When you’ve been to the parks many times, Disney World events can give you something new to look forward to. Whether it’s seasonal holidays or an anniversary of some kind, Disney knows how to celebrate. You can usually expect special treats, entertainment and merchandise no matter the occasion. We already have dates for many 2024 Disney World events but some haven’t been released yet. For some below, we’ll share when you can expect to learn 2024 dates based on when they were released in the past. If you’re looking for a reason to plan a trip or something new to try on your next visit, a Disney World event might just be the thing that inspires you.
2024 Disney World Event Dates, Overviews & Details
When Disney has something big coming up, you can expect some kind of celebration around the parks. This could be in honor of the theme parks, a particular film debuting or something else related to the company. In the last few years, Disney celebrated the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort and the Disney 100 anniversary noting the start of it all. These kinds of events can last a few months or a few years depending on what these park overlays include.
In 2024, there aren’t any major milestones being celebrated at the parks that we’re aware of. There are always certain seasonal park overlays included with your park ticket. Some of the other events we are covering below are something special outside of visiting the parks during the day and require an additional ticket.
Note that we have all of the upcoming DVC events for eligible Members in a separate post.
You may want to take a look at the DVC resort refurbishment schedule too.
It’s also beneficial to keep up with what’s coming to Disney in 2024 and beyond.
runDisney 2024 Events at Disney World
Disney World kicks off each calendar year with the biggest runDisney event. Walt Disney World marathon weekend takes runners on a journey through all the parks over four days with races of different lengths. Then in February, the parks get a little more pink and sparkly as the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend takes place. In April, the runDisney Springtime Surprise delights guests with a little something different as race themes vary annually. Summers are too hot in Florida for runDisney events so the season takes a pause. In the fall, things pick back up with the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend.
Anyone can sign up to participate in runDisney running races. It’s important to be physically and mentally prepared for these endurance events, especially the longer lengths. There are also special events thrown in each race weekend like yoga in the parks.
All runDisney events have an additional cost and are not included with your hotel stay or park tickets.
runDisney 2024 Disney World Dates
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend January 3-7, 2024
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend February 22-26, 2024
runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend April 18-21, 2024
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend dates not announced yet for 2024, expect an announcement in January
Epcot Festival of the Arts
The first festival event of the year at this park is the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. Guests can enjoy carefully crafted bites from outdoor food booths around the park, special art installations and unique entertainment inspired by the arts. There is a Broadway artist concert series highlighting performers who brought Disney theater to life. You can also meet Disney fine art artists and see, and buy, many new paintings and prints that debut for the festival. The Epcot Festival of the Arts is included with your day park ticket or annual pass.
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts takes place January 12th through February 19th in 2024.
Disney After Hours 2024
For those seeking a special experience on their Disney World visit, After Hours events deliver. As you might guess, these happen after regular park hours. These late nights in the parks mean less crowds and lower wait times. When you go to Disney After Hours events you can also enjoy snacks and drinks that are complimentary and unlimited like popcorn, ice cream, soda and water. So far in 2024, it looks like Disney After Hours will happen at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Tickets are on sale now.
Prices for Disney After Hours range from around $125 to $175 depending on the park, the event date and if you are eligible for any discounts.
Magic Kingdom Disney After Hours 2024 Dates and Prices
The price for Annual Passholders and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members is $30 less.
Thursday, January 11 $155 plus tax
Monday, January 15 $165 plus tax
Monday, January 22 $165 plus tax
Thursday, February 1 $165 plus tax
Monday, February 5 $165 plus tax
Monday, February 12 $175 plus tax
Thursday, February 29 $175 plus tax
Monday, March 4 $175 plus tax
Monday, March 18 $175 plus tax
Monday, April 8 $175 plus tax
Monday, April 22 $175 plus tax
Monday, April 29 $175 plus tax
Monday, May 13 $165 plus tax
Thursday, June 13 $165 plus tax
Thursday, June 27 $165 plus tax
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Disney After Hours 2024 Dates and Prices
The price for Annual Passholders and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members is $30 less.
