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

Here at Walt Disney World, nights under the stars 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. 

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

After Hours events are back at Magic Kingdom in 2026. See the lights of Prince Charming Regal Carousel swirling just beyond the castle, go for late night popcorn runs on the way to Haunted Mansion and ride the PeopleMover through a glittering Tomorrowland.

Magic Kingdom After Hours runs 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 to make a park reservation to come in before the event officially starts. As with all After Hours events, you can enter the park as early as 7:00 p.m.

During your night at Magic Kingdom, gather in front of the castle to discover Disney Enchantment, presented by Pandora Jewelry. With dazzling lights and fireworks that light up the night sky, this nighttime spectacular celebrates magic, imagination, joy, and hope for all who carry dreams in their hearts!

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. 

During your night at Magic Kingdom, some of your favorite thrills and storybook adventures will be ready to take you to Neverland and enter the grid. Highlights include: 

Attractions & entertainment subject to change

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

Get ready for your close up: On select evenings until September 12, 2026. After Hours events at Hollywood Studios typically runs from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (check your date for start times). To get the most out of your evening in the Hollywood spotlight, 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 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. 

Attractions & entertainment subject to change

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: 

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

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 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, your EPCOT After Hours ticket allows you to enter EPCOT as early as 7:00 PM. This gives you a full five and a half 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, and in 2026, Test Track will be racing into After Hours nights. Highlights include: 

Attractions & entertainment subject to change

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. 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 at Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom, 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. 

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 in the summer, 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.

Let’s set the scene: It’s summer, 2026, and 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.  

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.