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  • On Sep 4, 2024
    Nicole from FL Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Staying at Pop from 1/5-1/8. After Hours Magic Kingdom ticket is 1/6. How can I plan Hollywood Studios and EPCOT around this? We don't like to walk all day and night. We don't want to miss Rise of the Resistance or Guardians of the Galaxy.

    Hiya there, Nicole! It's so nice to virtually meet you.

    Once upon a time, I used to be able to walk around the Walt Disney World Resort all day and all night. Was it necessary? Nope. But if you wanted me in Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park at rope drop and then hop over to Magic Kingdom Park until midnight, I was game. And while that's fine for those who want to do it, and you'll never run out of things to do, it isn't something I have the urge to do anymore. I won't say that I'm older, but I will say I'm wiser!

    It sounds like you have at least a 2-day theme park ticket in addition to your Disney After Hours ticket for Magic Kingdom Park. If that's the case, I would highly recommend doing Disney's Hollywood Studios on its own day and EPCOT on another. On the day of your Disney After Hours ticket, relax at Disney's Pop Century Resort in the morning, and maybe even hop on the Disney Skyliner for more options for meals, and then go to your Disney After Hours event!

    Here are some other pieces of advice to keep in mind in case you have a different theme park ticket:

    • It's easy to hop between Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT as they are connected to the Disney Skyliner, which is conveniently connected to your resort! And even if you don't have the Park Hopper Option, just getting to these theme parks is a breeze...literally with the breeze flowing into the gondolas!
    • If possible, don't plan on going to a theme park the morning of your Disney After Hours event. Or, if you do, plan some time to come back to your resort for a rest in between.
    • Plan for a late morning if you are going into a theme park the day after your Disney After Hours event. 
    • While you can wait in a standby queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, if it's within your budget, I highly recommend purchasing a Lightning Lane Single Pass for it. This way, you'll have more of a choice of when you can experience this ride.
    • Similarly, while Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind currently has a Virtual Queue, I would also plan on budgeting for a Lightning Lane Single Pass so you can, once again, have more of a say as to when you'll ride.
    • If it just so happens that you have a 1-day theme park ticket in addition to your Disney After Hours ticket on the same day, I would recommend starting in Disney's Hollywood Studios, hopping to EPCOT, and then resting at your resort hotel before your Disney After Hours event. If you're planning on doing the event on one day and the two parks on another, once again, hop between those parks and take a rest in between. But for either plan, Lightning Lane Single Pass for those 2 attractions is, in my opinion, the way to go!
    Nicole, I hope that I answered your question. If you want to clarify the type of theme park ticket you have, please reach out again and I'd be happy to get more specific. Either way, I'm here for you. Have a wonderful January visit and happy planning!

    Second star to the right, and straight on 'til morning,
    Matt
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Meet the Panelist: Matt, New Jersey

Well hello there! I'm Matt and I'm a Disney-loving husband, teacher, and uncle from New Jersey. You can often find me tasting my way around an EPCOT festival, rope-dropping Magic Kingdom Park, or conquering all of the Disney Mountains. I can't wait to help you reach out and find your happily ever after on your next Walt Disney World Resort vacation! Learn More About Matt

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