October Hours

[HydroGuy]

This kind of information for those who know about the dis, is great, fantastic even.

However, for the thousands who do not know and or read the dis, not having hours posted at least 8 weeks out is ridiculous.

Now, I love Disney, however there is no reason they cannot post the hours at minimum, 60 days out. If they can take our reservations on that kind of time line, they could post the hours.

I am sorry, but I work in a business where we do long term planning for large building projects, if we can plan 12 months out and post a schedule, Disney can do it at least 60 days out. And I am subject to procurement delivery's, part lead times, and major man power issues/planning.

I do not buy for one minute that they are not capable of better scheduling information then what it appears they have going now.

Unless they are having staffing shortages and do not know from one month to the next how many people they will have show up for work, then can post a 60 day schedule.

Personaly I think the reason they do hang back on posting hours is because they do have such a large local base, that does not need to plan months in advance, so they never really garner very many complaints about not having longer lead times posted.

Not sure how much you know about DLR - and, again, I do not want to come off as a "Rah, rah, DLR can do no wrong" fan, but there are some differences from say WDW that do cause issues with scheduling which WDW just does not have to deal with. Such as:

o DLR has limited parking for guests which can be a huge pain for people trying to get to the parks and cause serious guest dissatisfaction

o DLR has almost one million AP holders many of which live in SoCal so they can sway attendance day-to-day more easily than at WDW

o DLR has many more day trippers vs. say WDW so attendance would be harder to gauge

o DLR draws heavily on locals and on weekdays guests and Cast Members are impacted by SoCal traffic

o DLR is a small fish in the big SoCal pond and has to compete more with what is happening in the rest of the state than does WDW

o DLR only has three hotels while WDW has 20+ so it would seem DLR would not have as much data as WDW has on how many guests to expect at parks

o DLR typically maintains longer park hours than WDW anyways - even if they take longer to announce them

o Frankly, DLR has been doing way more projects lately than WDW

o DLR has more issues integrating night time entertainment within and between the parks and the local community. There are limitations on when they can do fireworks shows and what permissable wind levels are. The sound from DL fireworks and F! show can be heard at DCA and will impact the WOC shows if they do not time things right. And shows like F! are harder to schedule and pull off because they are inside DL and depend on DL infrastructure. For example, when work is done on the island, the river, in New Orleans Square, or on the Mark Twain or Columbia ships, this impacts the ability to host the F! show. So they have to know what everyone else is dong more than say WDW.

o DLR hosts a lot more special events such as movie premieres (POTC 1, 2, 3 and 4) and grad nights (maybe 20 of them). These can really disrupt operations and requires tons of planning and integration within the resort.

o When DLR does off-the-cuff things, it can turn into a nightmare more easily than WDW. For example, this Feb they had a 24 hour opening for DL on Feb 29 and expected modest attendance. Instead they got packed out and it turned into a disaster for the CMs and they ran out of food, freeways were jam-packed for miles around DLR even late into the evening, they had to close the park entrance to arriving guests, etc.

Maybe you are right and they could announce calendars further out and they just not to. I do not work there and have no real idea. I do know that WDW does announce calendars 6 months out because they have to for ADRs, but then they still adjust anyways as the date approaches. Is that really better? Some here say yes. I am not sure what that buys you except people planning ADRs around schedules and then having them get messed up such as Bumbershoot did.

Anyways, this is just for ramblings for discussion purposes. Hope someone finds it interesting...

 

[deanimal]

Just got up and checked....nope, still not up!

I'm beginning to think I just may have DCD (Disney compulsive disorder!)

And Hydroguy, those points are really interesting. I hadn't thought of how the location differences could effect Disneyland's scheduling. But I'm still annoyed that Disney chose to stop updating the calendar the exact day that I arrive!

 

[Virgoinab]

Not sure how much you know about DLR - and, again, I do not want to come off as a "Rah, rah, DLR can do no wrong" fan, but there are some differences from say WDW that do cause issues with scheduling which WDW just does not have to deal with. Such as:

o DLR has limited parking for guests which can be a huge pain for people trying to get to the parks and cause serious guest dissatisfaction

o DLR has almost one million AP holders many of which live in SoCal so they can sway attendance day-to-day more easily than at WDW

o DLR has many more day trippers vs. say WDW so attendance would be harder to gauge

o DLR draws heavily on locals and on weekdays guests and Cast Members are impacted by SoCal traffic

o DLR is a small fish in the big SoCal pond and has to compete more with what is happening in the rest of the state than does WDW

