Open should mean open

[Cals dad]

I can sympathize with th OP. It seems I shall never get a delicous cupcake from Starring Roles, as we only seem to make it to HS after 4 pm. There has also been times where I really wanted a meal from Columbia Harbor House, and it too has closed. A few times this has happened, and dinner time has just begun.

 

[maxiesmom]

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!

I bet those little cuts add up to a lot of money saved!

I know the store I work at doesn't even turn all of the lights on until we open for business. The escalators stay off too. Just those 2 things save our company a ton of money over the course of a year. Small savings really add up!

 

[Nancyg56]

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!

I would have a problem if Disney dd not do any beancounting. Every attraction, gift shop treat kiosk is staffed by people who must be paid. Factor in overhead costs and by the end of a year, that is a chunk of change. To be a sole rider on an attraction is one of those Disney pleasures that you actually can put a price on and one of those Disney beancounter would probably be able to tell you exactly what it is.
If prices ar going to be increased, I would prefer that that increase be because of maintenance rather than offering empty stores and attractions for a select group of guests as the reason.

I bet those little cuts add up to a lot of money saved!
!

We started doing this n our own home and the savings are measurable. Multiply my little house by how much????? Yup...........it adds up.

 

[mslhb]

Exactly. Let's not forget Disney is a for-profit enterprise. If closing selected restaurants and rides early caused enough people to stop going to the parks because they feel like they are not getting their money's worth, Disney would probably do things differently. As it stands, it sounds like Disney is making a judgment that inconveniencing a few people who might want a pretzel instead of a burger before closing time is a business risk it is willing to take instead of raising ticket prices for everyone, or (God forbid) lessening the profit margin. [/QUOTE]

This!

 

[mslhb]

Exactly. Let's not forget Disney is a for-profit enterprise. If closing selected restaurants and rides early caused enough people to stop going to the parks because they feel like they are not getting their money's worth, Disney would probably do things differently. As it stands, it sounds like Disney is making a judgment that inconveniencing a few people who might want a pretzel instead of a burger before closing time is a business risk it is willing to take instead of raising ticket prices for everyone, or (God forbid) lessening the profit margin.

Sorry my quote didn't come out right.... This!

 

[sephorachick]

I disagree with the OP. everything open means more staff they have to pay, more food that probably would be wasted, etc. that ultimately would end up increasing park admission prices.

you don't have to go to EMH

Yeah I'm with you. Being a past cast member you are totally right.
I worked a few EMH & I literally had to stand somewhere to block people from entering a certain area. THey dont "need" every single area open during EMH & it would cost so much more $$$$

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

During EMH the park is not officially open. This is "Extra Magic Hours" and is technically intended for Resort Guests to be able to take advantage of some (not all) attractions while the general public is not admitted.

THIS!

 

[ttintagel]

...seems like excessive beancounting to me.

I would have a problem if Disney dd not do any beancounting.

Which is why I said "excessive" beancounting.

"excessive" =/= "any."

 

[Karen Elaine]

I haven't had the time to read the whole thread, so I'm not sure if anyone made this point, but for our family, not having everything open during EMH helps our touring schedule. If EMH for MK is 8:00 a.m., we tour Fantasyland from 8:00 to just before 9:00 and then line up for the rope drop into Frontierland. Since this area has not been opened no lines have built which allows us a second opportunity to walk on to several rides with little wait. This is something that has been helpful in every park.

 

[Nancyg56]

Which is why I said "excessive" beancounting.

"excessive" =/= "any."

I know what excessive means, I really really do.

Disney has an obligation to make decisions that will maintain their profit, please their guests, and keep their costs down. Perhaps excessive beancounting would = no EMH. Excessive =/= refusing to open attractions, kiosks and restaurants that will not at least prove to be somewhat productive. A few guests who crave a cinnamon bun does not justify keeping a snack bar open. To satisfy a guests desire to be the only rider on any given attraction is not a reason to keep it open during EMH.

Honestly, the park is not officially open i those hours, so if resort guest are afforded the opportunity to have access to some things before or after normal closing time, it is a bonus.

 

[LilyWDW]

Which is why I said "excessive" beancounting.

"excessive" =/= "any."

But what is excessive? I do not find what they are doing to be excessive beancounting. But I have also realized over time on these boards that I can have a different viewpoint due to my background in business. I personally find what Disney is doing to be intelligent as it saves them money, overhead, and assists in turning a profit. They are a business and need to have profits to help fund expenditures.

 

[WDSearcher]

Here's a question for the OP: If "open should mean open", does that work on the other side too? Should "closed mean closed"?

Example ... MK "closes" at 7pm. But Main Street shops are open well past that time. People in line at 7pm can ride a ride, even though the park (and ride) are officially "closed". People are allowed to slowly wander out, take photos in an empty park, etc.

So ... if "open should mean open" and everything at MK is open whenever the park is (EMH or not), then it stands to reason that "closed should mean closed" and when the posted closing time comes, everything in the park closes. If you're ON the ride, you get to ride. If you're in line? Sorry, we're closed. If you're in a shop buying something, please finish your transaction. For everyone else who is still looking and shopping, I'm sorry ... you'll need to leave, as we're closed. Want to stop for a photo or two in front of the castle? I'm sorry ... all of the castle lighting has been turned off, as we are closed.

Thoughts?

 

[mejo]

Here's a question for the OP: If "open should mean open", does that work on the other side too? Should "closed mean closed"?

