BEWARE-EARLY PARK CLOSINGS AT WDW!!

[anomamatt]

I am hopeful they will extend the hours, but based on my conversation with the representative I don’t think I can count ont it.

Given the phone reps know next to nothing (no offense to them, but it's true), you should (relax and) listen to what we are telling you...

 

[hiroMYhero]

When I called Disney about the hours, the representayive I spoke with was surprised about the early hours. She said there are no special events that week. I book our vacation 6 months in advance every year and there was never an 8pm closing of MK that week at booking. I am hopeful they will extend the hours, but based on my conversation with the representative I don’t think I can count ont it.

It’s obvious she doesn’t have current info when there’s an event scheduled for March 7th. It’s best not to believe whatever info she gave you.

 

[Robo]

When I called Disney about the hours, the representayive I spoke with was surprised about the early hours. She said there are no special events that week. I book our vacation 6 months in advance every year and there was never an 8pm closing of MK that week at booking. I am hopeful they will extend the hours, but based on my conversation with the representative

I don’t think I can count ont it.

Count on it.

 

[AngiTN]

When I called Disney about the hours, the representayive I spoke with was surprised about the early hours. She said there are no special events that week. I book our vacation 6 months in advance every year and there was never an 8pm closing of MK that week at booking. I am hopeful they will extend the hours, but based on my conversation with the representative I don’t think I can count ont it.

You can count on it. The house WILL change. There isn't any doubt about it. Probably not just once but twice.
You can also count on the representative not having a clue about what they are talking about. They aren't given any inside information more than what you see on the website.
If you can believe it, there are even reps on the phone that tell guests staying on site at Disney resorts they can't book ADR at 180 days (just as one example)

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Yah...you need to calm down, chill and whatever. Anything can happen between now and a billion months till your trip.

If you are that worried now just wait till FP time comes.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

Quick question... any young at heart WDW fans that visited back in the 70's or 80's ... do you remember when MK used to close?

 

[AngiTN]

Quick question... any young at heart WDW fans that visited back in the 70's or 80's ... do you remember when MK used to close?

I did visit in the 80's (before Epcot was open) but I do not remember when MK closed. I have a guidebook in my papers that may have the hours in it though

I know Universal closes at 9:00 most every day of the year and folks seem to survive. Not sure why Disney gets run through the coals for closing then (not that they do mind you, the hours will change but if they didn't, just saying, 9:00 isn't unusual in Theme Park realms)

 

[FCDub]

I did visit in the 80's (before Epcot was open) but I do not remember when MK closed. I have a guidebook in my papers that may have the hours in it though

I know Universal closes at 9:00 most every day of the year and folks seem to survive. Not sure why Disney gets run through the coals for closing then (not that they do mind you, the hours will change but if they didn't, just saying, 9:00 isn't unusual in Theme Park realms)

People (myself included) got real spoiled with the days of midnight closings (then add the THREE hours of EMH ... boy, those were so much fun)

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

I did visit in the 80's (before Epcot was open) but I do not remember when MK closed. I have a guidebook in my papers that may have the hours in it though

I know Universal closes at 9:00 most every day of the year and folks seem to survive. Not sure why Disney gets run through the coals for closing then (not that they do mind you, the hours will change but if they didn't, just saying, 9:00 isn't unusual in Theme Park realms)

I agree, WDW parks have the most extensive hours of any theme parks because they need to distribute the crowds... I do have a problem with some of the hard ticket events that they do when they exacerbate crowds. For instance during the month of Dec on non-MVMCP party days MK is an absolute madhouse especially at night. Maybe they could spread the parties out between all 4 parks.

 

[AngiTN]

The parties are a bit overboard without question. And obviously closing on party nights are exceptions too. I don't consider those regular park closing times. I know they must think they need this many parties to fill the need since most all of them are pretty dang full but it would be nice if they had fewer per week.

Everyone always wants everything at MK so I'm not even sure they'd go for a party NOT at MK either.
Though I've done an event at HS (for Star Wars) and loved it! They could do more for certain. Fewer at MK

 

[Alesia]

When I called Disney about the hours, the representayive I spoke with was surprised about the early hours. She said there are no special events that week. I book our vacation 6 months in advance every year and there was never an 8pm closing of MK that week at booking. I am hopeful they will extend the hours, but based on my conversation with the representative I don’t think I can count ont it.

Don't believe anything you hear from a phone CM

 

[RolloTomasi]

People (myself included) got real spoiled with the days of midnight closings (then add the THREE hours of EMH ... boy, those were so much fun)

Oh man, some of my favorite Disney memories are from the old E Ticket Nights in the 90s. My brother and I would spend the the last hour running back and forth between Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain and just walking straight on each time.

 

[Dan Murphy]

some of my favorite Disney memories are from the old E Ticket Nights in the 90s.

Good memories for sure. Really miss those E-nights.

 

[rajak73]

When I called Disney about the hours, the representayive I spoke with was surprised about the early hours. She said there are no special events that week. I book our vacation 6 months in advance every year and there was never an 8pm closing of MK that week at booking. I am hopeful they will extend the hours, but based on my conversation with the representative I don’t think I can count ont it.

Until this is confirmed by a bus driver, don't get to upset about hours.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Is an 8:00 close that big of a deal? If Disney believes the park will be busy, they will extend hours. If not, then rides will not have lines. I'd take an 8:00 close on a slow attendance day over an 11:00 close with hour long lines.

If 8:00 is reality, we would find a ride in the back of the park to enter just before 8, then stroll out and maybe catch the kiss goodnight(if that's still a thing). Once you get to the exit, it's close to 9-9:30 at the resort. Maybe some time to relax and take a dip in the pool, head to Disney Springs, or just get a longer night sleep.

 

[AngiTN]

Is an 8:00 close that big of a deal? If Disney believes the park will be busy, they will extend hours. If not, then rides will not have lines. I'd take an 8:00 close on a slow attendance day over an 11:00 close with hour long lines.

If 8:00 is reality, we would find a ride in the back of the park to enter just before 8, then stroll out and maybe catch the kiss goodnight(if that's still a thing). Once you get to the exit, it's close to 9-9:30 at the resort. Maybe some time to relax and take a dip in the pool, head to Disney Springs, or just get a longer night sleep.

Don't go trying to find silver linings. You'll ruin the vibe that Disney is all negative these days

But yeah, an 8:00 closing can be good. Get a good nights sleep for a change, ready for a really early morning

And yeah, they still do a Kiss Goodnight

 

[Sparkly]

People (myself included) got real spoiled with the days of midnight closings (then add the THREE hours of EMH ... boy, those were so much fun)

I always felt sorry for the CMs having to stay there until 3am then having to clean the park in 4 hours ready for the next day. The ones in Feb were always a ghost town by the end, no wonder they stopped them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

MK closes at 8 PM every night from January 1 (which any reasonable person knows will be extended prior to that date) through March 6. Every. Single. Night. Even MLK weekend and Winter Break. And Super Bowl Sunday. ZEro reason to think these are the finalized hours.

Or the OP could visit during the last 21 days of March.

 

[maxiesmom]

Quick question... any young at heart WDW fans that visited back in the 70's or 80's ... do you remember when MK used to close?

I remember when I started visiting in the late 90s, the only park that had fireworks every night was Epcot. Everybody packed into Epcot. It was rare that the Magic Kingdom was open late.