Going to parks at 3-4pm in summer???

mrzrich · May 5, 2015

Tomh said:
Last week of August, AK actually closes at 5 every day. Notice that the title of this thread implies the OP intends to arrive at 3 or 4, not 2. No matter how much you say trust me, I can't see one or two hours in a park the size of AK in the hottest part of the day being enough to accomplish a whole lot of anything.

As I said, you don't have to trust me, but I will say that it is very likely that the hours that are curently listed, will likely be extended to 6 or 7.

I am not just making this up. I hit Ak after 2 or 3 all the time. FP+ makes this method even easier.

You are hung up on the HUGE size of Ak, but most of that land is animal enclosures. If you travel the inner circle of Discovery island it's not that huge.

mom2AidanAndEli · May 5, 2015

Been the last week of August 5 different times. AK always closes at 5:00.

GBBTomorrow · May 5, 2015

I think going later in the day can work for a lot of people, especially those who like to sleep in, and especially now that you can book FP ahead of time. Like others, though, I can't imagine why you would want to leave so early. That's an awful lot of money to spend to stay in the parks such a short time. All the kids you mentioned are plenty old enough to stay until closing time, especially since they get to sleep in every morning. So I would say, sure, go in the afternoon (knowing it will be hot), but definitely stay later. Get your money's worth, enjoy the parks all lit up, and see the evening shows.

mrzrich · May 5, 2015

mom2AidanAndEli said:
Been the last week of August 5 different times. AK always closes at 5:00.

Not last year...
Source: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/Aug14.cfmp

Saturday, August 23 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom: 9:00-7:00

Sunday, August 24 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom:9:00-7:00

Monday, August 25 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom: 9:00-6:00

Tuesday, August 26 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom: 9:00-6:00

Events:
Wednesday, August 27 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom:9:00-8:00

Thursday, August 28 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom: 9:00-6:00

Friday, August 29 2014

Disney's Animal Kingdom: 9:00-6:00

Events:
Saturday, August 30 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom: 9:00-8:00

Sunday, August 31 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom:9:00-7:00

Not sure if you realize that Disney often releases projected closing times, but often lengthens the hours as your trip approaches. It pays to check not only when making ADRS and 180 days ahead, but also the week of your trip. Heck, they even extend the hours on the same day sometimes

kandb · May 5, 2015

OP here. Wow, as usual a lot of very strong "opinions". Thanks for all your thoughts. The reason I will not stay at the parks til closing is because I am not fond of crowds and exiting the park with hoards of people and waiting in a bus line with hoards of people is something that I don't enjoy. We will probably leave most of the parks an hour or so before closing. We have done this before and it's nice to leave when everyone and their brother is not trying to get out. We will do some early morning's, especially when we go to MK. We will not always come back to the resort to swim. We will probably have "down days" and other days that we will stay in the parks longer. On the longer days we will just find a place in mid afternoon that is real cold (tough to be a bug, hall of presidents etc)

kam1011 · May 5, 2015

We used to do something similar back when the parks stayed open til 1am or even later. We would show up in time for dinner, then walk around the parks from like 6pm until 1-3am, whatever closing time was. We'd sleep in late, swim in the pool, and head back to the parks in time for dinner. It's much more bearable in the evening.

Now that the parks don't stay open that late, and especially if you want to be out by 8:30, I wouldn't skip the morning.

vicky33006 · May 5, 2015

This is very similar to the strategy we are planning to use in July. I know many will think it will be horrible, but RD doesn't work for our family at all. I tried and it wasn't very magical for us (though I will admit RD at MK was pretty awesome). We just can't do it.

Our strategy for July is to get to the parks at the hottest time of the day (between 2 and 3). We will generally have either and AC attraction scheduled at that time or be heading to an early dinner ADR. After that, we'll have the rest of the attractions we have scheduled (Anything outside later). We plan to close the parks down each evening. The only exceptions will be AK (we'll get there either for RD or soon after and then get out as soon as it gets unbearable) and Discovery Cove at Sea World because we simply have to be there early. Otherwise for us it's all swimming and sleeping in during the day.

I know it sounds like misery to so many, but rushing around for RD and getting totally exhausted (combined with summer heat) sounds like misery to me. If anyone, however, has any suggestions for make it better for us I would be completely open!

subtchr · May 5, 2015

kandb said:
OP here. Wow, as usual a lot of very strong "opinions". Thanks for all your thoughts. The reason I will not stay at the parks til closing is because I am not fond of crowds and exiting the park with hoards of people and waiting in a bus line with hoards of people is something that I don't enjoy. We will probably leave most of the parks an hour or so before closing. We have done this before and it's nice to leave when everyone and their brother is not trying to get out. We will do some early morning's, especially when we go to MK. We will not always come back to the resort to swim. We will probably have "down days" and other days that we will stay in the parks longer. On the longer days we will just find a place in mid afternoon that is real cold (tough to be a bug, hall of presidents etc)

Makes sense, and I hope your family has a wonderful time!

