ALL PHOTOS BY DYLAN DUNCAN
Orlando Shine was recently hosted by Disney Parks (Website) for a two-night stay to experience Disney After Hours events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. The trip also just happened to include a stay at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.
Pop Century underwent a room refresh earlier this year. Our room, located in the 1950s-themed building on the first floor, felt newly renovated and was a short walk to the resort’s main areas.
The resort sits centrally on Disney property and connects to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot, along with several nearby resorts, via the Skyliner gondola system. Disney currently offers guests complimentary admission to either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach on their check-in day.
The first night included an After Hours event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The event featured low wait times, character meet-and-greets, and unlimited snacks. Attractions included Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Rock ’N’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, and we ate our body weight in complimentary popcorn and Mickey ice cream bars and sandwiches.
Day two began at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Afternoon showers slowed crowds, allowing for Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safari, and Avatar: Flight of Passage to be completed within about an hour.
Later that evening, we rode the Skyliner over to Epcot and started our second After Hours event. We were able to ride Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in about two hours, and we ended our night enduring even more complimentary snacks.
Disney After Hours tickets range from $129 to $155 per person, and the events run on select nights through September 24, 2026, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom.
Orlando Shine was a guest of Disney Parks for this trip. Accommodations and event tickets were provided at no cost. This was our first time staying at a Disney resort and also our first After Hours event, and we had a truly magical experience. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly Disney resort, Pop Century should be at the top of your list. If low wait times, unlimited snacks, and no-sun/lower temperatures pique your interest, we definitely recommend checking out a Disney After Hours event.
