Extended hrs at MK for Apr --- typical for grad nite weeks?

[ms.ojo]

They've extended the hours at MK during the last 2 weeks of April and added SpectroMagic shows!!!! But has this been done before for grad nite weeks???

I had been hoping they'd just add Spectro on Thurs 4/48 or Mon 5/2.....but instead, they've apparently added them every night for the last 2 wks of April (except the weekend grad nites) AND 2x/night on each of those Mondays. That's where my apprehension comes in....are they adding that many more as crowds are predicted to be really high??!!!! Or is this something they typically do to make up for MK closing early 4 nites the end of April for grad nites? I didn't think they offered Spectro nightly unless it was a VERY high attendance time.

Hoping you experienced DISers can give me some insight.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

My guess would be high attendance.

 

[ms.ojo]

According to the guidebooks and such, they don't offer Spectro nightly unless it's a very high attendance period like Christmas, Easter, etc. And I can't believe those last 2 wks of April have suddenly become THAT busy. Even w/ the upcoming celebration in May. Really???

Obviously we'll deal w/ crowds if that's the case....but would really like to hear from someone who was there during grad night week s last year. Anyone???

 

[ms.ojo]

bump

 

[princess lovers mom]

where did you see the change in the spectro schedule...I cannot find that on any of the sites that I visit

 

[shafke]

I am expecting higher than normal crowds for the last couple of weeks in Apr. due to school breaks in the area here. Definitely not as busy as Easter and probably not as busy as say President's week but busy none the less.

 

[Princess Wannabe]

Thank GOODNESS for this board!!!

I had NO idea they had extended the hours; I had everything already set up in my Excel planning sheet, for the last week of April, and if it weren't for this board, and this particular post, I would have NOT had this information! This changes some of our plans, so I am so grateful for the information!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

 

[ms.ojo]

where did you see the change in the spectro schedule...I cannot find that on any of the sites that I visit

At the official Disney site: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/parkhours/index?id=MKCalendarParkHoursMonthlyViewPage You click on the date and it opens up a small dialog box showing the parade & FW times for that day

Surpisingly the DIS hours page has added the extended park hours...but not the add'l Spectro showings.

 

[ms.ojo]

Thank GOODNESS for this board!!!

I had NO idea they had extended the hours; I had everything already set up in my Excel planning sheet, for the last week of April, and if it weren't for this board, and this particular post, I would have NOT had this information! This changes some of our plans, so I am so grateful for the information!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Glad it helps! I too found a post on this yesterday and had to update my plans. Funny thing, in checking the DIS hours it showed the later MK nights and I was at first bummed that they added hours, but not Spectro! Then I went to the official Disney site for park hours and voila! There were a TON of extra Spectro showings.

So, now I'm just trying to get a feel for if this happened last yr during grad nights...but so far, no one seems to have any knowledge of that. oh well, maybe somebody will see this later today and have an answer. if not, at least the post has helped make more people aware of the changes. And yes, I suspect part of the reason is higher crowds, seems like tourism is back up at the World!!! But I'm also hopeful it has something to do w/ Grad nites. Just optimistic I guess.

 

[HPHILBIN]

We've been there the last weekend of April a couple of times and were surprised at the crowds. Last year, there were spring breaks for the North East as well as some sort of break for the UK. There were lots of people from overseas.

You may get lucky with the hours, when we've been, the MK has closed at 6:00 for grad night. We've been able to see the fireworks from WL, but it was closed to those not there for grad night.

Also, there have been additional speakers and stages set up throughout MK - especially by the castle which may effect any pictures you're planning.

The other thing is they bring in busses of kids, the traffic can get pretty congested - or it did for us trying to get back to WL.

HTH

 

[ms.ojo]

We've been there the last weekend of April a couple of times and were surprised at the crowds. Last year, there were spring breaks for the North East as well as some sort of break for the UK. There were lots of people from overseas.

You may get lucky with the hours, when we've been, the MK has closed at 6:00 for grad night. We've been able to see the fireworks from WL, but it was closed to those not there for grad night.

Also, there have been additional speakers and stages set up throughout MK - especially by the castle which may effect any pictures you're planning.

The other thing is they bring in busses of kids, the traffic can get pretty congested - or it did for us trying to get back to WL.

HTH

oooh. Well, not the msg I was hoping to hear....but glad to have a response from someone who's been during that timeframe. Thank you.

 

[maggie mfg]

The news keeps getting better and better for the end of April. Spectromagic, Stunt show, Power Rangers, Soarin' AP preview... We're there 4/14-4/21. We were there last year during Grad week. I believe this year we miss it by a week. The hours were actually reduced with the MK closing really early a couple of nights. Don't know who's more excited, me or the kids. Maggie

 

[ms.ojo]

The Dis hours for the last week in April still only show extended hrs at MK but no SpectroMagic parade....but the official Disney Website DOES shoe extended hrs AND the Parade. it's been over a week....why hasn't the DIS updated the parades on its schedules???

 

[estnh]

We've gone the last week of April every year since 1996, including last year, and have never experienced undue heavy crowds, at least by our interpretation of crowds. I suppose if you usually go in October or November, you could interpret April as busy, but usually it is just about perfect--it's busy enough so most things are open and available, but not overwhelmed. There are always spring breaks in this time frame, so I don't think there is anything special about that this year.

We have always run into Grad nights, but I don't ever recall them extending MK hours, though.

These boards are saying that the first two weeks of May are going to be at capacity--maybe we are getting the runoff from that this year, but I would still be surprised if it is that busy.

 

[ms.ojo]

I can't believe it's going to be that busy either. We've typically gone in the middle of April (not near an Easter holiday) and feel as you do, busy enough for more things to be open, but not at all overwhelming. And the weather...great temps!!! But I just can't believe MK is going to be open til 11pm for a couple of nights during our stay. That usually is a sign of HIGH crowds. And I was just hoping, maybe, they do that on other nights, since they close early on 2 for Grad nights. But so far, none of you veterans are indicating that was the case on prev. Grad night weeks so I guess...crowds, here we come!!!

 

[Magalex]

This is my DS's(4) first trip to WDW 4/22-4/30 and I have been reading every posting about April crowds. I am kind of nervous but still the excitement is more. My DH and I have been to Disney(pre-child) in Oct. so we are excited to have later hours at the parks. We are there for 8 nights and we have the park hopper so we are going mutiple times to each park. Just because our child is only 4 we actually won't be hitting the better known BIG attractions like Tower of Terror etc. I hope that will help. Our first day is 4/23(Sat) we are hitting MK in the morning. AK has the extra morning hour but I thought with MK having shorter hours(gradnight) alot of people might go to the other parks instead. We can go to Fantasyland early and by afternoon head back to POP. We will hit MK again during the week. I can't imagine spending too much time at Epcot with a 4 yr old either so I hope his age will be a benefit for park crowds and splitting time up.


14 days to go

 

[gizfish]

Some of the schools on the East coast broke spring break into Easter recess and another week during one of the last two weeks of April. Perhaps the change in hours is a reflection of that.