Park Hours Frustration

[lugnut33]

We are going Monday, April 26- Sat. May 1 and have anxiously been waiting for the park hours to be posted. Well, on Monday they posted April 26th. Cool. Then on tuesday they posted April 27th's hours, cool. However, they have stopped posting hours..... ummmmm what's going on here? I know DL is always tough to get the park hours for, but they aren't keeping up. Is something happening at the end of that week that has made them stop posting the hours after Tuesday?

Also, I was shocked to see they have the DL park hours extended to 9am-10pm, considering every year prior to this it has been a reduced hours schedule.

Am I missing something? Is it possible World of Color still might be making a debut that week?

 

[Luv4Disney]

I am frustrated as well. This is our first time going to DL and it's driving me nuts. I'm so used to WDW and being able to plan everything waaaay out in advance. I'm itching for the May hours so I can finalize everything. Seems like I still have a month to go before that happens. Sheesh.

 

[HydroGuy]

I am frustrated as well. This is our first time going to DL and it's driving me nuts. I'm so used to WDW and being able to plan everything waaaay out in advance. I'm itching for the May hours so I can finalize everything. Seems like I still have a month to go before that happens. Sheesh.

Yes, DLR is different than WDW in this regard because the EMHs and ADRs are just not such a big deal and/or are more regular. And that can be frustrating for WDW vets accustomed to (and might I say conditioned to ) planning 6 months out.

Just curious what you would need to finalize? The Magic Morning dates are well established. Entertainment offerings are too. No Fantasmic until Memorial Day this year and no DEP. Weekends will have a full slate of what remains and weekdays will be reduced. No real need to choose which parks on which days because you should park hop pretty much every day.

Here are historical hours and entertaiment FWIW: "Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I know what you all mean. I'm a DL vet and it still frustrates me because I want to know what I'm up against well before I get there. With DL it seems you can't plan more than 4 weeks out because even if they know the info, they aren't posting it for some reason. I'm looking into a late summer WDW trip and they already have the schedule for each park posted w/ EMH and everything. Very refreshing for a change...

 

[Luv4Disney]

Yes, DLR is different than WDW in this regard because the EMHs and ADRs are just not such a big deal and/or are more regular. And that can be frustrating for WDW vets accustomed to (and might I say conditioned to ) planning 6 months out.

Just curious what you would need to finalize? The Magic Morning dates are well established. Entertainment offerings are too. No Fantasmic until Memorial Day this year and no DEP. Weekends will have a full slate of what remains and weekdays will be reduced. No real need to choose which parks on which days because you should park hop pretty much every day.

Here are historical hours and entertaiment FWIW: "Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

Thanks for the website! Where did you find the info on Fantasmic not being up and running until Memorial Day? This is disappointing. What is DEP? Sorry, not familiar with DL codes yet. Just trying to choose the best days for us since we'll be doing other things in SoCal aside from Disney. I also do NOT like lack of confirmation number with dining reservations! Ahhhh. We're also planning on doing some tours so I like know what days I'm doing what. I plan WDW 6 months out so this driving me crazy. You'd think the Disney's would be more similar. Oh well.

 

[lugnut33]

DEP = Disney's Electrical Parade

Hydroguy, it's not that I need the hours to plan or anything, I'm just being curious because normally the week that we are going is short hours. If they are running the extended hours it must be because they are expecting a crowd.

And what really makes me wonder is they have stopped posting the days as we are getting closer to what used to the the original premier date for World of Color. I'm not saying that is why, but it has crossed my mind. I've seen the updated photos of the viewing areas on Miceage (thanks for that site ref. hydroguy) and it appears they are a long long way from being ready.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the website! Where did you find the info on Fantasmic not being up and running until Memorial Day? This is disappointing. What is DEP? Sorry, not familiar with DL codes yet. Just trying to choose the best days for us since we'll be doing other things in SoCal aside from Disney. I also do NOT like lack of confirmation number with dining reservations! Ahhhh. We're also planning on doing some tours so I like know what days I'm doing what. I plan WDW 6 months out so this driving me crazy. You'd think the Disney's would be more similar. Oh well.

