Weird closing hours in May?

[bethwc101]

Found it
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/passholder-anniversary-invitation-event/

 

[wdwfan22]

Found it
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/passholder-anniversary-invitation-event/

I can't get that link to work, and I am an AP. It may be my computer, because it's a million years old, but anyway you could copy and paste the info. I might have to adjust my dates!

 

[LaurenDis]

Looks like that was an old AP event:

Date: Monday, February 23, 2015 & Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Time: 8:00 PM to midnight

 

[SMD]

Found it
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/passholder-anniversary-invitation-event/

That's for an event that happened in February.

I can't get that link to work, and I am an AP. It may be my computer, because it's a million years old, but anyway you could copy and paste the info. I might have to adjust my dates!

You have to log in to the account with your active AP attached to see the content. It's for the February event.

 

[Betsyp]

Does this mean that, on the 12th, I couldn't have dinner in a DL restaurant? Thanks!

 

[SMD]

Does this mean that, on the 12th, I couldn't have dinner in a DL restaurant? Thanks!

Not after 7:30.

 

[dec2009mama]

this is very confusing.....changing the hours like this -- it would be great if there was an AP event -- we never get to go being so far away!
guess this means some early nights for us

 

[Betsyp]

Not after 7:30.

Thanks! I guess I'll make reservations at Napa Rose for that night if I can, lol.

 

[SMD]

Thanks! I guess I'll make reservations at Napa Rose for that night if I can, lol.

That's actually a pretty good idea. DCA will be more crowded, DTD will be more crowded. Might as well make a reservation somewhere that would normally eat up park time and just take your time.

 

[DLR29]

Let's just say that the park hours on the select dates have changed to make sure that everything on May 22nd and beyond runs smoothly

 

[scrapshappen]

Let's just say that the park hours on the select dates have changed to make sure that everything on May 22nd and beyond runs smoothly

I wondered if it didn't have something to do with prepping for the anniversary. For the 50th, didn't DL close for one full day before the kick off?

 

[SMD]

I wondered if it didn't have something to do with prepping for the anniversary. For the 50th, didn't DL close for one full day before the kick off?

Yes. And DCA was closed the day before Carsland and BVS opened. But there was a media preview for DCA. Expect something similar in July, too.

 

[WDWfanfam3]

This thread makes me want to cry! We are WDW fans and this is our first trip to DL. We will be there May 12&13 with my parents who haven't been to DL since their honeymoon in 1970. Then we are meeting my in-laws who have also never been and they are going to tour the parks with us the 14 & 15. My ds is sooooo excited to visit DL with both sets of grandparents. This is a once in a lifetime trip for us. I didn't know about early closure and grad nights when we put our trip together. Any suggestions on how to make the best of it? We don't have any special dining reservations. Eating at a resort might be a nice option. (Dh is vegan...any suggestions). We will be at the Grand Californian for 3 of 5 nights. Is there anything special to do there if the parks are closed/swamped? Will it be crazy crowded the morning and afternoon of grad nights? What do you suggest?

 

[agamble]

Grad Nights aren't too horrible, and I think the ones in early May are the least crowded. The parties take place at DCA, which usually closes earlier than Disneyland anyway. The grads do have access to both parks during the day, but they have to arrive as a school and many schools have a long drive to get there. The biggest thing that guests complain about is language of the grads. We haven't experienced anything worse than we would on any given day, so I think it depends on the groups you run into.

The early closures is something new to me. I wouldn't be surprised if they're actually CM previews of the 60th entertainment. Disney certainly owes it to the CM. I'm really hoping for my AP anniversary party the week of the 17th of May, as that's when we'll be there and there is only 1 grad night scheduled, so they have time .

I would say use your early entry privileges for staying at the Grand and get to the parks early. Come up with a plan. Know which park you have early entry to and which park closes early (Disneyland for private event or DCA for grad night). Decide when you're going to visit each park, and make sure you park hop. I think you'll be fine as long as you're aware of how to use your early entry and which parks are closing when. Also, take a look at TouringPlans.com your days are currently on their free preview. They'll give you an idea of how long the lines will be for various rides during your trip.

As far as the parades a few people mentioned, entertainment schedules are always posted a few weeks after the hours are posted. No Fantasmic in midweek May, but there should be a parade.

 

[amorosa1970]

We will be in the parks may 5/2 - 5/6. Oh well I guess we will have to make the best of it

 

[LaurenDis]

Add another day to May closing at 7:30 (Monday the 11th). Ugh. Seriously, that means during our 5 days in the park, 2 nights close at 7:30 and 1 night is a grad night. Hopefully they don't cut any more days. Its frustrating that they don't just post accurate hours to start with so people can make plans. Posting then changing them for the worse is frustrating.

 

[dec2009mama]

I wish we knew why?!?!?

 

[auteur55]

As someone new to the Disneyland experience (I just became addicted after my first trip last September) I'm quite amazed that they get away with this kind of stuff. How does a business advertise something to the public and then change it on them whenever they feel like. I know rides break down that kind of thing but to just tell thousands of people who had been planning and budgeting out trips that you are going to shut the park early a few weeks out is rude and very bad business. I'm going more on my trip from September where they announced they would be closing DL at 5:00 on one of my days. Why should I have to pay full price for that day when hours are lower? I could have moved my trip up and had a full day at the park like I was expecting. DL needs to make planning easier for family's who travel long distances and spend thousands of dollars. It's my one major complaint. They also need to not charge full price at times when most of the rides are shut down or they close early. Just my 2 cents. We do get an extra hour in the morning though on the 7:30 days so that's good.

 

[disneymom0104]

I hadn't heard about the Monday closing at 7:30. This is such a bummer. I know it is so "poor me" but really this is our first trip in 2.5 years, we drive 2 days each way to get there, we have lost our opportunity to stay 6 days, so things like this do make me a little sad. Obviously not the end of the world, but a little sad. I was going to say for the Tuesday (May 12th) that by using the MM at 8am and having the park close at 7:30, it is only 30 minutes less time than had it been open 10-9. Not a huge deal. But having 2 nights close at 7:30 is more of a bummer. Oh well- just have to roll with it I guess!

 

[LaurenDis]

I just called Disney to ask about the weird hours and didn't get anywhere. I also asked about the Grad Night for May 13th because they said the actual "party" starts at 10pm but DL closes at 9 and CA closes at 8. I asked where these kids were going to go for an hour while the parks were closed before there party starts and she claims that the kids won't show up until 10pm. Right. The other weird thing was the WOC show on the 14th is at 8:30 but CA closes at 8. She said you can stay in the park if you have a FP for WOC and are in place for the show at 8 when the park closes. Otherwise, if you are not in place and don't have a FP they will ask you to leave. Then at 8:30 the WOC show would start. Does this make sense?