Do restaurants in parks stay open later than the closing time for park?

[ten822]

I am particularly interested in knowing about Epcot and AK? For example, if on the day I am going to AK, and it closes at 6pm, can I make a dinner reservation at 6pm to maximize my time in the park since it closes so early? Or, in the world showcase, if I am still in a restaurant at closing, do they rush you out?? Anyone have experience with this? Also, will the online reservation system know what time the park closes that day and only give appropriate times (it won't give a 7pm ADR for Y&Y if they close the park at 6pm that day?)?

 

[figment_jii]

I am particularly interested in knowing about Epcot and AK? For example, if on the day I am going to AK, and it closes at 6pm, can I make a dinner reservation at 6pm to maximize my time in the park since it closes so early? Or, in the world showcase, if I am still in a restaurant at closing, do they rush you out?? Anyone have experience with this? Also, will the online reservation system know what time the park closes that day and only give appropriate times (it won't give a 7pm ADR for Y&Y if they close the park at 6pm that day?)?

Most of the restaurants will have ADR times up to about 5-15 minutes before the park closes. Sometimes the Epcot TS locations will have times past closing if the park is open for EMH.

In WS, they won't rush you out if you have a late ADR. My experience is that meals tend to move a little faster because the restaurant isn't as crowded. I suppose at some point the kitchen will want to close up so they'll come around and ask if you have anything else you'd like to order, but it's not going to happen right at park closing. I've had meals that started about 30 minutes before the park closes and I haven't felt rushed.

Yes, the online system "knows" when the park closes, so it's not going to offer you an ADR time that is well past the park closing times. However, the system might offer times that are during EMH or special events (like MNSSHP). I don't think you need to be an onsite guest to have an ADR during EMH. You do need a ticket for the special event (like MNSSHP or MVMCP) if you want to dine during the event.

 

[TDC Nala]

They will not rush you out of the restaurant, but you will be expected to exit the park when you leave the restaurant without too much lingering. How much they'll guide you to the exit probably has to do with how far past park closing it is when you leave.

 

[BSil]

We had that happen in Epcot twice 2 years ago. We ate at Japan where they cook in front of you, and once at Germany. The park was well closed when we finished. We were escorted to the front both nights.