Disney’s Special Ticketed Events … Party or Pass?

Get an extra dose of holiday spirit – plus plenty of cookies and cocoa – at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

We may be deep in the heart of summer, but our minds are already swirling with thoughts of holiday events and parties at Walt Disney World.

For those who’ve been to Disney’s special ticketed events, it’s a chance to experience the parks after daytime guests have left. The parks are often decked out in festive décor, with dedicated evening shows, dance parties, meet-and-greets and snacks, all included in the price of your ticket.

Plus, the parks are open later and with fewer guests, making wait times for your favorite rides and attractions much shorter.

Special ticketed events at Walt Disney World are exclusive parties or after-hours opportunities where guests can take in festive shows, treats, character meets and fewer crowds. They’re typically announced a few months in advance, and are open only to those who have purchased separate tickets for each event.

These events run select nights within a particular date range, and can vary in price based on date popularity. Event ticket holders are typically admitted to the parks a few hours before the party starts, and do not need an additional park ticket to get inside.

New and returning events are announced year to year, and the roster for 2023 is chock full of parties for guests to enjoy.

Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon 8-11pm

Running select nights through September 2nd, Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is an evening filled with music, glowing lights and big waves. Enter the park as early as 4pm and treat yourself to waterslides, DJ dance parties, and exclusive character meetups. Snack your way through ice cream, popcorn and fountain drinks, all included in the price of your ticket.

Disney After Hours at EPCOT 10pm-1am

A handful of dates are still available until After Hours at EPCOT concludes on August 24th. Get into the park as early as 7pm for a trip around World Showcase before daytime guests leave and the park is yours for the night. Event guests are treated to snacks, drinks and character meets, but we think the best perks are the low wait times for some of the hottest rides on Disney property.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 7pm-Midnight

A clear fan-favorite event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicks off on August 11th and runs through November 1st. Magic Kingdom is transformed into a pumpkin paradise, with spooky characters, beloved shows and, of course, plenty of candy. Guests enter the park as early as 4pm, ready for a night filled with the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular, Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, and festive fireworks hosted by Jack Skellington.

Pro tip? Don’t forget to trick-or-treat your way over to Frontierland for a special edition of the Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 7pm-Midnight

Not to be outdone, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party lights up the Magic Kingdom from November 9th to December 22nd. Holiday-lovers dive headfirst into the Disney Junior Jingle Jam dance party, festive character meets, and the “snowfall” along Main Street, U.S.A.

Mickey and Minnie play host, inviting guests to join them for the Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show, Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration show in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

With low wait times and plenty of entertainment, midnight will come quick. Don’t forget to indulge your sweet tooth with the cookies and cocoa scattered at stations throughout the park!

Disney Jollywood Nights 8:30pm-12:30am

Brand-new to the lineup is Disney Jollywood Nights, a very limited event running select nights from November 11th to December 20th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’re so excited to see what Disney has in store, lighting up the streets with old Hollywood glitz and glamour. Expect DJs spinning, throwback parties with exclusive character meets, flavorful street fairs and the new Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular.

Head into the park as early as 4pm to get in a few extras before the dazzling events kick off.

These events and parties are exclusively for those who’ve purchased advance tickets.

When it’s time for parks to close to non-eventgoers, Cast Members will help to escort daytime guests from the park.

Tickets vary in price between type and date of event, but we’ve found these parties and after-hours experiences to be some of the most memorable and worthwhile time we’ve spent in the parks.

Whether you’re short on time or in town for an extended stay, these events are an excellent option. Those with a limited time in the parks can potentially get so much more accomplished by way of rides and attractions, with far fewer guests and shorter wait times. On the flip side, guests staying long enough to visit the same park twice can get a completely different experience by attending a party or after-hours event.

We’ve been to Walt Disney World once or twice, and still, we jump on these special events as soon as tickets are released. We know they’re quick to sell out, and that’s because they’re truly filled with extra pixie dust to make the evening memorable.

Our arms are always filled with sweet treats and goodies, but some of our most cherished party memories come from meeting festive characters and watching exclusive performances or nighttime spectaculars.

To say you’ve sung along with the Sanderson Sisters, danced with Stitch, or felt the “snow” fall on Main Street while sipping cocoa is something not all visitors can claim, and we can’t wait to do it all again this year!