Thoughts on short summer hours.

[bryanb]

Remember... long hours are not always a good thing.

When I was a CM, and they extended our hours, we knew that meant that the attendance estimate had been adjusted upwards.

There isn't as much of an off season anymore as in the past, but on days with extra long hours you might actually get less done than a day with moderate hours and lower crowds.

 

[DizDaD7]

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.

gees great...

 

[Missyrose]

gees great...

The early closings for Christmas parties are a given. It's been that way from September through late December for years (Halloween and Christmas parties).

It's the rest of the hours that are up for grabs.

 

[DizDaD7]

The early closings for Christmas parties are a given. It's been that way from September through late December for years (Halloween and Christmas parties).

It's the rest of the hours that are up for grabs.

Hmmm That's Odd. I 've been down during 3 separate Jersey weeks, & I don't recall any early closings...

 

[Missyrose]

Hmmm That's Odd. I 've been down during 3 separate Jersey weeks, & I don't recall any early closings...

The last Halloween party is on Halloween (or November 1 some years) and then the Christmas parties start six or seven days later. So your dates may consistently fall in that gap.

 

[gracelrm]

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.

What is going on on 10/1?

 

[JerseyJanice]

What is going on on 10/1?

10/1/16 is the 45th anniversary of the opening of the Magic Kingdom/Disney World.

10/1/11 was the 40th. We went there because rumor had it that there was going to be an extra special fireworks show. I don't recall the fireworks being out of the ordinary, but there was a crowd unlike anything I've ever seen. We packed into Main Street like sardines in a can.

I'm not doing that again.

 

[mom2rtk]

10/1/16 is the 45th anniversary of the opening of the Magic Kingdom/Disney World.

10/1/11 was the 40th. We went there because rumor had it that there was going to be an extra special fireworks show. I don't recall the fireworks being out of the ordinary, but there was a crowd unlike anything I've ever seen. We packed into Main Street like sardines in a can.

I'm not doing that again.

I read the reports of what the park was like on that day. I wouldn't do it either. They were woefully unprepared for the crowds.

 

[NeuroCindy]

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

I don't think they've updated the august hours yet. They didn't update July hours until like June 17th or something.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Remember... long hours are not always a good thing.

When I was a CM, and they extended our hours, we knew that meant that the attendance estimate had been adjusted upwards.

There isn't as much of an off season anymore as in the past, but on days with extra long hours you might actually get less done than a day with moderate hours and lower crowds.

We just got back from a ten night stay and I can tell you that the hours seemed more than adequate for the crowds. I have not seen such low crowds at WDW in the last couple of years- and we have been in September, February, April and July. The last ten days were amazing. It didn't matter that MK closed at 11 because we were able to do everything we wanted in a short period of time. We were able to get 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and even 8th fastpasses- for good rides like Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, and Winnie the Pooh.

There were people of course, but there was enough to do that nothing felt really crowded.

 

[Princess Jes]

I don't think they've updated the august hours yet. They didn't update July hours until like June 17th or something.

Thanks chicky babe!
They updated DHS last week, so I assumed they must've done them all

I just worked out yesterday that two of my MK days are EMM mornings (one of which is my departure day), so fantasyland will be a nightmare at RD

 

[aretha30]

We will be down 8/2-8/12 and are disappointed by the hours we're seeing right now for MK. We do plan on spending some nights in AK to soak in the new nighttime atmosphere but there is nothing like MK at night. We love late nights with our kids at MK, these are so much less crowded and of course cooler. The reduction in hours along with the construction has us really thinking about doing a few different vacations 2017 instead of WDW.

 

[MariMama]

And who visits MK every night anyway?

I do, since that is the only park that has enough to do.

AK doesn't have enough to keep us entertained for one day, why would I waste time there at night?

 

[Ladyfish77]

I agree that more night hours at MK is better than AK every night being open late. There is so much more to see and ride at MK. AK is probably going to be beautiful after dark, but I can't imagine that the trails and safari are really much to see at night. Most of their animals need rest at night and will be done with their day and want to head in to eat and sleep.

 

[jade1]

I do, since that is the only park that has enough to do.

AK doesn't have enough to keep us entertained for one day, why would I waste time there at night?

Weather (cooler), drinks, dining, new shows, night safari.

Kind of agree, but its a schedule thing for us. We do go to AK, so we are not at MK during that time anyway. May as well be an evening at AK when its cooler than during the day.

We would never do 15 hours at AK in one day, or any park.

And you never close DHS or EPCOT late nights?

 

[MariMama]

Weather (cooler), drinks, dining, new shows, night safari.

Kind of agree, but its a schedule thing for us. We do go to AK, so we are not at MK during that time anyway. May as well be an evening at AK when its cooler than during the day.

We would never do 15 hours at AK in one day, or any park.

And you never close DHS or EPCOT late nights?

Nope. There has never been enough at DHS to keep us there until dark (even before all the closures) and Illuminations doesn't interest me. All the reviews of the new night safari say it is a flop. What? You can't see animals in the dark?! Who saw that coming?

 

[ckelly14]

Certainly not a Disney apologist, but I have to give Disney credit for at least trying to spread out the night time crowd. I just watched the 4K video of the Star Wars fireworks and it is pretty impressive. Sure, actual rides at DHS would be better, but between the night activities at AK and this, I'm having some angst about where to spend a few nights for my quick trip there this weekend.

Give AK some love- I'm in the minority but will take an entire night at AK in exchange for an hour less at MK. There's nothing better than riding Everest after a tasty frozen mango margarita. Can't wait to ride it at night!

 

[Mikie]

Remember... long hours are not always a good thing.

When I was a CM, and they extended our hours, we knew that meant that the attendance estimate had been adjusted upwards.

There isn't as much of an off season anymore as in the past, but on days with extra long hours you might actually get less done than a day with moderate hours and lower crowds.

This is a good reminder. I definitely bemoan the dropping of later hours (especially because my kids are getting older to where I could finally enjoy them!) BUT I have had some interesting trips in "off" seasons and shoulder seasons. I think my 2004 trip was in spring where the first half was still "peak" season, the tail end of spring breaks - longer hours but noticeably bigger crowds and therefore longer lines for everything. The last half of my trip was like someone had suddenly turned down the water faucet - shorter park hours that we were very bummed about, but suddenly the parks were SO much emptier! MK less so than the others, but still noticeable.

I certainly did no scientific study, but it felt about like being in the park open to close on the long hour days you'd get about the same amount done as on the shorter hour days. You'd just spend more of it in line for every attraction and food. The biggest down side to the lower crowds/lower hours is the simple inability to enjoy the night atmosphere, fireworks, night parade. If they have fewer showings and the park simply isn't open much into dark, there's no way to replicate that in the daytime, regardless of crowds.

 

[jade1]

Nope. There has never been enough at DHS to keep us there until dark (even before all the closures) and Illuminations doesn't interest me. All the reviews of the new night safari say it is a flop. What? You can't see animals in the dark?! Who saw that coming?

OK was just wondering. Star Wars Fireworks and Fantasmic alone are worth it for us, never seen either?

But also why "keep you there" until dark?

Tomorrow DHS is open until midnight, why not just do MK until evening and hop to DHS and do the attractions and shows then, or after an afternoon break?

 

[jade1]

Give AK some love- I'm in the minority but will take an entire night at AK in exchange for an hour less at MK. There's nothing better than riding Everest after a tasty frozen mango margarita. Can't wait to ride it at night!

My point is you don't have to exchange the hour, just do MK when it is late. Those that only do MK and/or do MK every night-that is harder to swallow.