Hi Leigh!
Welcome to planDisney. We're so glad you decided to stop by with a question today. I'm happy to help with itinerary planning for your December visit.
First, I want to be sure we are on the same page when it comes to evening hours in the theme parks.
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours are available for guests of
Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Resort Villas, and other select hotels. You can review the full list of participating resorts to confirm that your resort reservation qualifies. On evenings when Extended Evening Theme Park Hours are offered eligible guests will have extra time in the parks in addition to an extra 6 p.m. opportunity to join
Virtual Queues for attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT and TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise at Magic Kingdom Park.
Please note these extended hours are not a separately ticketed event, but you will need valid admission and a theme park reservation (or
Park Hopper Option tickets) to enter and remain in the parks during the extended hours. If you already have tickets and reservations to visit the parks on dates when Extended Evening Hours are scheduled
and you are staying at an eligible resort there is nothing additional you would need to purchase.
Based on the information currently available
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park will be offering Extended Evening Theme Park Hours during your visit on December 28, while
EPCOT has them scheduled for December 21 and December 25. Schedules typically populate on the
Hours & Events Calendar 60 days in advance, so you can check over the next few days to see if anything else will be offered for the back end of your trip.
On the other hand,
Disney After Hours are separately ticketed events available for purchase regardless of your resort reservation. My family experienced
Disney After Hours at EPCOT this summer and purchased tickets to enjoy three magical nighttime hours with a variety of complimentary snacks, ice cream, and bottled beverages included in the cost. Our event was scheduled from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. but our tickets allowed us to enter EPCOT at 7 p.m. before the event officially kicked off. Tickets for After Hours events at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, and Disney's Hollywood Studios go on sale in November for select dates in early 2024.
Leigh, I hope this clears up any confusion. If I've misunderstood your inquiry or you still have follow-up questions feel free to
reach out to me again directly. You may also
contact a Cast Member by phone for assistance.
Magic and memories,
Amy