o DLR only has three hotels while WDW has 20+ so it would seem DLR would not have as much data as WDW has on how many guests to expect at parks

o DLR typically maintains longer park hours than WDW anyways - even if they take longer to announce them

o Frankly, DLR has been doing way more projects lately than WDW

o DLR has more issues integrating night time entertainment within and between the parks and the local community. There are limitations on when they can do fireworks shows and what permissable wind levels are. The sound from DL fireworks and F! show can be heard at DCA and will impact the WOC shows if they do not time things right. And shows like F! are harder to schedule and pull off because they are inside DL and depend on DL infrastructure. For example, when work is done on the island, the river, in New Orleans Square, or on the Mark Twain or Columbia ships, this impacts the ability to host the F! show. So they have to know what everyone else is dong more than say WDW.

o DLR hosts a lot more special events such as movie premieres (POTC 1, 2, 3 and 4) and grad nights (maybe 20 of them). These can really disrupt operations and requires tons of planning and integration within the resort.

o When DLR does off-the-cuff things, it can turn into a nightmare more easily than WDW. For example, this Feb they had a 24 hour opening for DL on Feb 29 and expected modest attendance. Instead they got packed out and it turned into a disaster for the CMs and they ran out of food, freeways were jam-packed for miles around DLR even late into the evening, they had to close the park entrance to arriving guests, etc.

Maybe you are right and they could announce calendars further out and they just not to. I do not work there and have no real idea. I do know that WDW does announce calendars 6 months out because they have to for ADRs, but then they still adjust anyways as the date approaches. Is that really better? Some here say yes. I am not sure what that buys you except people planning ADRs around schedules and then having them get messed up such as Bumbershoot did.

Anyways, this is just for ramblings for discussion purposes. Hope someone finds it interesting...

Yup, and all of those factor's that you just mentioned can be taken into account on a 60 day schedule.

I was not comparing WDW to DL because I agree they are two different animals.

I am not expecting that DL post their calender out six months, I do not see that as realistic because of their placement within a residential zone.

60 days, that could be done, I don't know why they don't, and neither do you, it is all conjecture on our part.

But that is just my opinion

 

[laurasvwee]

well great I must have DCD. I just checked it too. I even started thinking that Disney is just trying to mess with me...lol. That darn calendar stopped up dating on the first day of my vacation. Coincidence...I think not

 

[HydroGuy]

Yup, and all of those factor's that you just mentioned can be taken into account on a 60 day schedule.

I was not comparing WDW to DL because I agree they are two different animals.

I am not expecting that DL post their calender out six months, I do not see that as realistic because of their placement within a residential zone.

60 days, that could be done, I don't know why they don't, and neither do you, it is all conjecture on our part.

But that is just my opinion

I had not seen you post here before and guessed you might have some WDW background. And lots of folks here have made the WDW comparison related to scheduling. So I compared.

You are right I do not know why DLR does scheduling the way they do, but I do know that if they are not careful it can cause some unexpected and significant disruptions. Because it has.

 

[bonedoc]

DLRs opening hours are almost a direct reflection of their daily census.

Besides the special events, ride closures, and show changes, DLR polls and reacts to Southern California events, conferences, sporting events and school systems.

In fact, they even adjust for local school and government furlough days. Consider THAT! On many days last year (in fact, even up to the last few days leading up to) changes in local events and local furlough days, DLR announced extended hours to accommodate the influx of guests.

We have, rather my DW has, tracked opening hours and that seemed really odd to us, and correlated them to local furloughs. On a few specific furlough days (these are nonholiday weekdays with no special events), we accidentally went to Knotts (not knowing it was a furlough day) and saw the park being completely overwhelmed, frustrated employees, frustrated guests, frightened guards, and one big mess. We left and went to DLR and it was operating as if it was a holiday weekend with people everywhere, plenty of CMs, and extended park hours to midnight.

I'd even take DLRs opening hours and use it as a direct reflection of local economy. It would be more accurate than anything anyone else any financial firm can come up with. It's probably almost as good as he McDonalds Big Mac index that accurately but unofficially tracks the exact trading value of local currencies around the world by tracking the local price of a Big Mac.

 

[hulliechrisp]

forget the WDW comparison for now. we're not even talking 60 days out at this point...October 1st is what, 37 days away? do they really not know how long they are going to keep the parks open?

 

[HydroGuy]

forget the WDW comparison for now. we're not even talking 60 days out at this point...October 1st is what, 37 days away? do they really not know how long they are going to keep the parks open?

