When do you leave the parks?

[jfulcer]

Ok, you're at the park (any park), it's the end of the day and it's closing time. Do you like to leave early and beat the masses, go with the flow and be herded like cattle when everyone else leaves, or wait until the tide subsides and go then?

We always wait until after everyone is pretty much gone and then head out. We get to linger a little more in the magic and don't get shoved around...

 

[Pat_Elliott]

We always, always stay after closing, simply because life is too short to spend half an hour hearding like cattle.

But far more important, to us part of Disney is just "being there." And being in a park, after dark and with few people, is one of the more magical parts of the whole experience. To those who've never done so, next time your in MK, after close linger back in Adventureland until they ask you to move on. Then slowly move towards the front of the castle and take everything in. The music is still playing, the lights are still lit, the castle is still morphing colors, rich stuff. And you'll never, ever get better photo ops with things like the Walt/Mickey statue in front of the castle.

Pat

 

[Synonymous]

Closing is the best time in any park. Epcot is beautiful to walk through late at night. We like to get the last seating at a WS restaurant, so we leave the park around 10:00, with absolutely no one around.

MK is also wonderful at this time. Hop on a ride right at closing, and by the time you get off the place should be cleared out. Stroll back, get some ice cream, and gaze at the castle.

 

[DebbieB]

Last month I was there with friends. MK closed at 9:00 with Spectromagic running at that time. We watched in from in front of the castle. We found a bench while the crowds herded out and stayed until the "Kiss Goodnight" at 10:00pm. It was really magical. We walked down a near deserted Main Street afterwards.

 

[Memph1s]

We are locals with PAP's so most of the time we are long gone before closing and the crowds. I would rather see the fire works from a distance rather than be knocked around in the crowd. However, when we do stay late we do hang back until the mass exodus is over. It is wonderful to be able to walk out and look ahead without seeing a bunch of dropping heads.

We are headed back over in the morning for another fun day at the park in the rain.

 

[JulesMom]

We usually leave a little early.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

I didn't vote - cos you didn't put up when the CM drags me out crying

 

[weluvdizknee]

We always seem to be the last ones out of the park. Our favorite shopping time is after the park closes, and the stores stay open for an extended time. And then we are the last ones out of the stores! My family are die-hards, and never want the day to be done.

 

[PlutoPal]

I usually leave the parks a little before the crowds just so we dont have to deal with them.