What kind of hours are these!!!!!!

[mickeymom629]

We will be there 6/28-7/3 and the one night for e ticket (9-midnight) is the only night the Studios are open late with a second showing of Fantasmic that we prefer going to. The night of my birthday when we were going to 'Ohana's for dinner, there will be no fireworks at the MK.

It is a little difficult to plan fitting all we want in to the time slots. I can only hope that attendance is down so that we can get through lines quickly!

At least they have early mornings back!

 

[nativetxn]

welovedis, that's great news. Thanks for posting about that.

To everyone upset about shorter hours:

I know that cutbacks in hours are frustrating and disappointing for many of you. I don't blame you one bit.

This was started as a vent of frustration and that is fine. Everyone is welcome to post about their frustration.

However, should you disagree with another poster's reasons for being disappointed or <i>not</i> being disappointed, please use the private message function or email to discuss this issue with them. Please.

By the same token if you are neighbors, please use a private message or email to discuss that too.

If we do this, this thread will remain on topic and remain open so that everyone has a chance to voice their displeasure or lack of displeasure, whichever the case may be.

I don't really care that the hours are shorter. My trips are all solo, I have 3 planned for this year, had 4 last year, so my circumstances are different from someone taking their family for what is perhaps their first trip ever or perhaps their only trip this year. I can understand their disappointment, though. I remember planning for my first trip and how excited I was and how anxious that everything go just the way I had it planned. It didn't but oh well.

If this was my first trip ever or only annual trip and the hours of operation were the most important thing to me, I would seriously consider cancelling.

Going to WDW when you are already as disappointed, frustrated and/or angry as many of the people posting to this thread appear to be, might not be such a great idea. You have to be open to the fun and magic to find it, anger, frustration and/or disappointment doesn't allow that to happen. I think that would be a terrible kind of trip. I wouldn't go, myself.

If having the park open late is the deciding factor here, if that's why you want to go to WDW so that you can stay late in the park, then you might be better off cancelling and planning another trip for when the hours are more to your liking.

If you decide to go afterall please go with a happy mind or you won't have fun at all. Relax and let the magic find you and it will find you everytime. Go with anger or frustration or disappointment and you will find more of those emotions everywhere you turn at WDW, I've seen it happen. Many times.

Peace, my friends, I hope you find the solution to your dilemma best suited to your family. Good luck with your decisions.

Katholyn

 

[coachv]

Sorry to anyone whose toes I might have stepped on. I was just frustrated at the hours and the time spent organizing this trip, including making PS's so far in advance. Once again, I encourage everyone who does not like the new hours for June to write, email, and call WDW and let them know why you don't like the new hours. Even if you are not going in June, you can still contact Disney about it. I still plan on going and if I have to adjust my schedule. I hope Disney sees the light and expands its hours.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by coachv
Sorry to anyone whose toes I might have stepped on. I was just frustrated at the hours and the time spent organizing this trip, including making PS's so far in advance.

Hey coachv,

For what it matters, after reading through the entire thread twice, I agree with most of your sentiments. I don't see the point in debating with folks who don't think the hours are a big deal. Wonderful thing, this America. One person, one opinion! I don't think another fifty posts will make them see my point, or vice versa. To each his own.

But I personally agree, it's very difficult to plan a very expensive trip that covers over a thousand miles each way, has to be made due to business obligations six months in advance, and still sit there in late April not knowing what you're doing yet the first of June, and even now not really trust what you see in the hours. Bottom line, it is my opinion that for the last several Junes, adjusted for inflation, I'm getting less for my entertainment dollar. And it's somewhat annoying.

I will still go to Disney. They win because they're Disney. And at least now, I still win, because I love Disney. But my expectations are my expectations, which are that a month before I leave, I'll know what I'm doing. I join you in writing Disney, and have done so. I hope it makes a difference.

