Very early/late park hours

[chudlyfudly]

I'm excited to say that I'm heading to WDW for 2 weeks next Tuesday. I've just been going over my last edit of "The Plan" and have noticed that the park hours have changed quite significantly for around 10th March-17th March. Originally (a couple of months back when I first checked the park schedules), for example, MK was essentially 09:00-21:00 every day (excluding occasional EMH here and there). Now, MK is pretty consistently around 08:00-23:00, or even 08:00-00:00 (not including EMH).

Is this just because it will be busy? Is it at all likely these times will change? Do they normally change the park hours like this a couple of weeks prior?

 

[bigbabyblues]

That's the way it is done now. They release basic hours somewhere close to 180 days out and change them closer to the date.

 

[chudlyfudly]

That's the way it is done now. They release basic hours somewhere close to 180 days out and change them closer to the date.

Ah ok. I was pleasantly surprised by the extra hours, although I guess the danger will be not burning out too fast now by trying to do too much.

 

[Eccle]

They can change very late on, we went last month and the AK hours changed a few days before

 

[PanamaMike]

One of my days in January, the MK extended their hours the day of with a "hey everybody, instead of closing at 9, we're staying open until 11, so be sure to stay and enjoy your favorite attractions" announcements.

 

[Donalyn]

To be clear, they add hours when it will be busier. They don't just do it to be nice....

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

This has been happening a lot lately, because they've been a lot busier during what used to be traditionally slower times. Take advantage of it! I like to take a midday break to avoid the crowds/heat and to recharge, then stay until closing.

 

[ArielSRL]

This has been happening a lot lately, because they've been a lot busier during what used to be traditionally slower times. Take advantage of it! I like to take a midday break to avoid the crowds/heat and to recharge, then stay until closing.

Actually it has happened for the last few years. Its not a just now bc its busy thing, though I am sure the decisions on final hours are based on projected attendance. Disney releases basic hours 6 months out and then about 15 to 30 days out, they will adjust by adding more hours. This has happened since I started researching for our June 2016 trip and probably even before that.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

Actually it has happened for the last few years. Its not a just now bc its busy thing, though I am sure the decisions on final hours are based on projected attendance. Disney releases basic hours 6 months out and then about 15 to 30 days out, they will adjust by adding more hours. This has happened since I started researching for our June 2016 trip and probably even before that.

Yep lately like the past few years I've been an AP. People who talk about slow/busy season are often remembering like the early 2000's lol, which are longer ago than they seem!

 

[Animal]

"... over my last edit of "The Plan" and have noticed that the park hours have changed quite significantly for around 10th March-17th March"

Sorry! You can blame us Texans for that!