Did you know that the magic doesn't have to end after the theme park closes? One of the many benefits of using us as your personal Concierge Coaches, we can recommend different after-hours events to enhance your vacation experience.
After-hours events take place at many of your favorite Walt Disney World theme parks including their water parks! This allows you, the guest, a chance to experience the parks under the stars and out of the Florida sunshine.
Think of it as an extra dash of Pixie Dust on top of a memorable vacation! You can experience more magic in less time when the theme parks stay open for an extra 3 hours. The best part is usually the wait times for some of your favorite rides aren't as high as they are during regular park hours.
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. Who doesn't LOVE MICKEY BARS?!?
The best part is Disney After Hours, allows guests to extend their park time a bit more, some after hours events allow guests to enter the theme park as early as 7PM, These three-hour events typically happen during non-peak park windows and dates get released often throughout the year, so as your CCT Coach, we keep an eye on those fun additions for you! You’ll definitely want to take advantage of that extra time! If you'd like to enter before then, you’ll need regular park admission and a theme park reservation for the remainder of 2023 Disney World Vacation reservations. Beginning January 2024, park reservations will no longer be required for theme park entry.
If you arrive at (or after) 7 p.m., head to the specific event turnstiles as they will clearly be marked with signs. Once you arrive, you'll receive a special event wristband. But if you have regular park admission and you’re already inside the park for the afternoon, you won’t have to go all the way to the entrance. There are typically stations inside the park with cast members distributing wristbands. Just be on the lookout for special event signs!
Once the park closes, guests without wristbands are directed toward the front to exit the park. There are typically 30 minutes to an hour from when the park closes to when After Hours officially starts to allow for this transition. Expect some overlap, especially near the front of the park as they are leaving at the beginning of the event, but the process happens fairly quickly. Depending on the park hours, there may not be any transition time.
But before the event starts, I always recommend eating dinner or enjoying a big lunch before heading over. Simply because, most restaurants are closed during After Hours, plus you'll want to maximize your event time. The overlap with regular park hours is a great time to do anything not open during the event. If you're planning on arriving a bit earlier, I recommend heading over to see Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios or the fireworks at EPCOT as the perfect time filler.
If you're headed to Typhoon Lagoon for an after-hours event, I recommend taking in some of the shop offerings prior to dancing the night away on the sand or simply enjoy the lazy river.
There's still time to add after-hours events to your next Castle Coach booking, below are the remaining nights available for After-Hours events coming soon:
EPCOT
Here are the current 2023 Disney After Hours event dates at EPCOT:
August 2023: 17, 24
2023 Disney After Hours events at EPCOT last for 3 hours and run from 9:00 pm to 12:00 am.
Here is the full list of attractions open during After Hours at EPCOT:
Frozen Ever After
Gran Fiesta Tour
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Living with the Land
Mission: SPACE
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Soarin’ Around the World
Spaceship Earth
Test Track
H2O Glow Nights: Typhoon Lagoon After-Hours Event
Here are the current dates left to enjoy this event in 2023
August 19 and 26
September 2
This special event is held from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. And you can get a head start on the fun by entering the park at 6:00 PM—a couple of hours before the event officially begins.
Slide, splash and unwind—and enjoy lower wait times! All of the attractions at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park will be available during this event (subject to change due to inclement weather or other reasons).
Highlights include:
Bay Slides
Castaway Creek
Crush ‘n’ Gusher
Gangplank Falls
Humunga Kowabunga
Mayday Falls
Miss Adventure Falls
Storm Slides
Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool
Entertainment
Boogie down at a DJ dance party with some beloved Disney Characters.
A DJ is spinning hot beats all night! Get ready to light up the dance floor and mingle with some Disney pals.
It’s a spirited celebration that’s sure to dazzle!
Experiences are subject to change. Keep in mind all ticketed events are non-refundable/non-transferable and take place rain or shine!
These events also sell out pretty quickly, so take advantage and make sure you tell your Castle Coach that you're interested in these for your future reservation! We always look out for future events to add that little extra magic to your next vacation. For more ways to book, get with your favorite Castle Coach to add this to your vacation today!