Wednesday, January 10 $155 plus tax
Wednesday, January 24 $165 plus tax
Wednesday, February 21 $175 plus tax
Monday, Feburary 26 $175 plus tax
Wednesday, March 13 $175 plus tax
Wednesday, March 20 $175 plus tax
Wednesday, March 27 $175 plus tax
Wednesday, April 3 $175 plus tax
Wednesday, April 10 $175 plus tax
Wednesday, May 22 $175 plus tax
Wednesday, May 29 $175 plus tax
Wednesday, June 12 $165 plus tax
Wednesday, June 19 $165 plus tax
Wednesday, June 26 $165 plus tax
Wednesday, July 10 $165 plus tax
Wednesday, July 17 $165 plus tax
Wednesday, July 24 $155 plus tax
Wednesday, July 31 $155 plus tax
Wednesday, August 7 $155 plus tax
Wednesday, August 14 $145 plus tax
Wednesday, August 21 $145 plus tax
Thursday, August 29 $145 plus tax
Epcot Disney After Hours 2024 Dates and Prices
The price for Annual Passholders and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members is $30 less.
Friday, February 2 $149 plus tax
Thursday, February 8 $149 plus tax
Thursday, February 15 $159 plus tax
Thursday, March 7 $159 plus tax
Thursday, March 28 $159 plus tax
Thursday, April 4 $159 plus tax
Thursday, April 25 $159 plus tax
Thursday, May 9 $159 plus tax
Thursday, May 23 $159 plus tax
Thursday, May 30 $159 plus tax
Thursday, June 6 $149 plus tax
Thursday, June 20 $149 plus tax
Thursday, July 18 $149 plus tax
Typhoon Lagoon Disney After Hours 2024 Dates and Prices
The price for Annual Passholders and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members is $15 less.
Saturday, May 25 $75 plus tax
Saturday, June 1 $75 plus tax
Saturday, June 8 $75 plus tax
Friday, June 14 $75 plus tax
Saturday, June 22 $75 plus tax
Friday, June 28 $75 plus tax
Friday, July 5 $85 plus tax
Saturday, July 6 $85 plus tax
Saturday, July 13 $85 plus tax
Tuesday, July 16 $75 plus tax
Saturday, July 20 $85 plus tax
Friday, July 26 $85 plus tax
Tuesday, July 30 $75 plus tax
Friday, August 2 $85 plus tax
Saturday, August 10 $85 plus tax
Saturday, August 17 $85 plus tax
Saturday, August 24 $85 plus tax
Saturday, August 31 $85 plus tax
Disney After Hours vs Extended Hours
You might be wondering if it’s worth it to purchase a ticket to Disney After Hours when you can get in for extended hours for free when you stay at a deluxe Disney World hotel. How is Disney After Hours compared to Extended Evening Theme Park Hours?
These offerings are similar but After Hours events will have less people at them. Disney After Hours is a special ticket event and the draw is the low capacity. While both will have far less people than an average day at the parks, After Hours is more likely to wow you with shorter lines. After Hours also comes with complimentary treats around the park. You also don’t need to use a virtual queue for some of the most popular attractions at After Hours. At Extended hours you may still need to join a virtual queue for some attractions.
The last thing to consider when comparing is dates. After Hours and Extended Evening Hours don’t happen at the same time. In fact, each of these offerings is only available on select nights. That means only one or the other may be available on your trip depending on when you visit. If an experience like this is a must, your dates may choose which one you attend by default. You can always plan based on what Disney has scheduled.
Epcot Flower and Garden 2024
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival follows a similar model to other events at this park. This time, however, the addition of many beautiful topiaries and floral installations take over Epcot. Guests can also enjoy food booths around the park, a concert series in the America pavilion and plenty of merchandise themed to the topic of flowers and gardening. This event is part of your day with your park ticket or annual pass. The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival begins on February 28th and ends on May 27th in 2024. This is a much earlier ending than the last few years. The event ran through July 5th in 2023.
Epcot Food and Wine 2024
You can always find tasty foods to try at this next Epcot festival. With a focus on culinary specialties, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival might be the most delicious of them all. This event also has a concert series and seems to feature the most popular guests throughout the year.
