Welcome to planDisney, Cheryl! I’m glad you brought your question to us! Late at night is my favorite time to be in the Disney Parks! There is something extra magical about the parks during those late hours. The crowds have subsided, the temperatures have cooled (just a bit), and while still so fun, there is a “peace” to the parks late at night!
The Extended Evening Theme Park Hours is a benefit for Guests staying in a deluxe Walt Disney World Resort hotel. I’ve included a
list of participating hotels right here. This perk is included with your deluxe resort accommodation, but you must also have valid theme park admission to enter a park. It sounds like you purchased your theme park admission when you booked your vacation! That’s great!
The two parks that regularly offer Extended Evening Theme Park Hours are EPCOT (typically on Monday nights) and Magic Kingdom Park (typically on Wednesday nights). As long as you are staying in a participating hotel, and have valid theme park admission, you can enter the theme parks during operating hours – including during the Extended Evening Theme Park Hours! You don’t need to purchase an additional ticket for the Extended Evening Theme Park Hours benefit. Your regular admission ticket will allow entry as long as you are staying in a participating hotel!
Cheryl, if you are not staying at one of the participating hotels, there are two other ways for you to experience late nights in some of the parks! You mentioned you are visiting in August. Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers a special Disney After Hours ticket for Guests to enter the park after normal operating hours! The event takes place from 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM on select nights. The August 2024 nights are August 7, 14, 21, and 29.
Guests wishing to participate in Disney After Hours must purchase a special ticket for this event. Regular theme park admission will not allow entry to this event. Here’s a PRO TIP for you…Guests with tickets for Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can enter the park beginning at 7:00 PM even though the event doesn’t begin until 9:30 PM! Take advantage of that extra time!
Finally, Cheryl, Magic Kingdom Park offers
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party for some late-night fun! This event will be held in August on the 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, and 30. This special ticketed event is not covered by regular theme park admission. The party is from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM. However, Guests with tickets for the event can enter the park as early as 4:00 PM with their Halloween party ticket!
Dreams do come true!
Jonathan