Leaving MK after fireworks

[toonaspie]

HEA will only be shown one night out of the three that my family will be there. The show is at 8pm. However the park will remain open until 11pm on that particular day (NOT EMH). We don't want to stay there that long. In fact I just minutes ago snagged a BOG ADR for the morning after. (I had a choice between 8:05 and 9:20. I picked the latter cause I worry about not getting up and there in time.) And we're staying at the All Stars so we need ample time than most to travel to MK and back both days.

Do you think people will still be rushing out after HEA? Or do you think many will stay till 11pm since it's not Extra Magic Hours? How much time should we wait between after the show ends to leave the park? It is peculiar that the show will be at its standard 8pm time but the park will remain open till 11pm. Oh well. Thoughts?

 

[Delirium]

The busiest time for the available transportation (buses, monorail, boats) will always be immediately after HEA ends. If you don't want to stay until 11, split the difference and leave at about 9:30 or understand that it will be very crowded when you leave.

 

[Aimeedyan]

In my experience, it's a crush of humanity after the fireworks even if the park stays open afterwards. ESPECIALLY during party season when fireworks are only showing a few nights a week for those not attending a party.

We have found waiting 45 minutes-1 hour works "okay" depending upon which mode of transportation you're taking.

We also were successful sneaking out the exit they open temporarily behind Main St and hightailing it out that way - we got out a lot faster than coming down Main St with the herd but it's not a quick process by any means.

 

[Tomh]

We usually wait a bit until the mass of humanity clears before we make our way out. Of course, if you are going to a bus stop, then you will simply get there behind everyone else, and wait for your bus. We stay offsite, and so are heading for TTC, and generally take the resort monorail, which for whatever reason, no one seems to think of. I guess most people believe that you can't get to TTC on the resort monorail (or, at least, I had a few people tell me that during this past trip lol). There is seldom a long line for the resort monorail.

 

[Robo]

We also were successful sneaking out the exit they open temporarily behind Main St and hightailing it out that way - we got out a lot faster than coming down Main St with the herd but it's not a quick process by any means.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Do you have kids that may want to reride some of the headliners? You’ll find the shortest lines of the day after the fireworks show ends through park closing time. Sticking around for awhile is much less stressful than fighting the post fireworks exit crowd.

 

[Penmac]

We usually wait a bit until the mass of humanity clears before we make our way out. Of course, if you are going to a bus stop, then you will simply get there behind everyone else, and wait for your bus. We stay offsite, and so are heading for TTC, and generally take the resort monorail, which for whatever reason, no one seems to think of. I guess most people believe that you can't get to TTC on the resort monorail (or, at least, I had a few people tell me that during this past trip lol). There is seldom a long line for the resort monorail.

Interesting. I have made the assumption that the resort monorail only stopped at the hotels along the monorail line!

 

[Robo]

Interesting. I have made the assumption that the resort monorail only stopped at the hotels along the monorail line!

If the Resort Monorail did not stop at TTC, guests staying at those hotels couldn't ride the monorail to/from Epcot, as that monorail only terminates at TTC.

 

[Robo]

And, BTW, there are many times that the Resort Monorail is far from having short lines and empty cars.

 

[Penmac]

And, BTW, there are many times that the Resort Monorail is far from having short lines and empty cars.

Lol, I am sure. I think low exit crowds after an evening show at MK ranks up there with discovering the Loch Ness Monster or Big Foot.

 

[CAS239]

It doesn't matter when HEA is, right after it ends is always the worst time to leave. Thousands are doing the same.

I'd try to stay as late as possible. The exiting situation and having to take transportation instead of walking straight to my car like the other parks is the only downside I hate about MK

 

[Tomh]

And, BTW, there are many times that the Resort Monorail is far from having short lines and empty cars.

I have heard that is the case, guess we've just been lucky, but literally every time we've come out of MK as the rush was slowing down, we've seen long lines at the express monorail, and the ferry, but a short line at the resort monorail. It wasn't a non existent line, we had to wait for the second train, but much shorter than the line for the express.

 

[monkyby87]

Either way, leaving the park anytime after the fireworks show will be crowded.