Question about Peak Season park hours

[jjarman]

We are planning a trip March, 2005. I looked at another site to see the historical hours for the parks during this time last year and was surprised that the parks closed most nights around 7:00. Epcot WS stayed open until 9:00 most nights. Now if this is peak season (the resorts sure say it is with their rates) why aren't the parks open until 10:00 everynight?

 

[Mary Anne]

I think you have to pay attention to when Easter falls. If you're going during Peak Easter season, the parks will be open later. If it is just March they will probably close earlier.

 

[ellenmiele]

During March 2004 there were a lot of nights with early closing times despite March being "spring break" for many people but during the 2 weeks surrounding Easter in April 2004 the parks had long hours (MK was open 8am - 12 midnight most days). If you are going close to Easter which is in late March '05 - the 27th I think - the park hours will be very long. I used to check the websites for "projected hours" too but when the dates are around holidays that vary year to year, those "projected hours" don't ever seem to be very accurate.

 

[jjarman]

We are going the middle of March and I think Easter is the end of March. Maybe we will have some longer hours. I did email Disney about this. I mean, I am being charged for a hotel at peak season I should get peak season hours.

 

[JamesD]

I answered a similar question on another board. You can find it here: Passporter Board
The room rates have to do with the demand for the rooms, not how busy, or late the parks stay open. Even if all of the WDW resorts are full, it does not guarantee that the parks will be busy. A majority of the WDW visitors still stay off-site or are locals. Many WDW resort guests are attending conventions and enjoying the resorts, and never make it to the parks. The operating hours of the parks do not fluctuate much from year to year, and are based more on when the sun sets, than anticipated crowds.

 

[jjarman]

I appreciate the response but it still does not make sense to me. If the disney resorts are really busy it seems the off site hotels would be just as busy. Also, what does the time the sun sets have to do with park hours. I mean it is not like any of the ride are dependent on the sun. I don't mean to sound snippy I am just wondering why Disney does this? If you look at historic park attendence that is one of the "peak" times for visitors. So why wouldn't the parks stay open later?

 

[Mary Anne]

Ok, I'm going to give my true opinion and please keep in mind this is just my opinion.

Over the past 10 plus years we've seen Disney shorten their hours quite a bit. Where it used to be the norm for MK to be open to 10 pm July and August now by 9 pm or earlier and it's closed. I think it has more to do with having to pay people to work then then crowds. It's cheaper to close early and just keep one park or Downtown Disney open later.

And this is my opionion also, everyone talks about not going during the holiday season because of crowds. If you want long hours till 11 pm to midnight in the MK you are going to have to go those weeks. They just don't keep the parks open late the rest of the year anymore. Or if they do, you're paying for an e=ticket night.

I've watched this happen more and more the past few years. Not saying I agree with it but historially I've seen it.

 

[jjarman]

Originally posted by Mary Anne
Ok, I'm going to give my true opinion and please keep in mind this is just my opinion.

Over the past 10 plus years we've seen Disney shorten their hours quite a bit. Where it used to be the norm for MK to be open to 10 pm July and August now by 9 pm or earlier and it's closed. I think it has more to do with having to pay people to work then then crowds. It's cheaper to close early and just keep one park or Downtown Disney open later.

And this is my opionion also, everyone talks about not going during the holiday season because of crowds. If you want long hours till 11 pm to midnight in the MK you are going to have to go those weeks. They just don't keep the parks open late the rest of the year anymore. Or if they do, you're paying for an e=ticket night.

I've watched this happen more and more the past few years. Not saying I agree with it but historially I've seen it.

I totally agree with you. It just makes me mad that they will charge me for a room at peak season rates and then pretend they only keep the parks open until 7:00 because there aren't enough people going. I'm not that stupid.