Walt Disney World Resort has released dates and details for its special-ticketed after-hours events at its parks for 2026. These events offer guests a unique way to experience Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, featuring lower wait times for attractions, the opportunity to meet some of their favorite characters, and complimentary snacks. With limited capacity, it feels like guests practically have a park to themselves during Disney After Hours.
For guests staying at select Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green, tickets will go on sale for After Hours at Disney World starting on October 9, 2025. All other guests will be able to purchase tickets for After Hours starting on October 14, 2025.
2026 Magic Kingdom After Hours
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.
Surprise Character Encounters
An evening at Magic Kingdom is always full of character, and during After Hours, you can expect to run into some of your favorite familiar faces. Stay tuned for updates on who might be showing up.
Snacks & Refreshments
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.
Rides Open at Magic Kingdom After Hours
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:
- 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
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 your 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 plan your 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
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.
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
Attractions & entertainment subject to change
Surprise Character Encounters
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!’
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. 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:
- KRNR The Rock Station
- Milk Stand
- Woody’s Lunch Box
Snacks & Refreshments
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.
2026 Hollywood Studios After Hours Dates and Tickets
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.
To help plan your 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, your EPCOT After Hours ticket allows you to enter EPCOT as early as 7:00 PM. This gives you a full six and a half hours to party the night away.
Rides Open at EPCOT After Hours
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:
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- Test Track presented by General Motors (NEW)
- Frozen Ever After
- Soarin’
- 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 is also a fantastic opportunity to meet Disney characters in a more relaxed environment. During the event, you might see:
- 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 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.
Get Your Grub on Around the World
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:
- Various kiosks around the World Showcase
- Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe
- Rose & Crown Pub
And Snacks Included in Your Ticket
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.
2026 EPCOT After Hours Dates and Tickets
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.
For your planning notes, 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
- Aug 6
- Aug 13
- Sep 16
- Sep 24
Free Water Parks in 2026
For those who are staying at a Disney Resort hotel in the summer of 2026, Resort guests can enjoy complimentary admission to a Disney water park on the day they check in. This means guests will be able to enjoy fun in the sun in a Disney water park on the day they begin their trip. This is similar to the offer that is being extended this year, which has been quite popular. Recently, during a media event at Walt Disney World Resort Daps Magic interviewed Benjamin about the Walt Disney World Resort water parks. See the interview here:
The opportunity to start a day and trip to Walt Disney World Resort, which includes a water park, and then spend an evening in the parks can add magic to a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in 2026. Have you been to an After Hours event before? If so, which one? What did you think? Will you be doing this in 2026? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
