Thoughts on short summer hours.

[geenerbell]

I was bummed to find that summer hours are so short this year. BUT, I found out on our recent trip that a 11pm closing really means a midnight closing. Yes, the rides shutdown at 11pm but the park stores and some restaurants are open until 12am. A cast member told me this when we were making our way out. It was a happy surprise.

 

[mom2rtk]

That has always been the case. It all just happens earlier now. And the rides don't shut down at park closing. You can enter any line up until park closing and they will operate until the last guest is through.

 

[jade1]

We noticed that as well.

Also, this June was open 86 more hours than last June-total park hours. Will see for July.

We did our AK visits at night-much cooler being open so late. Loved it.

We then chose MK when it was late, also did the 4th fireworks at MK the 3rd, and EPCOT the 4th-awesome time, so we did have to work around that but pretty easy.

 

[Missyrose]

That has always been the case. It all just happens earlier now. And the rides don't shut down at park closing. You can enter any line up until park closing and they will operate until the last guest is through.

Yep, this is absolutely correct. Stores and some restaurants stay open way past closing. In fact, I tend to grab Casey's corn dog nuggets and a seat outside while my husband takes pictures of the empty park. We tend to leave the park as the CMs complete their sweep at the front of the park -- somewhere in the 60-90 minutes after official close. It's lovely to stay back, and let the crowds rush to the transportation.

 

[Jonas_Swe]

Yep, this is absolutely correct. Stores and some restaurants stay open way past closing. In fact, I tend to grab Casey's corn dog nuggets and a seat outside while my husband takes pictures of the empty park. We tend to leave the park as the CMs complete their sweep at the front of the park -- somewhere in the 60-90 minutes after official close. It's lovely to stay back, and let the crowds rush to the transportation.

I do the exact same thing!

Just relax and people watch, striking up a conversation with a "lonely" CM somewhere and slowly stroll up Main Street before leaving.

 

[RedOnion]

Just relax and people watch, striking up a conversation with a "lonely" CM somewhere and slowly stroll up Main Street before leaving.

... or wait for and watch the "kiss goodnight" every 30 minutes past official close time!

Caught it twice during our April trip: once on the first night of our visit, and once on the last. What a wonderful bookend.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Boys! and Girls! On behalf of everyone here at the Magic Kingdom, we thank you for joining us today for a magic gathering ... "

 

[Jonas_Swe]

... or wait for and watch the "kiss goodnight" every 30 minutes past official close time!

Caught it twice during our April trip: once on the first night of our visit, and once on the last. What a wonderful bookend.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Boys! and Girls! On behalf of everyone here at the Magic Kingdom, we thank you for joining us today for a magic gathering ... "

Yes, that's the perfect way to end a day at The Magic Kingdom!

 

[mom2rtk]

We noticed that as well.

Also, this June was open 86 more hours than last June-total park hours. Will see for July.

We did our AK visits at night-much cooler being open so late. Loved it.

We then chose MK when it was late, also did the 4th fireworks at MK the 3rd, and EPCOT the 4th-awesome time, so we did have to work around that but pretty easy.

Yes, there were more total park hours because of the new night offerings at AK. They sort of had to be open at night for that to happen.

But I believe the MK was open 34 fewer hours in June.

 

[Missyrose]

But I believe the MK was open 34 fewer hours in June.

 

[DizDaD7]

This is Not good news for my Nov. trip

 

[Jonas_Swe]

This is Not good news for my Nov. trip

How is it bad for November, this is about the summer hours.

But yeah, it's not good news over all, I agree. Hope that the trend turns.

 

[DizDaD7]

How is it bad for November, this is about the summer hours.

But yeah, it's not good news over all, I agree. Hope that the trend turns.

I do realize that it's for Summer hours, but if that trend continues when it's busy, I'm guessing it might trickle into the fall hours & therefore shorten those..

 

[mom2rtk]

I do realize that it's for Summer hours, but if that trend continues when it's busy, I'm guessing it might trickle into the fall hours & therefore shorten those..

..... especially if attendance and resort bookings stay below last year.

 

[Jonas_Swe]

I do realize that it's for Summer hours, but if that trend continues when it's busy, I'm guessing it might trickle into the fall hours & therefore shorten those..

Yeah, I totally agree with you and it is a bit worrying.

Let's hope the trend turns soon!

 

[DizDaD7]

Yeah, I totally agree with you and it is a bit worrying.

Let's hope the trend turns soon!

The only thing that I see in my favor is that It's is Crazy busy during that time....Or at least it is this year...There are a handful of rooms left...That's it....With the marathon that weekend, also Veterans Day, & it all coincides w/ the end of F & W, we might actually see crowds of like 8's & 9's......That's the flip side..

 

[DizDaD7]

The only thing that I see in my favor is that It's is Crazy busy during that time....Or at least it is this year...There are a handful of rooms left...That's it....With the marathon that weekend, also Veterans Day, & it all coincides w/ the end of F & W, we might actually see crowds of like 8's & 9's......That's the flip side..

It's basically...Pick Your Poison...LoL---->

 

[DebbieB]

I do realize that it's for Summer hours, but if that trend continues when it's busy, I'm guessing it might trickle into the fall hours & therefore shorten those..

For November, there will be many nights closing at 7:00 for Christmas parties at MK. DHS and AK will likely see longer hours than last year.

 

[Princess Jes]

The week I'm there in August, the MK closes earlier than AK :/

 

[JerseyJanice]

We were in the Magic Kingdom on 10/1/11, its 40th anniversary. I had never seen a bigger crowd ever at Disney. We were packed like sardines in a can on Main Street to see the fireworks and the MSEP.

It just so happens I will be in WDW on 10/1 this year for the MK's 45th. I didn't plan it that way, and there is no way I'm going to the MK that night.

I bet that week sees record crowds because that is just my luck, but I'm hoping that more guests means more hours.

 

[jade1]

Yes, there were more total park hours because of the new night offerings at AK. They sort of had to be open at night for that to happen.

But I believe the MK was open 34 fewer hours in June.

True, but they didn't "have to" do anything at AK, they chose to, and now that is an option we never had, and believe me AK is much cooler into the night in the summer.

Add in what they have added at AK, and what is still coming and its better yet.

And who visits MK every night anyway?

Simply choose the MK when its open late (if you prefer), then choose AK a night or 2 or 3 as well.

We much prefer less hours at MK spread over the month if it means many more hours available at AK.

If my choice was to bring back 34 hours at MK over the month, but then close AK at 6 or 7 every night like last year? Forget it.