Hi Amy! Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your question! It's always great to speak with Guests from across the Atlantic!
I'm overjoyed with the announcement of
Disney After Hours events beginning again in the new year! I always loved these types of events, since they awarded you the chance to ride many attractions throughout the night with minimal to no wait times. They also gave you access to the parks at night, which gives you a different perspective than attending during the day.
With the purchase of a
Disney After Hours event ticket to the Magic Kingdom, you are allowed to enter the park starting at 7 PM that evening. The event is not scheduled to begin until 10 PM, so you'll be able to enjoy Disney Enchantment (while this show is still running) with the rest of the day Guests that stick around for the show. You get the best of both worlds since you can enjoy a portion of a regular park day and then get to stick around at night for the attractions!
As of today, you can only view park hours for dates leading into the month of December. It does start getting dark out earlier in the night at the beginning of the year, so the nighttime spectaculars will typically be shown at an earlier time during the winter months.
Depending on when you plan to visit in the new year, you may get to see Happily Ever After as it is returning to the Magic Kingdom upon the end of the
Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration. While I really enjoy Disney Enchantment, Happily Ever After holds a special place in my heart. I still remember the first time watching this firework show holding my daughter in my arms.
Amy, I hope you have a magical time during your holiday next year!
Happy planning!
Greg