My empty Main Street/early entry CP morning is gone...

[MommyMK]

They change the hours of parks after they post them? ? ? ? ? ?



Off to check the times.

It's almost a guarantee if you are going during a major holiday. The parks will open at 8, with EMH being at 7.

 

[mummabear]

I am sorry you are disappointed, but you shouldn't be upset. You should have anticipated this. This is the normal Holiday week practice for years. It would be the exception if they did not extend the hours.

Really? Don't you think maybe since they have been doing this for years they could just get it right to start with.....

OP has a perfect right to feel upset, people make their plans based on the information Disney provides, people put time and effort into those plans and can feel rather invested in them given the amount of money we invest in a trip.

Try booking dining at DLR however-the ADRs open before park hours are even announced!

 

[Hopefully]

Really? Don't you think maybe since they have been doing this for years they could just get it right to start with.....

OP has a perfect right to feel upset, people make their plans based on the information Disney provides, people put time and effort into those plans and can feel rather invested in them given the amount of money we invest in a trip.

Try booking dining at DLR however-the ADRs open before park hours are even announced!

Or understand that Disney has standard operating procedures that have been the same for years on end. The initial posted operating hours will likely change before any given trip. If this info is critical to your trip it is wise to look at historical data from prior years. It is all part of in depth planning and understanding where you are going.

 

[maxiesmom]

Everything at WDW is subject to change and availability. That is stated on their web site. It is always wise to keep checking the hours as I'ved had them change during the trip.

I don't think it has anything to do with getting it right to start with. The park hours are not identical year to year to year. I'd rather Disney feel free to extend them if they feel the need to, going by their numbers on how busy the park is going to be, then have shorter hours and the parks packed full. More time to do stuff is always good. If someone wants pictures of an empty park really badly, they can always hang out until park close.

 

[luvsJack]

It hasn't been that many years ago that they most certainly DID NOT change the morning hours in advance. I have had many 8:05 ADR's during Thanksgiving week and the hours stayed the same for opening.

The DID change the closing hours of MK sometimes and they would add a second night parade that wasn't on the schedule. Neither of those things we greatly effect anyone's planning. But even with that, by our 3rd Thanksgiving trip, the changes were made a permanent part of the schedule.

For the OP, you have every right in the world to be upset. I would be too. If they "always" change the opening from 9 to 8, then why not just put it on the calendar that way at the 180 mark when folks are making these reservations? Its not like it takes a lot of thinking to figure out WHY people want an 8:05 ADR in a park that opens at 9.

This defending WDW because somewhere on something it says "subject to change" is ridiculous, imo. Most venues that put that statement in do everything in their power NOT to make a change.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Actually they do add morning hours for holidays on a regular basis, usually on the holiday itself. It's one reason I do not go to MK on major holidays.

I'm putting this into the "they should never change anything, ever" file with the posts that said the restaurant menus should never change either.

 

[rivertree]

sorry

 

[maxiesmom]

This defending WDW because somewhere on something it says "subject to change" is ridiculous, imo. Most venues that put that statement in do everything in their power NOT to make a change.

I think it is ridiculous to know that a place states offerings and hours are subject to change, and to not believe them.

I also don't think Disney assumes people are making those early morning ADRs to get pictures of an empty park. They are probably thinking people are early risers, or like to get an early start on vacation.

 

[luvsJack]

I think it is ridiculous to know that a place states offerings and hours are subject to change, and to not believe them.

I also don't think Disney assumes people are making those early morning ADRs to get pictures of an empty park. They are probably thinking people are early risers, or like to get an early start on vacation.

You really don't think that that Disney knows exactly why folks want these ADRs? The empty park, getting the jump on the crowd, etc. The CMs will even suggest it! Yes they know, they don't have to assume anything.

No one said not to believe them but when you are expected to make your meal reservations 6 months out and your FP 2 months out from your trip, one would hope that they would have it a little more down to a science as to how to arrange things so you CAN make those plans.

