August reduced hours

[tom1944]

We will be at WDW in August and 2 parks will have reduced hours. MK on Friday 8/15 and HS on Saturday 8/16. Both close at 6. We have park hoppers this trip so we can always hop to Epcot. I read that when the parks close early the crowd is usually lower. Is that your experience?

I had made reservations at Space 220 for 3 pm on Friday so is it worth going to MK until around 2 or is that not enough time at MK to get the benefit of the lower crowd? We will definitely go to HS on Saturday and then hop to Epcot
Right now, we plan on 8/13 Ohana and then over to MK. 8/14 MK and then over to HDDR for 4pm dinner back to MK for a few hours after. 8/15 EPCOT Space 220 at 3 pm. 8/16 HS and hop over to EPCOT. 8/17 HS with 3pm at Roundup Rodeo.

Should I consider switching 8/13 to Ohana to Epcot and start 8/15 at MK?

Thanks in advance

 

[scrappinginontario]

Historically when a park closes at 6PM, crowds are down that day. Since you have PH I think going to MK on Aug 15 and DHS on Aug 16 are great choices! If you can go to MK from park opening until 2 PM you will get a lot done.

We don’t have as much history about crowds at DHS when the park closes at 6PM but I feel the 6PM closing would deter some guests.

 

[Skippyboo]

Is MK closing because of Halloween party starting? Party nights definitely effects the daytime crowds level at MK with it being lower during the day. I don’t think HS has the same effect since a lot of people go early to it and leave later in the day.

 

[Dave006]

Is MK closing because of Halloween party starting?

Yes due to the MNSSHP on 8/15.

Dave

 

[muppets3d]

They let MNSSHP guests into the park a few hours before the park closes, I think at 4PM. Crowds definitely start picking up around then. That would be a good time to hop to another park.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Sounds like bad luck. Those parks don’t close at 6pm even for low crowds. They will close at 6pm for parties and private events (there are people/organizations/companies that will rent out an entire theme park for private nighttime events).

 

[scrappinginontario]

Sounds like bad luck. Those parks don’t close at 6pm even for low crowds. They will close at 6pm for parties and private events (there are people/organizations/companies that will rent out an entire theme park for private nighttime events).

It’s fun to see how people’s thoughts differ and yet we still respect one another.

I arrive the following week and am jealous that we’re not there on a day when DHS closes at 6PM due to how I think it will affect crowds for the better.

OP will have a great trip either way and it will be interesting to see if DHS 6PM closing affects DHS the same way it does MK!

 

[muppets3d]

It’s fun to see how people’s thoughts differ and yet we still respect one another.

I arrive the following week and am jealous that we’re not there on a day when DHS closes at 6PM due to how I think it will affect crowds for the better.

OP will have a great trip either way and it will be interesting to see if DHS 6PM closing affects DHS the same way it does MK!

If it's your once in a lifetime trip and Magic Kingdom closes at 6PM you'll feel like you're missing out. I mean, tickets aren't any cheaper on party days but you get much less time in the park and no fireworks or nighttime parade. But if you go often like many of us on this board then it's a great day to visit the park because of low crowds.

 

[scrappinginontario]

If it's your once in a lifetime trip and Magic Kingdom closes at 6PM you'll feel like you're missing out. I mean, tickets aren't any cheaper on party days but you get much less time in the park and no fireworks or nighttime parade. But if you go often like many of us on this board then it's a great day to visit the park because of low crowds.

Yes except OP has a longer trip and PH so has shared they will go to the MK and DHS on other days to enjoy the nighttime offerings!

Not sure if you have been to MK on a party day but it’s truly magical! We have done both a party day and a non-party day in the MK in the same trip and we were able to accomplish far more between park opening and 4PM than we did between park opening and close on a non-party day!! Shorter hours on a party day does not mean getting less done, it normally means getting the same amount or more done in less hours with far shorter lines!! We have visited in Aug/Sep for over 15 years so have experienced this many, many times.

Longer hours does not = getting more done during party season. Our experience is longer hours = massive, often uncomfortable crowds, especially in the evening as many want to experience the nighttime offerings.

Please note my scenario is for those who either have PH tickets or, more than one day in the MK as you’re correct, the nighttime offerings are worth experiencing if you can.

 

[tom1944]

Sounds like bad luck. Those parks don’t close at 6pm even for low crowds. They will close at 6pm for parties and private events (there are people/organizations/companies that will rent out an entire theme park for private nighttime events).

I actually do not see it as bad luck. I am just looking for ideas from people with experience.

Since we have a 6-year-old with us we will leave the parks by 8pm most days.

The error I made was booking Space 220 for Friday at 3. I should have either booked it later or reversed the Ohana/Space days.

 

[elvispursley]

I actually do not see it as bad luck. I am just looking for ideas from people with experience.

Since we have a 6-year-old with us we will leave the parks by 8pm most days.

The error I made was booking Space 220 for Friday at 3. I should have either booked it later or reversed the Ohana/Space days.

I think your Space 220 ADR is at a good time. I’d plan to leave around 2pm. Like mentioned, if you can get there for rope drop, you should be able to get plenty done and have plenty of time for Epcot after your ADR!

 

[stinkpickle]

MK is great during party days.