MK very crowded tonight, but hey let's close at 11:00

[AngiTN]

The way I look at it, it's not like the hours are very short. They are still open 8AM to 11PM or maybe 9AM to 10PM. That's a heck of a long day. I don't believe Disney owes more hours to the guest, that's all. I believe they get to set their hours just like any other business does. I wouldn't complain about hours at Disney any more than I would for Target. Or if a Movie Theater doesn't show a movie at a time that suits me. I'm sure no one else would either. What makes Disney different in that people think more hours are to be expected?

 

[megster1123]

Disney World apologists and experts are the best.

Y'all stay classy and keep feeding that greedy mouse. This dude is out.

So wait...you were upset about the crowds, so rather than make the best of it enjoy what attractions you could with your family while the park was open, you chose to rather rant and continue post here for 3 hours instead?

 

[ton80]

Blame the Chinese for the short hours !

 

[Mickey28]

(poor baby)

 

[Klayfish]

No clue if it's 95% but almost all schools in the South have been out 2, 3 weeks. So it's a lot of kids that are out

The south is quite different from the north as far as school schedules go. Lived 40+ years in PA, now the past few down south. Back home, school started in very early September. We only had the traditional holiday breaks, plus snow days, and school lasted until mid or even late-ish June. School district where we used to live doesn't let out this year until June 21st. Down here, school starts August 1st or thereabout. They never go more than 6 weeks without a one week break. School is done in late May. My kids last day was two weeks ago today (May 27th?)

 

[AngiTN]

The south is quite different from the north as far as school schedules go. Lived 40+ years in PA, now the past few down south. Back home, school started in very early September. We only had the traditional holiday breaks, plus snow days, and school lasted until mid or even late-ish June. School district where we used to live doesn't let out this year until June 21st. Down here, school starts August 1st or thereabout. They never go more than 6 weeks without a one week break. School is done in late May. My kids last day was two weeks ago today (May 27th?)

Without a doubt.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

OP I feel your pain. The value of a WDW vacation has gone down for many people.

I strongly suggest a visit to UN/IOA and staying onsite where the extra hour in the morning really means something. Last trip over Easter the 6:30 AM bus to MK on EMH was much more crowded than the 6:30 AM bus for the non-EMH day. Universal's attendance went up twice what MK's did in 2015 and no one is complaining about crowds because they also increased capacity. WDW built rooms but not the capacity in the parks to match it.

Two years ago they had EMH every day at MK over Easter but this year they didn't and it was more crowded so guess where we won't be Easter of 2017. Feel free to complain, too many snort pixie dust.

 

[Realfoodfans]

I'm sure most of us here want to go when we have grandkids. I just think we all have different breaking points in feeling like we get enough value for the dollars spent to justify going back.

I know these holidays are such special trips - possibly even more so for overseas visitors - but playing devils advocate- it seems that after all the pre-planning & preparation some people have such expectations - we do lay out some plans but even before our GS came along with his particular special needs
- we try not to get stewed up over the details and "let it go" if it is not comfortable for anyone in the party

 

[jknc]

Then why are you still coming back on here to whine? Enjoy your last trip to WDW and leave it to the rest of us "dumb" people, dude.

I can see where it's frustrating if people don't plan ahead, don't know what to expect, have unrealistic expectations or just don't have the right mindset. Almost all my trips to WDW have been during summer, and I've learned quickly that I have to expect it to be a mob scene every day. I'm really not a "people person", but I have to go in there with the understanding that it's going to be crowded and there's nothing I can do about it. Getting frustrated with it would just ruin the fun.

Best post ever, bro!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

My kids are in school until the 21st, thanks to a teachers strike. Early June is still considered Spring season for Disney.

 

[mom2rtk]

I know these holidays are such special trips - possibly even more so for overseas visitors - but playing devils advocate- it seems that after all the pre-planning & preparation some people have such expectations - we do lay out some plans but even before our GS came along with his particular special needs
- we try not to get stewed up over the details and "let it go" if it is not comfortable for anyone in the party

That has always been the case with a Disney trip. Something seems different now.

For me it's about the service cuts and escalating prices in a time of high profits.

