Weird closing hours in May?

[LaurenDis]

I was looking on the schedule for May 12th (Tuesday) and they have the hours for DL open from 9-7:30. Any idea why they would close so early that night? Grad night isn't until Wed the 13th.

 

[LaurenDis]

I called Disney and the CM I talked to said she had no idea why they would close at 7:30 unless there was some type of special event, but nothing has been announced that she knew of.

 

[SMD]

They sometimes hold private events.

 

[LaurenDis]

Does that mean the alternate park (in this case CA) would be extra busy in the evening?

 

[disneymom0104]

In my experience, although it was around Halloween and there was a private event that caused Disneyland to close at 6pm- yes, CA was insanely crowded. Not even worth it for us.

We are going to be there this same week in May- we have one day to play around with (we will be there 6 days, but have 5 day hoppers) I had originally thought to take Wednesday off (grad night) and go Friday and Saturday (both grad nights as well) but now I am wondering if we should skip Tuesday and go Wednesday. Although the 9am opening is better than 10, but I don't think we would be using our MM that day. Ugh- I hate these decisions, lol!

 

[LaurenDis]

I'm glad that I'm not the only one obsessing about these choices! We have small kids so will likely be done with the park by 6:30, but DH and I wanted to go back at night and close the place! Grr, back to the drawing board.

 

[Angrose]

Hmm, I wonder if there will be an AP event that night. 60th anniversary previews perhaps????

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Hmm, I wonder if there will be an AP event that night. 60th anniversary previews perhaps????

I was just thinking the same thing. It makes sense, and I hope that's what is happening. The last AP event (Indy 20th anniversary) was on a Tuesday and Wednesday. They started at 8pm. If they were going to do a Paint The Night preview, I can understand closing at 7:30 to clear out the parade route.

 

[LaurenDis]

When they do an AP event, do they clear out the park first, so if you don't have an AP you have to leave?

 

[canalwondering]

We are looking at may dates too... No parades in may at Disneyland either? Makes me feel regretful choosing off season weekdays. In prior may schedules there's always been parades...

 

[dina444444]

When they do an AP event, do they clear out the park first, so if you don't have an AP you have to leave?

No, usually what they do is they rope off which ever lands are open for the event and to get through you have to show your AP wristband. Typically main street is still open for day guests to shop until the 1 hour after normal park closing. They also check wristbands at the rides right at the start of the event.

 

[LaurenDis]

I noticed that about the parades too, none at DL 5/11-14. Also, no F! On 5/10 (Mother's Day). Closing early Tues 5/12 and grad nights 5/13 and 5/15! I think I picked the wrong week!

 

[canalwondering]

Me tooooo I thought there was always parades. I understand no fireworks...

I noticed that about the parades too, none at DL 5/11-14. Also, no F! On 5/10 (Mother's Day). Closing early Tues 5/12 and grad nights 5/13 and 5/15! I think I picked the wrong week!

too

 

[Fantaluminishes]

When they do an AP event, do they clear out the park first, so if you don't have an AP you have to leave?

I think this would be handled like the Halloween or Christmas parties. If they did a private preview of PTN and/or DF (may as well start the abbreviations now) they would need to clear out Main Street, and the rest of the parade route. All of the event guests would be given wristbands, and CM's will be stationed at ride and land entrances to check for them.

 

[bethwc101]

We are looking at may dates too... No parades in may at Disneyland either? Makes me feel regretful choosing off season weekdays. In prior may schedules there's always been parades...

As of now they won't have the parade schedule up. Give it a couple more weeks and I'm sure they will have something then.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I noticed that the early closing at DL is also during the first week of May. I'm guessing they have special events or maybe they are doing run troughs of the parade.

 

[LaurenDis]

Fantaluminishes - Wow! I just looked at May and you're right. Guess its a crazy month in general leading up to the 22nd.

 

[canalwondering]

As of now they won't have the parade schedule up. Give it a couple more weeks and I'm sure they will have something then.

You think they will still have a parade then? It shows all the California adventure parades but nothing for Disneyland. Is that normal? We aren't planning to do ca since our kids are quite little, but we'd really like to see a parade.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Looks like the 7:30 closures are on April 28 and 30, as well as May 4,6,7 and 12. DCA is open until 9pm on all those nights except for May 6. The current hours calendar only goes through May 16.

 

[dtnrhi]

Looks like the 7:30 closures are on April 28 and 30, as well as May 4,6,7 and 12. DCA is open until 9pm on all those nights except for May 6. The current hours calendar only goes through May 16.

Interesting. The 7 was 10AM-9PM when they were first put up. It's kind of disappointing, because my brother's school is going there for a trip that week. The hours are kind of puzzling to me in how they are so short during the week leading up to the Tinkerbell Half Marathon.

I personally hope the dates are some kind of Passholder Parties. It would be smart for Disney to have AP previews of the 60th entertainment, and aid in hopefully curbing AP-turnout at the 24-hour event.