Mid August Hours :(

[disneyjr77]

They just released park hours for mid August 16-19, and it looks like they will be closing at 7 (uni) and 8 (ioa). Do you think there will be a chance they could stay open later that week? I was really hoping for a 9p closing, because we've never gotten to go to the parks at night, and i was looking forward to the nighttime shows and being in the parks after dark.

 

[StageTek]

I don't think there will be a chance they could stay open later that week.

 

[bobafemme]

We always go in August and have had later closing times. Hopefully they will adjust as we'll be there, too, at that time.

 

[123SA]

I am disappointed with these hours. Also, IOA is not open for early entry. Can they do the nighttime shows at those hours?

I was able to change my dining reservations to 8:15/8:30 pm instead of 9:00/9:30 so that we can eat after the park closes. I would not have been pleased with a 9:30 dinner with a park closing of 8:00

 

[Lynne G]

Hey, the shorter hours usually mean not as crowded. We had always gone that time of year, and 7 pm closings were usual. Weekends always had much longer hours. For what it’s worth, we will be back August 15 to 21, and I’ll take lower crowds any time I can. Check the price of express, as if it’s not that expensive as other times, and doesn’t increase in price, they are expecting lower crowds. City Walk will be open until around 2am, so can mini golf, see a movie, and have a later dinner that does not take up park time.

 

[bchbetha]

Shorter hours are often because someone rented out the park for a private event so don't expect them to change.

 

[bchbetha]

I understand being bummed about missing the night experience BUT it's really nice if you hit early entry then you can actually get some good sleep. And, if you are staying onsite, you can really enjoy your resort too vs just crashing.

 

[123SA]

Those are good points, but they don't effect my trip much. I'm staying at Hard Rock and already have express pass, so a slightly lower crowd won't effect my ride times much.

It's the double whammy of no nighttime (dark) experience and that IOA isn't open early for Velocicoaster and Hargids -- early entry at UF is a bit pointless when you have express pass.

And I wonder...does a smaller crowd combined with lesser hours = larger crowd spread out over more hours?

Regardless...it won't wreck the trip.

 

[sab53085]

I don't see on the Universal website any info on August early entry hours - only for July 1-31. Where are you guys seeing that IOA doesn't have EE?

 

[123SA]

In the app -- but I don't know how reliable that is.

 

[TwoMisfits]

They just released park hours for mid August 16-19, and it looks like they will be closing at 7 (uni) and 8 (ioa). Do you think there will be a chance they could stay open later that week? I was really hoping for a 9p closing, because we've never gotten to go to the parks at night, and i was looking forward to the nighttime shows and being in the parks after dark.

Many Florida schools are back in session then - mid-August tends to be the time hours start slowly cycling back b/c crowds do, too...

 

[disneyjr77]

Hey, the shorter hours usually mean not as crowded. We had always gone that time of year, and 7 pm closings were usual. Weekends always had much longer hours. For what it’s worth, we will be back August 15 to 21, and I’ll take lower crowds any time I can. Check the price of express, as if it’s not that expensive as other times, and doesn’t increase in price, they are expecting lower crowds. City Walk will be open until around 2am, so can mini golf, see a movie, and have a later dinner that does not take up park time.

That's true, we do plan on mini golf and can get some night swimming in. We usually go the last week of august/first week of September, and are used to having the shorter hours...that's why I was like yes, the hours will be longer! I was nervous about the crowds, and like you said early hours are an indicator of not being as busy. silver lining

The next fun thing will be getting DD14 and her bestie up early to get to the parks

 

[disneyjr77]

I don't see on the Universal website any info on August early entry hours - only for July 1-31. Where are you guys seeing that IOA doesn't have EE?

In the app -- but I don't know how reliable that is.

I also got it from the app

 

[Pooh's World]

Hate the shorter hours because that makes it hard to go after work and also I like to be at the park when it is dark.

 

[jbrinkm]

Those are good points, but they don't effect my trip much. I'm staying at Hard Rock and already have express pass, so a slightly lower crowd won't effect my ride times much. It's the double whammy of no nighttime (dark) experience and that IOA isn't open early for Velocicoaster and Hargids -- early entry at UF is a bit pointless when you have express pass. And I wonder...does a smaller crowd combined with lesser hours = larger crowd spread out over more hours? Regardless...it won't wreck the trip.

I'm planning to use the EE hour of my first morning at UF to explore HP world with my family, using wands & such. I've seen that strategy recommended here on the boards. Then we will get in the entry line early on my other two mornings at IOA to do each of the non EP rides (Hagrid's & Velocicoaster). Although with the new VQ system at Hagrid's, it sounds like the queuing system there might be improved from what it was before (not easier! just more likely to be able to ride without waiting in a horrible line).

However, I'm bummed about the shorter hours at night too - we'll also be there in the second half of August. TP is still letting me put in one nighttime show but not the Hogwarts lights so that's something, as long as it holds.

 

[123SA]

When are you going? IOA does not have early entry for my dates - Aug 18-22

I have seen the show at Universal Florida. Unless it has changed, it can’t be shown at 7 pm in August. It’s just not dark enough.

 

[jbrinkm]

When are you going? IOA does not have early entry for my dates - Aug 18-22

I have seen the show at Universal Florida. Unless it has changed, it can’t be shown at 7 pm in August. It’s just not dark enough.

EE at USF. August 22-25. We'll do more HP at IOA during the last hour of the day on one of those days. But exploring Diagon Alley will probably take us the whole EE hour at USF.

 

[Jess_S]

I'm planning to use the EE hour of my first morning at UF to explore HP world with my family, using wands & such. I've seen that strategy recommended here on the boards. Then we will get in the entry line early on my other two mornings at IOA to do each of the non EP rides (Hagrid's & Velocicoaster). Although with the new VQ system at Hagrid's, it sounds like the queuing system there might be improved from what it was before (not easier! just more likely to be able to ride without waiting in a horrible line).

However, I'm bummed about the shorter hours at night too - we'll also be there in the second half of August. TP is still letting me put in one nighttime show but not the Hogwarts lights so that's something, as long as it holds.
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Yay. Thanks for sharing this. We are coming the week after you and I thought -- for sure -- there would be no night shows with a 7pm closing every night. (I was a little disappointed with the early hours. But if I am being serious about my own stamina, I will probably be pretty tired by the time parks close and we eat dinner).