Hello Erin, welcome to planDisney. I'm so glad you've stopped by planDisney to talk about your trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth in December. You are going to have a great time.
My family and I visit for Christmas every year, Erin, so I am very familiar with being there around that time of year. It's such a fun a festive time to be in the parks because everything is dressed up in its holiday best! I just love it and I think you will too!
Erin, if you are visiting one of the
Walt Disney World Theme Parks during the day when there is a special ticketed event at night the type of ticket that you will need to have depends on what you would like to do that day. If you'd like to visit that particular theme park during regular hours then you would need standard admission for that day. Typically, regular fireworks are shown about 15 minutes to the scheduled park closing time. With your standard admission ticket, you have right up until the very last minute of regular park hours to enjoy the theme park. Let's say that
Magic Kingdom Park closes at 9:00 p.m. for a ticketed event later that night. You could get in line for any of the attractions at 8:55 p.m. and still ride. After you've experienced that last attraction you will be asked to leave, in the nicest possible way, after the park officially closes to standard admission Guests. If you would like to stay after the closing time to experience the After Hours event, you would also need to purchase an event ticket. This ticket would let you stay and enjoy all the party has to offer. If you don't wish to visit the theme park during the day, you can still enjoy an After Hours event by just purchasing a party ticket. You don't need to have visited the park earlier in the day to do this. With an After-Hours ticket, you have a set time you can enter the theme park. It's typically about two hours before the scheduled closing time to allow you some time to enjoy an attraction or two before the party technically starts.
I hope this helps clear up any confusion regarding regular theme park hours and the After-Hours events. If you have any other questions, please feel free to stop back by and
ask me. I'm here to help. Happy planning and have fun!