Minor Disapointment...need some feedback

[MommyWithDreams]

I guess I should have done my homework....I didn't even think to look at DL hours for the week we booked. This could actually be a blessing in disguise .
Last year we went to DL the week the time changed so DL was open later. We loved closing the park each night, never felt rushed and it worked perfectly since my DS still naps. We'd go at a great pace during the day, head back to the room to nap and head back into the park for dinner. The one thing I remember was how much the crowds disapeared around 8pm. From 8-10 it was almost like having the park to yourself. Love my picture of Pirates with a 5 minute wait.
Anyway......I looked last night at the DL calender and was shocked to see that the parks hours m-th are 10-8.
So I check the rates for the room we booked to see about changing our dates to the next week and the price pretty much doubles so that factor right there makes it out of the question to change for us.
Although the second week the airfare is a little bit cheaper, still not enough to justify us doubling the room cost. So my question........do you think we'll REALLY miss those extra hours? Because of this we're thinking maybe we'll do the 6 day hopper and actually do the park on Sunday when we arrive that way we'll be sure to get in the ELP AND the fireworks since we had to choose one or the other last year. Like i said...this might be a blessing in disguise.....we'll all get more sleep and well.....we won't be having to get up so early either. Does anyone ever feel rushed when the park hours are so short?
How about DTD, do the shops close at the same time as DL?
Thanks everyone ......I know someone can point out some positives in this.

 

[bradk]

all i can say is the reason why the hours are less is because they expect smaller crowds which means you can do more in that same amount of time than on busier days.

if it does get busier, they'll change the schedule. i've been on site when they've added hours 1 and 2 days before.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Oh that's GREAT news BradK, I had no idea they would add hours like that. That gives me some hope....and smaller crowds...BONUS!

 

[boiseflyfisher]

I like when they do those hours. It is easy to do EE at 9am when we are back at our room by 9pm the night before. Crowds should be fairly small and if you are going to do a 6 day parkhopper you will easily fit everything in. Have a great trip!

 

[silence]

While we love being in the parks late at night for the "night" time parades and fireworks and such, I really do enjoy our trips when the parks have shorter hours.

We are the type of family that feels we need to be IN the parks when they are open, so we rush to get there at rope drop and stay until closing time. We are all so pooped out by the end of the trips, even with the shorter hours!

 

[greewe]

We are also going when the hours are shorter. For that reason we decided to do the parks for 6 days to take advantage of the night hours on Sunday and Friday.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

It can mean smaller crowds. In October when we went the park was closing early each night. Unfortunately they should have changed it stay open later because it was PACKED!

I really don't miss the extra hours as long as the crowds are low. We still get to see everything. But if it's crowded and they still close early, that can stink!