Staying until park closes?

[mmtwinmama]

Hi - We've never been to DL, but will be there the end of June. In WDW we've never stayed at a park until closing. Now that the kids are older, is that worth doing? We probably won't be doing any of the shows (Fantasmic or WOC), so do the ride lines get smaller the later it gets and/or during shows?
We will definitely arrive pre opening, break, and go back to use up FP's, but I just wasnt sure if we should try to stay late. We would only do this on Saturday, June 26th because the next day we can and will sleep in.
Thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

Opening is better than closing as far as ride lines. But post fireworks a lot of people head for the door a lot! Depending on the ride, some will get quiet and some are kinda busy to the end.

If you haven't stayed late before it is something you should do. Night time in the parks is a whole new adventure, you should make it last.

Surprised you don't want to see the best Fantasmic on earth or the only WoC. But I'm sure you have a reason.

 

[Mister Toad]

Hi - We've never been to DL, but will be there the end of June. In WDW we've never stayed at a park until closing. Now that the kids are older, is that worth doing? We probably won't be doing any of the shows (Fantasmic or WOC), so do the ride lines get smaller the later it gets and/or during shows?
We will definitely arrive pre opening, break, and go back to use up FP's, but I just wasnt sure if we should try to stay late. We would only do this on Saturday, June 26th because the next day we can and will sleep in.
Thoughts?
Thanks!

I always stay until close. The lines disappear in the last 30 minutes. Avoid the areas where the shows are, they rope it off and everyone is herded away.

In the last 30 minutes the park is open, I usually am able to ride POTC, HM and Indy. Just walk on them all.

 

[HydroGuy]

We love to stay until closing. Easier to do when you take long mid-day breaks. The lines go down in the evening for most rides. If you are there when DL is open until midnight the lines go way down in the last hour or two.

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

Hi - We've never been to DL, but will be there the end of June. In WDW we've never stayed at a park until closing. Now that the kids are older, is that worth doing? We probably won't be doing any of the shows (Fantasmic or WOC), so do the ride lines get smaller the later it gets and/or during shows?
We will definitely arrive pre opening, break, and go back to use up FP's, but I just wasnt sure if we should try to stay late. We would only do this on Saturday, June 26th because the next day we can and will sleep in.
Thoughts?
Thanks!

I was just talking to my DH about this last night! We are WDW vets and typically stay there till closing, but that is normally till 9:00. I see that DL stays open till 12:00 some nights. We are taking a trip in July and I was saying that it will be really nice to take a mid afternoon break back at the hotel, which we do at WDW too, but there after our break, we go back to the park for ADR and then night show and that's it. I think it will be great to be able to stay at the park till 12:00 or whenever they close. Everyone seems to say the lines get short =)

 

[Judy from Boise]

well I am heretic when it comes to night and day......I especially love WDW in that everyday we can sleep in, but still be at the park that will stay open till 1 -2 am ! Night time in any Disney park is the sweetest time there is. Haven't done EE in years!

 

[spacemermaid]

Another vote for staying until closing- the Park really does clear out after the fireworks!

 

[ashley17]

I agree, I love staying until close and I don't think I've ever left beforehand actually. You couldn't pry me away before I don't think lol.
Plus walking right on the rides at night is fantastic! I love the feeling of being the only ones around when you leave your last ride too

I always stay until close. The lines disappear in the last 30 minutes. Avoid the areas where the shows are, they rope it off and everyone is herded away.

In the last 30 minutes the park is open, I usually am able to ride POTC, HM and Indy. Just walk on them all.

 

[kailuagirl]

Last June we went and stayed every night until closing. We thought it was great how the lines basically almost disappeared and could walk on so much. Peter Pan though still always had a line. It was easy for us with the time change as it was still early from where we live, esp. for our DD2, but getting up early was hard and we never could do it. The last day we got to the parks early and we were so bummed, we thought we scored by staying late when it was "less" crowded, but early was even better, no line for Pirates, HM, just walked on basically. So we couldn't believe we wasted all the mornings. So I'm in total support of staying until closing, IF you can get to the parks at opening. If not, I think I'd just stay until closing towards the end and get up early instead. That's our plan next time.

 

[drag n' fly]

We are stay until they kick us out people. A big part of our holiday is enjoying the resort, pools, sunshine and the amenities offered so we love afternoons back at the hotel and finish up our day in the parks.

 

[mmtwinmama]

Wow, thanks for all of this great info. I think you've sold me on staying!!! We will definitely take a long break and try it. We should be able to do it seeing as we won't have to get up at any certain time the next day.

Thanks!!!

 

[chrissiecutie]

There's something truely "magical" about being at DL late at night.

The later the closing time, the better.

The streets clear out a bit, the park is all lit up, people are happy and tired after a long day and it's just wonderful to sit on a bench (I prefer near the Walt & Mickey statue) and relax. Soak up the atmosphere because this is what Disney does best!

We always go open to close, espcially on our first day there. I love getting a yummy treat from the bakery or a coffee and just sitting with my family and talking about all the fun we had that day. It's a very special moment for me and my family and one that I never miss!

BTW, Disney after dark is an experience all on its own. Try BTMM, Star Tours, Space Mtn, Matterhorn and even Dumbo once the sun goes down. It's a totally different experience.

 

[rentayenta]

The Castle Kiss Goodnight is reason enough to stay. Not sure that's what it is called at Disneyland but it's when the castle changes colors and goes to sleep. Pure magic.

 

[HydroGuy]

well I am heretic when it comes to night and day......I especially love WDW in that everyday we can sleep in, but still be at the park that will stay open till 1 -2 am ! Night time in any Disney park is the sweetest time there is. Haven't done EE in years!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I'll admit some of it is based on my Fibromyalgia. I am very slow in the am until my muscles get warmed up, I also am sensitive to the cold so any morning chill is yucky,on the flip side part of my cluster of symptoms is a sleep disorder so I literally stay awake until my Ambien knocks me out! So I can go and go (with rest breaks of course) anyways it works for me and my family are naturally night owls too

 

[Huff]

Really depends on the night and crowds. Generally Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Nemo, Star Tours, Buzz and several other rides are 0-10 minute lines in the last 30-45 minutes on a late night. Indiana Jones or Space Mountain will still have long lines.

 

[tkitty]

We stayed till closing last night- Indy stayed about a 30 min wait the whole last hour, Materhorn busy too. For the most part it's alot of teens the last couple hours, but we stayed to get every last momment of Disney!! Of course my 3 year old GD didn't quite make it till the end, but woke long enough to ride IASW, and the Train around the park. It was well worth it to us to stay, as we only had one day.
We had arrived after 8:30 am, and got tons done in the first 2-3 hours. Walked on rides all over the place, and less crowded from 8-11am than after the fireworks, imo.

 

[Kenttz]

I agree as it really depends on the days. For the most part the majority of the rides will be a few min wait but on some occasions it can still be 20+ wait.

 

[HydroGuy]

I'll admit some of it is based on my Fibromyalgia. I am very slow in the am until my muscles get warmed up, I also am sensitive to the cold so any morning chill is yucky,on the flip side part of my cluster of symptoms is a sleep disorder so I literally stay awake until my Ambien knocks me out! So I can go and go (with rest breaks of course) anyways it works for me and my family are naturally night owls too

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Some people like to spend the last hour of the night in Fantasyland.

They say the lines are fairly short (except for Peter Pan).

They call it the "Fantasyland Power Hour."