I would bet you dollars to donuts that if the number of 8:05 ADRs (you know, the hardest ones to get at CRT??) went down in numbers at holidays, they would suddenly not have a need for these changes. And that is exactly what one would expect from a business.

They know full well that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest weeks of the year. Its not a guessing game for them--they know. And, as such, it stands to reason that they should be able to make these decisions further out than a couple of weeks. Why they don't is beyond me and that silly little statement certainly does not give a reason.

Actually they do add morning hours for holidays on a regular basis, usually on the holiday itself. It's one reason I do not go to MK on major holidays.

I'm putting this into the "they should never change anything, ever" file with the posts that said the restaurant menus should never change either.

I didn't say they don't do it, I said it wasn't that long ago that they didn't. So, for someone who is planning a trip now to "expect" it is not realistic.

I also never said they should never change anything, ever nor did anyone else. But its not fair to not understand how frustrating it would be to make definitive plans 6 months ago and suddenly the place changes things to effect those plans.

I am happy for you that you don't go on major holidays, some people do not have that luxury.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I didn't say I don't go to WDW on major holidays. I said I don't go to MK on the holiday itself because that's going to be the crowded park and that will be the park where they change things. Even those who don't have "the luxury" can make that kind of plan.

 

[Stephandy03]

I bet if hours were posted to start at 8 am from the get-go, the 8 am reservations would not be booked so quickly. They would still get booked, but not at the 180 day mark as they are now. It is quite frustrating because for the past 3-4 months, I have been stalking the ADR site several times per day, looking for that pre-park breakfast. Once I found it, I planned my fastpasses around that as well. Now we leave in a week and my plans will change be use go don't want to spend the first open hour of the park at breakfast. I don't have time to rearrange my fastpasses. Of course being the obsessive DIS'er that I am, I'm sure I will continue to stalk the FP and dining sites to find what I want.

OP I completely understand.

 

[kelmcg]

Had 8:35am reservations at Crystal Palace on 11/24. 12yo and 14yo sons weren't too excited but since we were getting into the park before everyone else it made it exciting. Now that we no longer get the early entry we are canceling the breakfast and just this morning I was able to get a 8-9am 7DMT fastpass. One of these days I will get an early breakfast!!!!!

 

[Bellanota]

Hmmm this has thrown a wrench into my last day plans ... I grabbed an ohana at 950 just now which is later then I wanted for my last breakfast since we have to head home by 4 pm at the latest .... I still have my cp and will do done talking with my mother since its her trip too ugg at 7 days I thought I was planned

 

[Allison]

Everything at WDW is subject to change and availability. That is stated on their web site. It is always wise to keep checking the hours as I'ved had them change during the trip.

I don't think it has anything to do with getting it right to start with. The park hours are not identical year to year to year. I'd rather Disney feel free to extend them if they feel the need to, going by their numbers on how busy the park is going to be, then have shorter hours and the parks packed full. More time to do stuff is always good. If someone wants pictures of an empty park really badly, they can always hang out until park close.

I agree with you. It is a good thing if they extend park hours because the expected crowds justify doing so.

 

[HopperFan]

Everything at WDW is subject to change and availability. That is stated on their web site. It is always wise to keep checking the hours as I'ved had them change during the trip.

I don't think it has anything to do with getting it right to start with. The park hours are not identical year to year to year. I'd rather Disney feel free to extend them if they feel the need to, going by their numbers on how busy the park is going to be, then have shorter hours and the parks packed full. More time to do stuff is always good. If someone wants pictures of an empty park really badly, they can always hang out until park close.

AGREE. For all the planning we do the bottom line is "subject to change."

I've left home with posted hours on their site and arrived for them to hand me the new hours - they changed while I drove. I've been there when they added hours day of, stuck a sandwich sign outside. I'd rather stay than go to my ADR. I've walked up to DisneyQuest with paid for tickets and a sign out front saying 1/2 price today. Pools close with minimal warning or no warning if there is an "issue". Bus service can suddenly change without warning. Rides breakdown and or close for rehab announced long after I am booked. Restaurants run out of the food item I had planned to eat or changed their menus completely. Talking Mickey didn't talk and I wasted a FP+ on him - I'd already met non-talking Mickey in every other park. Rain cancelled fireworks and the headless horseman after I spent all that on party tickets. Monorail reduced hours. Food court closed and they didn't tell me until it was too late to change. Oh and the year we showed up to POP and our fridge was gone.