Pat

 

[coachv]

Thanks Pat_Elliott,

My biggest problem is my ps reservations. I had CP for that Friday morning but I am now changing my big day to Wed at MK because that is the day for that week they have fireworks. I hope I can change my ps at CP to Wed. morning at this late of date. I guess I could hold out and hope for better hours. I just don't know.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

I think the hours will probably be fine. It's the lack of knowing that ticks me off a bit. I've heard I'm in small company with this remark, and acknowledge it, but I'd prefer they decide the minimum hours, release those way ahead of time, and let me plan my schedule. We like to eat as late as possible at night. If I make a 7 PM PS, and then they extend hours, that's not going to ruin my trip. But if I can't plan the PS or have it bumped earlier....I hear what you're saying. It's not like a car hitting your house, it's just like a fly that won't go away....

 

[ChairborneRangr]

I am very disappointed in the hours. I am taking 30 of my closest friends and relatives (total 36) for a first-time ever (for some, once-in-a-lifetime) trip to WDW. We'll be there 6/9-6/16

I have been to DL and WDW a number of times. I remember growing up going to DL and staying late for the fireworks every night. It was part of the show... part of the magic. Why must everything be "close earlier" Why not open later (including the extra magic hour) and keep all the fantastic evening activities. That way all the PS aren't affected etc. just run the character breakfasts as normal. Seems to make sense to me.

The feeling I get is corporate disney is looking for excuses not to shoot off too many fireworks or have too many parades. That is very sad. I'll miss TON. Why haven't they replaced it at EPCOT?

I hope Disney people are reading this. BTW where have you all been emailing? I want to send my own.

 

[coachv]

I emailed from the www.disneyworld.com. I am also going to call today when I get home from work.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by coachv
I emailed from the www.disneyworld.com. I am also going to call today when I get home from work.

Note to ChairborneRangr. They don't have a email address, per se, but a form within the regular site coachv lists above.

Pat

 

[Castillo Mom]

When I called to make reservations last week a CM told me that Disney projected reduced attendance due the war and SARS, therefore cut back the hours accordingly. She also said they anticipate the hours to be longer the following summer ('04) which is when I booked my vacation. I'll change my dates if that becomes the case again next year. In the summer at 7:00 p.m. it's still light out!

 

[Tracie]

Well, My biggest problem with the hours is there will be 8 of us and all of our PS are for 8. Called today can't change any of them to other nights and all of us sit together. We also have the Luau reservation for the 14th, that is the only night (as of now) for spectro and fireworks. Can't reschedule (already tried) so I guess Disney will be losing that $319 from us.

Tracie

 

[turbodisney]

I think the hours will eventually change as you get closer to the dates. I know it dont help on planning a PS, but it will be great if the hours expand.

My trip is from 6-27 thru 7-4

Here is how the MK schedule looks for my trip:

6-27 9 to 7 (got to question this one)
6-28 9 to 10 (fireworks)
6-29 9 to 10
6-30 9 to 11 (25th wedding anniversary) fireworks
7-1 9 to 9 (e-night 9 to 12, good i can get to bed early)
7-2 9 to 9:30 (fireworks)
7-3 9 to 10

So, not to bad... maybe they will have more fireworks to..

 

[eeyore0062]

You can call and complain, but what's gonna lengthen those hours are "butts in the seats" - people have to get over their fear of terrorism, SARS, the economy and start going to the parks again.

Well said, and VERY true!!!

 

[AreWeThereYet?]

The Official E-Mail Address for Guest Communications is:
wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

I would use this instead of the Disney Web Page.

