Greetings fellow Rope Droppers,
This week we’re diving into special events, After Hours specifically. There’s a lot to weigh if you’re considering any special event as part of your next trip: the cost, the crowds and the “special” factor.
Plus, a bunch of character news, and another reminder that the DINOSAUR final countdown is real. 😭
We started with 487 stories and bring you this 4-minute read.
Gabe
Disney After Hours events are returning next year, and tickets go on sale this month.
What are After Hours? Separately ticketed events at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios, where Disney promises lower crowds, characters, and snacks. This week, they announced around 60 dates for next year from January through September (after that, your “after hours” events are the seasonal parties).
Are they worth it? Disney says the events offer “drastically reduced wait times,” and there are lots of attendee posts on Facebook and Reddit that agree
Wait times are very, very low throughout the event. Non-headliners are generally walk-on, and even headliners max out at a 25-minute posted wait (including standby at TRON!). And that posted wait is very inflated.
But what about the price? Let’s compare some prices. We don’t know the date-by-date after hours prices yet, just the range. So we’ll compare the range vs a 1-day park, regular hours ticket on the same dates.
After Hours | January | May | July | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Magic Kingdom | $175 to $199 | $174 to $189 | $179 to $194 | $169 |
Epcot | $155 to $179 | $169 to $174 | $169 | $164 to $174 |
Hollywood Studios | $155 to $189 | $169 to $174 | $169 to $184 | $164 to $179 |
Our take: Like most special events, they aren’t saving you big bucks, especially when you compare to the effective per day price of a multi-day or park hopper ticket. What you do save is time. While the after hours events are only a few hours, the limited capacity is a bonus… and I’m always a fan of maximizing time.
Plus, in some of these summer Florida months, not sure about you but I’d much rather have a few efficient post-sunset hours than a whole, hot day.
In terms of special, if you miss and love Disney Enchantment fireworks, this is your chance! That only runs during After Hours, and will again in 2026.
What are your thoughts on After Hours events?
What to know:
If you have a Disney reservation at select resorts (including the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin and Shades of Green), tickets go on sale October 9.
For everyone else, you can buy tickets starting October 14.
Annual Passholders and DVC members can get $30 off for the Hollywood Studios and Epcot events.
You can find the full list of dates here.
If characters are your thing, there are a bunch of changes you need to know about at Hollywood Studios. First, you’ll recall we gave you the reminder on Star Wars Launch Bay closing for good last month. Well, because of that, Darth Vader is now over near Star Tours and you can find Chewbacca over in Galaxy’s Edge.
For Disney Visa Cardmembers, there are special times to visit with Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight.
Rare characters: Last but certainly not least Hollywood Studios has added several new meet-and-greets in front of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The list includes classic characters from Mary Poppins and Pinocchio.
As always, check the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date times.
Treat Tracker: Two late-season EPCOT Food & Wine booths are now open (Gyozas of the Galaxy and returning Coastal Eats), and the first reviews are in! Expect lines. Grab the French Onion Soup or Buffalo gyozas, then snag the Seaside Pot Pie next door. (AllEars)
New Ride Photo: DINOSAUR just debuted a fresh on-ride photo frame as a keepsake before its final day Feb 1, 2026, ahead of the Indy retheme. (WDWNT)
Test Reverted: Cosmic Rewind briefly split Lightning Lane and standby in the first two pre-show rooms this week, but it lasted about an hour and operations are back to normal. Seems Disney is still tinkering with the crowd flow in what we all know can become a bit of a mini stampede. (WDWNT)
DVC Booking Alert: Hoop-Dee-Holidays is back at Pioneer Hall December 9 and 16, with two showtimes; DVC Members can book starting Oct 10 via Member Services. (DVCNews)
And lastly this week, happy birthday Bakso! The Sumatran tiger cub celebrated his first birthday at Animal Kingdom this week, and he’s still adorable. He weighs 140 pounds these days, and you can catch him on Maharajah Jungle Trek.
Fun fact: his name was inspired by the Indonesian word for “meatball.”
Disney Parks Blog
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