January 2019 Park Hours Question!

[june124]

Hi, first time poster here. I've been to WDW before but this is the first time I'm the one actually planning the trip. I'm super confused about the park hours for the last week in January 2019 (January 28th-February 1st). For MK, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios, the official WDW calendar says they close every day at the same time the nighttime shows start. For example, MK closes at 8pm every day that week, but HEA starts at 8pm every day that week. If the park closes at 8pm how does the nighttime show start at 8pm? The same is true for Epcot and HS, where the calendar says the park closes at the same time of their nighttime shows. Could someone explain to me how this works? Does it mean that the rest of the park is closed and the show is the only thing happening? I see that there are a couple after hours events that week but not every single day. Thanks in advance!

 

[StageTek]

You've got it. The rest of the park closes - all rides, attractions and restaurants - and the show is the only thing happening.

 

[hiroMYhero]

If the park closes at 8pm how does the nighttime show start at 8pm?

Because the scheduling of nighttime entertainment is for all guests who are in the park at that time.

Park closure means no one can enter MK at exactly 8:00p and all ride and attraction lines are closed.

The predicted 8:00p closure for MK will probably be extended to a later time but fireworks will be at 8p. It’s Disney’s way of setting the entertainment and show schedule without committing to the actual later closure of the park.

 

[june124]

You've got it. The rest of the park closes - all rides, attractions and restaurants - and the show is the only thing happening.

Thanks so much!

 

[june124]

Because the scheduling of nighttime entertainment is for all guests who are in the park at that time.

Park closure means no one can enter MK at exactly 8:00p and all ride and attraction lines are closed.

The predicted 8:00p closure for MK will probably be extended to a later time but fireworks will be at 8p. It’s Disney’s way of setting the entertainment and show schedule without committing to the actual later closure of the park.

Thanks for the response! That makes sense.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

The show closes the park.
This is very normal for Disney and other theme parks.
BTW hours could change between now and then.