9/2018

@xiphoid76 - 7/14/2018
@Les Poissons - 7/14/2018
@poodledogs55 - 7/14/2018
@Chavaleh - 7/14/2018
@tracee22 - 7/14/2018
@betsarina - 7/14/2018

@Haley R - 7/21/2018
@Cloe Colton - 7/21/2018
@martaroo - 7/21/2018
@Valentine - 7/21/2018
@Jajone - 7/21/2018
@uccats97 - 7/21/2018
@crabbygal902 - 7/21/2018
@senadler - - 7/21/2018

@cmarsh31 - 7/28/2018
@donaldanddaisy - 7/28/2018
@deezy - 7/28/2018
@mgodisney - 7/28/2018
@apress - 7/28/2018
@BFD - - 7/28/2018
@dmetcalfrn - 7/28/2018
@mickeysmith - 7/28/2018
@lilpiglet97 - 7/28/2018
@LuckyMamaInDE - 7/28/2018
@DisDeac - 7/28/2018

@OhhBother - 8/4/2018
@0FF TO NEVERLAND - 8/4/2018
@tookydo - 8/4/2018
@Funfire240 - 8/4/2018
@DisHeels - 8/4/2018
@wdwlver - 8/4/2018
@Alii711 - 8/4/2018
@123SA - 8/4/2018
@Disney Dolls - 8/4/2018
@disneymagicgirl - 8/4/2018
@sydconmom - 8/4/2018
@disneybeautyfnp - 8/4/2018

@Funfire240 - 8/11/2018
@DisneyFansInNYC - 8/11/2018
@disneyAndi14 - 8/11/2018
@Chisoxcollector - 8/11/2018
@Omarhs - 8/11/2018
@liball3 - 8/11/2018

@choirbird - 8/30/2018
@Davkind76 - 8/30/2018
@lvcourtneyy - 8/30/2018
@Lsdolphin - 8/30/20180
@lucas - 8/30/2018
@firsttimemom - 8/30/2018


DISer Reviews for Jan-March 2018 DAH Events

1/19/2018 - @poodledogs55
1/19/2018 - @ziravan
1/19/2018 - @Wackdawg
1/19/2018 - @roost0524
1/19/2018 - @emtgirl4
1/19/2018 - @SPUNKYSHADOE
1/19/2018 - @WedWayPilot
1/19/2018 - @JayLeeJay
1/19/2018 - @mollygirl13
1/19/2018 - @anomamatt
1/19/2018 - @Yojenitan
1/19/2018 - @hcap1j
1/19/2018 - @heidijanesmith
1/19/2018 - @bcactus

1/26/2018 - @KCSherri
1/26/2018 - @Megsmachine
1/26/2018 - @alexce
1/26/2018 - @Liver Lips Mcgrowl
1/26/2018 - @DavidHobart
1/26/2018 - @jennab113
1/26/2018 - @Eighty8Keys
1/26/2018 - @BK2014
1/26/2018 - @TheFloatingBear
1/26/2018 - @hosler427
1/26/2018 - @Disneyhokiefam
1/26/2018 - @fiasco32 - Great Pics!
1/26/2018 - @Dviro
1/26/2018 - @CAQDaddy
1/26/2018 - @ckb_nc
1/26/2018 - @IceQueen182 t

1/30/2018 - @TropicalDIS
1/30/2018 - @fgnghg5821
1/30/2018 - @OhhBother
1/30/2018 - @intricatejewel
1/30/2018 - @sequoia 14
1/30/2018 - @sdomino11
1/30/2018 - @OhhBother
1/30/2018 - @katherine52478
1/30/2018 - @amandaleigh2
1/30/2018 - @focusondisney
1/30/2018 - @SafariFan1984
1/30/2018 - @Euby
1/30/2018 - @mcurrence
1/30/2018 - @Amanda&Mike
1/30/2018 - @kmc8826
1/30/2018 - @Karen46
1/30/2018 - @baler31
1/30/2018 - @Thomasfouraker

