Some of the best Disney World rides with next to no wait time? Sign me up!
I had the chance to experience After Hours at Hollywood Studios on February 19, 2025, and it didn’t disappoint. After Hours is a special ticketed event held on select days, usually running from 7pm to 12:30am. At 9:30 pm, the park officially closes to the general public, and only After Hours guests are allowed to stay. This gives you exclusive access to popular rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Slinky Dog Dash with minimal wait times!
If you’re all about rides, this event is perfect. Slinky Dog Dash, usually a 2-hour wait, becomes just 30 minutes, and rides like Tower of Terror and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance are practically walk-ons. You can easily experience all the major attractions.
However, there are a few downsides. The park empties out, and live entertainment is limited. Most stores are closed, though the main stores at Hollywood Studios remain open. Attractions that require live performers, like Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage and Frozen Sing-Along, are unavailable. Still, If you prioritize rides above park atmosphere, you will have a fantastic time during After Hours.
What We Like About After Hours at Hollywood Studios
I love Hollywood Studios, especially since it has some of my favorite rides in any Disney World theme park. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Toy Story Mania, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and Slinky Dog Dash are all rides that could easily make it onto a top 10 list of best attractions at Disney World, and they are all available during After Hours.
What’s even better is that wait times are minimal for those rides during the special ticketed event. I was able to experience Rise of the Resistance with a 5-minute wait time, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and Toy Story Mania were all walk-ons. Slinky Dog Dash was certainly the most popular attraction from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., with wait times of 30 minutes. Considering that Slinky Dog Dash is usually a 2-hour wait during regular park hours, that’s a big win.
The complete list of rides available during Hollywood Studios After Hours
These are the rides available during After Hours at Hollywood Studios:
- Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway
- Star Tours
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Toy Story Mania!
- Tower of Terror
That’s a shorter list when compared to After Hours at Magic Kingdom, but keep in mind that some of those rides are top notch. Tower of Terror is one of my favorite rides in any Disney park, and riding it at midnight with no wait time is absolutely fantastic.
Another great perk of After Hours, at any Disney park, is the complimentary snacks and drinks available at food carts throughout the park. Guests can enjoy free popcorn, bottled water, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and a selection of ice creams, including Mickey bars, Mickey sandwiches, and fruit popsicles. Lines are always very short to grab snacks, and most of the time you just walk to one of them, order what you want and that’s it.
Another great perk is that you don’t need to worry about Virtual Queues or Lightning Lanes. Both services are disabled during After Hours, and you only have to walk to your favorite attraction.
What we don’t like about After Hours at Hollywood Studios
After Hours does have its downsides, and that’s true for every Disney park. For example, live shows and attractions that require actors are always closed during this special event. The park also tends to empty out, with many stores closed. At Hollywood Studios, the main stores that remain open are Mickey's of Hollywood, Tatooine Traders, and some ride-related shops near attraction exits.
Every attraction that requires live actors, including Muppets 3D, Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, is also closed. Quick service and table service restaurants are also closed.
The park also loses a bit of its magic since there isn’t live entertainment around the park, even though there are special meet-and-greets at designated locations. I don’t think this is as big of an issue as it is in Epcot and Magic Kingdom - two parks that take atmosphere to a whole new level. After Hours is more valuable at Hollywood Studios simply because the park has some great rides, and many guests come here just to experience them with minimal wait times.
After Hours at Hollywood Studios FAQ
How much is After Hours at Hollywood Studios?
Tickets for After Hours at Hollywood Studios range from $155 to $185 per guest.
What are the hours for After Hours at Hollywood Studios?
After Hours usually runs from 7pm to 12:30am at Hollywood Studios, which some dates going from 7pm to 1am.
When can I arrive to experience After Hours at Hollywood Studios?
You can enter the park starting at 7pm if you have an After Hours ticket.
Are all rides open during After Hours at Hollywood Studios?
No, some rides are closed, including Muppet Vision 3D, Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.
What snacks are available during After Hours at Hollywood Studios?
Guests can enjoy free popcorn, Mickey Ice Cream Bars, Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches, fruit popsicles, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, and bottled water.
Are all stores open during After Hours at Hollywood Studios?
No, only the main stores and some ride-exit connected shops are open.
Are restaurants open during Disney After Hours?
No, quick-service and table-service restaurants are closed during Disney After Hours, but you can find food kiosks scattered around the park.
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