2026 Disney After Hours Guide: Dates, Tickets, and Tips for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios
Disney After Hours returns to Walt Disney World in 2026 with separately ticketed late-night events at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests get lower wait times, complimentary snacks, surprise character encounters, and access to headliners like TRON Lightcycle / Run, Test Track, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — here are all the dates and planning details.
There is a particular kind of magic to a Disney park after dark — the Florida heat finally relents, the crowds thin, and the lights on the headliners glow a little brighter. Disney After Hours is built around exactly that feeling, and the separately ticketed late-night events return to Walt Disney World in 2026 across three parks: Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT.
Key Details
- What: Separately ticketed, limited-capacity nighttime events with low wait times, included snacks, and surprise character encounters
- Where: Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT
- Early Entry: After Hours ticket holders can enter the park as early as 7:00 p.m. — no separate park reservation required
- Discount: Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members save $30 per ticket on the Hollywood Studios and EPCOT events
- Book At: DisneyWorld.com/AfterHours
What Disney After Hours Includes
Disney After Hours is a limited-capacity party designed to feel like a private night in the parks. Because attendance is capped, wait times for marquee attractions drop dramatically compared with a typical day. Each ticket also includes complimentary snacks — ice cream novelties, popcorn, and bottled beverages — served from carts scattered throughout the park so guests are never far from a treat. Surprise character meet-and-greets round out the evening.
Magic Kingdom After Hours
After Hours events are back at Magic Kingdom in 2026. Guests can watch the lights of Prince Charming Regal Carousel swirl beyond the castle, make late-night popcorn runs on the way to the Haunted Mansion, and glide through a glittering Tomorrowland on the PeopleMover. Each event night runs from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., though ticket holders can enter as early as 7:00 p.m.
Disney Enchantment
During the night, guests gather in front of the castle for Disney Enchantment, presented by Pandora Jewelry — a nighttime spectacular of dazzling lights and fireworks that celebrates magic, imagination, joy, and hope.
Rides Open at Magic Kingdom After Hours
A deep lineup of thrills and storybook adventures stays open with notably shorter lines. 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 and entertainment are subject to change.
2026 Magic Kingdom After Hours Dates
Magic Kingdom nights sell quickly, so securing tickets well ahead of a visit is recommended. The 2026 dates are:
- 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
Disney’s Hollywood Studios hosts After Hours on select evenings through September 12, 2026. Events typically run from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., with early entry beginning at 7:00 p.m. Two dates deviate from the norm: the May 30 event runs 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and the September 12 event runs 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Rides Open at Hollywood Studios After Hours
- 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 and entertainment are subject to change.
Food, Drinks, and Oga’s Cantina
Outdoor bars around the park serve brews and select cocktails, while over at Oga’s Cantina, DJ R-3X spins the hottest tunes this side of Coruscant as out-of-this-world cocktails and small bites are served — walk-up availability on Batuu. Quick-service spots including KRNR The Rock Station, Milk Stand, and Woody’s Lunch Box also stay open. As at every After Hours event, complimentary ice cream, popcorn, and bottled drinks are included.
2026 Hollywood Studios After Hours 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 stretches the night a little further in 2026, with events running 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on select evenings through September 24, 2026. Ticket holders can enter as early as 7:00 p.m., giving a full five and a half hours in the park.
Rides Open at EPCOT After Hours
The headline addition for 2026 is Test Track, joining After Hours nights for the first time. 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 and entertainment are subject to change.
Character Meet-and-Greets and Dance Parties
EPCOT After Hours is a relaxed setting for character encounters: Mickey Mouse appears at the Dreamer statue, Goofy hosts a DJ dance party in CommuniCore Plaza, and Minnie Mouse greets guests at the France gazebo. The Canada Mill Stage serves as a central hub to toast and groove, while food and drink are available around World Showcase at kiosks, Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, and Rose & Crown Pub. Complimentary snacks are included as at the other parks.
2026 EPCOT After Hours 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
Pair a Water Park Splash with Your After Hours Night
For guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel in summer 2026, there’s a clever way to bookend a single day: resort guests receive complimentary admission to a Disney water park on the day they check in (subject to availability). The play here is to arrive, drop bags with bell services, take a Disney bus to a water park for a lazy river or a ride down Mount Gushmore, then cap the day with an After Hours ticket once the sun goes down.
What This Means for Disney Fans
After Hours remains one of the best values for fans who prioritize ride time over crowds — lower waits, included snacks, and a calmer atmosphere make it ideal for both first-timers and seasoned visitors. With Test Track newly added at EPCOT and the full slate of dates now confirmed across all three parks, the smart move is to lock in tickets early at DisneyWorld.com/AfterHours before the most popular nights sell out.