Other Disney World Attractions at NightRides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Dumbo, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, 7 Dwarfs Mine Train, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Splash Mountain, The Barnstormer, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Walt Disney World Railroad in the Magic Kingdom all have a different feel to them at night.
I'm not going to bury the lead, because the Magic Kingdom is definitely the best park to explore at night! That being said, there are a number of reasons why you should explore the Magic Kingdom after 7pm.
If you want to make sure you can get everything in but only have a short time to do it, these events are absolutely worth the price of admission in place of a full-day ticket. We feel that Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom allows you to get the best bang for your buck attractions-wise with an After Hours ticket.
Believe it or not, as night falls at Magic Kingdom, the crowds start to dwindle. That's because families with young children take the opportunity to head home for bedtime and you're left with a surprisingly less crowded park. (You ever wonder where all the thousands of strollers go at night?)
The Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World is the most visiting theme park in the world so one of the other most popular questions we receive is, which day of the week is the slowest at Magic Kingdom? And as a general rule of thumb Tuesdays tend to be the slowest day at Magic Kingdom park.
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).
The Disney After Hours at EPCOT event takes place from 10.00pm to 1.00am. You can get a head start on the fun by entering EPCOT at 7.00pm. You do not need a Disney park reservation or additional ticket to enter EPCOT after 7.00pm.
That harsh sunlight is replaced with the soft twinkling of lanterns and atmospheric lighting that sets the scene for after-dark magic. Not only does it give your ride experience a completely different feel, but there are some attractions that are even better to enjoy at night than during the day.
Firework shows happen nightly EXCEPT on nights when the park closes early (like for Mickey's-Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, or for select events like Cast Member appreciation nights). There really aren't any spots to eat and watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom.
The EPCOT fireworks showtime is usually 9:00pm, every night. Epcot Forever is a temporary show, they run it while they are doing lagoon work so it's short and to the point.
Splurge on after-hours eventsIn 2023, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom are selling tickets for dates early in the year at prices that rival a full day's admission. “That is an enormous time saver,” said Jeffrey Merola, a Walt Disney World guidebook author and owner of Mouse Vacation Planning.
But that can also mean cool mornings and evenings, which are especially shocking if you come from a place with warm nights. Compared to Disney World, Disneyland will generally feel cooler and drier with much cooler nights. Even the same daytime temperatures might feel cooler with the lower humidity.
In general, you should think of Epcot as a two-day park. There's so much to see and do that you really need a couple of days to enjoy everything without feeling like you're rushing through the park. But we recognize that most people can't or won't give two of their precious days at Disney to Epcot.
EPCOT is arguably the least family-friendly park at Walt Disney World, so you may not need more than a few hours to do everything of interest if you have small children. With that said, a full day at EPCOT is highly recommended for first-timers.
Here's a look at the rides, attractions, fireworks, and food we were able to squeeze in just one night at Epcot. We love to have a magical night at Epcot! Some of our favorite things to do at night in Epcot are exploring the World Showcase at night for food and ride experiences.
Cons: Disney After Hours tickets are around the same price as regular, full-day theme park tickets. Expensive: Since the event is typically 3 hours long, then the cost per hour is much high compared to normal tickets. Disney After Hours is only available on select dates (see below)
Each night at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom Park, guests enjoy the nighttime spectaculars, Harmonious and Disney Enchantment, respectively. For a new perspective on these dazzling displays, book a fireworks cruise.
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.
A Magic Kingdom itinerary is simply a must if your family only has one day at Disney World. The main reason being the Magic Kingdom Park is by far the most-visited theme park in the world.