Chipping away at the MAGIC

[DVC-Landbaron]

I threw together a quick list of everything I could think of that either closes early or opens late and in some cases BOTH!! I was shocked to see that my list reached an even dozen in my first pass!! There are probably more (I can't think of anything from the Studios offhand). Anyway, can anyone else add to the list?

1. All of Adventureland (opens late)
2. Carousel of Progress
3. The Enchanted Tiki Room
4. ToonTown
5. The Timekeeper (Now gone)
6. All of World Showcase (opens late)
7. Food Rocks
8. The Circle of Life
9. The Living Seas
10. Cranium Command
11. The American Adventure
12. Kali River Rapids

Pretty sad, isn't it?

 

[mrtoadslastride]

Doesn't all of Asia open an hour later at Animal Kingdom?

 

[Basefoot]

Doesn't "Honey I shrunk the kid's" playgound close early at Disney studios?

 

[IASW Rider]

I believe that Tom Sawyer's Island may close earlier than the rest of the MK, but then again, perhaps it always closed earlier than the rest of the MK (?!).

 

[d-r]

I remember Tom Sawyer Island always closing at dusk, but then I also remember being on tom sawyer island during the middle of the night for grad night in the 80s.

FWIW, river country is now closed most of the time, and discovery island is closed all of the time.

DR

 

[DC7800]

As per my Disney-MGM Studios July 15-28, 2001 Guidemap:

- Honey I shrunk the Kids playground does indeed clsoe at 7 p.m. (Why?)
- Many Studios attractions are really "shows", which have their last showing well before park closing (10 p.m. in these examples): Indiana Jones at 7:30, Beauty & The Beast at 5:15. I don't want to make too big a deal of these limited showings, since cast & other demands for the shows often limit showtimes. Indeed, I mention this issue only because of all the other attractions closed for no apparent reason (other than $).

Over at the MK, Tom Sawyer Island has always closed at dusk (except perhaps for special events, such as grad nights). I can understand why Disney might reasonably not want people on the island after dark. My real problem with all these different schedules for attractions is that no one can possibly keep track of it all. This almost guarantees some guests getting disappointed at the end of the day (or worse, the end of their vacation).

 

[gary]

Tom Sawyer's Island has always closed at sunset at both Disneyland and MK. We don't need to discuss "fairness" of each of these closings, but considering how the island is used (as a kid playground), I think it's reasonable. I think artificial lighting all over the island would seriously detract from the feel of the place, and letting kids run around there in the dark would be downright dangerous (plus, at DL, it's used for Fantasmic).

I don't really think it's fair to include "permanently closed" attractions (e.g., Discovery Island) with time-limited ones. If that's the case, why not put Toadie and Horizons on the list as well (Devil's Advocate says "because something took or is taking their place").

I noticed the reference was to "ToonTown". Is this the DL ToonTown, or the MK Toontown fair? (Are we limiting to WDW, or is DL included?)

Kali River Rapids opening late I don't understand, considering the limited number of rides in Animal Kingdom. But it made me think - Splash Mountain often opens late at DL - what about MK? (I don't remember, because I usually don't rush to it first thing in the morning - and that may be why it opens late, if everyone else acts similarly).

I also notice that 1/2 of the list is Epcot. I'd hate to say it, but maybe it's time to consider a major Epcot renovation rather than building another gate. I'm sure that comment will win me many friends. In future world, I still like the Spaceship Earth and the Land, but the others seem to be getting a bit "dated". (Note: I liked horizons too, but I guess I was in the minority). Test Track is okay when it's up. Many of the "permanent" attractions (i.e., not the shows) in World Showcase seem dated.

Gary

 

[Planogirl]

What about restaurants? And I don't mean those closed for good! Don't many of the eating places in Animal Kingdom close down well before park closing? I seem to recall that the Diamond Horseshoe closes early too.