I have said this earlier but will say it again. It is possible there are a group of people inside Disney who scheme to hold back schedules to frustrate guests. But I doubt it. They typically post hours 4-6 weeks in advance. Before the Internet no one cared. Now instant access and folks accustomed to WDW-type 180 days causes frustration that did exist in the past. DLR is a small fish in a big SoCal pond and other events in SoCal can impact them - as I discussed earlier as did Bonedoc.

As DLR is trying harder than ever to attract higher spending vacationers from far away, they may need to figure out how to get schedules out sooner. If possible.

 

[bonedoc]

do they really not know how long they are going to keep the parks open?

The answer is no. The local school schedules really are coming out right now, and they have a huge impact on the number of guests. HUGE. Like on the order of 300% swings.

Like I wrote above, if you've ever gone to the other parks on school furlough days, there would be no question whatsoever whether there is a large impact.

 

[kailuagirl]

All I know is I hoping with this delay that they are gonna give us some great hours during the week with unexpected entertainment. I can only hope right???

 

[Jacie]

I just hate being sooo close to the day I get there (The 30th!) and still no hours... It's like a perpetual Christmas Eve- the anticipation is killin' me!

 

[pipervali]

I'm getting frustrated simply because I'm holding off on planning/booking something else for my trip because of waiting to see what the hours are like. We're going the first week in October, and only for one day. So I'm trying to decide between the Wednesday and Thursday of that week. And the day we don't go, we're going to do the Paramount Studio Tour, which I need to book and pay for in advance. I don't want to take the chance that the studio tour fills up, simply because DL couldn't release their times.

 

[rsleleux]

Nope, you're in good, if slightly neurotic company!

I guess for me its highlighted a bit by the comparison with our WDW trip planning. We're going there in the middle of February and I already have my dining reservations made, and my daily plans figured out. It just seems really strange that I know the parade times for the Magic Kingdom for mid February but not the opening time for Disneyland five weeks from this Sunday!

Same here! I have my whole itinerary planned out for our next trip to WDW in Feb and nothing for our upcoming trip to DLR in October except for plane tickets and hotel! I have to say I love both parks but I am much more relaxed and prefer to leisurely explore DL!

 

[rsleleux]

i guess you can add me the list of WDW regulars who are getting frustrated trying to over-plan our vacations...oh well...

It gets better and you get better with it once you are there! I felt like that before our last visit to DLR, since it was our first time there and we were used to going to WDW every year but it is much more relaxed and getting dining reservations is not crazy like WDW (I was one of those ppl that wait almost 3 hrs to get through to make reservations for the new restaurant BOG at WDW). I actually prefer DLR to WDW because it is more relaxed and easier. But I understand what you are going through because I felt that way last time! Have a great trip!

 

[deanimal]

Well, its 8 am Sunday morning, exactly 5 weeks before we hit the parks (probably, but who know when opening time will be) and nothing on the website but Hallo........

Every time I see it I say "Halloo?" back, but so far nothing.

 

[disneygurl1987]

Looks like i'll have to wait too, first day at Disneyland is the 15th October.. Probably in another week or so hopefully for me and hopefully everyone else's dates come up!

 

[deanimal]

Checking in for another morning.
Hallooo...?

 

[Jacie]

34 dayssssssss and I need to know. Need to know because it means my trip is that much closer!
PlusmyhusbandsaysI'mkindofacontrolfreak. But I'm sure that has nothing to do with it...

 

[SlightlyocdDisneyfan]

Checking in for another morning.
Hallooo...?

I hear it every morning too... but in a Tigger voice. That part of the movie is probably imprinted to always give me anxious excitement after this!

 

[kristie73]

I emailed Disneyland customer service last Wed, Aug 22 asking when the Oct hours would be posted. I never got a response except for the standard, we got your email, someone will get back to you soon. So maybe I'll hear something back by this Wed.

"Greetings from the Disneyland® Resort!

Thank you for writing to us. We sincerely appreciate your loyalty to Disney and value the time you took to share your thoughts.

I personally assure you that your message has been received. Depending on the nature of your request and the amount of research required, our response time may vary; however, a member of my Guest Services Team will contact you within seven days.

If you are visiting the Disneyland® Resort within the next two weeks and need immediate assistance, please call us at (714) 781-4565, Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00am and 8:00pm (PST). We may also be reached Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 8:00am and 6:00pm (PST).

Again, thank you for your message. We look forward to assisting you soon. "