What to expect Disney after dark?

Overview of Disneyland After Dark Events. Each four-hour party has a different theme and offers unique entertainment. The parties can be a lot of fun with music, special character meet-and-greets, photo-ops, themed dance parties and sometimes even special fireworks shows or other themed entertainment.



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(Updated April 13, 2023.) In case you're unfamiliar with it, Disneyland After Dark parties are limited-time parties that take place after regular park hours and feature unique themes, festivities, character meet & greets, special nighttime entertainment, access to attractions with reduced wait times, and more.

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If you are a ride junkie looking to fit as many attractions as possible into the shortest amount of time, then a Disney After Hours event may be worth the cost. Or, if you're someone who doesn't love the idea of standing amongst thousands of other people all day long, an After Hours event may be an enticing option.

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What is Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom? Disney After Hours is a specially ticketed event (meaning it's a ticket that is purchased separate from regular park tickets) that allows people to enter Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom at 7 p.m. and stay until midnight or 1 a.m. (ending time varies by date).

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With a ticket to Disney After Hours, you can explore one of our theme parks like never before—with lower wait times for attractions. In the midst of all the fun and festivities, take time to refuel with ice cream novelties, popcorn and select beverages—included with the cost of admission.

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The Genie 120-minute rule says that you can make a new reservation at most 2 hours from when you made the last one, and this countdown timer doesn't change if you modify the reservation. If you made it at, say, 11 a.m., then your two hours will be up at 1 p.m. even if you modify the reservation at noon.

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However, that has changed. You now can only park hop AFTER 2PM. So you'll have to wait until well after lunchtime if you're planning on visiting another park. However, this rule is different for Annual Passholders.

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The Disneyland Resort hosts several events “after dark” throughout the year at both parks. The events vary by cost, timing and theming. They also include lower crowds, which means lower lines for attractions. In fact, they're so low, Genie+ isn't even in use.

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If you have an After Hours ticket for Magic Kingdom, you'll be able to enter the park with just your event ticket starting at 7:00 PM. If possible, we highly recommend you do that because that means you'll have 3 hours before the event officially begins to enjoy a few rides and, more importantly, catch the fireworks.

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Disney After Hours is a specially ticketed event (meaning it's a ticket that is purchased separate from regular park tickets) that allows people to enter Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom at 7 p.m. and stay until midnight or 1 a.m. (ending time varies by date).

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Plus, Disney After Hours events include complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select bottled beverages at various snack carts throughout the park. When you arrive for a Disney After Hours event, be sure to grab an event guide to see where these carts are located, as well as a list of available attractions.

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Attendees can check in at Magic Kingdom one hour before the event starts, so crowds may increase slightly starting around then, but that should be minimal; the presence of this event does not generally impact touring during normal park hours. A separate ticket is required: your regular park ticket will NOT get you in.

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Disneyland After Dark parties are 4 hours long, usually starting at 9 pm and ending at 1 am. But, with your ticket, you are able to get into the park prior to the start time — usually at 6 pm. This means that altogether, your ticket is your pass to about 7 hours worth of park fun!

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Disneyland After Dark events has unique character experiences, special themed food and drinks, fun photo ops, entertainment such as dance parties, and so much more! One of our favorite things about these events is the low wait times to get onto rides.

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One of the most popular events at Walt Disney World has been the Disney After Hours events that are held in select theme parks on certain nights. The event requires the purchase of a separate ticket, and while they are not inexpensive, the events are popular and often sell out.

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Plus, you'll get complimentary popcorn, ice cream and bottled beverages throughout the night once the event officially starts! Check out our complete guide to Disney After Hours so you can get the full scoop on other parks including Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.

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Walt Disney World's parks are typically least crowded:
  • January 2nd until just prior to Presidents' Day week (third Monday in February)
  • The week after Labor Day until just prior to Thanksgiving week.
  • The week following Thanksgiving weekend until the week prior to Christmas.


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Off-peak times fall around January, February, September, and early November. Discounts on vacation packages booked directly through Disney (which combine park tickets and hotel stays) can be found year-round, though they're most common at these less-crowded times.

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Tickets can be purchased online, at Disney Desk locations in participating Good Neighbor Hotels, or by calling (714) 781-4636 until the day before the event, or at any Disneyland Resort Ticket Booth. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, and no discounts apply. Tickets not required for Guests ages 2 and under.

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Annual Passholders have been exempt to this restriction since April 18, 2023 and may enter any of the Theme Parks after 2:00 p.m. EST with the exception of weekends (Saturday and Sunday) at Magic Kingdom Park as well as select Blockout Dates.

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Park Hopper hours will start at 2 PM each day and end at the park's scheduled close time.

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Walt Disney World Railroad – The Walt Disney World Railroad encircles the Magic Kingdom. The round trip is around 20 minutes, the perfect amount of time for a nap. So, choose a row, sit back, and relax. In addition, the Main Street train station has nice benches that may make for a nice napping place.

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