What to after the parks close

[ginagbaby1]

Hello, I will be going to WDW for the first next month with my husband and 18 month old son. My sister in law, mother in law, and 8 yr old newphew will also be going. The parks seem to close pretty early (7:00 pm) during the week we are there with MGM being the latest one closing. We are on pacific time (3 hrs earlier than Florida) and plan on keeping our son on that time zone. We will be eating dinner around 8:00 Florida time and since most of the parks close will have to eat at Downtown Disney/Boardwalk or our hotel. Besides shopping at downtown Disney and Boardwalk, what else is there to do. We won't be renting a car since we are staying on disney property.

Thanks!
Gina

 

[tazdeb]

First of all ,the closing times posted are the times the rides close. Usually the fireworks start at this time which adds another 1/2 hour on to your time. Most of the in park shops stay open later also. Then, you have to get to the bus and ride it back to your hotel, this will take at least another 1/2 hour. Add another 1/2 to change. Then you will need to ride the bus to your destination which is another 1/2 hour. By this time it will be about 9pm florida time. Other things to do on property after dark include mini golf, movies, Disneyquest, Circ du Solie(sp?), campfire movies, carrige rides, water parades etc..... but by the 3rd day I bet you'll just want to sleep.....Have fun......TAZ

 

[bdcp]

My vote was for sleep too. You'll be pretty worn out after spending all day in the parks, especially with an 18 month old. Also, World Showcase at Epcot is open til 9. The Illuminations (fireworks and laser show) are worth seeing and that's right before park closing. When my boys were 18 months old they were in bed by 8, so that would have made an early evening anyway.

 

[dzneelvr]

We used to go in January when our kids were little, and it was never a problem with the parks early close.
Like another poster said, you can hang around the parks later, even get a PS for your evening meal at most of the nicer places after that close time.

We'd go shopping at DTD, swim at the resort, eat at EPCOT--they close later, ride the monorail to the deluxe resorts and look around, maybe eat there as well one night. Our kids stayed at Legoland one evening for 2 hours just building and poking around....it was a great way to end the evenings on a less-stressful note.
We did more character meals at breakfast in those days as well, because we usually had a good night sleep under our belts.

Have Fun! There's always something to do!!

 

[K & D Mickey]

We are hoping to take advanatage of the extended Evening hours for Resort guests. We have a 3 year old and if like last year --- slow in the morning but by mid afternoon nap he was ready to go and the parks were closing.
SO if same for this winter trip it will be great to do one park - then after nap go to the park that is staying open late and hit the rides and enjoy the more lay back time of the day --- instead of the hustle bustle of the day time.

Jan 26- Feb 3 at Pop Century

 

[nygrl]

Hello, I will be going to WDW for the first next month with my husband and 18 month old son. My sister in law, mother in law, and 8 yr old newphew will also be going. The parks seem to close pretty early (7:00 pm) during the week we are there with MGM being the latest one closing. We are on pacific time (3 hrs earlier than Florida) and plan on keeping our son on that time zone. We will be eating dinner around 8:00 Florida time and since most of the parks close will have to eat at Downtown Disney/Boardwalk or our hotel. Besides shopping at downtown Disney and Boardwalk, what else is there to do. We won't be renting a car since we are staying on disney property.

Thanks!
Gina

LOL what do do after the parks close SLEEP and get ready for the next day! I remember our first trip thinking the same thing and after the first day i was never so tired in my life and i had a 5 year old not an 18 month old. my advice bring a comfy pair of pjs you will be dying to get into them as soon as you get back to your room.

 

[crisi]

We usually schedule our evenings for Epcot. A nice meal, browsing the World Showcase - always open until 9:00. Illuminations starts at 9:00, so its 9:30 or better before we are back at the hotel.....though since small children arrived I've never made it that late!

But, for the most part, we are never in Epcot before three or four in the afternoon.

You should also be aware that the times on the calendar is what time they will leave the parks open to if crowds are what are expected. The last three trips we've taken, the MK in particular has been kept open later at least two nights during the week. I don't know if this will still occur with EMH happening in the evening.