MK closing early for parties

[amym2]

AK closes at 5pm every day we are at Disney and a ticket there costs the same as a ticket to MK open until 10. I get the rant, but there is no such thing as "fair." It is what it is, you learn to adjust. And we are not doing MNSSHP but will be in MK on a party day because of the low crowds. We'll have dinner at our resort that night and enjoy some time off our feet.

 

[rajak73]

The crowd calendar for today shows a 9. The first 3 Thursdays in December show crowd level as a 4...I'd rather have shorter hours and less crowds than 3 extra hours on a 9 day. Plus the weather will be at least 15 degrees cooler (if not more) in December.

I will agree with you but OP was ranting about getting shorter hours not about the crowd levels or how busy it is.

 

[crazymomof4]

We have done party days in the MK many many times. I can think of only one day we were in the MK on a party day that it felt really busy. More often that not we just go "wow, this is awesome".

And that's because most people approach it like the OP and end up going on one of the 3 non-party days a week. Not at any other time of the year is it this easy to predict where to find low crowds.

 

[North of Mouse]

I was actually elated to see that MK will be open until 10/11pm on a couple days during our trip in November as usually the only park open "late" was Epcot and that was only 9/10pm. As a previous poster commented, MK in the past closed in the 7pm range prior to the parties even being held. They have just found a way to increase attendance past their previously "normal" closing times and are making money by doing so.

Maybe you have not even 'looked' at the Nov. hours??? I just saw the hours before posting, and they are just as I said 9:00 - 10:00pm (without party).

Some of you 'get' my rant, and I appreciate that. I know this does not change anything, and sure, we will work around the hours (have before), but that's exactly what a rant is - just frustration at something we can do nothing about, right!

DH & I, (though far from children) have always enjoyed 'closing out' the night at MK - unless we go for Fantasmic.

And yes, we always have park hoppers (or AP's) but again that was not the point - we know we have other options - low crowds were not the point either!

 

[HM]

Our first couple trips were off season during the fall, when all parks except Epcot closed by 7pm each night (AK at 5). There was only fireworks and a night parade on Saturdays at MK (talk about a crowd!). We loved when parks started being open later and later. I can see why you'd be disappointed OP, but you can choose to either do that park or another one that day, right?

 

[mesaboy2]

I don't care what the current Disney-posted November schedule says, but fireworks are shown (usually Wishes or a holiday-themed variation of it) every night of the year, with only two exceptions--the two Nights of Joy. This has been the case for years and I do not expect it to change.

As for your main point, I pay the same price for a regular 12-hour day (low season) at MK as I do for a regular 14- or 16-hour day (high season). So party days usually make it a 10-hour regular day. Party days also often cause MK to see the lowest crowds of the year. Such is life.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Maybe you have not even 'looked' at the Nov. hours??? I just saw the hours before posting, and they are just as I said 9:00 - 10:00pm (without party) and longer on week ends.

Some of you 'get' my rant, and I appreciate that. I know this does not change anything, and sure, we will work around the hours (have before), but that's exactly what a rant is - just frustration at something we can do nothing about, right!

DH & I, (though far from children) have always enjoyed 'closing out' the night at MK - unless we go for Fantasmic.

And yes, we always have park hoppers (or AP's) but again that was not the point - we know we have other options - low crowds were not the point either!

Actually, I looked at the hours for the 10 days we are there right before I posted my comment so that I "knew" what I was talking about. During OUR stay - 11/12-11/22 yes, MK is open on several of those nights (non party nights) until 9pm or later (the Saturday is I believe midnight with EMH for us). Did you know that Hollywood Studios closes at 4pm during November too? Don't know why and don't care much, I've adjusted our plans so that we will not be in HS that day.

The were 2 points I was making in my previous post
1. During OUR prior trips, MK (without parties) closed at 7-8pm due to being non-peak times and the only park that was ever open late was Epcot. This was there regular operating hours. So for ME to go now and have MK be open later than what we were used to, is a bonus for US.

2. I think AK & HS should have later hours during the off season time as they charge just as much for those passes as MK and stay open much shorter hours. I think water parks should be open earlier and stay open an hour or two later so that I can get my $'s worth.

