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

[Master Grayson]

I 'm also ticked about the hours for June but I can understand doing so if the guests aren't showing up to the parks BUT if we are getting shorter hours then why aren't we getting a cheaper ticket price????????

 

[BrianD]

Originally posted by Master Grayson
I 'm also ticked about the hours for June but I can understand doing so if the guests aren't showing up to the parks BUT if we are getting shorter hours then why aren't we getting a cheaper ticket price????????

You're getting a cheaper hotel rate.

 

[jaygatz]

BUT if we are getting shorter hours then why aren't we getting a cheaper ticket price????????

IF the shortened hours remain, and IF they are due to reduced crowd size, then the value gained from your ticket might actually be higher with the shortened hours than that gained from longer hours with bigger crowds. That is, if a ticket allows you to see everything you want to see in 8 hours as compared to 12, then you are better off with the 8 hour ticket since you will gain 4 hours to enjoy other pursuits like lounging at your resort, going to the Chip N Dale sing-a-long, etc. This is just one way to look at it

 

[Eeyore2U]

Originally posted by Master Grayson
I 'm also ticked about the hours for June but I can understand doing so if the guests aren't showing up to the parks BUT if we are getting shorter hours then why aren't we getting a cheaper ticket price????????

As stated in many of the threads that complain about hours, you are paying for a standard day which is I think 9-6. Everything after after that is a bonus.

Disney only has one price schedule. Should they have more? One that mirrors the Resort Schedule? I don't think people would be happy either way. I pay the same in offseason and don't complain as those with longer hours, even if it's only an hour longer.

 

[OHIO VIKING]

Part of the problem with the short hours in the summer is ---It is summer in Florida. It is just too hot to stay at the parks for most of the day. so if you leave by 1-2 PM for an break and a swim there is no time to go back and enjoy rides in the evening when it is cooler. This means that you really are not able to do quite a bit. It is fine for people who visit often but the majority of people aren't able to go that frequently so this vacation becomes less attractive and I personally am less able to justify the cost. Yes there are other things to do at Disney but we go to visit the parks . We will still go next month but my expectations are lowered which I feel is sad, Disney seems to be fine with the fact that their visitors must conform to what they think is enough, not what they used to provide willingly and joyfully, above and beyond what was expected.

 

[jaygatz]

I hadn't though of the heat factor in assuming that one would have the opportunity to do all that she wanted to do. I guess it won't matter that much for me as we will really plan on doing the MK on E-ride Nights, but as you say for those planning shorter trips, this will pose somewhat of a hurdle...

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by Eeyore2U
I don't think people would be happy either way. I pay the same in offseason and don't complain as those with longer hours, even if it's only an hour longer.

I support your right to not complain. I respectfullyy don't agree with your assesment. I pay the same in the off season, too. And with hours somewhat mirroring what is set for June, I'm able to do much more than I'm going to be able to do if the hours for June hold true. That lowers the value of my vacation dollar. And the lack of anything more than 30 days notice just isn't right. I think both situations show a little lack of appreciation for those that keep coming even though the economy is tight.

Everyone's got a right to an opinion, and these forums are hardly a statistical poll. But it seems a majority here feel similar. To write this off as "people won't be happy either way" is a wee bit insulting. In my opinion. I've never been difficult to please. And I'll go anyway.

An analogy. I go to the same local tavern every Friday night with my wife and friends. Three weeks ago, an expensive steak was overdone, and the reason given was the cooks make more mistakes when they're busy. I'm not going to avoid the restaurant because of this. But you can bet I'm going to let someone know my meat wasn't cooked the way I wanted. I should know to what to expect, and it should be cooked the same whether they're busy or not. Likewise, I expect a comparable value and proper time to plan when going to Disney. I travel from PA to Orlando twice a year for vacation. Next to my mortgage, it tends to be my largest single expense every year.

Pat

 

[twinmomto3boys]

Have the hours changed again? I just checked and at the end of June the MK closes at 8, 9 or 10 - depending on the day.

 

[Master Grayson]

The HEAT factor plays a bigger part then most people know. I have two under 10 and by about 11-12:00 you have to go back and let them rest. Even more so now being the park closes at 7:00pm I must now get them up and be at the gate when they open in order to get enough bang for my buck.

As far as a cheaper hotel, from what I can tell the prices have gone up slowly the past 5 years and certainly not gone down!


Part of the Magic at WDW was walking down Main Street with all the lights on, well at least they can save some money on their lighting bill this summer.

 

[Bob NC]

Could someone clue me in? There's 4 parks, Downtown Disney, various miniature golf courses, Boardwalk, Cirque, and a whole host of activities. Just what is the big deal about going for a week and being upset that the MK closes a couple hours earlier than you want it to for a night or two? Is it the parade? Is it the 10 minute fireworks show?

This sounds like me boycotting the local mall because Sunglass Hut closes an hour before the other stores.

 

[Master Grayson]

Bob....

It's not just the MK but all the parks hours are cut.

It's the summer when most people vaction so to say that attendance is low is totally false. I'm a DVC member so my vacation has been scheduled for 11 months but I called around to see if there were any openings for the time I'm going down and ASMU,ASM,ASSport,PORR,PO and CBR are all booked so how does this justify the times?

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by Bob NC
Just what is the big deal about going for a week and being upset that the MK closes a couple hours earlier than you want it to for a night or two? Is it the parade? Is it the 10 minute fireworks show?

This sounds like me boycotting the local mall because Sunglass Hut closes an hour before the other stores.