Your regular park ticket or annual pass includes this event. The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival begins on August 29th and ends on November 23, in 2024. If you’re planning further ahead than 2024, dates for this late summer/fall event are usually announced mid April. The Epcot food and wine festival ran July 27th through November 18th in 2023.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2024
For those who love spooky fun, Disney offers Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom each fall. This event takes place at night after the park closes for the day, usually 7:00 p.m. to midnight but guests with a ticket to it can get in a few hours before the event. The big draws of the Disney Halloween party are trick or treating and dressing up in costume, special fireworks and an over the top parade. There are also special characters in their Halloween costumes that you can meet around the park. This event requires the purchase of a separate ticket.
Mickey’s halloween party prices range from around $119 to $199 in 2024. This is up from the price range of $99 to $199 in 2023. We have seen prices go up a few dollars each year or so. Event information is usually released around April. Tickets do sell out for this event. All dates were sold out as of late September for last year.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2024 dates are as follows.
August 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
Epcot Holiday Festival 2024
One of the most festive places at Walt Disney World Resort during the holiday season is World Showcase. During the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, guests can enjoy special entertainment in most of the countries around the world. There are also food booths with rich seasonal favorites.
This event is part of a visit with your regular park ticket or annual pass. The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays usually starts right after Thanksgiving and goes through December 30th. Epcot has a celebration on December 31st for New Year’s Eve that includes different cultural fun in the countries.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2024
Magic Kingdom glows with holiday cheer on select nights during November and December at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This special Disney World event has a festive parade, cheerful fireworks, complimentary cookies, cocoa and more and lots of special characters to meet. Snow on Main Street U.S.A. is something wonderful to see. There are less dates for this than the Halloween party and the event costs a bit more. This event requires the purchase of a separate ticket.
In 2023, prices range from $159 to $199 per adult. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates are usually out mid summer with tickets going on sale a few weeks later. The event usually starts a little more than a week into November, around the 9th, and ends the week before Christmas. The parade and fireworks then become part of the regular day operations. Tickets do sell out for this event. All dates were sold out as of late November for last year.
Disney Jollywood Nights 2024
In 2023, Disney also debuted a new event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios called Jollywood Nights. This event is similar to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party but doesn’t have a parade. There is a nighttime show but it’s not really a firework show, more of a projection and storytelling experience. It’s called Jingle Bell Jingle Bam and it used to be part of a regular day visit to Hollywood Studios. The things to remember for Jollywood Nights are the two special shows that happen only at this event. A holiday spectacular style show features Kermit, Miss Piggy, Tiana and Belle and a sing along style show celebrates The Nightmare Before Christmas. There are also special treats and foods around the park as well as some unique lounges with special entertainment for the event.
Since this was all part of the first Jollywood Nights, we’ll have to see if the event changes in 2024 if it’s brought back.
Who is Eligible for Disney World Event Discounts?
Disney events can be pricey but discounts can help. The most loyal of Disney fans know there are discounts for them on many services and products like tickets. Disney Vacation Club Members who qualify for Membership Extras get a discount on many different Disney World events. For example, Members may get $10 off of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets on certain nights. Resale DVC Members are not able to take advantage of these discounts but annual passholders are. If you have a Disney annual pass, one for Walt Disney World Resort specifically, you can save on seasonal events and on After Hours events.
Disney Events, Disney Days and Disney Stays with DVC Resale
If you’re curious about events at Disney World, you’ll probably want to know more about Disney Vacation Club too. To be specific, resale Disney Vacation Club. The Disney timeshare can help you get the best rates on deluxe Disney hotel stays. Resale DVC contracts, which are those sold by members, can help you save thousands more.
DVC Resale Experts is a licensed real estate broker that specializes in selling Disney Vacation Club. The Experts are former Disney Vacation Club Guides and can help you find the perfect DVC resale contract. With decades of experience selling DVC behind them, the Experts have gained valuable insight. It’s great to have a helpful professional to guide you throughout the process of joining Disney Vacation Club. Take a look at our resale DVC to see what’s available right now.
