Dreams & Park Hours - October

[tiggerifictiggers]

I know I know .. pretty looooooong way off but I'm just so MEGA excited that I wondered if anyone knew or heard rumours whether Dreams will be running into October and if there's a chance they will keep the park open later considering it's their 20th anniversary this year (think it would usually close at 7pm in October).

 

[DLPDreams]

It has been confirmed that Dreams will run for the whole of the anniversary year for the very least - ie until April 2013. But, when you listen to Steve Davison, it seems that Dreams will be around a long time - he talks about changes to Dreams in the future and mentions 'seasonal' overlays can be used etc. Also, the infrastructure and technology invested for Dreams alone would make it financial suicide to pull it after one year.

However, how Dreams will continue after the 20th anniversary is yet to be decided. My bet, and it's *only my opinion* is that it will move to peak season showing only after the first year - ie summer/christmas. This is because to continue with Dreams all year round, the parks must be kept open very late in Spring etc as it must be dark for the effects. There is no way (again imo), that Disney will continue the extended hours every day - the cost in overheads must be enormous and I'm not sure financially it makes sense.

As for hours in October - really not sure. I don't think anyone knows for sure. Again, it will need to be dark for Dreams to show so perhaps a little later than the usual 7 pm closing. It really is a guestimate right now! Doesn't help with your planning though does it!

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

It has been confirmed that Dreams will run for the whole of the anniversary year for the very least - ie until April 2013. But, when you listen to Steve Davison, it seems that Dreams will be around a long time - he talks about changes to Dreams in the future and mentions 'seasonal' overlays can be used etc. Also, the infrastructure and technology invested for Dreams alone would make it financial suicide to pull it after one year.

However, how Dreams will continue after the 20th anniversary is yet to be decided. My bet, and it's *only my opinion* is that it will move to peak season showing only after the first year - ie summer/christmas. This is because to continue with Dreams all year round, the parks must be kept open very late in Spring etc as it must be dark for the effects. There is no way (again imo), that Disney will continue the extended hours every day - the cost in overheads must be enormous and I'm not sure financially it makes sense.
Also, I think the local residents would kick up a stink if they did. Am sure that's why the fireworks display is usually only Friday and Saturday nights.

As for hours in October - really not sure. I don't think anyone knows for sure. Again, it will need to be dark for Dreams to show so perhaps a little later than the usual 7 pm closing. It really is a guestimate right now!
Will keep my Disney planning fingers and toes crossed that they decide to open a little later than 7pm in October -- am only in Magic Kingdom for 1 day and Studios the next and have to leave Studios early to get the Eurostar so hoped to cram in as much as physically possible. I didn't know the parks don't open until 10am unless you have EMH which we dont

Doesn't help with your planning though does it!
Perhaps one day I'll learn not to be such a 'Monica' wanting to get it all planned so early

I'll be happy just to know Dreams will be hanging around when I'm there in October. Halloween decs PLUS Dreams -- what more could a girl ask for :

Will just have to try and be patient until the park schedule goes up approx. August time. (patience is not my strongest point lol)

 

[DLPDreams]

I know, I'm the same for June - we are all manically planning on here, thinking the parade will be 7pm but watch, they'll change it just before we go. Often the actual schedule is only produced the week you are going! !

Then there is my November trip to think about - but I'm just taking that one as it comes right now .

As for the fireworks, it was explained again by God aka Steve Davison lmao that the pyrotechnics in Dreams aren't proper fireworks or something like that - they are the same effect but don't give off the loud noises that fireworks do. I'm no expert on this stuff but that was what was said. Hence, they were able to get around the covenant that they are not allowed fireworks every night which no doubt pleases the locals .

ETA - you do know you can go into the park a little earlier don't you? You can have a browse around Main Street - grab a coffee/shop etc. You just can't access the 'lands' with rides until 10 am rope drop. HTH

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

I know, I'm the same for June - we are all manically planning on here, thinking the parade will be 7pm but watch, they'll change it just before we go. Often the actual schedule is only produced the week you are going! !

