Get ready to explore Disney World in the dark as Disney After Hours is back for the first half of 2024. Taking place on selected evenings from now until summer, these events allow you to stay in the parks until 1am on some nights. 

While theatre shows will not be running and character meet and greets are limited, the real bonus of these events is that you can ride some of the big hitters without queuing for hours. We’re talking about the likes of Space Mountain, Toy Story Mania, and Big Thunder Mountain. 

Plus limited quick service, food stands, and merchandise shops will also stay open so that you can shop and snack, without the crowds. 

Excited? You should be. Here’s everything you need to know about Disney After Hours…

What to Expect at Disney After Hours

disney world castle at night
You can enjoy two castle shows in one night, as Enchantment will be shown at Magic Kingdom.

Disney After Hours events take place in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios on certain dates and will run through until the end of summer. Unlike in previous years, though, there are no planned dates for Animal Kingdom After Hours.

Complimentary snack stations will be featured throughout the parks where you can grab popcorn, Mickey bars, and bottled drinks all night. These are unlimited, though we still recommend eating beforehand as many of the quick service and snack spots will be shut during these events.

In the Magic Kingdom, TRON Lightcycle will feature a standby queue throughout the event (during regular park hours you can only use the virtual line) and you’ll be able to enjoy lower queue times for favorites such as Peter Pan’s Flight and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Missed the 50th-anniversary fireworks show Enchantment? You’re in luck. Special showings of the nighttime spectacular will take place during these after-hours events at the Magic Kingdom. This means you can enjoy TWO fireworks shows in one night!

rise of the resistance ride at disney world
Star Wars: Ride of the Resistance often has one of the longest queue times in Hollywood Studios.

In Hollywood Studios, you can ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway without the huge queues. There will also be limited availability at Savi's Workshop and Droid Depot for walk-ins, something to note if you plan to customize your own Star Wars lightsaber or droid.

Meanwhile, in EPCOT, these limited-capacity events are the best way to enjoy the likes of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind without queuing for hours.

Part of the World Showcase, between China and Morocco, will be closed during the event – though you can still enjoy the likes of Mexico, Norway, the UK, and France.

Disney After Hours: Important Details

The Disney After Hours dates are as follows:

The events run between 10pm and 1am at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, and from 9:30pm until 12:30pm at Hollywood Studios. Though you can use your ticket to enter from 7pm on the day.

Note that you will need a separate Disney After Hours ticket – regular park entry is not valid for the event. Ticket prices start at $165 (or $119 for passholders and DVC members) and vary depending on the date and park.

The good news is that you don’t need to leave the park if you’re staying; there will be stands dotted throughout the park where you can get your wristband any time after 7pm.

All you need to do is don your light-up ears and get ready to enjoy all your favorite rides without the massive queues.