Does anybody know why the MK has extended hours 2/11- 2/14??

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, I am hoping for a quickie long weekend trip during this time, as I always thought it was a "slower" time to go. Then I checked out the MK calendar and the hours are like til 11 pm on these nights. To me, it seems like maybe they are expecting larger crowds???

I just don't want to waste a trip during what I thought would be a GREAT time to go and be disappointed by a large crowd level.

Does anybody know what is up? Why extended hours this weekend? I managed to get into the Poly with AP rates, had a choice of several others, however NOTHING available with or without AP discount at the GF. That makes me a bit concerned.

I am on the fence about going!! Any ideas??? Thanks!!

 

[disneyleslie]

I think it's president's day weekend so more people go then

 

[glencoe]

From what I have seen MK only has extended hours on Sun.2/13 (9-9) and Fri. 2/19 from 9-11pm. I have not seen any extended hours at MK beyond that so far.(if you have seen it let me know where!!) Also Pres. week does not officially start till 2/21 (the weekend before would be 2/19-2/18)-Disney does not consider Peak time for resorts to start till 2/17. Hope that helps. From what I am reading, Disney is pretty full all the time! LOL Enjoy!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Here in the Great State of Illinois - February 11 is a state holiday. Abe's Birthday, Illinois Favorite Son.

 

[n2mm]

Sorry to say, but the hours will get extended when resort capacity goes up. Low capacity, shorter hours; higher capacity later hours. This is their way to accommodate more people and the longer wait times for attractions. Guess more people are heading to WDW for a romantic weekend and taking advantage of the value rates before peak rates go into effect.

 

[zippehsmom]

Well in Michigan, alot of schools in Oakland COunty have the week of 14th off for Midwinter break. Maybe other schools have similar breaks. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks for the replies, guys! I am SO on the fence. The last two trips we made were in August and then Thanksgiving - so I was really looking forward to a nice slow season trip. It is very hard with an 8th grader - to get there during low times. I would be pulling him out for 2/3 days. I certainly don't want to do that if it won't be worth it.

As for where I saw the hours, it is posted on the disneyworld website calendar for MK. The MK is open until 10pm 2/11, 11 pm on 2/12, and 10 pm the two next nights.

Ugh...I just don't know. I miss the old days when going in January and February meant an empty main street and no waits on the rides.

I am going to try my luck at making some PSs. That may clue me in as to how the crowds are!!

Thanks!!

 

[QueenOfCelts]

UH-OH Here is your answer I bet................I found this on the internet.

Congratulations to you and your squad for qualifying for the 2005 National High School Cheerleading Championship, February 11-15, 2005. The championship will be held at the Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Wide World of Sports™ Complex at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida.

http://www.varsity.com/index.asp?article=1765

 

[LSUDis]

Is that when ESPN comes to Disneyworld? It seems like that is around that week.

 

[kilee]

Truthfully, the park hours are usually only extended when higher crowds are anticipated. HOWEVER, I don't know that it means it's going to be mobbed though. President's Day weekend isn't until the following week. The only thing is people may start showing up early trying to get a jump on their President's Day trips, lower airfare, and lower hotel rates.

As for the Cheerleading competitions. I've been twice when they're going on. Other than at the resorts, they are so busy you don't see too much of them in the parks. When we did see them it was after dinner time.

 

[Sandyincanada]

UH-OH Here is your answer I bet................I found this on the internet.

Congratulations to you and your squad for qualifying for the 2005 National High School Cheerleading Championship, February 11-15, 2005. The championship will be held at the Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Wide World of Sports™ Complex at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida.

http://www.varsity.com/index.asp?article=1765

oh no, lol. We usually go in Jan and always hit these and everytime Indiana Jones has been close to accomodate them. I thought we would be safe this time and actually get to see the show.......wonder if I'll get my 4th picture of me standing beside and pointing to the closed sign LOL

 

[Aquagirl]

ESPN Weekend is the 25th-27th

 

[26555]

I did the same thing, looked at Feb and carefully planned around Mardi Gras and Pres weekend only to find out Feb 12-20 lots of Northern schools have off so those poor people can get a break from the snow! I'm mostly disappointed that wishes has been moved too late for me to keep the kids up to see it. This was the most "offseason" trip we had planned so if wishes is too late on this trip, not sure we'll ever get to see it. I don't think it will be crazy crowded. Off-season at Disney is getting more obscure.

 

[Brian Noble]

As more and more guidebooks suggest pulling kids out of school, there will be less and less of an offseason. Just the way it is.

Plus, with the snow we've been getting, even being in a park with wall-to-wall people on President's day at 2:30 in the afternoon will be better than being here!

 

[rich4949]

My guess is that its the weekend of valentine's day. I'm sure they are expecting heavier local traffic at MK. But on the other hand, you'll probably see smaller crowds at the other parks.

 

[harmony29]

I can chime in that yes, most of the Northern/Midwest states are on what is called "mid-winter break". When I worked vacation travel at an agency, it was always known stay away from the 2nd and 3rd (president's week) weeks of February. Even looking at airfare, it's horrible that time of the year as everyone makes their way down there. Curious though, does anyone know if the first week in March is terribly busy?