US/IoA really close at 7 pm in late-August? Why so early?

[jasper]

Usually go to WDW but excited about going to Universal for first time since 2003. One thing I don't get is why the park hours show both parks closing at 7 pm in late-August when MK and Epcot stay open until at least 9 pm at that time of year. Can anyone confirm that they really close at 7 pm and why you think they do that? Thanks.

 

[Metro West]

Usually go to WDW but excited about going to Universal for first time since 2003. One thing I don't get is why the park hours show both parks closing at 7 pm in late-August when MK and Epcot stay open until at least 9 pm at that time of year. Can anyone confirm that they really close at 7 pm and why you think they do that? Thanks.

Well...Disney is out in the middle of nowhere and Universal is within the Orlando city limits. There are noise ordinances they have to deal with and there are residences all around the parks. I wish they would stay open longer too but being within the city limits and going into the slower periods probably won't change the hours. After all...Orange County schools start around the time when the hours change.

 

[xApril]

Well...Disney is out in the middle of nowhere and Universal is within the Orlando city limits. There are noise ordinances they have to deal with and there are residences all around the parks. I wish they would stay open longer too but being within the city limits and going into the slower periods probably won't change the hours. After all...Orange County schools start around the time when the hours change.

Yup, the hours change when my school and the other Orange County schools have breaks and stuff. We go back to school the week the hours change. The same week we got out of school, the hours got longer.

 

[Lou Holtz]

It's not because of being in the city. Universal closes early because the crowds don't warrant staying open any later than that at all but the most crowded times.

 

[damo]

It's not because of being in the city. Universal closes early because the crowds don't warrant staying open any later than that at all but the most crowded times.

That has been our experience too. Perhaps the Wizarding World crowd levels will change this. It would nice to be able to do WWoHP at night in the late summer/early fall.

 

[Purseval]

One nice thing about WDW is they are good at adjusting their hours on the fly, they will extend the hours if the crowd warrants it. This is a good business decision because it not only makes the customers happy they are also there spending money that they would otherwise be spending outside the gates. I hope Universal will consider this option.

I remember one night in HHN when they actually decided to close earlier than the advertisied time. If they can figure out how to close early they can figure out how to stay open later if it's worth it.