Late hours..will MK be open until 3 am on Feb23rd?

[LeoGrrrrl1982]

Thats too bad cause I think spending time in Disney until the wee hours would be awesome!

 

[DMRick]

Thats too bad cause I think spending time in Disney until the wee hours would be awesome!

What's too bad? I thought I was going to be there the wee hours.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

We're going Easter/Spring Break time and the MK is "only" open until 11 PM the two weeks around Easter. So, you all better be prepared for some CROWDED parks, because WDW's keeping it open later during President's than Easter!!!!

Sorry, but I think the MK's park hours are a better indicator of crowd levels than any book!! Perhaps at 2 AM, it'll be a "3" but at 11 PM, it sounds like a "10" to me.

Good luck and can't wait to read everyone's reports!

 

[LoveToDisney]

We're going Easter/Spring Break time and the MK is "only" open until 11 PM the two weeks around Easter. So, you all better be prepared for some CROWDED parks, because WDW's keeping it open later during President's than Easter!!!!

Sorry, but I think the MK's park hours are a better indicator of crowd levels than any book!! Perhaps at 2 AM, it'll be a "3" but at 11 PM, it sounds like a "10" to me.

Good luck and can't wait to read everyone's reports!

Well said PolyHereWeCome!

 

[JennSaint]

We're going Easter/Spring Break time and the MK is "only" open until 11 PM the two weeks around Easter. So, you all better be prepared for some CROWDED parks, because WDW's keeping it open later during President's than Easter!!!!

Sorry, but I think the MK's park hours are a better indicator of crowd levels than any book!! Perhaps at 2 AM, it'll be a "3" but at 11 PM, it sounds like a "10" to me.

Good luck and can't wait to read everyone's reports!

Don't be surprised if they change the hours as you get closer to your trip. They just changed the hours for President's week last week.

 

[Brian Noble]

I agree on the MK hours indicator. If you look at last year's P-week, the MK hours follow pretty closely what UoG says to expect this this year. (Theory: UoG computes their crowd calendars for this year using last year's MK closing times.) This year, MK is open much, much later.

My understanding is that Disney guesstimates crowd levels two months out based on the resort bookings they have at the time, and their expectations of last-minute bookings. Then, the hours are revised up or down as the date gets closer based on how well last-minute bookings go. They also probably survey area off-site hotels to get a good handle on how many folks to expect. So, if they underestimated late bookings for Easter, the hours will be extended. Otherwise, they won't be.

 

[jehma]

No matter what the "guide" says, a week in February that has midnite park closings at MK on Friday 18th, Sat 19th, Sun 20th, Mon 21st, Wed 23rd and 11pm closings on Tues 22nd, Thurs 24th, Fri 25th & Sat 26th means B-U-S-Y!!!

What were the closing hours last year at the same time? Did Disney change the hours at the last minute like they're doing this time?

I think they also added later hours to MGM - I think from 7-8:30 on a couple of nights.

I was there the end of President's week 4 years ago and it really wasn't bad. We're going again this year, and I'm starting to get nervous about the crowds! Good think we got the hoppers . . .

 

[LoveToDisney]

I suspect two things are at work. More school systems may be taking advantage of combining the President's holiday with a break from school giving families that week to travel PLUS I truly believe a LOT of people are traveling again this year (finally rebounding from 911 and the financial losses) after a 2-3 year lull which is making the historic numbers from last year perhaps not as sound an identifier of crowds as are the currently projected hours at MK. We have to also remember that Disney has added a TON of value rooms and they are all getting filled.

 

[DMRick]

Sorry, but I think the MK's park hours are a better indicator of crowd levels than any book!! Perhaps at 2 AM, it'll be a "3" but at 11 PM, it sounds like a "10" to me
*

We go 4-5 times a year, and so far the ug had been right there for us. While sometimes during the day, I expect big crowds, I don't think it will be beyond what's indicated. I never find it a 10 at 11 PM, except on actual holidays (although the crowd going out after fireworks sometimes feels like it..the rides that late at night seldom have long lines..and we're usually there until it closes). In fact I seldom find it a 10 even at 3 pm, except on the holidays. Your dates still have play room ..don't count overwhelming crowds out yet LOL. Of course, we go so often, that if a line is too long, we'll skip it. We'll be back in May.

The thing that surprised me, is how easy it was to get PS's for 9 people.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

You know, I think you all might be right about them extending MK Easter hours. It does make intuitive sense that MK would be open at least as late during this time as during President's.

Good luck to you all. Here's some pixie dust. Please try to post how your crowds were and how EMHs worked out for your trips.