Then there is my November trip to think about - but I'm just taking that one as it comes right now .

As for the fireworks, it was explained again by God aka Steve Davison lmao that the pyrotechnics in Dreams aren't proper fireworks or something like that - they are the same effect but don't give off the loud noises that fireworks do. I'm no expert on this stuff but that was what was said. Hence, they were able to get around the covenant that they are not allowed fireworks every night which no doubt pleases the locals .

ETA - you do know you can go into the park a little earlier don't you? You can have a browse around Main Street - grab a coffee/shop etc. You just can't access the 'lands' with rides until 10 am rope drop. HTH

Sounds like you have my luck, just get it all sorted / planned then they change something or a ride is closed and everything has to be re-jigged

Wow June AND November you're going ... You're sooo lucky!

Parade schedule a week before Argh my evil counterpart 'Miss Organised' will not cope well with getting the parade schedule only a week before. please oh please Disney put it up earlier than that!!

Again, something I didn't know about the fireworks, fireworks but without the loud noises -- very very clever way to keep the locals happy.

I know you can go into the Studios at 9.30 and have to wait til 10 rope drop (i'll be running straight for Tower of Terror) but is this also for Magic Kingdom? Will be so cool if we can!! Don't suppose you know what time the ticket booths open as I need to exchange our Sky vouchers for actual tickets before park opening. Bet I can't exchange the next days at the same time can I? I'll have to queue again at the ticket booth the following day won't I?

 

[DLPDreams]

I'm really sorry but I don't know what time the ticket booth open, we've never bought tickets separately (always a package and this year we have APs ).

Maybe someone else can help on that? Obviously you need your ticket to enter the park though. But I've seen others there early on waiting at rope drop so you must be able to get them early!?

Also, not sure about the Sky deal??? Sorry! There is no harm in asking if you can exchange on day one for both days .

Hope someone else can help you .

PS - Yes, we've not been to DLRP for 2 years so are doing 2 trips this year - always wanted to go for Christmas and my DD1 might be too old to believe in the man in the big red coat next year so wanted to do something nice this year

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

Another person with APs ... I'm seriously considering getting APs for next time!! Do you know if you get EMH with those even if you're staying off-site?

I bet it's awesome at Christmas!! Awww it's so sad when kids grow up and no longer believe in Santa but then it's all part of them growing up. Still you never grow out of Mickey. I've been to WDW during Christmas and that was AMAZING but I've never seen Halloween decs and have always wanted to so am looking forward to those this year and also this will be my first trip to DLP so double excitement.

 

[A Small World]

Another person with APs ... I'm seriously considering getting APs for next time!! Do you know if you get EMH with those even if you're staying off-site?

I bet it's awesome at Christmas!! Awww it's so sad when kids grow up and no longer believe in Santa but then it's all part of them growing up. Still you never grow out of Mickey. I've been to WDW during Christmas and that was AMAZING but I've never seen Halloween decs and have always wanted to so am looking forward to those this year and also this will be my first trip to DLP so double excitement.

Yes if you have the Dream AP or I think the Fantasy AP now as well you get EMH even if off site.

I thought the Sky tickets were just one day tickets - if you have managed to get 2 days I wouldnt have thought you would be able to change both at the same time as it would be letting them know you have more than 1 voucher - I might be wrong on this though as not really taken much notice of them

You mentioned earlier about only having fireworks on Fridays and Saturdays - this isnt right .They only have the fireworks during summer season and a few other special days but they are on everyday during the summer

 

[DLPDreams]

I honestly think APs are a no brainer if staying off site - ours were cheaper than buying a 5 day ticket (even with a 5 days for the price of 4 deal that they were doing!). Or, even onsite if doing more than one trip in a year.

Small World is correct, at one time (until recently) you only got EMH with a Dream AP or if you were staying in a Disney Hotel. However, they changed the Fantasy AP terms and you now get EMH as well. Only issue with Fantasy is you have blackout days where the pass can't be used. During our June trip I think there were 2 days where we wouldn't have been able to use it, so although cheaper, it was no use to us. So we paid extra and bought Dream APs.

