Welcome to planDisney, Mindi!
EPCOT is my favourite Park, so I'm delighted to hear you are thinking of attending Disney After Hours at EPCOT.
I think you are asking if you need to start your day in EPCOT to attend
Disney After Hours at EPCOT. No, you won't need to do this. Disney After Hours at EPCOT is separately ticketed, running on select nights this springtime. You could choose just to attend that evening at EPCOT, until close at 1am or attend this event after a full day in the Parks (using your Park Hopper ticket).
As you plan on purchasing the After Hours ticket in addition to a
Park Hopper Option, I suggest that you use the daytime to enjoy the other Parks. Typically, all the rides are open at EPCOT, potentially with shorter queues, during this nighttime event, so you may like to use your time elsewhere that day.
For example, you could start your day in
Disney's Animal Kingdom Park with Park Hopper tickets. It's typically the earliest Park to open, which may help you get the most out of your day. Whenever you're ready, head to your next Park choice, perhaps the iconic
Magic Kingdom Park. You could even try and squeeze in a third Park,
Hollywood Studios, before attending the After Hours Event at EPCOT. Phew! What a day.
If there's such a thing as too many Disney Parks in one day, you may like the alternative of a standard ticket purchase. You could attend one Park during the day and then onto the EPCOT after-hours. To get a head start on the fun, you can arrive at EPCOT from 7pm.
I hope this information helps, Mindi, and I correctly understand your question. Please reach out to us at planDisney if you need anything further.
Louise