Open should mean open

[msmama]

I haven't stayed much past dinner in a few years with my young child, but I was very surprised that so much of Future World closed at 7! It was on the times guide, but it never occurred me to check.

We would have planned our day differently otherwise, probably.

So I don't care one way or another, but I now know to LOOK for things that close early!! It's seems especially hard when it's still light out - don't expect things to close!

 

[chartle]

Out of curiosity, how *does* EMH at night work. I mean, it's only for resort guests but obviously they can't clear non-resort guests out of the park, so aside from not letting more in, is there anything preventing non-resort guests from enjoying EMH? Do they check your room key in the queues?

Everyone can stay and yes they check at every queue.

 

[baler31]

The only thing that bothers us is the lack of characters during EMH. They decided to remove those in June 2011 and we have not really bothered much with EMH since.

 

[bcrook]

Many people seem to just be explaining why they don't keep everything open. I completely understand the why.

Regardless of what a wise business decision it is to partially close, it doesn't change my opinion that they should give guests what they pay for ... the entire park for the entire duration of operating hours.

As a PP pointed out, EMH will likely be a thing of the past when bands are in use, so it's not really my main issue. But, a couple of points to that effect -

*EMH is NOT pixie dust as it's not a gift or surprise of any kind. It's part of what people pay a premium for to stay at WDW resorts.

*Day guests are not asked to leave during EMH, they just can't ride rides.

As to early closings on normal hour days -

It shouldn't happen. People pay to have access to the park for that day and that is what should be offered.

As far as being worried about Disney raising prices - They do it anyway. Every year. Consistently.

I agree with every word of this post.

 

[chartle]

I'd be more concerned about attractions closing early than eating places. For example, some of the Future World attractions close at 7:00pm. It used to be FW hours were 9 to 7, with more popular attractions staying open late. They changed it to 9 to 9 with some less popular attractions closing early. Doesn't look good.

I'm not sure the issue they are just wording it differently because the old way was confusing people.

Of course Its done for the same reason why WS opens later, by 7 most people have moved in the WS

 

[cigar95]

The why is very important. You can't say that someone should do something without expressing the why.

"Should" is relative.

I always say that "should" is a dangerous word. It connotes almost a moral obligation on the part of the subject. If someone says "I'd really like agent ABC to do XYZ", I'll never dispute that. But saying "Agent ABC should do XYZ" raises lots of alarm bells, because there's an implicit notion that they have committed a moral transgression of sorts if they don't. Often folks will respond that they're not making such a claim, in which case there was probably a clearer way of making the original statement.

(Yes, I have a background in rhetoric and linguistics.)

 

[LBIJim]

Back in the old days, anyone ever go to World Showcase at 9:45 in the morning? If so, you'll remember that it was a very good way to find a private moment.

Yes, I used to enjoy WS virtually empty at 9:15am, the time it took to get there from the front gate. I'm surprised those early hours at WS lasted as long as they did.

Jim

Besides Ellen's Energy Adventure, what closes at 7pm in FW? I think everything else was open there until 9pm and even EMH in early March.

 

[Nancyg56]

Many people seem to just be explaining why they don't keep everything open. I completely understand the why.

Regardless of what a wise business decision it is to partially close, it doesn't change my opinion that they should give guests what they pay for ... the entire park for the entire duration of operating hours.

As a PP pointed out, EMH will likely be a thing of the past when bands are in use, so it's not really my main issue. But, a couple of points to that effect -

*EMH is NOT pixie dust as it's not a gift or surprise of any kind. It's part of what people pay a premium for to stay at WDW resorts.

*Day guests are not asked to leave during EMH, they just can't ride rides.

As to early closings on normal hour days -

It shouldn't happen. People pay to have access to the park for that day and that is what should be offered.

As far as being worried about Disney raising prices - They do it anyway. Every year. Consistently.

How much more are you willing to pay for the pleasure of having every aspect of the park open? I realize that the cost of EMH are built into the costs of the tickets as well as the resort prices, but I don't take advantage of them. In 8 years I have never gone to an early opening or late closing of any park, so while I am not at all upset that I am subsidizing this perk for other resort guests, I am not at all willing to increase my fees.

I understand that "people are paying for access to an open park", and that is what they get. An open park. Even for special party events that are sold at an additional price, not every attraction and food kiosk is open.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm not sure the issue they are just wording it differently because the old way was confusing people.

Of course Its done for the same reason why WS opens later, by 7 most people have moved in the WS

Before it sounded like a bonus, WS closed at 7:00 but some attractions stayed open later. The end result is the same but now it sounds like you are getting ripped off, some attractions close early.

Beside Ellen, I think The Land, Journey to Imagination, Innoventions close at 7:00 except on EMH nights. EMH some stay open through EMH time.

 

[fla4fun]

I believe the OP was referring to regular operating hours, not EMH. If so, I would tend to agree - to a point. IF they advertise that the park is open from 9am to 9pm, then the park should be open. If they advertise, for example, that Epcot FW is open from 9am to 7pm, and WS is open 11am to 9pm, then everything in those respective areas should be open during those hours. I find it just as frustrating those few times I've gone at rope drop to find the one attraction I wanted to visit doesn't open until 10am, as the OP appears to be with the limited dining choices an hour before the park closes. There is a disconnect between what is advertised and what is actually happening.

