What Snacks Are Free at Disney After Hours?

When you hear Disney After Hours, you might think of empty rides, shorter lines, and magical photo ops without crowds. But one of the best hidden perks? Free snacks. Yes-while you’re strolling through an almost-empty Magic Kingdom, Epcot, or Hollywood Studios after the regular crowds go home, you can grab treats without spending a dime. And no, this isn’t a rumor. It’s a real, documented perk for ticket holders.

What Exactly Is Disney After Hours?

Disney After Hours is a special ticketed event that lets guests enter select parks after regular closing time-usually starting at 9 or 10 PM-and stay until 1 or 2 AM. During these hours, attendance is capped, so you get the park nearly to yourself. Rides have little to no wait. You can take pictures in front of Cinderella Castle without strangers in the frame. And yes-you get unlimited access to a selection of snacks and drinks, all included in your ticket price.

Where Can You Get Free Snacks?

The snack locations vary slightly by park, but the offerings are consistent across all three parks that host After Hours events: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You’ll find snack stations marked with bright signs that say "Free Snacks" or "After Hours Snacks." They’re usually near popular spots like Main Street, U.S.A., World Showcase, or the central plaza areas.

What Snacks Are Actually Free?

Here’s the real list of what you can grab-no receipts, no lines, no extra cost:

• Ice cream bars (including Dole Whip cups at Epcot)
• Premium popcorn (in the classic Disney red bucket)
• Assorted bottled drinks (water, soda, and sometimes iced tea)
• Churros (freshly fried and dusted with sugar)
• Assorted cookies and brownies (often from the park’s bakeries)
• Mini pretzels (soft, warm, and salty)
• Assorted fruit cups (apple, grapes, or melon)
• Assorted candy (like Skittles, M&Ms, or gummy bears in small bags)

At Epcot, you’ll also find specialty snacks tied to the World Showcase pavilions-like mini tacos from Mexico, or mini sushi rolls from Japan. These aren’t full meals, but they’re enough to keep you fueled without needing to buy anything.

How Much Can You Actually Eat?

You’re not limited to one item per stop. Most guests grab a snack every 20-30 minutes as they walk around. That means you can easily eat 5-8 items over the course of the event. Some people make a game of trying every snack station. Others stick to their favorites-like churros and popcorn-and just enjoy the quiet.

Pro tip: The popcorn cart near the entrance of Magic Kingdom is often the busiest, but it’s also the most reliable. If you’re craving something salty, go there first. The churro stand near the Tomorrowland Terrace is usually less crowded and has the crispiest shells.

What’s Not Included?

It’s important to know what you can’t get for free. No full meals. No sandwiches, no pizza, no turkey legs. No alcohol (even though the park is technically after hours). No specialty desserts like Mickey-shaped beignets or Dole Whip floats. These are still paid items if you want them.

Also, you won’t find any bottled water or soda at every single snack station. Some only offer popcorn and ice cream. Stick to the marked signs and ask a Cast Member if you’re unsure-they’ll point you to the nearest free snack spot.

When Is This Available?

Disney After Hours events run on select nights from late January through December. They’re more frequent in the summer and around holidays like Halloween and Christmas. The exact dates change yearly, but they’re always announced on the official Disney World website about 6-8 weeks in advance.

For 2025, Magic Kingdom hosts After Hours most often-usually on Tuesday and Saturday nights. Epcot runs it on Thursdays and Sundays. Hollywood Studios is the least frequent, usually only once a month. Tickets sell out fast, especially during peak seasons.

Is It Worth the Ticket Price?

Tickets for Disney After Hours range from $169 to $229 depending on the date and park. That sounds steep, but here’s the math: A single churro costs $7.50. A popcorn bucket is $14. A Dole Whip is $6. Add in a few drinks and you’re already over $50 in snacks alone. And that’s before you factor in ride wait times. If you ride 8-10 attractions during After Hours, you’ve saved hours of waiting. That’s time you can’t buy.

Plus, you get the park to yourself. No one’s jostling you for space. No one’s blocking your photo. You can sit on the curb in front of the castle and eat your free popcorn while watching the fireworks without anyone else in the frame.

What to Bring (and What to Skip)

You don’t need much. But here’s what helps:

• A small reusable bag or fanny pack for snacks
• A refillable water bottle (you can fill it at water fountains)
• Comfortable shoes-you’ll be walking a lot
• A light jacket-nights in Florida can get cool after dark

Leave behind:

• Large backpacks (they’re not allowed past security)
• Any food or drink you brought from outside (snacks are included, so no need)
• High heels or sandals-you’ll be on pavement for hours

What About Other Parks?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom doesn’t currently host After Hours events. And Disneyland in California has a similar event called "Nighttime Magic," but the snack offerings are more limited. If you’re after the full snack experience, stick to Walt Disney World in Florida.

Final Tip: Timing Matters

Arrive early. The snack stations get busy in the first hour. If you wait until 11 PM, the churros might be gone. The popcorn might be low. The ice cream might be melted. Go straight to your favorite station when you enter. Grab your first snack right away. Then circle back later if you want more.

And don’t forget-the snacks are free, but the memories aren’t. Walking through an empty Magic Kingdom with a warm churro in one hand and a cold drink in the other, watching the castle glow under the stars… that’s the kind of moment you don’t get on a regular day. And it’s all included.