 

[publix subs]

I'd rather sit behind this desk getting paid, and planning to go a different day to wait only 30+ minutes for 7DMT.

I was thinking the same thing. I'd choose my desk over a 2 and a half hour wait for anything.
But if I don't have a fp for 7DMT, I'm not going to ride it anyways, no matter what the crowd levels are.

But nobody is going to pay you for waiting in line for 7DMT.


ETA: Someone bet me to it!

cmon now you know it's all about paid leave

 

[jknc]

So wait...you were upset about the crowds, so rather than make the best of it enjoy what attractions you could with your family while the park was open, you chose to rather rant and continue post here for 3 hours instead?

Sounds about right.

Trust me kids, Disney heard my concerns loud and clear prior to our trip. They then compensated me very well for my clear and concise rationale for why IMO the value of a Disney trip has diminished.

My best.

 

[jcdeberry]

We went May 30-June 4 and MK was very crowded. Epcot not too bad, but not much to do, either. We did a lot but we have experience planning. It's got to be hard for new visitors. I don't think I would go again during a hot, busy time.

And let me qualify my Epcot comment: crowd-wise, it seemed light, but if you wanted to ride any attractions, it was ridiculous. Waits for TT And Soarin' were very long from opening until closing. Even Journey Into Imagination was 1/2 hour. SE an hour. First time we did not do Ellen. They need more stuff.

I agree. We were there as well.

 

[AngiTN]

My kids are in school until the 21st, thanks to a teachers strike. Early June is still considered Spring season for Disney.

Well, if you want to be technical, early June IS Spring. Period. Summer isn't till the 20th

 

[Planogirl]

I wonder if anyone besides me gets so tired of the constant "if you don't like it don't go" comments? That is obvious but I imagine that those who find fault still find value or at the very least still have hope. I don't understand why it bothers some people so much if people critique certain things.

Shorter hours are just that - shorter hours. It doesn't matter if Disney owes people longer hours or not. Or if Disney has enough attractions or decent food or clean bathrooms or reasonable prices..etc. What matters is whether people still see value in what they get. I think that forums are the perfect place to discuss these things both good and bad and to coin a phrase "if you don't like it don't read the thread".

 

[AngiTN]

Another thought, it's not like Disney took hours away and forced plans to be changed. They published the hours. You should make plans based on those. If people planned in hopes of a change in hours then that is on them.

 

[wdwlver]

I wonder if anyone besides me gets so tired of the constant "if you don't like it don't go" comments? That is obvious but I imagine that those who find fault still find value or at the very least still have hope. I don't understand why it bothers some people so much if people critique certain things.

Shorter hours are just that - shorter hours. It doesn't matter if Disney owes people longer hours or not. Or if Disney has enough attractions or decent food or clean bathrooms or reasonable prices..etc. What matters is whether people still see value in what they get. I think that forums are the perfect place to discuss these things both good and bad and to coin a phrase "if you don't like it don't read the thread".

This. This. This.

 

[serenitynow]

Sounds about right.

Trust me kids, Disney heard my concerns loud and clear prior to our trip. They then compensated me very well for my clear and concise rationale for why IMO the value of a Disney trip has diminished.

My best.

OH, so you are a professional complainer, eh? Disney has "compensated me very well" ... Now it makes more sense why you go to a place you have so many complaints about. Well to each his own.

 

[mm1971]

2.5 hours for Mine Train and 60 minutes for Buzz, OK, normal LOL

I get the frustration, but unfortunately that is the new normal. We have gone the last 4 years at the end of August and each year was busier than the last. We are not returning this August, but will find a less busy alternative. We remember fondly our vacations years ago when the crowds were manageable and we didn't have to plan everything months ahead of time. Those days are gone if you want decent ADR's. We still love our Disney time, but it is getting harder and harder to justify the expense given the current landscape. With the Frozen stuff planning to open, AK at night (and Pandora next), and new Star Wars stuff I don't see it slowing down any time soon.

I know one poster said most schools were out, but not in the Northeast. We still have a week to two weeks left. I suspect they may change the hours to midnight soon, but that doesn't help you this week. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip.