Confused about hours

[petunia]

I just checked my MK hours for mid August (13) and it says 9-9, then shows Happily Ever After at 9, then Water Parade at 1030? What can we do in between, I cant imagine fireworks will be 1.5 hrs?

 

[Robo]

I just checked my MK hours for mid August (13) and it says 9-9, then shows Happily Ever After at 9, then Water Parade at 1030? What can we do in between, I cant imagine fireworks will be 1.5 hrs?

The fireworks can be presented at "park closing time" if they want to do so.
(IllumiNations begins at Epcot's "closing time" virtually every night of the year.)

The "water parade" (Electrical Water Pageant) does not take place AT the MK at all.
It's on the lake (Seven Seas Lagoon) outside the MK gates, so MK "closing time" has no effect of that performance, anyway.
If you've never seen it, don't spend too much time trying to see it.
It's really only 6 minutes of "not much."
(I see it where we're there, but it's not a big thing at all.)

ALL THAT SAID...

The hours that you see posted now will be adjusted (added to on many nights) as the actual
dates get closer. (It's FAR too early for them to have the accurate hours posted.)
They often change... sometimes more than once... within 14-40 days before.
So... just keep checking and rechecking as your dates approach.
(I mean right up until the day-of.)

 

[petunia]

The fireworks can be presented at "park closing time" if they want to do so.
(IllumiNations begins at Epcot's "closing time" virtually every night of the year.)

The "water parade" (Electrical Water Pageant) does not take place AT the MK at all.
It's on the lake (Seven Seas Lagoon) outside the MK gates, so MK "closing time" has no effect of that performance, anyway.
If you've never seen it, don't spend too much time trying to see it.
It's really only 6 minutes of "not much."
(I see it where we're there, but it's not a big thing at all.)

ALL THAT SAID...

The hours that you see posted now will be adjusted (added to on many nights) as the actual
dates get closer. (It's FAR too early for them to have the accurate hours posted.)
They often change... sometimes more than once... within 14-40 days before.
So... just keep checking and rechecking as your dates approach.
(I mean right up until the day-of.)

Ok, thanks, I thought in August 9 was early for MK, is there a guide like, usually Saturdays are this closing time etc?

 

[Robo]

Ok, thanks, I thought in August 9 was early for MK, is there a guide like, usually Saturdays are this closing time etc?

There's no reliable "standard" to which the hours will adhere.

You can guess and estimate based on nearby months' hours and past years' hours...
but, a guess is not going to help if they decide to do something else.
(And, they often do.)

Disney has decided that they don't need to post actual hours until about a month, give or take, in advance.
Not a GOOD thing, but it's THEIR thing.

 

[Hopefully]

Ok, thanks, I thought in August 9 was early for MK, is there a guide like, usually Saturdays are this closing time etc?

No
As Robo explains Disney only now updates actual hours about 2-6 weeks in advance.
Where have you ever seen a 90 minute fireworks show?

 

[travelgirl77]

If I may piggyback on this...if Disney changes their hours, do the EMH parks usually remain the same? I have a lot of ADRs dependent on hours and EMHs

 

[FoxC63]

If I may piggyback on this...if Disney changes their hours, do the EMH parks usually remain the same? I have a lot of ADRs dependent on hours and EMHs

No. Talking from experience here too. We had breakfast ADR's in October at MK one week before our trip the park hours were changed from 9am to 7am. They also removed EMH from one park and put it on another park.

EDIT: HS/AK

 

[DaisyJ]

If I may piggyback on this...if Disney changes their hours, do the EMH parks usually remain the same? I have a lot of ADRs dependent on hours and EMHs

No, which is why planning a trip has become so frustrating. Having the rug pulled out from under your plans two weeks before your trip is inexcusable, but disney continues to do it.

 

[FoxC63]

@travelgirl77 Do yourself a favor and keep on eye on your MDE account for time changes before and most importantly during your trip. Check them in the morning as others have mentioned some changes occurred while they were sleeping.

 

[newestkg06]

This is one plus of going during a low crowd time. The hours may change a bit (and EMH did for us last time too about 3 months out, super frustrating with ADR's!!!), but it seems like it's mostly the higher crowd times (summer, holidays, holiday weekends, ec.) that tend to extend hours more. Maybe they have the attitude that people will be more upset if they cut back on hours than if they extend them at short notice?

 

[Robo]

Maybe they have the attitude that people will be more upset if they cut back on hours than if they extend them at short notice?

There is an alternative to that.

Set decent and attractive length of hours per day.
Post them well in advance, so guests can plan.
And, if fewer guests than anticipated show up...
keep the same hours as promised and DON'T cut 'em.

 

[FoxC63]

Well said @Robo

 

[TexasPete]

Amen @Robo