What is behind the logic of not releasing AK hours for September?

[Mambo Junkie]

With just over a month to go before I start booking fps, and well into the ADR selection, why would Disney not be updating the hours? DS and family are only able to get together with us for 2 days at the beginning of our trip and it's really making our planning difficult. We are hopping, but right now we have no AK time scheduled, mainly because we can't. Any idea (based on historic dates) when they may be opened?

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

We're in the same boat. I was thinking that they are probably wanting to wait until they figure out Rivers of Light before they change the hours.

 

[yaya74]

Look at this way, July and August park hours (for MK, EPcot and DHS) are not finalized... They will need to work out n those before they get to Sept.. It's just Disney's way of doing things nowadays.

As for your planning, plan according to the current schedule and have a Plan B if evening hours are available. You will have enough time to grab evening ADRs once hours are extended.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

I'm running into the same issues. Disney pushes you to plan so far in advance, but then they don't play fair by not releasing times or changing things last minute. It is frustrating. Don't have accurate AK hours and I'm also waiting on DHS to schedule fireworks-hoping to book a dessert party for that. There is one more DS restaurant I'm hoping to book-Florida Kitchen, so have to wait on that too.

Plus with the ongoing rumor about Chef Mickey's, Akershus, and Tusker House going to 2 credits and/or raising prices I will be looking to replace those ADRs.

This has been a crazy year for trying to plan!

 

[KT0191]

I've heard a few people say they might keep the 5p closures and then extend hours for ROL in November. Again, just a rumor and I am very much hoping it's not true and that they will the extend hours.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

They do that just to peave you off sista. Me too. My stay is Sept 2 through 11.

 

[preemiemama]

They just updated July to show 11 pm AK closings for most (if not all) nights- just a couple days ago. NONE of the other parks were updated. For JULY.

This is the same thing that happened to June hours- they trickled out changes, even last-minute adding some 8 am MK openings. They even made a same-day change at DHS this past week to add a 2nd Fantasmic show.

Not sure what the hold up is, but e-mailing them is not a bad idea. Maybe if enough of us let them know of us frustration of making all the plans they ask us to make and them continuing to throw us curve balls it will help?

 

[yulilin3]

Unfortunately the new Disney Logic

 

[TeresaWen]

I've heard a few people say they might keep the 5p closures and then extend hours for ROL in November. Again, just a rumor and I am very much hoping it's not true and that they will the extend hours.

We are going end of September. I have annual passes and TiW cards that expire in early December. Very cheap flights, a two bedroom Marriott for two weeks that is almost free and way too many reward dollars.

I am not happy with the lack of info past labor day. I have so many multiple dinner and breakfast reservations because I have no clue.

I do know that after this trip I need a long break. I have never had this much trouble planning. It is stressful and not fun.

I have stopped using my Disney visa because I think we are done for at least a few years. Maybe for good. When did this stop being fun?

 

[Delirium]

I've heard a few people say they might keep the 5p closures and then extend hours for ROL in November. Again, just a rumor and I am very much hoping it's not true and that they will the extend hours.

That would a pretty blatant example of not giving a flying flip about the customer. ROL or not. People planned vacations this fall with the anticipation of having nighttime hours at AK. They are even more valuable to the customer in party season than they are in the summer because of all the early closures at MK.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

That would a pretty blatant example of not giving a flying flip about the customer. ROL or not. People planned vacations this fall with the anticipation of having nighttime hours at AK. They are even more valuable to the customer in party season than they are in the summer because of all the early closures at MK.

Maybe they're trying to figure out an up charge like they're doing everything else these days. I agree that the lack of information is not only stressful, it causes you to hold multiple ADRs that someone else would love to have. One thing we will be able to bank on this September: Universal will have its King Kong Island up and running. So looking forward to that. So far I have only booked 2 onsite WDW days because I'm waiting.

 

[Fuhnuh]

Thankfully, AK hours are out for July. I'm still hoping for later than 8:30 and 10:00 closings for HS and MK, respectively. I'm sure they are trying to minimize costs and lengthening hours close to travel dates are probably a much smaller PR problem, but I think it does make planning a little more difficult. My cynical and business mind can't help but think that they are trying to push changes late enough that changing travel plans without penalty is harder. If most people, including us, anticipate park hours extending at the last minute and they don't, we are already pot committed. This way execs don't have to deal with as bad of numbers if people heard about September AK times earlier. I have to think that they knew about ROL problems a bit before there official announcement. Make the announcement late, reveal a replacement show soon thereafter, and voila, not many of us cancelling reservations. That being said, I'm still excited about our July trip and happy that Soarin', Frozen, and AK night will be open when we are there. Maybe, that's it. Now, I'm happy that attractions that were assumed to be open by July are actually going to open. I will also be excited if they extend HS and MK hours are extended, even if they come up short of our recent summer trip hours (7 trips in 8 years).

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Disney opened HS until 11pm during our trip.last December to preview SW FWs. It was announced the week before I believe. So anything can and will happen!
It makes it spontaneous!

 

[TellTheHubbyLater]

They do that just to peave you off sista. Me too. My stay is Sept 2 through 11.

About 2 hours ago I told my DH the same thing!

 

[DebbieB]

I've heard a few people say they might keep the 5p closures and then extend hours for ROL in November. Again, just a rumor and I am very much hoping it's not true and that they will the extend hours.

Josh from easywdw posted this possibility a week or two ago. Jungle Book may end Labor Day. I was there May 8 to 15 and missed it due to the postponement from April. Now I may miss it again in October.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Me too. I was there May 4 through May 12 and it got cancelled. Frozen Ever After was supposed to open as well and didn't. Bummer.