What happens at park closing?

[jsaem]

Can someone tell me what happens at park closings? How long can you wander around? Are areas closed off in any particular order or at the same time? Does this differ from park to park? Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

If you are in line for an attraction, you will get to ride or see. The parks do close slowly. Most often you can still be in park over an hour after closing. Some of my best memories are at those quiet times.

Just be aware of transportation time limits.

 

[MariDisney]

We love hanging around in the parks after they close. One of my favorite memories was one night after Fantasmic when we got one of those huge candy/caramel apples at MGM and dh and I sat on a bench and watched DD7 do cartwheels on the line in the street for a while. We usually grab a bench and take turns going into the shops and such until most of the crowd clears out. I'd say we've been in the parks at least an hour after closing with the shops still open.

 

[Robo]

Can someone tell me what happens at park closings? How long can you wander around? Are areas closed off in any particular order or at the same time? Does this differ from park to park? Thanks in advance!!!

Yes to all of the above and ditto to the other posters' replies.

At Epcot, IllumiNations "closes"the park, and we like to S-L-O-W-L-Y walk out of WS after the show, then shop at the huge store in FW before finally walking out the front gate an hour or so after "closing."

Similar situation at MK,
We like to sit in some of the rocking chairs in Frontierland or Liberty Square for at least 30-45 minutes after closing, then walk thru the Emporium "complex" on the way out.

At MGM, we relax after Fantasmic! and let the theater empty (we are usually in the front row or so). Then we'll walk through some of the shops and meander out the gates at our own pace.

DAK, we've never "closed" as we aqlways hop to a park with an evening "spectacular."

What can change EVERYTHING above is if there is a very late evening EMH.
If that's the case, most shops will be closed by "closing time" of EMH, and anyone who is still in the park will be leaving within a short time after that (and likely be VERY TIRED).

 

[SueM in MN]

Some of the stores close earlier than others.
When a store is about to close, they post a CM at the door. The people already inside the store can continue shopping, but no else will be allowed in. As the shops clear out, the area starts to close down as there is no where for people to go except out.
I was in a restroom with my youngest DD once after AK had closed. A CM came into the restroom to check if anyone was inside, checked how long we might be and then stood by the door until we left. My oldest DD was outside and said the CM turned away people who tried to enter. After youngest DD and I left, the CM locked the door.