Hardly the same thing to me Bob, but I'll certainly respect your right to feel that way. And I have no desire to be the voice of park hour decent. I also have no intent on boycotting, but making my feelings known to Disney, as a "good client" should. But the occasional suggestion that those who complain about the low hours and lack timely hours posting are off base, in my opinion.

What it means to me is this: Between hotel, food, transportation costs, and park tickets, not to mention and not to factor in using what I consider precious time away from my business and my wife's job, we spend around three hundred bucks a day while in Disney. When I go in September and there's a couple thousand people in the park, I have more time than I know what to do with. When I go in June, prices for hotels are higher and the parks have twice as many or more people. I know this, and I alone make the decision to go in either June or September.

However, if when I go in June the hours that are listed hold up, they'll be similar to what they were last September. With crowds more than doubled, the value of my vacation will not only go down, but go down significantly. And if I choose to spend all my time in MK and the fireworks are what's really important to me (they aren't, by the way), then why should my vacation dollar buy less in June than it does in September? And if that's the way it is, I'll deal with it and act accordingly. But as a fairly decent client of Disney's spending several thousand dollars a year (a pile of money to me and probably most people), I'll certainly exercise my right to call and email those that make such decisions, and that includes posting here since I have a hunch some of this stuff might actually get to the brass at Disney.

Now, do you really want to compare that to lower hours at a quansit hut at your local shopping mall that you can visit 365 days a year? Hardly comparable. And if you do, would you shoot someone down for suggesting to the store manager they'd like the place open longer?

As some of you don't seem to cater to those that make their voice heard, I don't understand the problem with me voicing my opinion on what I'm spending a pile of jack and all my vacation time each year.

Pat

 

[Master Grayson]

BRAVO Pat!!

 

[coachv]

I cannot affford to stay on site!! I rented a 2 bdrm. condo at Marriott GV for $400 7 nights. How much would a comparable room cost at DW. I say at least $1000 or more!!!! I am on a tight budget. If staying on property for e-nights is such a perk, why do you have to pay for it? I will still go this year and my family and I will have a great time!!! But I will have to put great thought in to whether or not I go back. We love WDW but I spent the same amount of money last summer going to New York City and Washington, D.C. and my kids loved it and want to go back. My two DS are 6 and 9. It is all about getting the most bang for your buck. I still say call, email, and write Disney let them know how you feel but like some have said the best way is to hit in the wallet. And this would be a shame!!!! I did not mean to cause such a great debate but I think it is good to talk about it. I hope everyone has a great time at the World---I will!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pat_Elliott]

coachv,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It's a good post. Nothing wrong with debate if it stays clean. This is obviously a subject that invokes some emotions. Nothing wrong with that!

Pat

 

[jaygatz]

I hope you do have a good time Also, even though I would prefer reduced hours, look what happened in May--the hours were lengthened! So, don't sweat it...you'll have plenty of time

 

[colleen costello]

Reduced hours leave me feeling cheated. For my family the "9-6" plan is not an option. Florida in June and July is dangerousely hot in the middle of the day. We ALWAYS leave in the afternoon, regardless of closing time. I don't feel like it's worth risking heat exhaustion to stay all afternoon.

We always go back at night. When the parks were open late, sometimes we didn't go UNTIL the night -- from 5-midnight, maybe. There is a very special magic at the MK late at night, with smaller crowds and cooler air and all those beautiful lights. Closing down the park and leaving late makes me feel like a kid again!

We have DVC and I will go to WDW regardless, but if they keep up hours that simply don't suit my family, I will swim and hang out and NOT waste a ticket. There have to be other families that will decide the same.

 

[eeyore0062]

I think everyone is getting riled up about nothing at this point. Everyone here has seen shorter hours posted only to see them extended when it is needed. Take this month, for instance... all of the hours have been extended.

The hours that they post are the "least" you can count on. Believe me, they will be extended. Attendence will pick up with schools being out, and more people vacationing... the military starting to return from war, etc.

With all of the choices of places to go and things to do at WDW, I guess I just don't understand... go to one park in the early morning that doesn't stay open late, and then go to a late closing park in the evening. Then make your plans around the park that usually closes early on an evening when the ARE staying open.

I think we all need to stay flexible, and go with the flow. It just isn't worth getting our bloodpressure up.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Originally posted by 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.

I have a hard time imagining that the crowds are going to be as low in June as they are during off season. I do know that its going to be hot, and now an afternoon break seems implausible.

As for e-ride night, I do stay on-site. I just have a real problem with Disney replacing the former long hours with e-ride nights. Paying for what used to be free, that's what's going on there. Also, eride night is pretty lame for families with preschoolers. Sorry, but I do not consider Disney to be a charity that I need to support with an extra $12 per night. Isay schedule all the e-ride nights you want in off season, but leave the standard summer hours alone. All one needs to do is see some of the posts above to see why any 'saving' Disney accrues are only short term at best.

Like I said before, Disney needs to show me something this time. I'll write a trip report for anyone who cares when I get back. Hopefully it won't be my last!

 

[jaygatz]

sentiments underlying your comments about the crowd size. More specifically, that if the hours are short it should only be due to reduced crowds. Where we diverge, I think, is that I think we should give Disney the benefit of a reasonable doubt, and wait until we go before getting upset. Also, i may have rose-colored glasses coloring my willingness to pay for E-Night since our entire family has AP's, so after our 8 day in the park this year, we reached the gravy/free side of the admission media. Thus, I don't mind paying as I don't feel like I am paying to get in in the first place