Why You Need to Experience Disney World’s After-Hours Events

If you love Disney but hate long lines and big crowds, then Disney After Hours events are for you! In February, I had the chance to experience the Hollywood Studios After Hours Event, and let me tell you—it was absolute Disney magic. From early park entry to low wait times, nighttime entertainment, and unlimited snacks, this event is hands down one of the best ways to experience the parks. Let’s break it down so you can see why you need to add this to your Disney bucket list!

What is Disney After Hours?

Disney After Hours is a special-ticketed event that gives guests exclusive access to select parks after they close to regular guests. The event runs for three hours, and during that time, you get:

✅ Access to top attractions with little to no wait
✅ Complimentary snacks and drinks (Mickey bars, popcorn, soda, and water)
✅ Special character meet and greets
✅ A unique atmosphere with smaller crowds and cooler temperatures

At Hollywood Studios, the After Hours event officially started at 9 PM—but here’s the best part: I was able to enter the park as early as 7 PM! That meant two extra hours before the event even began.

Why You Need to Go to Disney After Hours

Early Park Entry Before the Event Starts

One of the biggest perks of Disney After Hours is that you don’t have to wait until the party officially begins to enter the park. My ticket allowed me to enter Hollywood Studios at 7 PM, which gave me time to grab dinner, show some shopping, and enjoy the regular park entertainment before the exclusive event started.

Nighttime Shows – The Perfect Start to the Evening

Normally, when the nighttime shows end, the park closes—but at After Hours, the fun is just beginning! I started my night by watching Wonderful World of Animation, a breathtaking projection show that lights up the Chinese Theatre with scenes from Disney and Pixar classics. The vivid animations and music create a nostalgic and immersive experience that sets the perfect tone for the night ahead.

Right after that, I headed to Fantasmic!, one of Disney’s most iconic nighttime spectaculars. This incredible show brings Mickey’s imagination to life with a mix of fireworks, water projections, live performers, and beloved Disney characters. Watching Mickey battle classic Disney villains and seeing the dramatic finale with the sorcerer’s hat and cascading water effects was the perfect way to kick off the exclusive After Hours experience.

By the time the shows ended, the park had emptied out and it was time to enjoy the rides!

Short (or No!) Wait Times for Rides

One of the biggest reasons to attend After Hours is the incredibly short wait times for attractions. If you’ve ever visited Hollywood Studios during the day, you know that some of the park’s most popular rides can have wait times stretching well over two hours. But at After Hours, those long lines disappear, turning what would normally be a full day of ride-hopping into just a few hours of effortless fun.

The best example of this was Rise of the Resistance, one of the most in-demand attractions in all of Disney World. On a typical day, you’d be looking at a 120-minute wait—sometimes even longer. But during After Hours? I walked right on. No Lightning Lane, no virtual queue, no stress—just straight into one of the most immersive experiences Disney has ever created.

Slinky Dog Dash was another standout experience. During the day, this family-friendly coaster in Toy Story Land almost always has a wait of at least an hour, but at After Hours, I only waited ten minutes. And let me tell you—Slinky Dog Dash at night is a completely different experience! The track is lit up with colorful lights, and flying through the park under the night sky made the ride feel even more exciting.

Other major attractions were just as easy to access. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, which often has long lines due to its interactive, choose-your-own-adventure gameplay, was a literal walk-on. I strolled straight into the cockpit of the Falcon without any wait at all. Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster—two thrill rides that can have lines over an hour—had absolutely no wait either.

By the end of the night, I had experienced every major attraction in the park with time to spare. There was no need for Lightning Lane, no stress over return times, and no rushing from ride to ride. It was one of the most relaxed and enjoyable nights I’ve ever had at Disney World, and that alone makes After Hours worth every penny.

Unlimited Snacks & Drinks

Another fantastic perk of Disney After Hours is the unlimited complimentary snacks and drinks available throughout the night. Unlike a regular park visit, where you might have to wait in long lines or budget for pricey theme park treats, After Hours events allow you to indulge as much as you want—at no extra cost.

Throughout the evening, I stopped by snack carts to grab some of my favorite Disney treats. Popcorn was a must-have and ff course, I couldn’t resist a classic Mickey Ice Cream Bar. One of the best parts was the convenience. Since snack carts were scattered around the park and fully stocked, I never had to wait in long lines like you often do during regular park hours. Instead, I could grab a snack and keep going, maximizing my time on rides and exploring the park. We even picked up extra waters and popcorn to carry with us as we left the park at the end of the party.

It was such a simple but valuable perk that made the night even more enjoyable. Knowing I could grab a quick snack or drink whenever I wanted—without worrying about cost or availability—added to the VIP experience that makes Disney After Hours feel truly special.

Special Character Sightings

If you love meeting characters, Disney After Hours is truly a dream come true. Unlike during regular park hours, when meet-and-greets often come with long waits, After Hours offers a completely different experience. There were no lines for character interactions, and I was able to spontaneously meet a range of rare and beloved characters. I had the chance to spot Alice and the White Rabbit, a rare sighting that’s hard to catch during normal park hours. Along the way, I also met Little Bo Peep from Toy Story. It was so much fun to interact with characters that you don’t typically get to meet, especially with the added bonus of having all the time in the world to chat without worrying about the next person in line. The whole experience made the event feel even more magical, allowing me to capture special memories with characters I don’t often see.

Final Thoughts – Is It Worth It?

If you're looking for a way to experience Disney without the stress of long lines, Lightning Lanes, or massive crowds, then Disney After Hours is absolutely worth it. While the ticket prices might seem steep at first—comparable to the cost of a full-day park ticket—don’t let that scare you off. The experience you get is worth every penny. Unlike a typical Disney day, where you're rushing from one ride to the next, this event offers a much more laid-back park experience. With short wait times, unlimited snacks, and an exclusive atmosphere, you'll feel like a VIP as you stroll through the park with plenty of time to enjoy all the rides, shows, and character meet-and-greets without the usual chaos.

Pro Tip: These events sell out fast, so if you’re thinking about going, be sure to book your tickets as soon as possible to secure your spot.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. This was one of my favorite Disney experiences, and I can't wait to try the After Hours events at other parks. If you're looking for a unique, stress-free Disney experience, don’t hesitate—this event is one you won’t want to miss!