I "get" your rant and I even partially agree. What I don't agree with is that you should get something for free just because they are closing the park at a different time on that particular day. IF WDW did that don't you think that EVERYONE would plan on going to MK for that day just for the freebie? What kind of chaos do you think that would cause? It's just not a logical solution. WDW chose to create these parties and turn a profit because it was outside of their normal operating hours (when the parties were 1st introduced.) Now, the party hours fall during regular operating hours thus forcing them to shorten the regular hours for those days. This, I feel is due to the fact that they have attracted higher attendance records now due to free dining, food & wine festival, etc. promotions and they are trying to accomodate their guests the best they can while still holding on to those "extra" events they created - Halloween & Christmas parties. If they weren't having a party on those nights and closed them for "regularly scheduled maintenance" would you still be argueing that they were closing the parks early?

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't care what the current Disney-posted November schedule says, but fireworks are shown (usually Wishes or a holiday-themed variation of it) every night of the year, with only two exceptions--the two Nights of Joy. This has been the case for years and I do not expect it to change.

As for your main point, I pay the same price for a regular 12-hour day (low season) at MK as I do for a regular 14- or 16-hour day (high season). So party days usually make it a 10-hour regular day. Party days also often cause MK to see the lowest crowds of the year. Such is life.

OP should avoid Disneyland. I hear sometimes they don't do a party OR fireworks. Actually I hear that's pretty frequent there.

 

[smitch425]

Paying for a full day at MK, then having to leave early because of a party really irks me. It's not that I want to be at the party, but having shorter hours for full paying guests, then charging outrageous for the parties extra is just so wrong to me.

I get that Disney wants/does make extra money at any/every opportunity, but I do feel cheated to have to leave early, when I've paid for that day like any other.

You are paying for a full day at Magic Kingdom, and you are getting a full day at Magic Kingdom. The park is open until 7pm. You can stay until 7pm. It is no different than paying for a full day at Animal Kingdom. MNSSHP and MVMCP days are announced several months in advance, and have been taking place for several years. If you don't like the shortened hours, perhaps a different time of year would be a better option for you.

 

[North of Mouse]

2. I think AK & HS should have later hours during the off season time as they charge just as much for those passes as MK and stay open much shorter hours. I think water parks should be open earlier and stay open an hour or two later so that I can get my $'s worth.

I "get" your rant and I even partially agree. What I don't agree with is that you should get something for free just because they are closing the park at a different time on that particular day. IF WDW did that don't you think that EVERYONE would plan on going to MK for that day just for the freebie? What kind of chaos do you think that would cause? It's just not a logical solution.

Your point on the other parks is irrelevant as I didn't even mention those.

Also, don't know who/what you are quoting as I never mentioned wanting anything 'free', was just throwing something out there that bugged me - nothing more - don't add words to my mouth!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Your point on the other parks is irrelevant as I didn't even mention those.

Also, don't know who/what you are quoting as I never mentioned wanting anything 'free', was just throwing something out there that bugged me - nothing more - don't add words to my mouth!

Agreed, in this situation, disney should open up free park hopping to another park that is still open for those MK guests that are getting the boot.

My apologies, this was the comment on giving away free hopping that I was referring to and you did not make that particular statement.

 

[DonaldDuck77]

We are going down for MNSSHP for the first time this year. We also chose another party night as our one other day to go to MK. One long hour days, we typically have to take a midday break. So, the short hours and low crowds are a bonus for us. We just get the kids to bed early rather than take a nap during the day. You just have to decide how important the nighttime entertainment is for you.

 

[DebbieB]

If there were no parties, I doubt MK would be open late every night. Look at the January calendar, at least half the dates they close at 8:00. They do have Wishes everynight but not MSEP. It used to be they had regular Wishes at 6:00 on MVMCP nights.

http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/ParkHours/WDWTravelAgent_January.pdf

 

[minnie mum]

Sigh. Here we go again with another whining, complaining thread from another of the members of the Entitlement Legion.(kungaloosh to the initiated) The hours are shortened during our stay- it's not fair! I can't get all of my favourite ADRs less than 90 days out- it's not fair! My favourite ride will be closed during our stay so our whole trip is RUINED- it's not FAIR!! Our favourite resort is being refurbed during our stay- How dare they do this to me!!