Good Luck!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

It is for moments like these that I am glad I stumbled across this forum. We are also going in June. First I was irked that Disney never would post the hours. Now that I've seen the hours I'm even more chapped! This forum gives me a nice outlet where I can sanely blow off some steam. What's my alternative? Going to my office tomorrow and chewing out my administrative assistant because the MK is closing at 7pm on June 13?
But you know what? I'm still going to go and I'm still going to have a great time. I like what the moderator said about trying to find the magic and being sure it will find you.
But here's the kicker. I'm not going back after my June trip. Every time we have gone before, I have been mentally laying plans for the next trip. Not this time. For me and my family, the ball is now in Disney's court. I have thousands of dollars I am willing to spend for a vacation, but -in my mind -Disny has to earn it this time. They have to show me how to look beyong the closed rides I will see (during JUNE, for crying out loud), and the pitifully short hours. Honestly, wher is the magic in leaving MK two hours before dusk???
I have a modest proposal. Like my family, go ahead with your scheduled WDW visits. And go with open minds ready to feel and appreciate the magic, but don't automatically plan the next trip. Use the advice of Rafiki to Simba "Look harder..." next time you are in the World and see if they are doing enough to earn the thousands of dollars you are spending there. Use your love of Disney and your economic power to hold Disney accountable for its actions.
If you think WDW deserves your money, then scedule your next trip without delay. If not, either go to the beach, give your money to the poor, or buy a plasma TV.
As moderator suggested, if you want to flame me send a PM


Zippa

 

[amy1007]

The above posting mentioned rides closed in June.....ARGHHHHHH. Which ones are they?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I have seen some hints of possible earlier opening dates, but Pooh and GMR are officially scheduled to be closed for rehab until late June. If someone has more up-to-date info on these closures, maybe they'll be along in a bit to update us.

 

[ThAnswr]

Originally posted by Zippa D Doodah
But here's the kicker. I'm not going back after my June trip. Every time we have gone before, I have been mentally laying plans for the next trip. Not this time. For me and my family, the ball is now in Disney's court. I have thousands of dollars I am willing to spend for a vacation, but -in my mind -Disny has to earn it this time. They have to show me how to look beyong the closed rides I will see (during JUNE, for crying out loud), and the pitifully short hours. Honestly, wher is the magic in leaving MK two hours before dusk???
Zippa [/B]

Oh my, someone's been reading my mind.

I too have decided that I will not be scheduling anymore extended trips to WDW and I will not be renewing our AP's. Since I live within a few hours drive to WDW, I will be going to the hard ticket events such as MNSSHP and MVMCP. After all, no sense cutting off one's nose to spite one's face. But, that's it. No more; I just can't overlook things anymore. I have had it.

Disney is going to have to earn my good will again. We can write all the letters and emails and make all the phone calls we want. The fact is we shouldn't have to be doing this. Yes, there will be a parade or fireworks display or an extra hour added here and there. For me, it just isn't enough.

I cannot express how sad I am that it has come to this point for me. I can't believe the pixie dust has run out. Truly, a sad, sad day.

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

I realize that my opinion is not going to be popular, but it is based on a recent visit with shortened park hours.
************************

We were at WDW March 26-April 5 and have been many times so remember the extended park hours of the past.

I, too, was disappointed prior to the trip about the shorter hours, but resolved to take advantage of EE days and the E-Ride Night in order to maximize my time.

The park hours were shorter for a reason ... fewer people. We were able to see and do everything we wanted in the three days we spent in the parks and actually left the parks prior to closing each of the days.

Unbelieveably, I enjoyed having shorter hours with fewer people than other years with longer hours and crowds!!!

Especially if you are staying on-site, you have a wonderful opportunity by using the EE option of extending your park hours by one-hour. Believe me, if you do this in conjunction with FastPass you may find that in actuality it wasn't all bad.

 

[jaygatz]

Remembering all of my prior trips, I have had more fun when I spent less time each day at the parks. Since less touring each day equals more energy on subsequent days, I kind of hope that hours remain short. Also, I would rather see smaller crowds, and if that means reduced hours, then so be it. Finally to the thought that Disney shouldn't chase everyone out of the parks at 7:00 PM for a E-ride Night, I would disagree. E-ride Night is an on-site perk that I really appreciate being able to take part in. If you don't want to be chased off, stay on-site--a simple solution, IMHO.