Example ... MK "closes" at 7pm. But Main Street shops are open well past that time. People in line at 7pm can ride a ride, even though the park (and ride) are officially "closed". People are allowed to slowly wander out, take photos in an empty park, etc.

So ... if "open should mean open" and everything at MK is open whenever the park is (EMH or not), then it stands to reason that "closed should mean closed" and when the posted closing time comes, everything in the park closes. If you're ON the ride, you get to ride. If you're in line? Sorry, we're closed. If you're in a shop buying something, please finish your transaction. For everyone else who is still looking and shopping, I'm sorry ... you'll need to leave, as we're closed. Want to stop for a photo or two in front of the castle? I'm sorry ... all of the castle lighting has been turned off, as we are closed.

Thoughts?

Excellent point

 

[Polydweller]

I don't like that some rides and eateries close well before the park, especially during EMH.

If a park is open, everything in that park should be open.

What do you think?

The issue comes down to what open, closed and operating mean. Park open means nothing more than the main gates are open and all persons with valid ticket media can enter though the gates and use whatever attractions, shops, and restaurants etc. that are operating at that time. Park open never means that everything is operating, just look at seasonal restaurants and rides for examples, or rides in refurb. It doesn't matter EMH or open hours, there is no guarantee that everything is operating.

Morning EMH means that the park gates are not open, they are closed. They let some people in early before all people are allowed in. Those allowed in are those who are resort guest with valid media only. Again, persons allowed in can use all attractions etc that are in operation. In EMH you are being allowed in before the gates open to all guests and the park is actually closed.

Evening EMH is just the opposite. The park gates close and even with valid media you cannot enter unless you are a resort guest. Again, its to enjoy what's operating and like all times not everything is guaranteed to be operating.

EMH is all about a perk for resort guests and the perk is to be allowed in when the park is closed.

 

[khertz]

Here's the experience we had at Dollywood last week. We found out about the after 3 pm deal and decided to take advantage so that we could get a little more time in the parks without paying more. Basically, if you buy a 1 day ticket and don't enter the park until after 3 pm, you get the next day "free." We showed up at 3 pm on Wednesday and it was POURING rain outside so lots of people were leaving as we were coming in. We waited out the rain a bit in a gift shop and a show, and when it finally slacked off, we took DS on a couple of kiddie attractions.

We tried to get on the train at 4:30 and were told it would run again at 5. So we decided to go get something to eat first. The buffet we tried to go to was closed and the doors locked even though the sign said they were open until park closing, which was 7 pm that day. Went back to the train station and...no train! We waited awhile with another family until finally some workers came over to tell us they were doing a "soft closing" of the park due to low attendance. Basically, they just closed all of the shops and restaurants and stopped running the attractions to force people to out of the park.

DH and I were SO annoyed. So yes, I agree open should mean open. But if just a couple things need to be closed to keep the rest of the park open and attractions running, I'll take that over completely closing the parks 2 hours earlier than the posted closing time. The whole way out of the park, DH and I had to keep reminding ourselves we weren't at Disney World!

 

[Nancyg56]

DH and I were SO annoyed. So yes, I agree open should mean open. But if just a couple things need to be closed to keep the rest of the park open and attractions running, I'll take that over completely closing the parks 2 hours earlier than the posted closing time. The whole way out of the park, DH and I had to keep reminding ourselves we weren't at Disney World!

I agree that when tickets are sold to an amusement park that has posted hours, the park should be open. In your case, open should me open. Everything. I would have been very annoyed.

The OP was discussing EMH, when the park is closed but resort guests can have a head start or be able to stay past closing. Big difference, IMO.

 

[lustergirl]

I really miss evening EMH at AK. Nothing was really open except a few stores, EE, ITTBAB and a couple of others. The place was just magical and empty...we cherished those evenings in that park. I am just not that picky when it comes to Disney's operational decisions. I could sit on a bench and just watch and listen all day.

In fact I am willing to pay for extra hours in MK using our tickets for MNSSHP and MVMCP. Usually the other parks close early and I like staying out a little later and do not mind the fee.

I agree completely I loved to just sit on a bench in whatever park and people watch.

 

[chartle]

Here's the experience we had at Dollywood last week. We found out about the after 3 pm deal and decided to take advantage so that we could get a little more time in the parks without paying more. Basically, if you buy a 1 day ticket and don't enter the park until after 3 pm, you get the next day "free." We showed up at 3 pm on Wednesday and it was POURING rain outside so lots of people were leaving as we were coming in. We waited out the rain a bit in a gift shop and a show, and when it finally slacked off, we took DS on a couple of kiddie attractions.

We tried to get on the train at 4:30 and were told it would run again at 5. So we decided to go get something to eat first. The buffet we tried to go to was closed and the doors locked even though the sign said they were open until park closing, which was 7 pm that day. Went back to the train station and...no train! We waited awhile with another family until finally some workers came over to tell us they were doing a "soft closing" of the park due to low attendance. Basically, they just closed all of the shops and restaurants and stopped running the attractions to force people to out of the park.

DH and I were SO annoyed. So yes, I agree open should mean open. But if just a couple things need to be closed to keep the rest of the park open and attractions running, I'll take that over completely closing the parks 2 hours earlier than the posted closing time. The whole way out of the park, DH and I had to keep reminding ourselves we weren't at Disney World!

At our local park, Kennywood, the closing time depends on the size of the crowd but its usually always at least 9 or 10.

Last year they closed at 5:00 PM due to heavy rain but gave everyone a free ticket so it worked out since we would have left soon anyway.

So we got 1.75 days out of a one day ticket