Ticket prices go up by $15 across the board

 

As you might expect, Disney is going to be charging guests extra for this plussed up version of Disney After Hours at the Magic Kingdom. Instead of the usual $125 ticket price ($95 for DVC/ Annual Passholder)  tickets to this upcharge experience will cost $139 plus tax in advance ($109 for DVC and Annual Passholders), or $144 plus tax on the event night. Tickets for this special Disney Villains After Hours event will go on sale in just a few weeks on April 29th. 

Is this just a clever way to extend Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?

Image: Disney

Though Disney is calling this a Disney Villains After Hours event, with a spooky new show, and Disney Villains-inspired overlays on some of the Magic Kingdom's most popular attractions, this plussed up After Hours event kind of seems like a summer edition of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, but with limited admission, higher prices, no costumes, and no character meet and greets. Though nothing has been confirmed yet, we wouldn't be surprised if elements of the new show and villain attractions overlay end up in Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, which kicks off in August, making Disney Villains After Hours perhaps the best way to preview what's coming at this year's Halloween Event before everyone else.  

Could we be moving towards more themed After Hours events?

If the Disney Villains After Hours events is a success, we will likely start seeing more "seasonal" and themed editions of Disney After Hours in the future, as Disney continues to try and market this year-round upcharge experience. Christmas-themed events at the Magic Kingdom later in the year, and perhaps Star Wars events at Disney's Hollywood Studios could all help set Disney After Hours apart from Disney's "regular" Extra Magic Hours program, which continues to be downvalued, as well as all the other parties and Early Morning Magic offerings. 

Though there's no way to know exactly what the future will hold for this evolving event, Disney looks like they are sticking with Disney After Hours for as long as possible, and will be continuing to make changes to both the price and content to keep guests coming back for more.