Tips and Dates for Planning the Perfect Night at Disney After Hours 2026

At Walt Disney World, summer nights bring a unique thrill. Whether it's the coolness after the Florida sun sets, the allure of more popcorn, or the vibrant lights on famous rides, there's something magical about experiencing a Disney park at night. 

Disney World After Hours are exclusive ticketed events that offer an unparalleled nighttime adventure at guests' beloved parks. With shorter wait times, opportunities to meet characters, and plenty of complimentary snacks to energize their journey, Disney After Hours is a limited-capacity celebration — the unforgettable experience they've been seeking to enhance their next vacation. 

Attention Night Owls: Here’s all the information guests need about upcoming Disney World After Hours events and how to maximize their visit. 

Disney After Hours Tickets

Guests staying at select Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green can purchase After Hours tickets starting Oct. 9, 2025. All other guests can buy their tickets starting Oct. 14, 2025.  

2026 Magic Kingdom After Hours 

After Hours events return to Magic Kingdom in 2026. Guests can watch the lights of Prince Charming Regal Carousel twirl just beyond the castle, grab late-night popcorn on the way to Haunted Mansion, and ride the PeopleMover through a sparkling Tomorrowland.

Magic Kingdom After Hours takes place from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. each event night (see all dates below). Guests with an After Hours ticket do not need a park reservation to enter before the event begins. As with all After Hours events, they can enter the park as early as 7:00 p.m.

Experience Disney Enchantment

During the night, gather in front of the castle to witness Disney Enchantment, presented by Pandora Jewelry. With stunning lights and fireworks illuminating the night sky, this nighttime spectacle celebrates magic, imagination, joy, and hope for all dreamers!

Snacks & Refreshments 

Few things are as satisfying as requesting a Mickey Ice Cream Bar and simply walking away with it. Select snacks are included in guests' tickets, such as ice cream novelties, popcorn, and bottled beverages. Snack carts will be scattered throughout the park, so they never have to go far to enjoy a tasty treat. 

Rides Open at Magic Kingdom After Hours 

During guests' nights at Magic Kingdom, some of their favorite thrills and storybook adventures will be ready to take them to Neverland and enter the grid. Highlights include: 

• TRON Lightcycle / Run

• Space Mountain

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

• Haunted Mansion

• “it’s a small world”

• Jungle Cruise

• Peter Pan’s Flight

• Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid

• Mad Tea Party

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

• Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin

Attractions & entertainment subject to change

2026 Magic Kingdom After Hours Dates and Tickets 

Magic Kingdom After Hours nights are very popular, so it’s a good idea to secure their night of fantasy well ahead of your date. Visit the Magic Kingdom After Hours ticketing page to purchase tickets.

Here are the 2026 dates to help guests plan their magical night out:

• Jan 12

• Jan 19

• Feb 2

• Feb 9

• Feb 23

• Mar 2

• Mar 9

• Apr 13

• Apr 20

• May 4

• May 11

• May 18

• May 25

• Jun 1

• Jun 22

• Jun 29

• Jul 13

• Jul 27

Disney’s Hollywood Studios After Hours 

Guests should prepare for their close-up: On select evenings until September 12, 2026. After Hours events at Hollywood Studios usually run from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (check dates for start times). To get the most out of their evening in the Hollywood spotlight, guests can come to the park as early as 7:00 p.m., before the official event even begins. That’s so much extra time to wave to their adoring fans.

DHS After Hours Planning Note:

• Deviating from typical hours, the May 30th event will run from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and the Sept. 12th event will run from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Rides Open at Hollywood Studios After Hours 

The stars of Hollywood Studios are swirling, twirling, and even saving the galaxy during After Hours all with notably lower wait times. 

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance 

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run 

• Slinky Dog Dash 

• Alien Swirling Saucers

• Toy Story Mania! 

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror  

• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway 

• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets

Attractions & entertainment subject to change

Surprise Character Encounters 

As guests make their way through the park during After Hours, they never know who might be waiting for them around the corner. They should expect the unexpected, with characters roaming the streets of Hollywood, ready to say ‘hello!’ 

Lift a Glass and Grab a Bite 

Around the park, outdoor bars will be ready to serve brews and select cocktails. Meanwhile, over at Oga’s Cantina, DJ R-3X will be spinning the hottest tunes this side of Coruscant as Oga serves up out-of-this-world cocktails and small bites. Guests can journey to Batuu for walk-up availability. 

To fuel them long into the night, food and drinks will also be available at some of their favorite quick-service spots like: 

• KRNR The Rock Station 

• Milk Stand 

• Woody’s Lunch Box 

Snacks & Refreshments 

At Hollywood Studios After Hours, guests will share the evening’s festivities with a few of their closest friends: We’re of course referring to the complimentary snacks. Ice cream, popcorn, and bottled drinks at various locations are included.