Fantasmic being down has been known since late last year because of the Rivers of America refurb. See MousePlanet for more info:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9195/Disneyland_Resort_Update#Rehabs

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Rivers of America – closed through May 6 for major refurbishment. This also closes all attractions requiring use of the river: Sailing Ship Columbia, Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, Mark Twain Riverboat (closed until May 14), as well as the Fantasmic! nighttime show (closed until May 27).
• Tomorrowland Terrace – closed through July 2 for refurbishment. The Jedi Training Academy show will be offered while the restaurant is closed.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds – closed April 12–16 and April 19–23 for additional work following a recent refurbishment.
• Little Red Wagon (Corn Dog Wagon) – closed through May 4 for refurbishment.
• Disneyland Monorail – closed April 19 & 20 for refurbishment.
• Disney Showcase – closed April 20 & 21 for refurbishment.
• Disney Showcase Annex – closed April 26 & 27 for refurbishment.
• Newsstand – closed April 26 through May 20 for refurbishment.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed April 26 through May 16 for refurbishment.
• King Arthur Carrousel – closed May 8 through 10 for refurbishment.

For abbrevations see: "DLR Abbreviations List" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520784

Regarding the shorter planning period, that may frustrate some folks like you but is a huge relief to others. No need to plan your days, parks whiuch days, EMH to do or not to do, ADR's, etc, 6 months in advance. That is frustrating but part of the WDW landscape.

DLR does not require as much planning. You can and should park hop every day. So no need to choose your park ahead of time. ADRs (just plain reservations at DLR) are obtainable with short notice. You can walk to the parks and DTD. Think about it and maybe you will see it is less frustrating. ;-)

 

[HydroGuy]

DEP = Disney's Electrical Parade

Hydroguy, it's not that I need the hours to plan or anything, I'm just being curious because normally the week that we are going is short hours. If they are running the extended hours it must be because they are expecting a crowd.

And what really makes me wonder is they have stopped posting the days as we are getting closer to what used to the the original premier date for World of Color. I'm not saying that is why, but it has crossed my mind. I've seen the updated photos of the viewing areas on Miceage (thanks for that site ref. hydroguy) and it appears they are a long long way from being ready.

Well, Disney has never said any date for WOC. The late April date, May 1, June 1 and now June 11 dates all come from the rumors on forums.

Really, there is not that much to make plans for. It is still a month ahead. You know you will be there. You can make dining ressies now and still have time to change them. If park hours get extended because of crowds then you will have more park hours to work with. It's not like you are going to miss something because you cannot plan for it now.

I hope I do not come across like I am talking down, just sayin' that I do not see a reason to get frustrated at this point. You will not miss anything. The worst case is that they will offer more things and increase hours on weekdays.

 

[zeitzeuge]

Well, Disney has never said any date for WOC. The late April date, May 1, June 1 and now June 11 dates all come from the rumors on forums.

Really, there is not that much to make plans for. It is still a month ahead. You know you will be there. You can make dining ressies now and still have time to change them. If park hours get extended because of crowds then you will have more park hours to work with. It's not like you are going to miss something because you cannot plan for it now.

I hope I do not come across like I am talking down, just sayin' that I do not see a reason to get frustrated at this point. You will not miss anything. The worst case is that they will offer more things and increase hours on weekdays.

I totally agree. DL requires little or no planning. WDW yes, requires planning out your ADR's, days at the parks, hours, etc. DL you can pretty much show up and hop back and forth between both parks without having to worry about anything. MUCH less stressful. We go twice a year and honestly don't plan a thing until we walk through the gates and look at that day's schedule.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Well, Disney has never said any date for WOC. The late April date, May 1, June 1 and now June 11 dates all come from the rumors on forums.

