Difference Between After Hours And Extra Magic Hours

What is the difference between the After Hours event and Extra Magic Hours? Disney currently have two extra hour offerings, we break down how they are different.

Disney currently have a variety of offerings outside of standard opening hours. The two main all-year-round offerings are After Hours and Extra Magic Hours. Sadly, Disney have chosen similar names for each of these offerings, which have confused some guests recently.

Extra Magic Hours

Extra Magic Hours is a perk for guests staying at a Disney World resort hotel, and doesn't cost any extra. Every day one park opens either one hour earlier, or up to 2 hours later. As long as you are currently staying at a Disney World resort hotel, you will be able to enter the park when they're open during Extra Magic Hours.

After Hours Event

After Hours is similar to Extra Magic Hours, but usually only runs one night a week. However, this is a paid extra option. On an After Hours night, a park is open for 3 hours after the park closes to other guests. Included in the 3 hours is unlimited bottled drinks, ice cream and popcorn. Tickets start from $129 per person. It's expensive, but only a limited amount of tickets are sold, resulting in the majority of rides only being a 5-10 minute wait or less during the 3 hour period.

Other Events

Disney do run different events from time to time around the main opening hours. Recently, they've been offering a "Extra Morning Magic" ticketed event which opens up a section of one of the parks just before the park opens (for example Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom, and Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios), and usually includes breakfast.

Disney of course also run their Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party towards the end of the year.

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