In line at park closing???

[pepperderr]

I am watching lots of YouTube videos preparing for our next visit. One thing they just suggested is to get in long wait lines near closing and you will get on even if the park is officially closed. This is of course if you can't get a fast pass. I am thinking of this for Slinky Dog Dash if needed. What are the rules about this?

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

You’ll be allowed to ride if you’re in line before closing time. Just don’t be late, they do close the ride entrances right at park close.

Another thing to be aware of is that posted wait times are intentionally exaggerated at night to discourage late riders. They would prefer you to head toward the gift shops and eventually the exit.

It’s very likely that you’ll find the shortest lines of the day using this approach. We’ve not done Slinky, but we did find a 17 minute wait on FOP recently. The posted time was 110.

 

[dreynolds1982]

Anyone that is in line by park close will be allowed to ride. Back in the day, on my College Program, I worked merch at RnRc and Tower. We (the gift shop) weren't allowed to begin our closing procedures until the ride cleared. I used to hate busy nights because sometimes it would take an hour for everyone left in line to get through the ride!

For the guests, though, this is a great strategy for busy rides. Plan on using this strategy on our upcoming trip at FoP.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We once rode AS2, TSM And Slinky all in the last hour the park was open. Park closed at 8pm.

Got in line for AS2 around 6:45. Rode that then immediately went to TSM. Upon exiting headed to SDD where we crossed under the sign at 7:58. Posted wait time was 55 mins (I believe) and we rode by 8:20.

We often enter queues just before park closing. I'd rather be enjoying a ride than waiting in long lines for buses.

 

[monkyby87]

Plus, you don't have the FP+ returns coming in at the very end of the night. So anyone that moves through the line is standby, which helps quite a bit.

 

[pepperderr]

We once rode AS2, TSM And Slinky all in the last hour the park was open. Park closed at 8pm.

Got in line for AS2 around 6:45. Rode that then immediately went to TSM. Upon exiting headed to SDD where we crossed under the sign at 7:58. Posted wait time was 55 mins (I believe) and we rode by 8:20.

We often enter queues just before park closing. I'd rather be enjoying a ride than waiting in long lines for buses.

That is a good point being in line for a ride and not for a bus. How long after park closing do the buses continue to pick up?

 

[mesaboy2]

That is a good point being in line for a ride and not for a bus. How long after park closing do the buses continue to pick up?

Until everyone who needs one is gone. You will not be stranded.

 

[mamamelody2]

We have done this multiple times for SDD, FoP, and 7DMT. Each time the posted time was longer than actual wait. Sometimes much longer, like when SDD was posted at 40 minutes and it was 11. I definitely plan on using this approach again next January! I think 7DMT and SDD are both more fun in the dark, too, so riding it after close is doubly awesome!

 

[gap2368]

That is a good point being in line for a ride and not for a bus. How long after park closing do the buses continue to pick up?

Disney will get you to where you need to go on property you might share a bus very late at night.

 

[mountdew1]

Keep in mind that some rides will close the queue earlier than park close. I believe the safaris used to do this frequently as they would typically shoot for the last ride vehicle to be leaving/returning (don't remember which) at park close (or whenever it was closing that day). And some other times when the queue is already a few hours long, they MAY keep you from joining the queue. But as a general rule, if you are in line, you will get on.

That is a good point being in line for a ride and not for a bus. How long after park closing do the buses continue to pick up?

Until everyone is out. You may share a bus, or be put on a van instead of a bus, but they won't leave you stranded.

 

[gharter]

If you are in line before the park closes or before they close the line (sometimes before or after the park closes), you will be able to ride.
The wait is frequently less than posted.

 

[DivaMama3]

Wondering how this would work if there's an after hours event? Can we get in line at FoP at 8:59 if the park closes at 9pm and the after hours event starts at 9pm?

 

[pwmitch237]

Wondering how this would work if there's an after hours event? Can we get in line at FoP at 8:59 if the park closes at 9pm and the after hours event starts at 9pm?

Yep. You will be granted access until 9pm.