I asked a customer service rep about that since we are planning a may trip and he said that WOC would be up and running during our trip. I didn't ask a specific opening day I just asked for "mid-may."

 

[lugnut33]

Well, Disney has never said any date for WOC. The late April date, May 1, June 1 and now June 11 dates all come from the rumors on forums.

Really, there is not that much to make plans for. It is still a month ahead. You know you will be there. You can make dining ressies now and still have time to change them. If park hours get extended because of crowds then you will have more park hours to work with. It's not like you are going to miss something because you cannot plan for it now.

I hope I do not come across like I am talking down, just sayin' that I do not see a reason to get frustrated at this point. You will not miss anything. The worst case is that they will offer more things and increase hours on weekdays.

I'm not sure frustrating was the correct word to use. It's sort of like Christmas when you know you're going to get a gift, there a few clues out there but can't figure out what you're getting.

 

[MommiePrincess]

We will be going April 24 - May1 and I noticed the park hour schedule being open later then I expected as well as you did. I did think of WOC immediately. Not to sound crazy, but we were trying to avoid crowds this trip, so I planned around and away from what I thought would be WOC openings. That said, we have booked at the GCH and the rates for the time we will be there are very high. Higher then Spring Break Weekend and the current Summer rates. I have asked 2 different CM's via phone and they have no explanation on the high GCH rates. I am not trying to spread rumors at all, in fact I am hoping against an early WOC opening...but it seems something is odd about the week we will be there. Our GCH rates are 35% higher for this trip then our trip in early August last year.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I was looking for the preceding week and a lot of the hotels are sold out or charging way more than I want to pay for off season. So I decided not to go.

 

[moomoo]

Oh no! We are going the same week and I booked it specifically because I thought it would be nice and quiet! I imagine they must be expecting large crowds if they have extended the hours. I managed to get the entertainment rate at Hojo's, I did notice other hotels were pricey though! If it's not due to WOC, maybe there is a big conference on that week?

 

[lugnut33]

Well, it's been 4 days since they have updated their schedule.

 

[Disney Dreams]

We are going Monday, April 26- Sat. May 1 and have anxiously been waiting for the park hours to be posted...... ummmmm what's going on here? ...Is something happening at the end of that week that has made them stop posting the hours after Tuesday?

Also, I was shocked to see they have the DL park hours extended to 9am-10pm...

Am I missing something?...

Are you aware that the Food and Wine Festival is April 16 to May 31, 2010 at DCA?

Well, it's been 4 days since they have updated their schedule.

That's just how Disneyland.com rolls. If you check it daily, you will go batty.

 

[New England Eeyore]

Hydroguy, it's not that I need the hours to plan or anything, I'm just being curious because normally the week that we are going is short hours. If they are running the extended hours it must be because they are expecting a crowd.

I'll be there 4/25 - 4/28. I just checked the hours and was surprised by the extended hours too. I had the same thought - will it mean bigger crowds?

 

[Luv4Disney]

We were originally booked April 30 - May 9th. We had to change it and wanted the week after. We couldn't get our room for 2 or 3 nights because there's some kind of convention going on. So alas, we are now the 14th - 23rd.

 

[disneylovingfamily:4]

I am anxiously awaiting too for May 2nd!!

 

[lugnut33]

Ahhhhh-haaaaaa, Hydroguy gave me my answer:

Editor's Note 3/22: Notice how busy it's been at the parks lately? TDA execs are terrified of the AP impact on the World of Color opening weekend, and they were happy to oblige WDI's request to push it back until after Fantasmic returns on May 28th. The extended hours for DCA on April 25th (the original premiere date) and the following weekdays that still show on the Disneyland.com calendar will soon be cut back to earlier closings once George K gives the plan his blessing. - Al Lutz

That's why they have stopped updating the schedule. Now it appears they are also going to amend the schedule.