Jan 2016 park hours

[lubob]

I just realized the week that I will be in disney, the week of Jan 8. The magic kingdom will be closing at 8 pm. Electrical parade at 7pm and wishes at 8. I realize that it's the week after the holidays but why such an early park closing. Park tickets are not any cheaper for them to be closed at 8 pm!!! By the time we get done eating dinner with the reservations I had to make at the 180 day Mark the parks will be closed. Very frustrating !!!!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

This is very typical of the January park hours, most planning sites will highlight this fact but also will say that with the lower crowds you will get more done during the day. Last year Sunday and Monday of that week were extended to 9pm and Tues/Wed were left at 8pm. Attendance will be slower during this week and Disney cuts hours accordingly. Weather can also be iffy. Disney may extend hours closer to your travel dates if they anticipate stronger crowds, and they can always extend hours the same day if weather is great and parks are busy. Good luck - hopefully some extensions will come your way!

 

[boufa]

This is very typical of the January park hours, most planning sites will highlight this fact but also will say that with the lower crowds you will get more done during the day. Last year Sunday and Monday of that week were extended to 9pm and Tues/Wed were left at 8pm. Attendance will be slower during this week and Disney cuts hours accordingly. Weather can also be iffy. Disney may extend hours closer to your travel dates if they anticipate stronger crowds, and they can always extend hours the same day if weather is great and parks are busy. Good luck - hopefully some extensions will come your way!

Yep, what he said. It is not uncommon for the hours to adjust a little as they closer. Start watching 60 or so days out, and anytime up closer and same day for changes. The advantage is the shorter lines, and more relaxed experience can mean that you get on rides sooner, and get more done with the time you do have. Rope drop becomes double important on these days... after all you were not up late the night before, since the parks closed so early. It also allows for swimming (weather dependent, but the pools are heated) and even trips to Disney Springs after the park closes.

The down side, while QS can be slightly faster due to reduced lines, and less of a fight to find a table, the TS meals take just as long. So if you spend 3 hours a day at TS meals, and the park is only open 12 hours that's a lot of your park time. Where in the summer, the park might be open 17 hours, then that 3 hours doesn't seem like a big deal.

Personally with shorter park hours, you need to prioritize your time a little more. For me, I avoid TS meals, and refuse to park hop. To much time spent sitting and eating or in your car/on buses, going through bag check, trams etc just to go between the parks.

 

[lubob]

Getting there for rope drop not easily done with my two daughters they would be cranky all day they do much better later in the day.

 

[boufa]

Getting there for rope drop not easily done with my two daughters they would be cranky all day they do much better later in the day.

As with everything about Disney, its a very personal experience. Plan what you can to fit your style. I have actually NEVER been to a rope drop. However, I'm going in Feb, with just my wife and I and we have promised each other that we will make RD everyday. We will see if it actually happens.

To each their own. Having said that, you really can't Disney for the park hours when you refuse to use them.

 

[hakepb]

It could be worse, both Universal parks closed at 7p tonight (wait, that's early evening)

 

[dreamerbaby98]

I just checked on the days we will be there in January and on some days they have already adjusted to being open 2 hours later.