A night at Walt Disney World Resort is often marketed as something close to magical. Families save for years, guests plan months in advance, and every detail of a trip is expected to deliver on the promise of Disney. Yet in recent years, fans have noticed that the cost of chasing that magic keeps climbing — and sometimes, the payoff feels thinner.
A Disney World vacation has long been an expensive prospect, but it has become increasingly so in the post-pandemic era. Popular perks such as FastPass and Disney’s Magical Express bus service have vanished. Replacements have emerged, but nearly all come with added fees. Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal reported that some insiders believe “the company has become addicted to price hikes and has reached the limits of what middle-class Americans can afford.”
Within Walt Disney World, every theme park — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom — now comes with a growing list of add-ons. Hotel rates, ticket prices, and food costs are up, while extras such as Lightning Lane passes and Genie+ scheduling systems add to the mounting bill. Extended hours in the parks, once free through Extra Magic Hours, now require staying at select resorts or paying for ticketed evening events.
The EPCOT After Hours Disappointment
Disney After Hours events are billed as exclusive evenings, complete with short waits for rides, character meet-and-greets, and complimentary snacks. At EPCOT, tickets range from $155 to $175 per person, with discounts for Disney Vacation Club members and Annual Passholders. But some guests are questioning whether that price tag is justified.
“Anyone else thoroughly disappointed with tonight’s EPCOT Late Night event?” one guest wrote on Reddit following the August 28 edition. “Guardians was broken down all night, and I only saw 2 characters the entire night.”
The closure of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — EPCOT’s most in-demand ride and arguably the event’s marquee draw — left fans frustrated. To add to the discontent, the World Showcase, home to many of the park’s international restaurants and shops, remained closed. “So I paid $85 for a DJ, some free popcorn, ice cream & soft drinks, and somewhat lighter crowds,” the guest concluded, though tickets had actually cost $155 for most attendees.
According to Disney World’s official site, attractions available at EPCOT After Hours include Guardians, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, Soarin’ Around the World, Gran Fiesta Tour, Living with the Land, Mission: SPACE, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and Spaceship Earth. However, food and shopping are limited, leaving some guests wandering long distances through dimly lit areas without much to do.
Mixed Reviews Across the Disney Parks
The complaints echoed those of past attendees. “It’s not a park I’d want to do after hours at ever again,” another Reddit user said. “Hollywood Studios is the better park for it. There’s more characters, it’s a smaller park so easier to get around, and the rides are much better.”
Others noted that EPCOT’s layout makes it less suited to these events. “Went to a DVC After Hours event at Epcot a couple of years ago and it’s just not a park that works well for these events,” one guest wrote. “I understand why World Showcase is closed cause that’s A LOT of CMs needed to run but then you just end up doing a lot of walking in a very dark park for very little payoff.”
Still, not all feedback was negative. One visitor acknowledged the frustration of missing Guardians but suggested the event can work if approached differently. “I honestly think the best bang for your buck on those events is just spamming your favorite E ticket attraction. We met a couple at the end of the night that went on Guardians eight times, and that probably makes a lot of sense to get the most for your money.”
By contrast, other Walt Disney World parks consistently earn praise for After Hours. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests rave about near walk-on waits for headliners like Slinky Dog Dash, Tower of Terror, and Rise of the Resistance. “After Hours Hollywood Studios is the best time I’ve ever had in any Disney Park,” a fan wrote, citing the abundance of rare character meet-and-greets.
Magic Kingdom is also a standout. In addition to classic rides such as Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean, fans highlight the chance to view fireworks in a nearly empty hub. “Magic Kingdom you get the extra fireworks show as well,” one Disney fan added. “Nothing more rewarding for your cash than having space right at [the] front of the castle to lie flat on the ground and watch the fireworks.”
For now, EPCOT’s After Hours program remains a point of contention — emblematic of the broader debate about whether Walt Disney World’s premium upcharges still feel worth the cost. For some, the ability to skip lines and stroll through a less crowded park is priceless. For others, the price of admission is one more reminder that Disney magic comes with a bill that’s harder than ever to justify.
What are your thoughts on Disney After Hours?
