Thought I’d share my experience with the Epcot After Hours event - it was a lot of fun and well worth it! I did not have a park ticket and I attended the party solo. This is my first time ever going to Disney World solo. My main goal was to ride guardians at least three times while also doing some other things.
6:30 Arrived at Epcot
There was not a crowd going in - walked right up, got my wristband, and waited in the holding area - there were only like 20 or so people in the holding area. I did notice a number of people coming to get bands from inside the park
7:00 - 9:00 pre-party
I got front of park pictures taken, went to Mexico for dinner and sat with a lovely mom and daughter looking over the water, meandered in some shops, got more photos, and checked out the end of the Garden Rocks Concert (ABBA Tribute band - they were fun!).
I then made my way to a fireworks viewing spot near Port of entry - as it was just me it was pretty easy to show up last minute and get a good spot.
Party time!
I booked over to Guardians as soon as the fireworks ended - again, enjoying the advantages of being solo - I was able to just get a move on without having to motivate others. Ha!
Posted wait was 40 minutes, but I only waited 10 until I got into the first pre show - I was seated in row 1 which was amazing. The other single rider I got paired with and I decided to get immediately back on as a party of 2 - it was walk on the second time (and for those that want to know the songs were I Ran, and then One Way or Another)
By 10:25 I was boarding test track from the single rider line (it was basically walk on - the couple I was seated with had timed their wait at 20 minutes)
10:42 gran fiesta (walk on)
Frozen was a walk on and I was off it by 11pm
I then walked back around to grab some maple popcorn and then Remy
Took a detour to meet Minnie mouse at the gazebo in front of France and walked on Remy at 11:15
I then headed to the land pavilion - Stopped for a water on the way
Soarin had a theater down so I waited way longer than I wanted - got to the pre show at 11:53 (in hindsight I should have skipped this when I realized the wait would be long
and headed to guardians to get in a double but you live and learn)
In line for guardians at 12:14 got through to pre show by 12:25 (I waited for row 9 - row 9 is also great but I am in camp row 1) and was off the ride at 12:45) - song was September (which was the only song I had never gotten before!). Perfect end to the night!!
Overall it was fun, enjoyed the DJ playing music, there were lots of solo people, and everyone was just a little extra friendly - I would 100% do it again!!
Oh - one last thing - I was staying at All-Star music and they had a combined bus for the three All-Star resorts - the whole bus got off at all star sports so I did too and in hindsight, I would never do that again - I got totally lost and it wasn’t worth it.
I have always trained myself to ignore info on AH since it was either out of the budget or bad timing for kids’ sleep schedules. This will be our first time doing one other than a Party.