EPCOT After Hours (Tickets, Events, and Review)

If you’ve ever dreamed of strolling through EPCOT with minimal crowds, short ride waits, and free snacks along the way, EPCOT After Hours might be exactly what you're looking for.

I finally gave it a try—and as someone who's been to EPCOT dozens of times during normal park hours—I was blown away by how different and relaxed the vibe felt. I wanted to share exactly what to expect, how the ticketing works, what’s open, and whether or not it’s actually worth the money.

Spoiler: it depends on your goals, but for me, it ended up being one of the most fun nights I've ever had in a Disney park.

What is EPCOT After Hours?

EPCOT After Hours is a separately ticketed event held on select nights where guests get access to the park after it closes to the general public. This means you can enjoy top attractions with much lower wait times, plus enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks throughout the night.

I’ve done EPCOT during the day many times, but After Hours felt like a different experience entirely. There were no Genie+ pressures, no dodging massive stroller traffic, and no baking in the midday sun. It was chill, smooth, and genuinely fun in a way that daytime EPCOT sometimes struggles to be. I even found myself lingering in areas I usually breeze past during the day—just to enjoy the ambiance without a crowd.

If you’re curious about the basics of the park before diving into After Hours, you might want to check out our guide to EPCOT admission prices, or compare EPCOT vs Magic Kingdom for adults if you’re deciding where to spend your limited vacation time.

Essential Tips

• Arrive early: Your ticket grants access to the park as early as 7pm, even though After Hours starts later. I showed up right at 7, grabbed dinner, and even rode a few things before the event officially began. It was a great way to ease into the night.
• Skip Genie+: You won’t need it. Wait times are so low it’s refreshing. But if you’re doing the regular day too, you might still want to check out our EPCOT Lightning Lane strategy.
• Focus on headliners: Ride the big attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure multiple times with barely any wait. I rode Cosmic Rewind twice back-to-back and could’ve done more if I wasn’t taking so many snack breaks.

EPCOT After Hours: Tickets and Entry Info

After Hours events are separately ticketed, meaning you’ll need to buy a ticket even if you already have a regular park admission for that day.

Ticket Prices

When I visited, EPCOT After Hours tickets were around $149 per adult. Prices can vary depending on the season and whether you’re an Annual Passholder or DVC member (there are sometimes discounts!). Keep an eye on the official Disney site for current pricing and dates. I booked mine a few weeks in advance, and while the event wasn’t sold out, it definitely wasn’t empty either—so I recommend buying early.

What Time Can You Enter?

You can enter EPCOT as early as 7pm with your After Hours ticket, even though the actual event starts at 10pm and runs until 1am. I used that window to grab dinner and catch a few rides before the official After Hours period began. It's like getting bonus hours for free. It felt smart and efficient to be riding Soarin' while regular guests were streaming toward the exits.

If you’re planning your afternoon arrival, it might help to know more about parking for EPCOT or which hotels are within walking distance.

What’s Open During EPCOT After Hours?

Not everything is open, but most of the best rides are. It felt like the perfect chance to re-ride favorites without stress.

Open Attractions

Here’s what I got to do with little to no wait:

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (walk-on!)
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Test Track
• Soarin’ Around the World (full guide to Soarin' here)
• Frozen Ever After
• Spaceship Earth

You can see the full list of rides normally open at EPCOT right here. I also noticed that a few other smaller attractions had minimal waits, but I spent most of my time hitting the headliners. I seriously felt like I had the park to myself.

Characters and Photo Ops

There were a few unique photo spots and even some character meet-and-greets—short lines for characters like Mickey and Goofy in special attire. I stumbled on one meet-and-greet with Donald that I didn’t expect, and it made for a fun bonus. For more daytime character options, check out EPCOT character meet-and-greets.

Food and Free Snacks

Here’s a nice perk: you get unlimited Mickey bars, ice cream sandwiches, popcorn, and bottled drinks (water, Coke, etc.) throughout the night. I definitely took advantage of this—I think I had three Mickey bars by midnight.

There were a few quick service options open too if you’re looking for a late-night bite, though most EPCOT restaurants close by 9pm. I highly recommend eating before the event starts at 10pm. I grabbed something quick at Connections Café around 8:30pm, and that tided me over for the rest of the night.

Who Is EPCOT After Hours Best For?

If you’re a local, a frequent park-goer, or someone who hates crowds, this is a dream. But even if it’s your first time, it’s a great way to experience a lot of EPCOT’s headliners in one night. Pair it with a half-day EPCOT itinerary and you’re golden.

That said, families with toddlers or folks who can’t stay up past 10pm may not get the full value. You really need to be able to enjoy those late-night hours to make the most of it. For a deeper dive into this topic, check out Is EPCOT worth it? or EPCOT for toddlers.

My Review: Was It Worth It?

For me? Yes. I loved it. I knocked out all the major rides in one night without waiting in long lines or navigating Genie+. It felt relaxed, fun, and a little magical being in the park so late. EPCOT at night has a unique vibe—everything feels more atmospheric with the lighting and fewer people.

That said, I wouldn’t do it every trip. It’s a luxury add-on—great if you’re short on time or want to avoid daytime crowds. But if you're on a tight budget, a one-day EPCOT itinerary with good planning can still deliver a great experience. Personally, I’d love to do it again if I’m ever traveling solo or with another Disney fan who wants to ride everything with no stress.