Disney fans who dream of ditching the daytime crowds are about to get their wish.
Walt Disney World is quietly giving eligible guests exclusive after-hours access to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this fall — offering a rare chance to hop aboard some of the resort’s biggest attractions long after everyone else has headed for the exits.
According to WDWMagic, the special Extended Evening Hours event will take over Hollywood Studios on Wednesday, Sept. 16, replacing the late-night perk that’s typically held at Magic Kingdom.
The shake-up comes as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes over more evenings at Magic Kingdom, as per Parade, forcing Disney to spread the after-dark magic to other parks instead.
For guests who qualify, it could mean strolling through Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge beneath the lights, racing onto Slinky Dog Dash with dramatically shorter waits or dropping into The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror without spending half the evening standing in line.
Night owls will still have access to many of the park’s biggest attractions, including Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Toy Story Mania!, Alien Swirling Saucers and Star Tours — The Adventures Continue, making it possible to tackle some of Disney World’s busiest rides with far shorter waits.
Select restaurants, snack stands and gift shops will also remain open.
Consider it the hottest ticket after dark — if you qualify, that is. There’s one big catch, as access is limited.
Extended Evening Hours are reserved for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and select partner hotels, including the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve and Shades of Green.
Hollywood Studios isn’t the only park getting a late-night promotion this fall, either.
Disney has already shifted the perk to Animal Kingdom on Aug. 26 and Sept. 2, giving visitors two extra chances to explore another fan-favorite park after regular closing time while Magic Kingdom’s calendar fills with Halloween party nights.
For Disney devotees willing to splurge on an eligible hotel, it may be one of the easiest ways to experience some of Walt Disney World’s most popular rides without the marathon wait times that often stretch well over an hour during the day.
As the Halloween season ramps up, Disney is proving that sometimes the best time to visit the parks is after everyone else has gone home.
This comes as Disney rolls out a flurry of incentives aimed at convincing guests to book fall vacations despite soaring theme park costs.
As previously reported by The Post, Disney recently unveiled a new deal for Disney+ subscribers, offering eligible members up to 25% off select Walt Disney World hotel stays from late September through Christmas, along with a complimentary upgrade to Park Hopper tickets when booking a qualifying vacation package.
The streaming subscriber promotion joins a growing list of discounts, including savings for Florida residents and Annual Passholders, as the company looks to soften the blow of increasingly expensive trips to the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Those deals come as Disney ticket prices continue to climb.
One-day admission to Magic Kingdom is expected to reach $219 per person on select peak dates through October 2027.
The park’s iconic Cinderella Castle continues to command the highest prices among Walt Disney World’s four theme parks.
Even as costs rise, Disney insists it’s committed to offering guests more ways to save.
For travelers lucky enough to qualify, exclusive after-hours access to Hollywood Studios could be another way to squeeze more value out of an already pricey vacation.
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