For after hours events, I seperate parties from the regular season after hours.
I have done both Jollywood and the Hollywood Studios after hours. For me the Jollywood party is 100% worth it. It is my favorite thing I have been to in a Disney park. The multiple bands and DJs they had last year and the unique character meets, make it a high energy special event. I am not a character meet kind of person, but couldn’t pass up photos with Santa Duffy, the Madolaorian, and a Magic Shot with the Muppets. The specialty food and cocktails were also very good. I think it is well worth the extra cost for adults (even if you have an AP). But I would not spend the money on a family of four, with non-adult kids.
The HS after hours was a nice event, and they bring out specialty characters for that too - which is a nice bonus. If you do it in lieu of a park day, and can stay until park close, that math works for me. Especially when you factor in the cost of not needing lightning lane. Our longest line was 30 mins for Slinky Dig Dash. Everything else was 15 min (we didn’t ride Rise).
With no AP, and a family that includes a teenager who would rather sleep in amd stay up late, it is worth skipping the parks that day and getting the after hours ticket. If it is a cost on top of an AP or a pre-existing daytime park ticket, I don’t think it is worth it.
I actually had this typed out but deleted as I didn’t want to nit pick. So I’m glad I am not alone. I definitely consider the “After Hours” to be of a different value than the Christmas/Halloween parties!
I need to compare costs though, because I believe After Hours are cheaper than the parties. But they are still very different things! One is like having the park rented out for you. The orher is a party!
Yes, they are just different things is the point I think. The title said “after hours” and they kept talking about after hours events so I just was surprised when Jim launched into the story of the first Halloween party!
To me, the main benefit of a party is the same as an After Hours event - shorter waits for rides! So the main differentiator between the two is cost from that perspective.
But I agree if you’re interested in any other aspect of the party, it’s not a fair comparison.
I too have gone to after hours events (both free deluxe and paid events) and MVMCP, MNSSHP, and Jollywood.
I did the AK paid after hours event years ago (when they had a night time safari and night time show). That event was not “worth it” for me.
I enjoy all after hours events and parties at HS and MK. My main concern is the increasing cost. As an AP holder, the $10 I can save every once in a while is not enough. There are times, such as Christmas season when I will decide to maybe do one event, although two are offered.
I love the table service options at deluxe resorts and that many of them have easy options to at least one park. I do prefer the quick service options at moderates and the values. As a DVC owner, if I was paying cash for a room I would be happy staying at a value, or a moderate with a good discount.
Club Level:
I used to often stay club level. These days even with a discount, I don’t think the cost is “worth it” at Disney.
I will argue that Universal can give great annual pass discounts (even with a seasonal or power pass) for club level rooms and they generally offer hot breakfast options as well as light dinner each evening.
