What do the post-Thanksgiving operating hours at DLR mean?

[alvernon90]

I know this year has been unpredictable, but I’m hoping to hear some opinions about the operating hours for the week after Thanksgiving weekend.

Currently for the week after Thanksgiving weekend the parks are scheduled to have low-season operating hours: 10-8 for DL and 10-6 for DCA. This is coming off of high-season hours (8-midnight) the week before Thanksgiving.

I think this can mean one of two things: (1) DLR managers think the crowds will be quite low even after the chaos they’ve seen this October; or (2) DLR managers have no idea how intense the crowds will be, and setting up with short hours and a small operating staff means that the crowds will seem even worse.

Given everything we’ve seen this year, I’m afraid that option (2) is the more likely option. Any thoughts?

 

[DangerMouse]

I think the October chaos was highly attributable to fall breaks and for many schools, and the worst of the crowds were Fri, Sat and Sun. The week after Thanksgiving, I don't believe many kids will be out of school. Therefore, I think as long as we are talking about MID-week, the crowds will be low. JMO.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

The chaos of October was primarily limited to the weekends. I don't see the first week of December would be very crowded mid-week.

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

We always go the week after Thanksgiving, (Tues, Wed, Thurs) and DL has closed at 8pm (and DCA at 6) for at least the past 4 years. The crowds are usually low.....although last year was more crowded. But wait times were still very low. I'm hoping this year is the same. Let's root for your option #1!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I did notice in looking at past park hours that the second week of December (following the Cast Parties), the hours increase. So, for the Wednesday and Thursday following the CPs last year, DLP hours were 9AM - 10PM. So, maybe they drop the park hours down following Thanksgiving and then start expanding the next week? If I had to guess, the week following Thanksgiving is going to be the LEAST crowded of the holiday season.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

P.S. I really wish they would start posting the entertainment schedule for December. The hours are nice to know, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to start figuring out which days we'll be seeing the parade, going to see Billy Hill, Alladin, etc. I do think it odd that the first week of December is within the six week mark and they aren't showing the scheduled entertainment. Does anyone else find this odd?

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Last year the parks were nice and quiet on weekdays the week after Thanksgiving. Friday and Saturday were different matters altogether.

 

[alvernon90]

This is definitely giving us something to think about. We already have a reservation at GCH and we're all excited to go, but we would sooner throw our APs into the garbage than deal with the kinds of crowds I've been reading about here for the past few weeks.

 

[Niele]

It sure would be nice if they get the December schedule out. Heck, it shouldn't be that difficult to base it on the annual averages. I would love to be able to start making plans based on the schedule. I'm only guessing now ... but it sure is fun planning!

 

[alvernon90]

It sure would be nice if they get the December schedule out. Heck, it shouldn't be that difficult to base it on the annual averages. I would love to be able to start making plans based on the schedule. I'm only guessing now ... but it sure is fun planning!

Fortunately our plan is to go on Dec. 1-2, so we already have the operating hours.

 

[Disney Dreams]

No one has a crystal ball, but I would be willing to bet that the DLR Managers in charge of park hours have a very good pulse on what to expect crowd-wise. They are not going to set the Park up to fail. If they felt there was the need for longer hours, they would schedule them. Also remember, however, from an operational, business standpoint, there is no need to have 5 minute waits. In fact, if the entire park is running 5 minute waits, they are probably over-staffed from a business perspective. I would say that shorter park hours mean that someone at the top does not see the justification for keeping the park open later / longer.

- Dreams

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Fortunately our plan is to go on Dec. 1-2, so we already have the operating hours.

But no entertainment schedule for any days in December?!? Even the park hours have stalled out on Thursday, December 3rd when I would expect to see them up to Saturday, December 5th by now (I've noticed they usually post exactly six weeks out). I only know because I've been checking every day in anticipation of the day I finally see December 9th pop up (our first day in the parks).

Ah well, TPTB must have their reasons.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

P.S. I really wish they would start posting the entertainment schedule for December. The hours are nice to know, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to start figuring out which days we'll be seeing the parade, going to see Billy Hill, Alladin, etc. I do think it odd that the first week of December is within the six week mark and they aren't showing the scheduled entertainment. Does anyone else find this odd?

Billy Hill plays Thurs-Monday at the same times every day: 11:15 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. 1:00 p.m. to 1:35 p.m. 2:35 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. 4:00 p.m. to 4:35 p.m. 5:15 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.

Alladin plays Thurs-Sunday at the same times: 12:10 p.m. 1:50 p.m. 4:15 p.m. (5:50 p.m not on thurs)

Xmas parade: 3:30 & 6:30

Fireworks 9:25 aprox (or at closing on early closing days).


They have lagged for the last several months updating the schedule when they get into a new month. As far as the weekend of the 4th, they are probably still finalizing the CP schedule.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Billy Hill plays Thurs-Monday at the same times every day: 11:15 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. 1:00 p.m. to 1:35 p.m. 2:35 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. 4:00 p.m. to 4:35 p.m. 5:15 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.

Alladin plays Thurs-Sunday at the same times: 12:10 p.m. 1:50 p.m. 4:15 p.m. (5:50 p.m not on thurs)

Xmas parade: 3:30 & 6:30

Fireworks 9:25 aprox (or at closing on early closing days).


They have lagged for the last several months updating the schedule when they get into a new month. As far as the weekend of the 4th, they are probably still finalizing the CP schedule.

Thanks, Shannon! My OCD self will likely still feel better when they've posted the times, but that will let me start plugging times in and (if needed) I can adjust in the next couple of weeks.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Thanks, Shannon! My OCD self will likely still feel better when they've posted the times, but that will let me start plugging times in and (if needed) I can adjust in the next couple of weeks.

No problem. The show schedules stay pretty predictable. But DL can always throw a curve ball. Luckily the only change on our last trip was the park opened an hour earlier one day!

 

[laura&fam]

I was planning our November trip and looked at the hours as soon as DL posted them and then looked at them again a few days ago. I would swear that they changed the hours on the friday we will be there. Maybe after the whole October mess they decided it was best?

My point (or question) is do they ever change the hours after they have initially posted them? I'd never heard of this before but I checked two different places and either I messed up twice or they changed their hours after they posted them.

 

[DeannaMKB]

I am waiting on the entertainment schedule for Dec 1 as well! I had called the other day and they said to check again in November for the December schedules so they musn't be in a hurry. Can they not have schedules out for 3 months at one time??? Anyway, I am most curious in the parade times as I have a dinner PS at BB. The week before Thanksgiving week the parade runs at 5:30 and the Nov 30 schedule is saying 3:30 and 6:30. So I am dying to see what it will be for Dec 1!!!