IF you want to stagger the opening and closing times, then advertise that plainly. Be up front about the fact that your attractions and restaurants and shops have hours other than the admission hours. Don't hide it on page three of the fine print. Don't hide it on a separate flyer you have to pick up in addition to the park guidemap. If I know the attraction I want to ride doesn't open until 10am, then I can adjust my expectations and timing accordingly. Maybe I would have that TS breakfast at my resort and go to the park at 9:30 instead of grabbing a cereal bar from my suitcase and rushing to get to the park an hour earlier.

Perhaps this is something that MDE can help with in the future. If I can log in a specific park on a specific date, and get the schedule for each attraction, restaurant, and shop, then it makes planning my day that much easier. One day, maybe they will provide that information.

 

[maxiesmom]

IF you want to stagger the opening and closing times, then advertise that plainly. Be up front about the fact that your attractions and restaurants and shops have hours other than the admission hours. Don't hide it on page three of the fine print. Don't hide it on a separate flyer you have to pick up in addition to the park guidemap. If I know the attraction I want to ride doesn't open until 10am, then I can adjust my expectations and timing accordingly. Maybe I would have that TS breakfast at my resort and go to the park at 9:30 instead of grabbing a cereal bar from my suitcase and rushing to get to the park an hour earlier.

Disney doesn't hide the fact that not all attractions are open. It states it on every park map. Not to mention, rides do break down and end up having to be shut down, which cannot always be scheduled.

And they can't force people to do a little research if they don't wish to. If you (in general) are dropping a few thousand dollars on a trip, and can't be bothered to read a park map or times guide, that is on you. Disney can't force feed people information.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Disney doesn't hide the fact that not all attractions are open. It states it on every park map. Not to mention, rides do break down and end up having to be shut down, which cannot always be scheduled.

And they can't force people to do a little research if they don't wish to. If you (in general) are dropping a few thousand dollars on a trip, and can't be bothered to read a park map or times guide, that is on you. Disney can't force feed people information.

That's kind of harsh. Also, by the time you've got a park map and Times Guide in your hand, you've already spent "a few thousand dollars on a trip," so your criticism in this regard is kind of unfair.

Actually, online the information *is* partially hidden. WDW's EMH page, itself, states clearly near the top of the page that "select attractions" are open during EMH (see here). But the info popup that explains EMH on park calendar pages (when you click on the little "i") does not use the "select attractions" language. The popup language just says you can "enjoy additional time" in the parks outside of "operating hours". That seems somewhat misleading to me, as well, and this popup language is available on many more pages of the WDW website than the language on the individual EMH page.

 

[maxiesmom]

That's kind of harsh. Also, by the time you've got a park map and Times Guide in your hand, you've already spent "a few thousand dollars on a trip," so your criticism in this regard is kind of unfair.

I'm not trying to be harsh. But even if Disney did list out every ride and attraction, stuff would happen, and it wouldn't be accurate. Rides break down, or need more work than can be done overnight, and end up down for some time.

Disney is up front about it. They can't always plan for a ride to be out of commission far enough in advance to give people advance notice. That is why they state that "Entertainment and attraction availability subject to change without notice" right on the park map. They can't control when rides break down, or when maintenance might take longer than usual.

 

[ttintagel]

Yeah, I totally agree with the OP. Sure, it costs more to staff rides during slow hours, but closing some early just seems like excessive beancounting to me. Occasionally going on a ride and being the only one there is one of those little Disney pleasures you can't put a price on!

 

[FortForever]

I believe the OP was referring to regular operating hours, not EMH.

I really was, but unfortunately I opened my big mouth and emphasized EMH in my initial post. I'm a transcriptionist, so I often type much faster than I think.

That's kind of harsh. Also, by the time you've got a park map and Times Guide in your hand, you've already spent "a few thousand dollars on a trip," so your criticism in this regard is kind of unfair.

Actually, online the information *is* partially hidden. WDW's EMH page, itself, states clearly near the top of the page that "select attractions" are open during EMH (see here). But the info popup that explains EMH on park calendar pages (when you click on the little "i") does not use the "select attractions" language. The popup language just says you can "enjoy additional time" in the parks outside of "operating hours". That seems somewhat misleading to me, as well, and this popup language is available on many more pages of the WDW website than the language on the individual EMH page.

Thanks for explaining that much better than I could have.

Yeah, I totally agree with the OP. Sure, it costs more to staff rides during slow hours, but closing some early just seems like excessive beancounting to me. Occasionally going on a ride and being the only one there is one of those little Disney pleasures you can't put a price on!

Exactly!

I'm so clearly outnumbered in my opinion, it's nice that at least a few others can get where I'm coming from.

 

[bdklein]

the Safari I know it needs to close before dark so they can have time to get all of the animals inside.

Inside what? The animals don't stay outside in their environment?

 

[TDC Nala]

Inside what? The animals don't stay outside in their environment?

No, they don't. They move indoors for the night. there are large buildings backstage to house each type of animal.

 

[bdklein]

No, they don't. They move indoors for the night. there are large buildings backstage to house each type of animal.

Thanks. I wonder if they get to watch Disney channel?

 

[Bean786]

Thanks. I wonder if they get to watch Disney channel?

Animal planet

 

[FortForever]

Inside what? The animals don't stay outside in their environment?

Take the Rafiki's Planet Watch train and you get to see the big warehouse buildings where they sleep.