Changing Park Hours/EMHs

[kbmartin]

Good morning, Disboarders!

My DH and I are going to WDW for the second year in a row mid-August. I am the kind of person who plans every day out in a Word document, timing down to a T. I did the same thing last year, making our reservations and ADRs over Spring Break (which I just started again now). Unfortunately, over the summer, Disney changed their EMHs, which affected which park we were going to be in each day and thus it greatly affected my ADRs! I had to change almost every one, which was a huge pain.

I know that park hours and EMHs can change at any time, but is it a common thing for them to change each summer or each year? I don't want to go through all the work of making ADRs if the park hours or EMHs are likely to change in a couple of months.

BTW, I think it would be very unlikely that Free Dining would be offered during our stay. So, at least we don't have that to worry about! If it was likely, I would still make the ADRs, 100%.

Thank you for your help!

 

[Hopefully]

Park hours and EMH can and do change all the time. I think it is less likely that EMH days will change, but hours do change based on predicted crowd levels.
Good Luck

 

[Robo]

Park hours and EMH can and do change all the time. I think it is less likely that EMH days will change, but hours do change based on predicted crowd levels.
Good Luck

Ditto.

The early-posted park hours change EVERY SINGLE MONTH, and have done so for years.

 

[Reddog1134]

I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago. I'm all for changing park hours because they are almost always extended. However, they shifted the EMH hours to different days and I had to change my ADR's to match my new plan. Luckily, I got the same ADR's for almost the same times.

 

[kbmartin]

I guess I was wondering more about EMHs than park hours. When the EMHs are early, we go to that park for the EMH and then hop to another park for the rest of the day. For evening ones, we spend almost the entire day at a different park and then hop over to the park with EMHs just before they start. It's just so frustrating when you have your whole trip planned and then Disney switches them around. So they really don't change them at a consistent time each year? It's really completely random when they decide to change them?

 

[LaurenT]

They do change EMH, but this happens far less frequently than park hours (which, btw, are more often than not extended as opposed to shortened). I was pretty upset last year when they made huge changes to EMH within the 60 day fp booking period. I even emailed them, which I've only done once before. They were very apologetic and said they were working to make sure changes didn't happen within the two month window in the future.

 

[jjsdad]

I am also bummed about the changes to EMH's evenings. They used to do MK Fridays and Sundays and now it is on Saturdays the one day we won't be there. I don't see that changing. I do however expect them to extend MK hours for August as they have it closing every day at 10.

 

[Stacey012345]

So just for a perspective based on last year, can anyone speak to what shifted in July & August in terms of park hours? Was it the opening made earlier than 9am, or the park hours extended to stay open later? Most concerned about pre-park opening ADRs being impacted, so just curious what to expect.

 

[Robo]

So just for a perspective based on last year, can anyone speak to what shifted in July & August in terms of park hours? Was it the opening made earlier than 9am, or the park hours extended to stay open later? Most concerned about pre-park opening ADRs being impacted, so just curious what to expect.

Park hours extended to stay open later.

 

[Stacey012345]

Park hours extended to stay open later.

Good news, thanks!

 

[mousehockey37]

They do change EMH, but this happens far less frequently than park hours (which, btw, are more often than not extended as opposed to shortened). I was pretty upset last year when they made huge changes to EMH within the 60 day fp booking period. I even emailed them, which I've only done once before. They were very apologetic and said they were working to make sure changes didn't happen within the two month window in the future.

Unfortunately when they do make a change it will ALWAYS occur within someone's 60 day window. Maybe not yours, but some one will be affected by it. It all comes down to "when" they announce the change. If they can let guests know 6+ months in advance, that's a little better than 60 days, but any change will always wind up inconveniencing someone.

 

[Robo]

Unfortunately when they do make a change it will ALWAYS occur within someone's 60 day window. Maybe not yours, but some one will be affected by it. It all comes down to "when" they announce the change. If they can let guests know 6+ months in advance, that's a little better than 60 days, but any change will always wind up inconveniencing someone.

I don't understand your logic.

If they announce changes ONLY 6+ months in advance, they cannot be "ALWAYS" in someone's 60 day window.

 

[LaurenT]

As Robo said - if they change the schedule for June 15th today, that won't be in anyone's FP window. As long as everyone checks before their booking window starts, they'll be ok (of course this will still affect ADRs, but that's always be an idsue. The 60 day issue is new since FP+ started)

 

[mousehockey37]

I don't understand your logic.

If they announce changes ONLY 6+ months in advance, they cannot be "ALWAYS" in someone's 60 day window.

Alright, I thought it was pretty straight forward, guess not.

If family A has a trip in October and Disney changes the hours in September, that is within their 60 day window. If family B has a trip planned for December and the hours are changed in September, that is NOT inside their 60 day window.

Basically, Disney pulled one on families that had already booked vacations, but this will always happen. They will release info when they want to release it, not to when guests actually need it or could use it when planning a trip.

 

[Robo]

Alright, I thought it was pretty straight forward, guess not.

If family A has a trip in October and Disney changes the hours in September, that is within their 60 day window. If family B has a trip planned for December and the hours are changed in September, that is NOT inside their 60 day window.

Basically, Disney pulled one on families that had already booked vacations, but this will always happen. They will release info when they want to release it, not to when guests actually need it or could use it when planning a trip.

Now, you're changing what you said.

- If they can let guests know 6+ months in advance, that's a little better than 60 days, but any change will always wind up inconveniencing someone.

If (as you say) Disney makes the changes at 6+ months in advance, they are NOT making the changes during someone's 60 day window.
It is not possible.

Unfortunately when they do make a change it will ALWAYS occur within someone's 60 day window.

I'm assessing that part or your statement.

 

[mousehockey37]

Now, you're changing what you said.



If (as you say) Disney makes the changes at 6+ months in advance, they are NOT making the changes during someone's 60 day window.
It is not possible.



I'm assessing that part or your statement.

I'm changing nothing. Whenever Disney makes a change, it will always be during someone's window. It sucks if you planned a vacation and last minute Disney makes a change and it affects your plans, but it happens.

 

[mousehockey37]

It's like the MNSSHP last year. They sold tickets for the party throughout the summer, and then, at the last minute before the first party, they added the Soiree. That was inside the 60 day window, so it's not like this is something new. Disney will change things when they want, and it will upset people but you just need to learn to deal with it. It's business.