2025 Disney After Hours Planning Tips and Dates for the Perfect Night

Here at Walt Disney World, summer nights set the stage for a particular kind of excitement. Maybe it’s the retreat of the Florida sun, the promise of another round of popcorn, or the colorful lighting on iconic rides — there’s something about being in your favorite Disney park at night.  

After Hours at Disney World are separately-ticketed events that deliver the ultimate nighttime experience at your favorite parks. With lower wait times, the chance to meet  characters, and plenty of free snacks to fuel your adventure, Disney After Hours is a limited-capacity party — also known as the unforgettable experience you’ve been looking for to add to your next vacation. 

Fellow Night Owls Listen Up: Here's everything you need to know about upcoming Disney World After Hours events and how to make the most of your visit. 

Get ready for your close up: Hollywood Studios hosts its After Hours event from 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM on select evenings until September 3, 2025.  

To get the most out of your evening in the Hollywood spotlight, come to the park as early as 7:00 PM, before the official event even begins. Guests with an After Hours ticket do not need to make a park reservation to come in before the event officially starts. That’s so much extra time to wave to your adoring fans! 

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

As you make your way through the park during After Hours, you never know who might be waiting for you around the corner. Expect the unexpected, with characters roaming the streets of Hollywood, ready to say ‘hello!’ 

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. Journey to Batuu for walk-up availability. 

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

We can’t think of many things as satisfying as asking for a Mickey Ice Cream Bar and just ... walking away with it. Select snacks are included in your ticket, such as ice cream novelties, popcorn, and bottled beverages. Snack carts will be scattered throughout the park, so you never have to go far to enjoy a tasty treat. 

To grab your night among the stars, purchase ahead of your stay by heading to the Hollywood Studios After Hours ticketing page. There, you’ll select the number of tickets and the date of your visit. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members, make sure you're logged into your Disney account because you can save $30 per ticket. 

EPCOT offers its After Hours event from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM on select evenings through September 25, 2025. Like Hollywood Studios, your ticket allows you to enter EPCOT as early as 7:00 PM. This gives you a full six hours to party the night away. 

At EPCOT, you'll have the chance to look for Donald in Mexico and even learn about Xandarian culture with drastically reduced wait times. Highlights include: 

EPCOT After Hours is also a fantastic opportunity to meet Disney characters in a more relaxed environment. During the event, you might see: 

The party vibes are going strong at Goofy's DJ dance party where you can join in on a fun, interactive character meet and greet with the Goof himself. For After Hours dates up to Sept. 1, you’ll have plenty of room at CommuniCore Plaza to show Goofy your best dance moves and maybe even the ones you’re still working on. 

With plenty of room to dance (and lots of seating for those night owl legs), the Canada Mill Stage is a central hub to toast, groove, and maybe even howl under the moon with your crew. 

EPCOTerrans can fuel up as they party throughout the evening and around the World Showcase. Here are a few of our fav spots to purchase food and drink during EPCOT After Hours: 

As with Hollywood Studios, a night at EPCOT After Hours includes fueling your special night with complimentary snacks like ice cream, popcorn, and bottled drinks at various locations. 

To grab your night among the stars, purchase ahead of your stay by heading to the EPCOT After Hours ticketing page. Choose the number of tickets and your visit date. Note that Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $30 per ticket. 

Yes, we’re picturing it, too: The lights of Prince Charming Regal Carousel swirling just beyond the castle, late night popcorn runs on the way to Haunted Mansion and riding the PeopleMover over a glittering Tomorrowland.  

While specific dates for Magic Kingdom’s After Hours event are still to be announced, here at Disney Parks Blog, we are keeping an eye out for future event details. Check back here as we’ll be updating this post as soon as the latest magical nights are released. 

If you’re like us, you are always dreaming of your next Disney vacation and all the resort play, Park Hopping, and special event combinations you can fit into our stay. And an After Hours evening is definitely easy to work into your latest itinerary masterpiece. 

For those staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you've got a splashy perk to work into your master plan: Resort guests can enjoy complimentary admission to a Disney water park on the day they check in. And during Cool Kid Summer, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are both open!  

Let’s set the scene: You arrive at Disney World, drop your bags at the resort (bell services will hold your stuff), and park your car. Hop on a Disney bus to a Water Park to take a relaxing glide down a lazy river or, hey, a wild slide down the side of Mount Gushmore.  

Cool Kid Summer is in full swing at Blizzard Beach, with special activities, a dance party, and a chance to spot Goofy in his beach attire. Later you head back to the resort to transition into your sweetest sneaker-and-Goofy-ear-hat combo that screams, ‘Cool Kid Summer,’ and then you’re off to the glimmer, glow, and snacks of After Hours at Hollywood Studios or EPCOT. Sounds like the perfect arrival day to us. 

And, if you're looking for a way to make a splash after the sun goes down, you can enjoy Disney's Typhoon Lagoon like never before at H2O Glow After Hours now through Sept. 13. Kids ages 3-9 get in for only $42.50 plus tax, which is half the price of the $85 adult ticket. Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club discounts are also available for H2O Glow.  

Extend your magic into the night with a ticket to Disney After Hours to keep the excitement going well past dark. With lower wait times, complimentary snacks, surprise character encounters, and an overall more relaxed atmosphere, After Hours is perfect for both first-time guests and seasoned Disney fans looking to make their Disney trip even more special. 

For more information and to book your tickets, visit DisneyWorld.com/AfterHours. Complimentary admission to a Disney water park on the day of check in is subject to availability.