We only bought them in Feb through CEMultiavantages (French site) and even considering the cost of 3 APs (our youngest DD2's AP was free!), we are quids in already with them. We got a good room only rate on a Disney hotel and the money we saved buying them through CE rather than Disney (we saved 100 euros on the 3 APs) meant we are in positive equity before even getting to Disney. I was also working out our meal costs last night and I think the APs are going to save us around £197!

Not sure why I didn't look at it years ago!

If you want more info on APs have a look at the dedicated section on DLRPMagic.com site. It gives a really good explanation of it all.

I saw the halloween decs in 2008 and they were truly amazing - I do believe they have scaled back a fair bit now but I'm sure it will be still be fab! Yes, Christmas trip is very exciting - not sure where we are staying yet but it will be a Disney hotel . If we can afford it we'll go for the DLH as at that time of year, being on the doorstep will pay dividends I think .

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

Sorry SmallWorld .. I stand corrected about the fireworks (wasn't 100% sure) Well you never know with it being the year of Dreams that they may decide to continue Dreams every day through to the end of 2012 (especially in October when I'll be there tee hee) -- I can live in hope Especially as they're not quite fireworks so to speak. You also make a very valid point about exchanging two days worth of tickets. Guess I'll be queuing up again the following day.

DLPDreams .. thanks for the link, will definately have a look into it - sounds awesome. May even consider it for this forthcoming trip and not even use our free Sky tickets .. will need to weigh up costs etc. If not for this trip, definately for the next! Sounds worth it and sounds like you're gonna save yourself heaps!!

 

[jothp]

We bought our annual passes last August because it worked out cheaper to buy the passes and pay to stay offsite than it would have cost for a Disney package. So they had paid for themselves before we even got there. We also got a good room only hotel rate this time and will save plenty on food and souvenirs. Having said that I'm not sure it would be worth you buying APs when you have free tickets already.

 

[DLPDreams]

Oh I agree, wouldn't buy if you have park tickets already, but something to consider for future. Read you are becoming a shareholder so you do get 15% off APs as you know. We used CE Multi as at the time it was 25% off plus the under 7 year old free offer so saved us more money doing it that way and we weren't shareholders then . I haven't looked for a while but don't think the AP offer with CE is as good now....

Dreams is definitely on for the rest of 2012 and right into April 2013. It has been confirmed so don't worry about that . What Small World was talking about was fireworks like the Wishes/Enchanted 'proper' fireworks displays which are kept for high season/summer.

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

Yes I'm the very proud owner of 20 Euro Disney shares And yep just found out shareholders get 15% off APs which is an awesome saving So that'll be another shareholder squeezing into Salon Mickey's for pastry and a drink

Defo gonna think about APs for next year especially if we love DLP as much as we do WDW which knowing what a Dis nut I am I'm sure I will

Fab news Dreams has been confirmed to run right through!! Is that EVERY night Dreams) (I'm only there on Wednesday and Thursday night).

Sorry but what is CE Multi?

 

[jothp]

cemultiavantages is a website which offers annual passes at discounted rates. You have to pay E20 membership but then you can get the passes cheaper and they also offer a pass for a child under 7 free when you buy an adult pass.

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks Jo . I had mentioned CE Multiavantages earlier in the thread (and typed it out in full!) and it is such a pain to type I tend to shorten once I've used it in full once!!

Yes, it is every night until April 2013 - or so I believe....

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

Doh! Sorry I obviously overlooked what the CE Multi was. Forgive me? (I'm not the brightest match in the box )

Thanks Jo for the re-confirmation

 

[jothp]

Thanks Jo . I had mentioned CE Multiavantages earlier in the thread (and typed it out in full!) and it is such a pain to type I tend to shorten once I've used it in full once!!

Yes, it is every night until April 2013 - or so I believe....

Doh! Sorry I obviously overlooked what the CE Multi was. Forgive me? (I'm not the brightest match in the box )

Thanks Jo for the re-confirmation

glad to be of help.