***Official January 2025 Thread***

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Can someone tell me exactly what EEH and After Hours are?

EEH (extended evening hours) are when the parks (usually MK on Wednesday and Epcot on Monday, though this changes during holidays) stay open for 2 hours after park close for deluxe or DVC resort guests. Its free. AH (after hours) are a PAID event where you get 3 hours in the parks after close. Both have fewer guests than a typical day although AH has fewer and includes “free” snacks and drinks.

Ah, okay. Thanks. I remember EEH during our trip this past January. I saw people with wrist bands. Is that what we need to participate? How do you get them exactly?

I haven’t been to EEH since November 2022 but I didn’t need a wristband then; just had to scan my magic band before every ride which confirmed to the cast members I was eligible to be there. Not sure if things have changed?

Thanks, everyone!

To add to above, from what I understand, Disney does not distribute wristbands or direct visitors out of the parks for EEH like they do for ticketed events like After Hours. Guests from non-deluxe resorts (who are already in the parks) may still be walking around, but they will be stopped if they attempt to actually ride an attraction (by having to scan a Magic Band, mobile pass, or room card).

If anyone needs more information about either option, here are some links:

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours

Disney After Hours

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Closing Permanently Next Month at Hollywood Studios

In order to make way for an all-new Villains-themed stage show debuting next summer, the Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy will be closing permanently next month. The final day of operation for the Cars-themed show will be October 7th, with the show no longer showing operating hours starting October 8th. Here’s a look back at Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, including our full front-row video of the show!

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy was originally announced in June 2018 before debuting at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 31, 2019. At Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, guests are taken to the world of Cars as Lightning McQueen takes center stage. To create a space for Lightning and his pals, Disney created a 17-foot-tall wraparound screen that stretches more than 200 feet end to end.

 

[FairyGodmother00]

Countdown time!

It's September, which means anyone vacationing in January is now--

4 months away from Disney!!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

TRON Lightcycle Run Ending Virtual Queue, Opening Standby September 9th

Walt Disney World has announced that the TRON Lightcycle Run attraction will drop Virtual Queue and open up a traditional standby queue beginning September 9th. Here’s the announcement:

Beginning Sep. 9, guests can experience TRON Lightcycle / Run through a standby queue or as a Lightning Lane Single Pass experience. We hope guests will enjoy the added choice and flexibility the standby queue offers.  

We will continue to offer virtual queues at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Guests should check the My Disney Experience app for the latest on how we’re using virtual queues in a variety of ways including attraction access, merchandise launches, grand openings and more across Walt Disney World.

 

[peachiepie]

It's anyone thinking of doing the AH events in January? We've got both a DHS and a MK After Hours event announced for during our trip.
On one hand I'm tempted with the MK one. On the other hand I'm wondering if LL mulitpass/single passes might be a better value option.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

It's anyone thinking of doing the AH events in January? We've got both a DHS and a MK After Hours event announced for during our trip.
On one hand I'm tempted with the MK one. On the other hand I'm wondering if LL mulitpass/single passes might be a better value option.

We’re doing a MK one on 1/13. Missing one of our Epcot EEH to do it. I just got tickets for me and DH though because my youngest won’t make it that late and when I asked my teen girls if they wanted to go they said “I don’t care” , so I said I’m not wasting $175 plus tax a ticket if you don’t care lol. We also plan on doing LL Multipass on one day at each park, although if you do AH at a park you probably wouldn’t need to get LL there also. But we like getting in as many rides on our favorites as possible

 

[FairyGodmother00]

No AH tickets for our group. Way too expensive!!! And, personally I feel like this is Disney gouging. Ticket prices are already expensive enough.

 

[LaurenT]

I’ll be at Jambo House Jan 20 - 27!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

It's anyone thinking of doing the AH events in January? We've got both a DHS and a MK After Hours event announced for during our trip.
On one hand I'm tempted with the MK one. On the other hand I'm wondering if LL mulitpass/single passes might be a better value option.

We’re doing a MK one on 1/13. Missing one of our Epcot EEH to do it. I just got tickets for me and DH though because my youngest won’t make it that late and when I asked my teen girls if they wanted to go they said “I don’t care” , so I said I’m not wasting $175 plus tax a ticket if you don’t care lol. We also plan on doing LL Multipass on one day at each park, although if you do AH at a park you probably wouldn’t need to get LL there also. But we like getting in as many rides on our favorites as possible

No AH tickets for our group. Way too expensive!!! And, personally I feel like this is Disney gouging. Ticket prices are already expensive enough.

We don't have any AH events during our dates, but I personally think the LL passes are a better value, if it came down to choosing one over the other.

However, I also think it is a little early to commit either way, if someone isn't absolutely sure of what they want to do. There are rumors of a higher LL tier coming (Premier Pass). It was originally thought to be for Disneyland, but now steam is picking up for Disney World, too. It would basically be a pass that allows immediate entry onto rides without having to book return windows. Definitely something to keep an eye on.

