December hours.

[Rainasunshine]

Is it just me or are the hours shorter this December? Last year we went the week that is equivalent to the 10-14 of this year and all but one day had midnight closings. And I think it was for the cm Christmas party. This year it seems the closings are around nine and gradually work up to midnight. Any clue why this is or am I just crazy?

 

[Malcon10t]

Last year, the week of 12/5-12/7 (M-W) the hours were 9am-9pm, Thurs 12/8 was 9-11, F-Sun 8-12a. Same for 12/12-18.

Hours appear similar this year.

 

[Rainasunshine]

Okay so I am just crazy
Hahah thank you for clearing that up

 

[C&B Young]

You're right, Rainasunshine. The hours are reduced vs. the comparable week last year. I've got last year's hours on my calendar for this year, here's the comparison:

Sunday Dec 9 2012 - DL 8-12, DCA 8-10
Sunday Dec 11 2011 - DL 8-12, DCA 10-9

Monday Dec 10 2012 - DL 9-9, DCA 9-8
Monday Dec 12 2011 - DL 8-6 (CM party), DCA 10-9

Tuesday Dec 11 2012 - DL 9-9, DCA 9-8
Tuesday Dec 13 2011 - DL 8-12, DCA 10-8

Wednesday Dec 12 2012 - DL 9-10, DCA 9-9
Wednesday Dec 14 2011 - DL 8-12, DCA 10-9

Thursday Dec 13 2012 - DL 9-10, DCA 9-9
Thursday Dec 15 2011 - DL 8-12, DCA 10-9

Also last year Fantasmic! was twice nightly on the Wed & Thursday, and World of Color was twice nightly all week long.

We had picked this week because of last year's expanded schedule, but unfortunately it hasn't materialized as of yet for 2012. Hopefully it means Disney is expecting the parks to be less crowded?

 

[Rainasunshine]

We went the last year and it was really nice long park hours (like I thought) and no crowds. So we picked the comparable week for this year hoping for the same hours. I'm hoping it's not crowded but we aren't sure how things will pan out with the dca remodel. :/
Maybe we will see each other!

 

[Disney Dreams]

You're right, Rainasunshine. The hours are reduced vs. the comparable week last year....We had picked this week because of last year's expanded schedule, but unfortunately it hasn't materialized as of yet for 2012.

If you go through the dates and times you have posted above and add everything up (which I just did), you have two less park hours TOTAL over the entire five day period of your trip. That's it. Two hours. I would not consider that a significant difference or one that would affect your trip much.

Sunday Dec 9 2012 - DL 8-12, DCA 8-10
Sunday Dec 11 2011 - DL 8-12, DCA 10-9
+3 in 2012

Monday Dec 10 2012 - DL 9-9, DCA 9-8
Monday Dec 12 2011 - DL 8-6 (CM party), DCA 10-9
+2 in 2012

Tuesday Dec 11 2012 - DL 9-9, DCA 9-8
Tuesday Dec 13 2011 - DL 8-12, DCA 10-8
-3 in 2012

Wednesday Dec 12 2012 - DL 9-10, DCA 9-9
Wednesday Dec 14 2011 - DL 8-12, DCA 10-9
-2 in 2012

Thursday Dec 13 2012 - DL 9-10, DCA 9-9
Thursday Dec 15 2011 - DL 8-12, DCA 10-9
-2 in 2012

Hopefully it means Disney is expecting the parks to be less crowded?

With Carsland and Buena Vista Street still bringing in LOTS of guests, I would not hold too much hope in that theory. Sorry. Again, however, it's only a difference of two hours.

- Dreams

 

[C&B Young]

The total # of hours difference doesn't really concern me - I would prefer those hours to be at park closing vs. opening personally, but my real concern is the lack of WOC and Fantasmic.

 

[sheetz]

The lost couple of hours/week could make a difference this year since crowds are expected to be up significantly over last year. However, this doesn't take into account the new EMH and shift in crowds over to DCA so we'll just have to see what happens. Park hours can be adjusted at the last minute if necessary.