2/8/2018 - @Disney_Princess83
2/8/2018 - @DisneyGuy
2/8/2018 - @TLK 71
2/8/2018 - @lizabu
2/8/2018 - @sky13
2/8/2018 - @ShelleyLovesOrlando
2/8/2018 - @GMatisse
2/8/2018 - @coasternut22
2/8/2018 - @MommaBerd
2/8/2018 - @hereforthechurros

2/15/2018 - @PlutosNumberOneFan
2/15/2018 - @georgina
2/15/2018 - @CarolynFH
2/15/2018 - @nancy155
2/15/2018 - @cancersucks
2/15/2018 - @elder1923
2/15/2018 - @melliemelo
2/15/2018 - @julezdisney

3/1/2018 - @SmithSmith
3/1/2018 - @Momfoaj
3/1/2018 - @wootejl
3/1/2018 - @Danadanes
3/1/2018 - @Lesley Wake
3/1/2018 - @MischaOz
3/1/2018 - @disneylovinglawyer
3/1/2018 - @Haley R - Tea Cups Lantern Photo
3/1/2018 - @Haley R
3/1/2018 - @to be tink

3/8/2018 - @The_Big_Goof
3/8/2018 - @Minniemoo15
3/8/2018 - @ScottKC
3/8/2018 - @Pdollar88
3/8/2018 - @DGsAtBLT
3/8/2018 - @Disney.Denise
3/8/2018 - @Disney.Denise - Tangled Lantern Photo
3/8/2018 - @TexasKiwiPrincess
3/8/2018 - @kristenabelle
3/8/2018 - @lark
3/8/2018 - @bbangel
3/8/2018 - @pitpat

 

[OhhBother]

Dh and I are going Jan. 30 -- tickets already purchased. We're making the trip just for DAH -- we liked it that much last year!

 

[Elle23]

I'm re-thinking this event. I think it would be completely awesome, and I know we would have a blast. But we will already have 3 full MK days on our trip. Even if it is crowded on our days, I can't imagine we wouldn't have time to do everything we want.

Would it really be worth $357 for 3 more hours on top of 3 full days?

 

[absolutmey]

I'm re-thinking this event. I think it would be completely awesome, and I know we would have a blast. But we will already have 3 full MK days on our trip. Even if it is crowded on our days, I can't imagine we wouldn't have time to do everything we want.

Would it really be worth $357 for 3 more hours on top of 3 full days?

I'm considering the same kind of scenario. We're only going for a long weekend and plan to spend only one day at MK, so maybe it is....?

 

[anomamatt]

Good question, I don't know? I think AP holders can buy AP discounted tickets for non-APers, but not totally sure about that? I can get all the way to check out/payment with buying an AP discounted ticket for my non-AP DD, but I don't want to click/be charged to find out if it works!

You can buy them for non-APs. I did that last year, no problems.

 

[anomamatt]

I'm re-thinking this event. I think it would be completely awesome, and I know we would have a blast. But we will already have 3 full MK days on our trip. Even if it is crowded on our days, I can't imagine we wouldn't have time to do everything we want.

Would it really be worth $357 for 3 more hours on top of 3 full days?

I'm scheduling an entire, additional trip around this -- so I certainly think it's worth it. There is no other way to experience anything like it... I rode space mountain and 7DMT well over 5 times each (closer to 10 for 7DMT because they let you bypass the queue). It was the most fun I have ever had in the parks. The park is by no means "empty" but once the regular queues are finished, everything is walk on (or at worst the next car, but often cars were going empty).

The only way this would not be worth it, IMO, is if WDW increased the numbers attending. If they made this party level attendance, it wouldn't then be worth it to me. But at about 5,000 people (estimated), it's a great event and something you cannot experience otherwise. Even EMM, which is a great add-on, is only in fantasyland. This is almost ALL of MK...

 

[anomamatt]

My 2017 strategy... I went on 3/2/17. Because it's not truly walk on until the regular park guests are gone and the queues empty, I avoided 7DMT until the middle of the night. They let you go in the FP+ line while the regular queue is still there, but that takes too long (compared to true walk on). So I went to BTMRR first and rode 5x. I did splash mountain next (only once because it was too cold to be wet). I then made my way over to fantasyland. I think I did 7DMT 2-3 times at that point, went to Tomorrowland. Got some ice cream treats. Rode space mountain 5-6 times -- totally walk on, but had to walk the entire queue. Then I went back to 7DMT and rode that a ton because by then the bypass was open and you could go right from getting off to the next train -- that was awesome. Nearing the end of the night, 7DMT did get less walk-on (had to wait a car), so I did other things in fantasyland. Then back to space mountain at the very end of the night. By then, they had closed one side, but still was only waiting 1 set of cars to get on...