RUMOR: Walt Disney World to Debut Universal Express-Style Skip-the-Line Offering

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I’ll be at Jambo House Jan 20 - 27!

Welcome! You've been added!

 

[zanzibar138]

It's anyone thinking of doing the AH events in January? We've got both a DHS and a MK After Hours event announced for during our trip.
On one hand I'm tempted with the MK one. On the other hand I'm wondering if LL mulitpass/single passes might be a better value option.

I'm still tempted, but don't think I'm willing to give up our EEH for it. Probably would have for a DHS AH, but during our trip we've only got MK and EPCOT on offer, which we've already got covered through EEH.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

My DDs high school chorus (and many other ones across America) are going to Disney World (staying at All Stars I believe) around MLK day weekend (18th-21st I think). Just an FYI, there’s some kind of choral competition or something going on then and the kids will be in the parks for 2 of the days.

 

[FeliciaB23]

I managed to add a day to our trip! Now checking in January 21

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I managed to add a day to our trip! Now checking in January 21

Yay! Your dates have been updated!

 

[MargeGriff]

Alright, we are finally rounding the corner to our vacations! Summer is wrapping up and fall is in our sights!

What piece of information is everyone still looking for? Some of this will still be months away, but here's a preliminary list, just so we can keep a collective eye out...

--New Year's Eve fireworks, food, and celebration information
--Holiday event and specialty food end dates
--Holiday decorations and overlays removal dates
--January deals and discounts
--January park hours
--January Extended Evening Hours (EEH) dates
--January Lightning Lane pricing and availability
--Skyliner closure dates
--Tiana's Bayou Adventure moving from Virtual Queue to Standby
--EPCOT International Festival of the Arts dates and information
--Vacation bounce back offers

Anything else??

How about:
--Closure dates for Tom Sawyer Island & the Liberty Belle?
--Refurb for Big Thunder?
Fingers Crossed these will remain open for a week or two in January 2025.

 

[Griffin11]

How about:
--Closure dates for Tom Sawyer Island & the Liberty Belle?
--Refurb for Big Thunder?
Fingers Crossed these will remain open for a week or two in January 2025.

Yes. Closure dates and refurbs in general - I am curious about Dinoland closure dates and if Tiana's will have a winter refurbishment closure.

 

[MaidMarian444]

How about:
--Closure dates for Tom Sawyer Island & the Liberty Belle?
--Refurb for Big Thunder?
Fingers Crossed these will remain open for a week or two in January 2025.

Also:
exact date of SAB closure
And as part of January park hours, date of possible Cast Appreciation Celebration at MK

 

[Frank4202]

Were not that far away to January. Will go by quickly with Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Tickets are paid for and flights are booked

 

[AngieInOH]

We are planning for January. Can someone confirm the following?

Book Room only:

• First night rate deposit, final payment at check-in
• Change or Cancel 8 days prior no penalty
• I assume if you cancel within the 8 days you lose your deposit?

Book Package:

• $200 deposit, final payment due 30 days prior to check-in
• Cancel 29-2 days lose $200 deposit
• Cancel 1 day prior lose full payment

If you cancel and "lose" these deposits or full payments can you apply it to a future reservation? I've never really taken these differences into consideration before.

How did you book? What's your reasoning?

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

We are planning for January. Can someone confirm the following?

Book Room only:

• First night rate deposit, final payment at check-in
• Change or Cancel 8 days prior no penalty
• I assume if you cancel within the 8 days you lose your deposit?

Book Package:

• $200 deposit, final payment due 30 days prior to check-in
• Cancel 29-2 days lose $200 deposit
• Cancel 1 day prior lose full payment

If you cancel and "lose" these deposits or full payments can you apply it to a future reservation? I've never really taken these differences into consideration before.

How did you book? What's your reasoning?

Although I can't officially confirm or verify based on personal experience, the rules you posted are my general understanding as well (including losing your deposit if cancelling a room within 8 days).

To be honest, it seems like everyone's situation may vary, as it is ultimately at Disney's discretion how they handle cancellations. In general, I would not expect any deposits back or any payments applied to future reservations (although future credits might be possible with trip insurance). However, some individuals have had success with fees waived, money refunded, or tickets reassigned to a future date. It is dependent on many variables, so I would not expect this, but it is possible. Also, some individuals have been able to modify their vacation package within the 30 days to a future date (for at least the same cost or more) and have bypassed the cancellation fee. Again, don't plan for it, but sometimes people have been pleasantly surprised (and I'm sure some have been sorely disappointed!).

As for us, we like booking the vacation package. One, we get magical extras (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/vacation-package-magical-extras). Two, we like the 2-day cancellation policy for packages versus the 8-day cancellation for room-only. I personally think $200 is a bargain for being allowed to cancel within two days. Also, in the chance that we can modify the package and waive the fee altogether, I'll take those chances! Plus, it's nice to have the room and tickets paid for and ready to go before arriving.

However, I can understand that some may prefer the room-only cancellation option, as well as getting refundable tickets from places like Undercover Tourist. Everyone's situation is different, so there is no wrong answer!