Disney park hours vary from week to week and month to month. You can find park hours 6 months ahead of time. If shortened hours are a big deal to you, then either go at another time, or suck it up and just deal with it. It's not as if there is a party there every night. Go on a non party night. Go to another park on a party night. Or go to MK on a party day and enjoy the uncrowded park and short lines, like we do. Park hop if you have em. But please, please, please stop whining about it. You have alternatives.

And yes, I know that Disney can and does occasionally change operating hours, and for the people going to WDW next month who are affected by the recent change in EMH- you have my complete sympathy. That really sucks.

 

[Polydweller]

Agreed, in this situation, disney should open up free park hopping to another park that is still open for those MK guests that are getting the boot.

Nope, Disney guarantees access to one park per admission day on your ticket. It's up to you to choose how to use your one admission. If you feel cheated by a party day then you should choose to go to another park. If YOU choose to go to MK on a party day then YOU have chosen to live with the shorter hours? Your choice to lessen you park hours is not Disney's issue. You've got 4 parks to choose from and nobody forces you to go to MK on a party day.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

That is our hope. We are going to MK on a party day, and we have tickets to the party as well. We are hoping for a low crowd during the day so that it make it really enjoyable.

We are doing this too

I even scheduled the pirates league for my daughter so she can get mermaid makeup to match her MNSSP costume!!! So excited!

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Paying for a full day at MK, then having to leave early because of a party really irks me. It's not that I want to be at the party, but having shorter hours for full paying guests, then charging outrageous for the parties extra is just so wrong to me.

I get that Disney wants/does make extra money at any/every opportunity, but I do feel cheated to have to leave early, when I've paid for that day like any other.

I don't think its unfair, nor are you being cheated. If they didn't have these parties, there is no guarantee that the park would be open later. As many have said, they used to close MK at 7pm in the Fall. Then they added these parties in the "off" hours and they became a hit. You aren't being cheated out of anything as even if they didnt have these parties the park would probably still close around 7pm.

Plus, if you really wanted to stay late in MK, you have the same opportunity to buy party tickets. You don't want to do this and that is your choice.

Why not just go to MK on a different day if it is such an issue for you? I personally don't think Disney is cheating anyone with having these parties. They are an additional experience that you can pay to participate or plan to avoid.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Disney park hours vary from week to week and month to month. You can find park hours 6 months ahead of time. If shortened hours are a big deal to you, then either go at another time, or suck it up and just deal with it. It's not as if there is a party there every night. Go on a non party night. Go to another park on a party night. Or go to MK on a party day and enjoy the uncrowded park and short lines, like we do. Park hop if you have em. But please, please, please stop whining about it. You have alternatives.

And yes, I know that Disney can and does occasionally change operating hours, and for the people going to WDW next month who are affected by the recent change in EMH- you have my complete sympathy. That really sucks.

I completely agree

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It's the party days we were talking about. And Holiday Wishes is only available if you pay for the party ticket. MSEP is also an issue.

ah so I need to revise the response - the OP isn't saying that Wishes isn't being shown on nights where there is no party (which it is) but expressing disappointment that only guests who have purchased party tickets can view Holiday Wishes from inside the park.

Is it that you can't see Holiday Wishes or that you won't be at MK on a non-party night to see regular Wishes? Or just frustration that a MK fireworks show isn't equally available to everyone on every operating day during this season?

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

Wow, just saw this thread and jumped to the last page and sense some hostility. I'm not going back and read all the post but I assume people are upset about the Halloween party and the MK kicking people out early that do not have party tickets.

Myself, hey, I'm hitting another park since I don't plan on buying party tickets even though I've heard it's awesome. But I see the other side too. People that are going to be there for the Tower of Terror run are hamstringed by parties on Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights. Saturday is out because of the race.

I had to move our MK day from Sunday to Monday because of this, so I see the point.

Hey, here's a plan, have all of the party extras included. I mean, it's not like you're getting into the parks for free to begin with.

But oh well.