Hello, Ashley and welcome to planDisney! I'm so happy to chat with you about all the fun to be had when the sun goes down!
Ashley, Disney After Hours and parties like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party are among my favorite activities. I just love the vibe of the parks at night during special events and as a guest who loves to soak up every minute, I appreciate this question.
The quick answer, Ashley, is that entry time depends on the event you've booked. So, for example, my husband and I have tickets to
Disney After Hours at EPCOT this summer. This event takes place from 10:00 PM- 1:00 AM, however guests may enter the park as early as 7:00 PM. If I had a dining reservation at
EPCOT before 7:00 PM and no other tickets, I would not be permitted to enter. I could, however, book a reservation for after 7:00 PM and enjoy dinner inside the park before the official event begins.
(Disney After Hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios also allows guest entry beginning at 7:00 PM for events that begin at 9:30 PM or 10:00 PM.)
Now, it's possible that your conflicting information was referring to
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This event takes place from 7:00 PM- midnight at
Magic Kingdom Park, however guests may begin entering at 4:00 PM. In this case, any dining reservations after 4:00 PM would be fine!
Ashley, I hope this helps as you're planning for your upcoming trip. I always like to eat in advance of the event or party to maximize my time. If you're like me and want to tackle your evening with a full belly, my best advice is to enjoy an early dinner at a
Disney Resort Hotel close to your Disney After Hours event prior to 7:00 PM.
I hope this helps as you continue to plan for your upcoming visit. If you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to come on back to your new pals here at planDisney. Just like the Genie helped Aladdin, we love to make wishes come true.
Lauren