The Disney After Hours experience, even though it got off to a slow start, has been super popular in recent months, especially after Disney added a “villains” twist earlier this year. And now it has been confirmed that the plussed up version upcharge event will be returning for more than double the dates in 2020, but with one pretty big price change
1. Disney Villains After Hours returning in 2020 for more nights than ever
Image: Disney
Disney Villains After Hours will be returning on select nights in 2020 from February 7 through to July 10, the 2020 for an increased number of dates, and will include the following Villains-inspired enhancements:
- Hades and Meg from “Hercules” will set the castle stage ablaze in an all-new stage show, Villains Unite the Night, which will also feature appearances by other notable baddies including Jafar, The Queen, Dr. Facilier and Maleficent.
- Maleficent the Dragon (as seen in the Festival of Fantasy parade) will be let loose for the first time at night – breathing fire as she creeps through the park as a one-of-a-kind experience for After Hours guests.
- Plussed versions of Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain will have villain-inspired enhancements and overlays
- A variety of special food & beverage offerings will also be available for purchase, including desserts, drinks and dishes inspired by The Evil Queen, Cruella de Vil, Maleficent, Hades, Dr. Facilier and even Emperor Zurg.
- Special merchandise themed to villains will also be available for purchase.
This returning Disney Villains inspired event will be available beginning in February, and will be hosted on 24 seperate dates, which is 14 more than were held in 2019. If you’re already checking your calendar, here are the available date for Disney Villains After Hours in 2020:
- February 7, 14, 21, & 28 2020
- March 6, 11, 18, & 27, 2020
- April 3, 10, 17, & 24, 2020
- May 1, 8, 14, 22, & 29
- June 5, 12, 19, 26, & 29
- July 6 & 10, 2019
Ticket prices go up for all 2020 events
As you might expect given the popularity of the 2019 event, Disney is going to be charging guests extra for this event in 2020, with advance purchase price of $145 (up from $139), and same day price of $155 (up from $144). Pricing for Passholders and DVC Members is $115. Tickets for all dates in 2020 are on sale today.
Testing out attendance trends
Image: Disney
Disney Villains After Hours was definitely a big hit when it debuted in 2019, and with more dates available and tickets costing more, Disney is likely trying to test out exactly how much guests will pay for this event, and if it will still sell out when there are more than double the dates available in 2020.
Will the Magic Kingdom after dark eventually be upcharge only?
With Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party taking over evenings at the Magic Kingdom from August through December and this new Disney Villains After Hours happening 1-2 times per week, every week between February and July, it looks like nights at the Magic Kingdom are becoming increasingly off-limits to regular day guests at this park. Though upcharges and special experiences happen at other parks, the Magic Kingdom’s calendar is filling up quickly, with 24 dates for Disney Villains After Hours already scheduled. And if Disney has another 36 days for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and 23 dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2020, that’s 83 days (so far) that guests will not have access to this park in the evening hours, which is almost a fourth of all days in the year!
