Hours during week before Christmas

[Ashley Marie]

We're looking at the week of Dec. 17-25. With Christmas falling on a Monday, and Christmas parties four nights during that week (Dec. 17, 19, 21, 22), I'm not sure what to expect for hours.

I know that Christmas week typically means 7am EMH at MK -- might that start before Christmas, with Christmas being on a Monday?

And will the non-party nights likely have late hours like they will Christmas week?

 

[sharonabe]

We're looking at the week of Dec. 17-25. With Christmas falling on a Monday, and Christmas parties four nights during that week (Dec. 17, 19, 21, 22), I'm not sure what to expect for hours.

I know that Christmas week typically means 7am EMH at MK -- might that start before Christmas, with Christmas being on a Monday?

And will the non-party nights likely have late hours like they will Christmas week?

Check last year's hours if you can still find them. That will give you an idea of what they'll do this year. Sunday may have that early EMH at MK; Saturday I think is less likely, but you never know. Saturday is more likely to have a later hour than an early one.

 

[adelaster]

Am I missing something? They have park hours up through the end of the year on the website. I know they may always adjust them, but isn't most of that stuff set already?

As of right now the MK is scheduled to close at 9pm on non-MVMCP evenings. 12/20 is an EMH until 11pm. 12/23-12/25 the MK closes at 10pm.

 

[Ashley Marie]

Check last year's hours if you can still find them. That will give you an idea of what they'll do this year. Sunday may have that early EMH at MK; Saturday I think is less likely, but you never know. Saturday is more likely to have a later hour than an early one.

Thanks! Yeah, I have done that. Christmas hasn't been on a Monday for a while so I was particularly curious about whether that might affect things at all.

 

[Ashley Marie]

Am I missing something? They have park hours up through the end of the year on the website. I know they may always adjust them, but isn't most of that stuff set already?

As of right now the MK is scheduled to close at 9pm on non-MVMCP evenings. 12/20 is an EMH until 11pm. 12/23-12/25 the MK closes at 10pm.

They often change hours on the calendar much later on.

 

[sharonabe]

Am I missing something? They have park hours up through the end of the year on the website. I know they may always adjust them, but isn't most of that stuff set already?

As of right now the MK is scheduled to close at 9pm on non-MVMCP evenings. 12/20 is an EMH until 11pm. 12/23-12/25 the MK closes at 10pm.

What is there now will probably NOT be what actually happens. The six-month out calendar/park hours is a bare bones that allows Disney to build what they will need once they see resort occupancy and pre-sale of tickets, etc. You will have at least the hours that are there, and probably longer hours as needed.

 

[sharonabe]

Thanks! Yeah, I have done that. Christmas hasn't been on a Monday for a while so I was particularly curious about whether that might affect things at all.

I was really surprised last year that so many school systems went as late as the 22nd. With Christmas on a Sunday last year, I thought everyone would be out the whole two weeks surrounding it. My guess is the Monday Christmas won't be that much different as far as when schools let out, allowing the holiday crowds to grow. The crowds will definitely balloon starting on that Saturday. The earlier part of the week will probably still be relatively low crowds; they may not change the hours much for the beginning of your stay.

 

[adelaster]

What is there now will probably NOT be what actually happens. The six-month out calendar/park hours is a bare bones that allows Disney to build what they will need once they see resort occupancy and pre-sale of tickets, etc. You will have at least the hours that are there, and probably longer hours as needed.

When does that usually happen?

 

[sharonabe]

When does that usually happen?

Could be a late as day of or day before, but more likely within a couple weeks. Check some of the July park hour threads to see when things happened for them and that will at least give you an idea.

 

[Hopefully]

When does that usually happen?

They are likely to change several times between now and then. Most often a few weeks before

 

[adelaster]

They are likely to change several times between now and then. Most often a few weeks before

Even the EMH and opening times?

 

[Hopefully]

Even the EMH and opening times?

Yes. Especially those. Every year the Boards are filled with angry folks whose early pre park opening ADRs are no longer pre opening. Opening is moved earlier

 

[JZCubed]

We're looking at the week of Dec. 17-25. With Christmas falling on a Monday, and Christmas parties four nights during that week (Dec. 17, 19, 21, 22), I'm not sure what to expect for hours.

I know that Christmas week typically means 7am EMH at MK -- might that start before Christmas, with Christmas being on a Monday?

And will the non-party nights likely have late hours like they will Christmas week?

There is every reason to believe that either/both Animal Kingdom and/or Magic Kingdom will open earlier than their present listings at 9am.

Plenty of folks have commented how Disney has been making changes to earlier Park Openings within 30- or 60-days of actual Park days. How do we know this - because folks are getting FP+ for attractions that may have previously been 'sold out'.

AK has been staying open very late these days, but my recollection of recent calendars is that 'very late' is becoming less common.

FWIW, we'll be staying at Disney before & after that last MVMXP too.

Just to clarify - Disney is likely to have a few days where Parks open earlier than presently listed. And if EMH are added (as I believe they will be), this will happen in MK - just like last year. AK is speculation, since Pandora did not exist last year.

 

[adelaster]

There is every reason to believe that either/both Animal Kingdom and/or Magic Kingdom will open earlier than their present listings at 9am.

Plenty of folks have commented how Disney has been making changes to earlier Park Openings within 30- or 60-days of actual Park days. How do we know this - because folks are getting FP+ for attractions that may have previously been 'sold out'.

AK has been staying open very late these days, but my recollection of recent calendars is that 'very late' is becoming less common.

FWIW, we'll be staying at Disney before & after that last MVMXP too.

Just to clarify - Disney is likely to have a few days where Parks open earlier than presently listed. And if EMH are added (as I believe they will be), this will happen in MK - just like last year. AK is speculation, since Pandora did not exist last year.

My planned AK day is 12/18. It presently has an EMH for 8am. Could you see it opening even earlier?

I don't understand how we have to make ADR's so far in advance many of which hinge in park schedules, but the park schedules can drastically change later? I expected the possibility they would stay open later, but had no idea EMH & openings changed too.

 

[sharonabe]

My planned AK day is 12/18. It presently has an EMH for 8am. Could you see it opening even earlier?

I don't understand how we have to make ADR's so far in advance many of which hinge in park schedules, but the park schedules can drastically change later? I expected the possibility they would stay open later, but had no idea EMH & openings changed too.

I think an earlier opening at AK is unlikely. Even the earlier 7 am EMH at MK probably won't start until the 24th or so.