Hey there, Tina-Louise! Welcome to planDisney!
Disney After Hours sounds like such an amazing experience. The chance to enjoy a Walt Disney World theme park with lower wait times, included snacks, and special character meet-and-greets is a can’t-miss event. It’s a full Disney adventure in one evening!
Guests with tickets for Disney After Hours at EPCOT are able to
enter the park as early as 7:00 PM, with the official event kicking off at 10:00 PM. If you’d like to enjoy EPCOT earlier in the day, then a separate theme park ticket would be required.
As I mentioned, Disney After Hours events are a great opportunity to enjoy lower wait times, so my top tip would be to prioritize EPCOT’s new and popular attractions, such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Rey’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Frozen Ever After (attractions and experiences are subject to change without notice).
The re-imagined Test Track will be reopening later in July, in time for your visit, so if that’s available during the event (it’s not currently listed), that could also be a good place to start.
For me, no visit to EPCOT is complete without riding Living with the Land and Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, but they often have comparatively lower wait times during normal park hours than the other attractions I mentioned. Also, there are so many great dining options at EPCOT that you might want to get a dinner reservation for just after you can enter the park at 7 PM, while the park is still open to other guests (
Rose & Crown and
Biergarten Restaurant are two of my favorites). This way, you'll be fueled up and ready to hit all the rides once the crowds begin to lessen.
Tina-Louise, I hope you find this info useful and that you have the most amazing visit to EPCOT and Walt Disney World. Come right back if you have any other questions or would like additional recommendations. You’re planDisney pals are here to help!
Magical travels!
Matt