My point is we could make a huge list of all the things that don't work out the way we planned for a perfect trip. Does it get frustrating? Yes. But much has changed in the last few years in terms of attendance (which is why hours change and I'm glad if they expect bigger crowds) and occupancy, construction resort wide and even the crazy increase in competition for things to do outside of Disney. Disney has the right to change anything that works best for their business to bring guests in to their parks, their restaurants and hotels in any area subject to change. It doesn't make it wrong or unfair or that they shouldn't be allowed to adjust for their business. In turn I try to adjust my plans in any way that makes my day work for me under the new parameters, and if it's something I felt actually "cost" me then I address it there (ie. no fridge in room that it was listed as an amenity).

Had 8:35am reservations at Crystal Palace on 11/24. 12yo and 14yo sons weren't too excited but since we were getting into the park before everyone else it made it exciting. Now that we no longer get the early entry we are canceling the breakfast and just this morning I was able to get a 8-9am 7DMT fastpass. One of these days I will get an early breakfast!!!!!

And there is a positive of the added hour!

 

[maxiesmom]

I bet if hours were posted to start at 8 am from the get-go, the 8 am reservations would not be booked so quickly. They would still get booked, but not at the 180 day mark as they are now. It is quite frustrating because for the past 3-4 months, I have been stalking the ADR site several times per day, looking for that pre-park breakfast. Once I found it, I planned my fastpasses around that as well. Now we leave in a week and my plans will change be use go don't want to spend the first open hour of the park at breakfast. I don't have time to rearrange my fastpasses. Of course being the obsessive DIS'er that I am, I'm sure I will continue to stalk the FP and dining sites to find what I want.

OP I completely understand.

I was in the parks just a few weeks ago. The beauty of MDE is that you can tweak plans as you go. I was able to switch up FP+s and change around dining plans to more optimal times. Don't give up!

 

[Suvadoo]

I don't understand why Disney waits until the last minute to make changes. It's not like they didn't know the parks would be crowded over the holidays. Disney wants' people making ADR's 180 days out, why can't they be nice to their guests and post their extended hours 180 days out? This is simple courtesy!

 

[Suvadoo]

I was in the parks just a few weeks ago. The beauty of MDE is that you can tweak plans as you go. I was able to switch up FP+s and change around dining plans to more optimal times. Don't give up!

I really think the ability to switch things around depends upon the time of year. I don't think guest who are there over the holidays will be able to switch things around.

 

[mh1973]

Thanksgiving week morning hours changed...I know it's not the end of the world, and there are many more worse things that could happen, but here in the "World" this was the very tip top of my most important things list: pre-opening breakfast in the MK! When my ADR time opened up, I had secured my coveted 8:00a for the 25th (our last day in Disney). I have been checking (and hoping) that the hours would not change, and thought I was in the clear when they went through their big changes last month. But, this morning I see that my date now opens at 8:00a, so my much anticipated and must-do empty Main Street is no longer going to happen. (I've tried to secure other morning CP reservations to no avail.)

I'm so disappointed...can't even begin to convey just how disappointed I am. (If there was a deflated balloon emoticon, I would place it here).

OH no...I just checked hours...we have an 8:10 am reservation on Thanksgiving day at Tusker house...park wasn't suppose to open until 9 :-( Boo...now I may cancel...we wanted to be done with breakfast near park opening. So frustrating...because now making any kind of dining reservations earlier is out...nothing left.

 

[mh1973]

I am sorry you are disappointed, but you shouldn't be upset. You should have anticipated this. This is the normal Holiday week practice for years. It would be the exception if they did not extend the hours.

A first timer would not know that this is Disney's normal holiday week practice :-(