Is Disney Very Merriest After Hours Worth It?

Posted by: Tricia November 12, 2021 Comments Off on Is Disney Very Merriest After Hours Worth It?

A Disney Very Merriest After Hours ticket is showcased in front of the sparkling Magic Kingdom Christmas tree at night.

Credit: Tricia Kennedy

Yesterday we attended Disney Very Merriest After Hours at Magic Kingdom. It was a sold out night, and we wanted to see if buying a special ticket for this event was worth it. The event runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., although they let you in starting at 7. There was an extremely long line to get in since you had to enter through the special event gate. Once inside, we were able to catch Disney Enchantment which was crowded but not overbearing. We were able to get a good spot about half an hour before the show began.

A festive green sign at Magic Kingdom announces "Welcome to Disney Very Merriest After Hours," sparkling with snowflakes and twinkling lights, setting the scene for an enchanting holiday celebration at Walt Disney World.

Credit: Tricia Kennedy

The phrase "Happy Holidays" shines in elegant script on a Disney park building at night, with blue accent lighting below setting a festive scene that captures the enchanting spirit of Very Merriest After Hours.

Credit: Tricia Kennedy

At 8 p.m. the Park officially closed. To get to certain areas after that time you need to show your wristband that they give you once you go through the gate for the special event. There are different areas to grab treats, and you can see more about the special food options available here. Plus unlimited popcorn, soda, ice cream bars, fruit bars, cookies, and hot cocoa all included with you admission.

A bright red menu sign sits above buckets of popcorn, listing fan-favorite snacks like soda, bottled water, ice cream bars, and a classic strawberry popsicle—must-haves during Disney Very Merriest After Hours at Magic Kingdom. Surrounded by festive decor and old-school Disney treats below the sign, grabbing a snack here captures all the fun of a special after-hours celebration in the park.

Credit: Tricia Kennedy

Santa Claus waves enthusiastically from his dazzling sleigh float, sparkling with holiday lights, snow effects, and gift-wrapped presents as he glides down Main Street during the magical Disney Very Merriest After Hours nighttime parade.

Credit: Tricia Kennedy

There are character opportunities where you can take socially distanced photos with characters in their special holiday attire. There is also a parade called Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade with two showtimes at 9:45 p.m. and 12:05 a.m. You can see photos of all the characters and that parade here as well. There is a special firework show called Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks show at 11:15 p.m. Plus a stage show called Mickey and Minnie’s Very Merry Memories with four showings. There are also special PhotoPass magic shots available for this event. It may not be the most flattering photo of us (it was a long rainy night), so we blocked out our faces, but we wanted to share what could be available.

Guests decked out in festive holiday outfits strike a pose at Walt Disney World’s After Hours event, their faces hidden by smiley face emojis. The “Happy holidays” banner below sets the scene as they celebrate the exclusive nighttime magic and special seasonal entertainment—making every Disney fan wonder: is the after-hours enchantment worth experiencing?.

Credit: Tricia Kennedy

Mickey and Minnie Mouse, dressed in festive holiday outfits, wave to delighted guests from a dazzling Christmas float with a beautifully decorated tree, lighting up the night during Disney Very Merriest After Hours at Magic Kingdom—the perfect way to experience Disney magic during the holidays.

Credit: Tricia Kennedy

Wait times for rides were long at the beginning of the night. Most of them were at least half an hour which when you only have a four hour event that can take up a chunk of your night. It’s up to you to decide which rides are priorities and if it’s worth it to wait or not. As the night went on, wait time started to drop, but that also may be because the weather started to get rainy as well. Many Guests also left after the fireworks show. By that point, wait times were basically walk on for each ride, and we could get on Space Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with no wait.

Step into Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours and immerse yourself in the dazzling nighttime holiday parade, where Main Street is aglow with festive lights, sparkling wreaths, and a spectacularly illuminated Christmas tree—creating magical memories perfect for Disney fans and theme park enthusiasts.

Credit: Tricia Kennedy

Guests gather at night beneath the dazzling, holiday-adorned Magic Kingdom entrance, debating whether Disney Very Merriest After Hours lives up to the enchanting reputation, as Main Street sparkles and promises an unforgettable, exclusive park experience.

Credit: Tricia Kennedy

Many have the question, is it worth it to buy a ticket to Very Merriest After Hours? If you do not have an Annual Pass, I would say it is worth it. Wait times are drastically cut, and if you are hoping to be at the Park when there are fewer people, it is an excellent option for you. If you are someone that has an Annual Pass, then it may not be as worth it. Tickets are pretty pricey, and although we are Annual Pass Holders and bought a ticket to this, we did have a great time. You have to decide for yourself if it’s worth the money or not. There are still nights available for this event, but there is a good chance that they will sell out, so you need to decide soon if you want to be a part of this holiday celebration or not.