2026 Hollywood Studios After Hours Dates and Tickets 

To grab their night among the stars, purchase ahead of guests' stays by heading to the Hollywood Studios After Hours ticketing page. There, they'll select the number of tickets and the date of their visit. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $30 per ticket. 

To help guests plan their night among the stars, here are the 2026 dates:

• Jan 14

• Jan 28

• Feb 4

• Feb 11

• Feb 21

• Feb 25

• Apr 29

• May 6

• May 14

• May 30

• Jun 3

• Jun 10

• Jun 17

• Jun 24

• Jul 1

• Jul 8

• Jul 15

• Jul 22

• Jul 29

• Aug 5

• Aug 12

• Aug 19

• Aug 26

• Sep 2

• Sep 12

EPCOT After Hours 

EPCOT is now offering another half hour into the night to celebrate! The EPCOT After Hours event runs from 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM on select evenings through September 24, 2026.

Like Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom After Hours, EPCOT After Hours tickets allow guests to enter EPCOT as early as 7:00 PM. This gives them a full six and a half hours to party the night away. 

Rides Open at EPCOT After Hours 

At EPCOT, guests will have the chance to look for Donald in Mexico and even learn about Xandarian culture with drastically reduced wait times, and in 2026, Test Track will be racing into After Hours nights. Highlights include: 

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind 

• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure 

• Test Track presented by General Motors (NEW)

• Frozen Ever After 

• Soarin’ Across America

• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros 

• Living with the Land 

• Mission: SPACE 

• The Seas with Nemo & Friends 

• Spaceship Earth

Attractions & entertainment subject to change

Character Meet and Greets 

EPCOT After Hours provides a wonderful chance to meet Disney characters in a more laid-back setting. During this event, guests might encounter: 

• Mickey Mouse at the Dreamer statue 

• Goofy at the DJ dance party in CommuniCore Plaza 

• Minnie Mouse at the France gazebo 

Can’t-Miss Jam Sessions 

The party atmosphere is lively at Goofy’s DJ dance party, where guests can participate in an enjoyable, interactive character meet and greet with Goofy himself. There's ample space at CommuniCore Plaza for guests to show Goofy their best dance moves and even the ones they're still perfecting. 

With plenty of space to dance (and lots of seating for tired feet), the Canada Mill Stage serves as a central spot to toast, groove, and maybe even howl under the moon with friends. 

Get Your Grub on Around the World 

Guests at EPCOT can refuel as they celebrate throughout the evening and around the World Showcase. Here are some favorite spots to purchase food and drinks during EPCOT After Hours: 

• Various kiosks around the World Showcase 

• Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe 

• Rose & Crown Pub 

And Snacks Included in Your Ticket 

As with Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom, a night at EPCOT After Hours includes complimentary snacks such as ice cream, popcorn, and bottled drinks at various locations. 

2026 EPCOT After Hours Dates and Tickets 

To enjoy a night among the stars, purchase tickets in advance by visiting the EPCOT After Hours ticketing page. Select the number of tickets and your visit date. Note that Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $30 per ticket. 

For planning purposes, here are the 2026 dates:

• Jan 22

• Jan 29

• Feb 19

• Mar 5

• Mar 12

• Apr 2

• Apr 9

• Apr 15

• Apr 23

• Apr 30

• May 21

• Jun 11

• Jun 18

• Jul 9

• Jul 23

• Aug 6

• Aug 13

• Sep 16

• Sep 24

Dream Arrival Day: Free Water Park Splash and Then After Hours Bash 

For guests like us, dreaming of the next Disney vacation and all the resort activities, Park Hopping, and special event combinations they can include in our stay is a constant. An After Hours evening is certainly easy to fit into their latest itinerary masterpiece. 

For those staying at a Disney Resort hotel, there's a splashy perk to incorporate into their master plan: Resort guests can enjoy free admission to a Disney water park on their check-in day.

Here's how your day could go: Guests arrive at Disney World, drop their bags at the resort (bell services will hold their belongings), and park their car. They take a Disney bus to a Water Park to enjoy a leisurely float down a lazy river or perhaps a thrilling slide down the side of Mount Gushmore.  

Guests can continue the magic into the night with a ticket to Disney After Hours, extending the excitement well into the evening. With shorter wait times, complimentary snacks, surprise character encounters, and a generally more relaxed atmosphere, After Hours is ideal for both first-time visitors and seasoned Disney enthusiasts looking to enhance their Disney experience.