Park Hours Changed for August

[michygoomy]

We're leaving the 13th (yeah!) and I noticed yesterday that the park hours had changed. I got to re-work my schedule a bit.

MK is open later and parades/fireworks have changed
AK is open an hour later--like someone had seen before
TL&BB are closing an hour earlier
MGM has added parades and Fantasmic times

Just a heads up for anyone who hasn't checked recently....

 

[Simba0319]

Thanks for the heads up!!!

 

[crazymomof4]

Does anyone know what would cause them to extend the hours like this? Do you think it's bc. the response to the FTP was great and they are anticipating greater crowds? This whole FTP thing has me worried about crowds when we go (9/27-10/10).

 

[packy]

I have heard that when the hours are extended Disney is expecting larger crowds. I have also heard that Disney (really Orlando) has regular surveys of the expected occupancy at all Orlando hotels so that the parks know what to expect regarding attendance. I would still rather have longer hours over shorter hours any day as it gives you more choices as to how to spend your (always too short) vacation time.

 

[Slartibartfast]

I'm trying to figure out why they are extending hours for the parks, but decreasing hours for the water parks. What's up with that? Our strategy involves going 4 hours before closing, and if the closing time is earlier, that puts us right in the middle of the hugest crowds. Hope they extend them while we're there!

 

[chb]

I was upset to see the earlier closing for the water parks too. We won't be arriving until midafternoon on our arrival day and were planning on doing BB when we got there.

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by packy I have also heard that Disney (really Orlando) has regular surveys of the expected occupancy at all Orlando hotels so that the parks know what to expect regarding attendance.

I'm trying to figure out why they are extending hours for the parks, but decreasing hours for the water parks.

Maybe....Disney knows exactly what the preferences of each guest registered in every hotel in the Orlando area and they know the people coming down during this time are not "waterpark" people! Oh No! Disney is Big Brother!

Seriously, maybe they looked at the number of children registered in the hotels and found it to be down in relation to the number of people traveling w/o kids. Maybe they are seeing large number seniors groups coming down. For whatever reason, they must be figuring on less attendance at the waterparks.

 

[Beechparty]

Also, in the past in august and Sept. if the mosquitoes are a problem and the West Nile virus is a threat they close the parks and resorts pools early b/c mosquitoes like water