Just one more strategy you might consider some days. Especially with your kids a bit older, there may be times they are having a blast late at a park. I know when my kids were that age, some of our favorite memories were the final hours in the parks. I don't know, there is just something about it that made all of us relax and have so much fun together. If you DO have an evening like that, try not to worry about the crowd leaving the park. Just hang back, shop, walk around together, enjoy the lights and sights and sounds. Instead of worrying about being AHEAD of the crowd, be BEHIND it. After Illuminations, we would walk the LONG way around the lake, listening to the Tapestry music, and then visit Mousegears for a bit. By the time we went out to the buses or monorail, the crowd was literally gone. You can do this in every park, to some extent. Yes, creative dawdling can be a fun strategy!

Just something to keep in the back of your mind if you have one of those magical family nights when no one wants to leave!

bumbershoot · May 5, 2015

kandb said:
The reason I will not stay at the parks til closing is because I am not fond of crowds and exiting the park with hoards of people and waiting in a bus line with hoards of people is something that I don't enjoy. We will probably leave most of the parks an hour or so before closing. We have done this before and it's nice to leave when everyone and their brother is not trying to get out.

Well, you *could* just wait and relax after closing time, and not rush out with everyone else.

I also highly recommend having a rental car.

But none of what you clarified explained why you said you would be going in at 3 or 4.

vicky33006 said:
I know it sounds like misery to so many, but rushing around for RD and getting totally exhausted (combined with summer heat) sounds like misery to me. If anyone, however, has any suggestions for make it better for us I would be completely open!

There's a several hour difference between rope drop and 10 or 11am. Especially now with FP+ you can schedule things so you're getting onto rides quickly after entering the park.

And entering later, for me, makes me rush *more* than entering at RD. I find no need to rush at RD because I know I'll get on more things, more easily, than I will later.

Bullseye · May 5, 2015

Kbee said:
OP, I'm going the same week, and staying at CBR too
We will be doing something very similiar because we don't do rope drop, we go later in the day and stay until closing. The only park we'll go to early is AK if we go because it closes early.
The only issue I see is that I think you'll want to stay later if you are getting there around 4.
I know its hot, but really its hot in the morning and early afternoon too so its not a deal breaker for us. We have our frogg toggs, misting bottles and there is ice water at every CS location.

This! OP since you're only planning on staying at the park for several hours anyway just move your arrival time back an hour or so (4:30 or 5pm). If you prefer a more resort time than park time vacation there's nothing wrong with that.

Minniekins · May 6, 2015

subtchr said:
Makes sense, and I hope your family has a wonderful time!

Just one more strategy you might consider some days. Especially with your kids a bit older, there may be times they are having a blast late at a park. I know when my kids were that age, some of our favorite memories were the final hours in the parks. I don't know, there is just something about it that made all of us relax and have so much fun together. If you DO have an evening like that, try not to worry about the crowd leaving the park. Just hang back, shop, walk around together, enjoy the lights and sights and sounds. Instead of worrying about being AHEAD of the crowd, be BEHIND it. After Illuminations, we would walk the LONG way around the lake, listening to the Tapestry music, and then visit Mousegears for a bit. By the time we went out to the buses or monorail, the crowd was literally gone. You can do this in every park, to some extent. Yes, creative dawdling can be a fun strategy!

Just something to keep in the back of your mind if you have one of those magical family nights when no one wants to leave!

I will say this is what we like to do. I never leave with the crowds cause I have an Ecv and don't want to be fighting the crowds to try to get on the bus. Plus we definitely aren't rope droppers, so we like to stay til close. Last Dec we just stayed shopping and browsing along Main street as people left. Nobody hurried us along(though we couldn't go back farther in to the park if we had wanted to), at all so we just leisurely hung around in the stores and walking along the street. We came out of the stores and it was so empty, it was really awesome! Main street was basically empty and we got some great pics with all the beautiful Christmas lights on the castle and the buildings along Main street. Turned out to be one of our favorite nights, and fave pics!

Tomh · May 6, 2015

We aren't terribly fond of the long wait for the bus at park closing either. We do stay until the end, but we then linger around, shopping, having a drink, taking in the sights until the crowds have dissipated, and then work our way out to the bus stop.

Tomh · May 6, 2015

mrzrich said:
Not last year...
Source: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/Aug14.cfmp

Not sure if you realize that Disney often releases projected closing times, but often lengthens the hours as your trip approaches. It pays to check not only when making ADRS and 180 days ahead, but also the week of your trip. Heck, they even extend the hours on the same day sometimes

Right you are, those are the exact hours I had listed for last year, and the exact time frame we were there. Hours were extended until 6 or 7 every night.

