Inflated Wait Times at Park Closing **WDW Newbies Please Read**

[scrappinginontario]

We've all heard this happens so wanted to share our recent experiences.

Mon, Jan 31 - DHS - Toy Story Mania
Park close: 9 PM
Posted wait time at 8:55 PM: 40 minutes
Actual wait: walk on

Wed, Feb 2 - MK - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Park close: 9PM
Posted wait time at 8:20 PM (stood watching fireworks at SDMT entrance): 80 minutes
Actual wait: 30 mins including riding so we got back in line

Posted wait time at 8:50 PM: 80 minutes
Actual wait: 10 mins

Thurs, Feb 3 - DHS - Rise of the Resistance
Park close: 9 PM
Posted wait time at 8:58 PM: 80 minutes (we were lined up almost to the tunnel)
Actual wait: 30 minutes

I know many of us who have visited WDW know that this happens but I wanted to mention it for those who may be visiting for the first time or, are not aware.

At both SDMT and RotR I heard guests ask if the wait truly was 80 minutes and then walk away, once with a very disappointed child in tow.

Historically Disney inflates wait times around park closing as their policy is anyone in the line at park closing can ride. If you can get into line right before closing, you will be able to ride and most often with a much shorter wait that the majority of the day. Riding SDMT and RotR this way saved us purchasing ILL$ but also at the risk of knowing RotR might be down - which is was one other day we tried to ride at park closing.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

There’s even a name for this technique - “Line Stacking”. We first read about it in the 1998 Unofficial Guide so it’s nothing new.

The goal is to get guests moving through the gift shops and toward the exit before closing time even though a lot of the shops stay open an hour after the attractions close.

It’s the best time of the day to get multiple rerides on the headliners.

 

[Day-al]

Thank you for sharing this; I love having that info in one place! Hoping others will share their recent experiences with various rides!

 

[MinneTinK]

Yes! In June at HS, close time 8pm, SDD posted wait 40min at 7:45, actual walk on. Rode 3x

 

[stinkpickle]

Let’s keep this our little secret.

 

[reddog21]

I'm sure the cast members who are working those rides really appreciate people running on the rides right at closing.

 

[ScarletFire]

This has been our strategy for years. It's fun. The park is closed so you're not wasting park time. We have PH and go for a headliner. Smugglers Run sold beer in line Pre-Pandemic. It's the best way to ride Avatar in AK. This was how we got an extra ride on TSM all those years ago.

 

[snikki]

I'm sure the cast members who are working those rides really appreciate people running on the rides right at closing.

What is a CMs end time? I’m sure it’s 1-2 hours after official park close. They’re still being paid for their time and it’s part of their scheduled hours. If they leave early they won’t be paid for that time.

We did ToT at park close once and the CMs were the best we’ve ever had. They were so into character and made it one of the best experiences.

 

[reddog21]

What is a CMs end time? I’m sure it’s 1-2 hours after official park close. They’re still being paid for their time and it’s part of their scheduled hours. If they leave early they won’t be paid for that time.

We did ToT at park close once and the CMs were the best we’ve ever had. They were so into character and made it one of the best experiences.

You assume that every cast member wants to work overtime or doesn't want to leave early if the opportunity presents itself?

 

[snikki]

You assume that every cast member wants to work overtime or doesn't want to leave early if the opportunity presents itself?

Nope. But I bet it’s their scheduled time to work and if they leave early they won’t get paid since they are hourly. I know when I was an hourly employee I hated having to leave early because it cut into my pay. I’m sure Disney accounts for those last minute riders since they’d rather not pay for OT.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I'm sure the cast members who are working those rides really appreciate people running on the rides right at closing.

You have to be in line before closing time. It works this way at every theme/amusement park that l’ve ever been to.

 

[VandVsmama]

You assume that every cast member wants to work overtime or doesn't want to leave early if the opportunity presents itself?

If it bothers you, then leave the park before closing.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

This has been our strategy for years. It's fun. The park is closed so you're not wasting park time. We have PH and go for a headliner. Smugglers Run sold beer in line Pre-Pandemic. It's the best way to ride Avatar in AK. This was how we got an extra ride on TSM all those years ago.

Yes, even at the height of its popularity, the line for TSM would dwindle to about nothing in the evening. Although the posted time was still 80-90 minutes, the actual wait was 10-15 so you could usually get in 4 rides during that last hour. That one will wear you out if you do it too much though.

 

[OwnedByRetrievers]

Ride stacking. Prior to WDW having estimated wait times posted outside (or at least I don't recall them), I remember seeing a line snaking outside of SM, but in reality, they had the interior lanes roped off giving the illusion of a much longer wait time.

 

[bp2412]

On our last trip in September my wife and I were having the last day blues after our dinner reservations in the Mexican pavilion restaurant. We decided last minute that we didn't need to view the firework show at EPCOT again so we walked over to HS (more like a jog on that walk path to convince ourselves it would be quicker than the Skyliner or the boats) and walked in right after 8, park closed at 9. I don't remember the posted wait times but in that less than an hour we rode TOT, TSM then SDD. We went from having the blues of leaving to feeling so accomplished. Ended with a slow stroll through Galaxy's Edge on our way out and every once in a while we talk about how epic that last hour was.

 

[mcinthemagic]

I'm sure the cast members who are working those rides really appreciate people running on the rides right at closing.

I’m sure that guests who spend thousands of dollars on a vacation really appreciate the opportunity to enjoy rides that are open when the park is open, regardless of what time it is

 

[reddog21]

If it bothers you, then leave the park before closing.

It doesn't bother me.

 

[Orsino]

Once the park closes, you also don't have to contend with LL anymore so the standby line moves faster.

In truth, you usually can't time getting in line in the last minute if you are riding rides in the last hour. We usually ended up getting in line for our last ride at 10-15 minutes before close.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

On our most recent visit, we found a 50 minute posted wait at Space Mountain just over a half hour before closing time. In reality, we were able to ride it 4 times in those 35 minutes. The last two loops did take a little running though. It’s a long way from the exit back to the entrance.

Just keep in mind that they do close the gate immediately the moment the park closes. The only exception I’ve seen to this is Tower of Terror, which used to regularly stay open 20 minutes or so after posted closing time when Fantasmic was performed a half hour after park close.

 

[FCDub]

I'm sure the cast members who are working those rides really appreciate people running on the rides right at closing.

Have you ever worked a closing shift at any business? You very rarely just flick the lights off and leave at closing time.