Disney After Hours

Image: mblphotography, Flickr (license)

How much would you pay to have Walt Disney World to yourself? $50? $100? What about $125? That was Disney’s gamble when it created the Disney After Hours experience at Walt Disney World. 

So far, it has been a success. On select nights, each Disney Park remains open three hours later than usual — but only to holders of the special event ticket. Yes, it’s extremely expensive, and yes, you’re only getting a small amount of time in the park. However, the trade-off Disney guarantees you is that there will be far fewer people in the park than during a normal operating day.

For some, that seems silly — the parks are often open from 8AM until 10PM or later. Why pay the extra price for just a few hours more? But for others, the After Hours events offer an oasis free from the crushing crowds and stressful stampedes. Are you willing to trade hard-earned dollars for exclusive access to one of the most prized pieces of real estate on earth? If so, Disney’s happy to make that trade — and, considering that the events largely live up to the promise, it’s hard to argue that it isn’t worth it.

Holiday Parties

Image: dkelly1126, Flickr (license)

But if paying for the privilege of a few extra hours in the park seems a bit much, perhaps you might feel better if you got a seasonally-appropriate show along with it. That’s the premise behind Disney’s famous holiday parties, such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

In practice, the holiday parties are not too dissimilar from the After Hours events. The trade-offs are there, of course — there are more people and fewer attractions guaranteed to be open — but in exchange, you get more time in one of the most magical places in the world during some of the most magical times.

Plus, special parades and shows make the holiday parties feel like an entirely different theme park — especially if you’ve never been to one before.

It’s rare that Disney takes money out of your wallet and you willingly hand it over without feeling too guilty. Disney’s holiday parties, though, tend to be such an experience.

If you’ve been to Disney countless times and are looking for some way to spice it up, or if you’re looking to do something special on your first ever visit, these upcharge experiences might seem silly at first. But, they’re well worth your time ... and money.