We always arrive at rope drop, and it takes us until 5:00 or so to see / do everything we want to do. I suppose if you, or OP have a significantly different list of must do's, maybe this strategy works. We always want to do the safari, Kali, Expedition Everest, Flights of Wonder (takes about 40 minutes to get in and see the show) and Festival of the Lion King (about another 40 minutes there). I just can't see getting that list done in just a couple of hours, and that is without taking time to go see DiVine, do anything in Dinoland, or stop for a meal.

Could you share a list of the attractions you are typically able to fit in arriving mid afternoon? Maybe I'll rethink my AK strategy.

mrzrich · May 6, 2015

Tomh, going in August, I still think late afternoon is to hot and too high risk for storms at 3-6, so I would still recommend RD.

My. Response to op was that it was doable, but in late August, I don't think it would be fun!

This past Saturday however was wonderful.

Arrived at 230 and caught the 3pm FOTLK

Had 3-4 pm FP for safari, rode it around 345

Then headed to kali with 4-5 FP, rode it around 415

Caught 445 FOW Show

Rode EE around 515 with a 5-6 FP

I pretty much walked on Primevil Hurl at 530 and then caught the 6 pm Nemo show

At 650 I walked on Dinosaur

At 710 I walked out of a pretty much empty park.

I will also add that I have been an Ap holder for many years, so sometimes I skip things, other times I meander the animal trails, etc. I have no urgency to do everything because I know I'll be back

Arden01 · May 6, 2015

Actually OP, we went last August same time as you and ended up doing that plan by accident on our first MK day. As pps have said, it was very hot and very crowded, but we did manage to go on rides (mainly our FP+) and have fun. We had dinner at 5:45 at CP and then left at 8:30. Like I said, it really was by accident. It was our first trip, we didn't know any better and because we had an early flight we didn't want to to stay longer than 8:30. My kids just had to see the castle on our first day so we went after we checked in at the resort and swam, then arrived at MK at 3:30. It didn't rain that day, but did most other days in the afternoon. It really was too short of a day to see everything, but was fine for an arrival day "preview." I would say keep your expectations low knowing that it will be very hot and crowded and expect that you might not get to do much besides your FP+ attractions. This summer we are going back and planning most days to be RD, take a break, return for evening activities. However, we do have a few late morning arrivals planned after late nights. The days we are there in the afternoon, we either have ADRs in the AC or will plan indoor shows or attractions. We have one late arrival day at MK planned for 12:45, but it's our third MK day after 2 RD days. My kids have the Pirate's League at 1 and we are really hoping to catch the FOF parade at 3 if we can stand the heat. We will plan very low key indoor attractions afterwards, have a dinner ADR at 6pm and then stay through closing. Good luck and have a great trip!

Princess Disney Mom · May 6, 2015

We did this one August and went to EPCOT. It worked out great.

kandb · May 6, 2015

Thanks for all the great advice. I like the idea of waiting around after park closing but if my 6 year old doesn't get to bed at a decent time, the next
day could be tough. I am really considering a rental car, it will make it easier in a lot of ways. I don't mind taking the bus to the parks but I really
don't like taking them back at the end of the day. They are always crowded and waiting for them is annoying. I actually got a mid size rental at dollar for around $300 for 12 days. I will keep checking.

mskateb · May 6, 2015

I love the idea, but I'd push it back just a little bit, til 5 or preferably 6, and stay later. 3-5 is a tough time to be outside in Fla summer, and you'd likely have to spend a big chunk of it making the commute to the entrance. Or, plan for something indoor as your first thing so you can have a chance to cool down. I'm assuming you already are planning for a slower paced, not "do everything" kind of trip, which is the best kind, imho. Will your 6-year-old sleep in if s/he stays up late? If so, it could work really well.

vicky33006 · May 6, 2015

There's a several hour difference between rope drop and 10 or 11am. Especially now with FP+ you can schedule things so you're getting onto rides quickly after entering the park.

And entering later, for me, makes me rush *more* than entering at RD. I find no need to rush at RD because I know I'll get on more things, more easily, than I will later.[/QUOTE]

I think we are open to going at 10 or 11 for sure. I mean, we will be up no later than 9 each day. We aren't early morning people, but we aren't sleeping vaca away either. The only reason I haven't scheduled anything in earlier in the day FP+ wise is because I know DS LOVES just swimming in the pool and hanging out at the resort. I'm completely OK with that. If, however, we decide we want to get to the parks earlier some days I'll try to move some FP+ around and if we can't we'll do what we can when we get there. I am trying to avoid the break back at the resort though. We tried that and felt like it was just such a huge waste of time.

maryj11 · May 6, 2015

I was just wondering since everyone likes to take breaks in the middle of the day because it is so hot will that make it less crowded at the park :idea:

If so we may grab some frogg toggs and big misting fans and brave the heat :rotfl:

Going to parks at 3-4pm in summer???

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