In between, I ate a few Mickey bars, popcorn, and did some photopass'ing. All in all, tons of fun.

I'm going 1/19 this year. Not sure with who yet (wife doesn't want another family trip there (admittedly this will be trip #6 to WDW in 12 months -- but who is counting), so I have not bought the tickets. Either I'm going solo or with my brothers. But I told my wife, I'm going and she said OK. ;-).

 

[krauh]

My husband and I did a February date last time around and loved it! Going on January 30th this time, and we're totally excited!

 

[Elle23]

Ok. We were already planning on going to MK on Friday (the day of the DAH). It's our last park day. My kids love MK (I mean LOVE it) and want to have MK be their last day.

Would it be too much to spend the day there and then the after hours too? I don't really want to start swapping planned park days (ADRs....), but I know my kids would love this if I decide to do it.

Kids will be 14 and 15.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@anomamatt - I'm not sure my stomach could handle Mickey Bars, popcorn, and the amount of times you rode BTMR, 7DMT, and SM in such a short amount of time.

 

[CarolynFH]

@GADisneyDad14, DH and I will be there Feb. 15. Looking forward to enjoying a more-expensive E-Ticket Night with refreshments and riding SDMT as many times as I want!

 

[Haley R]

My husband and I are going March 1. We are taking our 9 year old niece on her first trip and also her mom. We will only have one other day at MK so this seemed like a good option for us. It was either this or go all day with crowds. It just makes more sense to us to be able to ride those big rides more than once when this might be her only trip to Disney. Our plan is to relax and swim during the day, eat dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe, and take the boat over for Disney After Hours.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Ok. We were already planning on going to MK on Friday (the day of the DAH). It's our last park day. My kids love MK (I mean LOVE it) and want to have MK be their last day.

Would it be too much to spend the day there and then the after hours too? I don't really want to start swapping planned park days (ADRs....), but I know my kids would love this if I decide to do it.

Kids will be 14 and 15.

One day last year I did MK EMM, then the full day in the MK, then straight on through to MVMCP that night. We are normally 'spend 2-4 hours then leave' type of park folks, so this was not the norm for me. We were in the MK forever!

It had pros/cons. Pros were that we had time to go slow and do things we don't normally do (e.g., Tom Sawyer Island). Cons were it was a loooong day. I probably wouldn't do that again.

That being said, I think it's totally doable depending on your family/style/stamina. Maybe plan an out of park meal at Poly, GF, or WL just for a couple of hours off, then back to the park for evening fun??

 

[anomamatt]

Ok. We were already planning on going to MK on Friday (the day of the DAH). It's our last park day. My kids love MK (I mean LOVE it) and want to have MK be their last day.

Would it be too much to spend the day there and then the after hours too? I don't really want to start swapping planned park days (ADRs....), but I know my kids would love this if I decide to do it.

Kids will be 14 and 15.

You know your kids best, but my recommendation would be to focus on things during the day that you won't be able (or want) to do during after hours. Not everything is open during DAH. So if you like tiki room, enchanted tales, etc. do those during the day. If you spend the day doing the more "thrill" rides, I can imagine DAH would be less special. But it really comes down to what you like and how you like to tour.

 

[AntJulie]

And you really haven't done Disney until you watch the County Bear Jamboree alone in an empty theater! Actually it's a little creepy, to be honest.

LOL...did this and couldn't wait for it to be over!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

LOL...did this and couldn't wait for it to be over!

Felt the same way. Right when it started I was like "this was a mistake!" The only positive thing was that my DAH night in Feb of this year was pretty chilly, so it was a nice way to warm up.

 

[allsaintsatx]

Thanks for all the hard work @GADisneyDad14 !!!

 

[DaisyNY]

Hoping they add some more dates...We arrive on March 11th...