Went to Epcot After Hours last night 7/6. Thankfully it seems a lot better organized than what I was reading on the first couple events. No rides went down, and most were much lower wait than what was posted. I didn't have trouble finding snacks. Also I took a picture of the flyer on my phone because I lost it pretty quick.
I can see where this event wouldn't be worth it in a lot of cases, but for us it was worth it because we are in Florida for family visit and this event gave us the chance to surprise the kids with a "one night only" revisit to Disney. They were so excited when we drove under the sign! We told them we were like Cinderella and had to leave at 1am.
Pros: Avoided heat (still so so muggy, I can't imagine mid day July heat but kudos to those who do it), well organized entry, cast members seems laid back and able to give more individual attention to kids which delighted them, shorter than advertised wait times, loaded up on popcorn and drinks and ice cream. Fun to walk through park with hardly any people and fun music blaring.
Cons: So much walking, but there's no way around it in Epcot. We did 13,000 steps in the 6 hours, but luckily Frozen and Remy's were going smooth when we got there. Would have been terrible to get all the way there and it be down. Never saw Chip and Dale. Wish they'd had posted a time and place, but to be fair I didn't think to check the app for characters. No wait times posted between 9-10pm. I understand the reasons why but it made for a guessing game during that window.
Breakdown:
9:00am- Bought ILL's for Cosmic Rewind so we'd have at least one guaranteed ride (
Genie+ was also available for purchase)
7:00pm- Got to security, unsure if they let people in a few minutes early
7:17pm- Turtle Talk with Crush (so cute! Had never done before)
8:04pm- Cosmic Rewind ILL (Grandma took 4 year old to Nemo, Aquarium, and Figment)
8:50pm- Norway snack stand for beer (People with AH bands were asking about the free snacks. The CM's told them they couldn't until 9. But then manager came by and snuck them a couple ice creams but said he couldn't open until 10, but that sometimes he'll open the stand before then. At 9 he closed the shades)
9:00pm- Epcot Forever, Wasn't planning to watch this but never seen before and it was great!
9:17pm- Frozen, CM said 20 minutes, wait was 15 min
Walked into the Kafe to check it out. No one in there, but they were selling all the baked good options and alcohol. My 7-year-old told them a random story about singing on stage at school and they stopped what they were doing and announced "There's a celebrity in here!" She loved that!
9:59pm- Remy's, Posted 40 minutes, wait was 12 min
10:22pm- Remy's again, Posted 15 min, wait was 6 min
Snack and bathroom stop- Canada stand had a long line that took about 10 min, got to the front to find out it was maple flavored popcorn and no ice cream. Got the popcorn and drinks, half our party loved the popcorn and half didn't. Went to the Imagination stand and there was no one waiting. Got butter popcorn and ice cream, more drinks.
11:02- Soarin, Posted 10 min, waited 7
11:19- Soarin again, Posted 10 min but with no one behind us CM kindly let us just stay in our seats to go again.
Another snack stop near Connections. Popcorn refill and saving drinks to take home.
11:42- Test track, Posted 20 min, waited 21 min. Only time wait matched the posted time.
12:18- Test track again. Posted 10 min, waited 20 min.
(Other people split to go to Test Track and Cosmic Rewind. CR was posted 60 but took 40)
12:54- Gran Fiesta to close out night. Posted 5 min, walk on with boat to ourselves.
So, 9-12 rides depending on the person in our party. Definitely more than we got done on our Epcot day during our weeklong trip. But no shopping or dining this time either. Fun memory made! Probably won't do it again though, feels like we checked it off the bucket list. I would be interested in trying a MK After Hours if they come back when we're in the area again.