What to do when the parks close?

[El Tel]

I'm starting to get really excited about my upcoming vacation in October and I want to make the most of my few weeks. Unfortunately, the parks close early-ish this time of year (especially AK) . What do you do after the parks close to make the most of your time (or do you bandage your feet and fall asleep)?

 

[CinRell]

AK always closes pretty early... but on nights when I"m done with the parks early, I go to downtown disney, pleasure island, maybe a dinner at one of the resorts... or go resort hopping and check them out (The Boardwalk is really fun!)... or spend time in the pool (are you staying on site?)

Or.. yes.. I bandage my feet and sleep LOL!

 

[BeckWhy]

Generally, we were beat from waking up so early and walking all day. But we also visited DTD and the Boardwalk. I've been known to resort hop and check out the different hotels and shops. I also like to walk around the hotel we are staying at and learn it, swim, etc. Once we just went back to the room and watched TV!

 

[BonnieA]

I always go during slow times when the parks close earlier. But Epcot always stays open until 9pm so I hop over there if I want to be at a park later. Otherwise I go to the outlet malls, grocery store or just hit the sack after a long hard day.

 

[flortlebap]

On our last trip we went to DTD a lot, or PI. Shopping, eating at restaurants or stopping for ice cream sundaes was fun at quite relaxing.

Take advantage of the evening EMH's - they're open 3 hours after closing. So AK will shut at 8pm some nights. You could also park hop to whichever hotel has the EMH, or take in a late show. Usually at least one park is open until around 10pm!

We enjoyed walking around the hotel grounds (it depends which hotel you stay at though), swimming at the pool, or just ordering food to the room and watching TV! Some hotels (eg POR) have in hotel entertainment, too.

We also went last Oct (well, the last day in Sept), and thought evenings would be a problem. But we LOVED the evenings, and we were always busy!!

 

[btuftee]

Collapse at the hotel room... heh

If it's really early (say before 7pm), we'd probably go to Epcot, or else spend some time at the Polynesian or Grand Floridian just walking around. The resorts are full of interesting things!

 

[ainmama2001]

We go to the Downtown Disney Marketplace. It's so much cooler at night and the lights are so pretty looking across the water. We try to get an ice cream at Ghiardelli's and of course, shop at World of Disney!

 

[JodyTG]

If you're staying at a WDW hotel, you can always check out the Boardwalk after dark. There's jugglers and all sorts of things. We stay at the BWV and it just adds a little bit of fun to our trips.

You could also go resort hopping and check out the other hotels.

Go play mini golf at Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland. I think they stay open pretty late.

Go to Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Go swimming at your hotel.

There's lots of things to do, which is why we go to WDW every year for Christmas.

 

[jennyl772003]

We usually go swimming, explore our resort, order pizza and watch TV, go to DD, or go to the hotel bar and hang out (if the resort has one worth going to)

 

[LBelle]

We always try to make it over to Fort Wilderness campground for the campfire/sing-along with Chip and Dale followed by a full length Disney movie under the stars!!! The program will start at 7pm in Oct. and is free to all WDW resort guests!!!

 

[MScott1851]

I'm so used to going in September and having the parks close a little early that EMH last year (MK til midnight) absolutely WORE ME OUT!!

I like when the parks close at 7 or 8:30pm. We eat a late supper at DTD, shop a little, stay at Epcot til close, and sometimes we just come back to our room and veg out, snuggling in front of the TV.

 

[flortlebap]

I'm so used to going in September and having the parks close a little early that EMH last year (MK til midnight) absolutely WORE ME OUT!!

I like when the parks close at 7 or 8:30pm. We eat a late supper at DTD, shop a little, stay at Epcot til close, and sometimes we just come back to our room and veg out, snuggling in front of the TV.

Actually I agree! When the parks are open late I feel like I should stay (and wear myself out) but when they close early in Sept I'm forced to do something more relaxing. It was a much more enjoyable trip when I was sleeping slightly later (later than 6am I mean!) and going back to the hotel earlier!

Especially this time with a 5, 2 and 1y/o, life will be a lot easier

 

[Glendamax]

Gmax, when the parks close, do you:

A. Go to Downtown Disney to a club
B. Go jogging to stretch out your leg muscles
C. Tour your resort and admire all the nooks and crannys OR
D. Bandage your feet, pray to God for strength for tomorrow, then SLEEP

Hmmmm . . . my answer is "D", Final answer.

 

[bazzanoid]

Depends how tired you are - as most of the above posters have suggested, DTD, PI, shopping, etc. Also worth considering if you have a hire car or don't mind extortionist cab fares, are dinner shows such as Dixie Stampede, Arabian Nights (if you're into horses, otherwise be warned the storyline is very thin) or Medieval Times. Avoid Pirates like the plague - no story, bad food, so dull!

Also out and about (translation: off-property), especially this october, you've got Universal's Halloween Horror Nights if you're into that sort of thing, or just a slow drive up and down the length of International Drive - start at the bottom end with the Premium Outlet complex, then work your way up one side, stopping at anything that takes your fancy (gift shops, wonderworks, ripleys, the mercado, pointe orlando etc), turn round when you get to (what used to be called) Belz Outlets and come down the other side and do the same! Should occupy some time!

Don't forget you've also got Old Town - they open till 9 / 10 pm. Every saturday night they have a classic car cruise.

Hope that helps!

 

[DisneyIsTerrific]

After the parks close, we like to relax at the hotel, swim, go to DTD to shop or see a movie, or go to WinterSummerland or Fantasia Gardens and play putt putt. Sometimes just staying in the room and relaxing is the best thing to rest up for the next day!