When will July hours be updated?

[ArielSRL]

Was 9:35 the time it got to WL or MK? 9:35 is the usual normal time for WL. It gets to MK an hour later/

I don't know. I just checked the time on the WDW site and it said 9:35 for April and May and then 10:35 for June. When we saw it go by WL it was after 10pm because we had left MK by boat after the 10pm close.

 

[McKelly]

Those July MK hours STILL have not moved. But June is closing at 11 each night. I am still able to pick up dining reservations for my week in MK, except for BOG. So, maybe it is going to be quiet....

 

[hakepb]

ITA

We're going the 3rd week in August and MK closes at 9:00. That's way too early.

Remember, July hours were only extended to 10 in the past week. You will probably have another 3 weeks before August hours are extended.

 

[hakepb]

Those July MK hours STILL have not moved. But June is closing at 11 each night. I am still able to pick up dining reservations for my week in MK, except for BOG. So, maybe it is going to be quiet....

I'm hoping for quiet, too.
Wait times this week have been low for summer season, so it is possible that Disney is projecting lower July crowds.

 

[msjprincess]

Remember, July hours were only extended to 10 in the past week. You will probably have another 3 weeks before August hours are extended.

I hope so. It's really annoying that they don't extend the hours before 60 days.

 

[philbrody]

I hope so. It's really annoying that they don't extend the hours before 60 days.

Considering how much advance planning you need to put in to get ADR's and FP's it is highly annoying hours are not firmed up 6 months in advance. I know some people are not planners but we carefully choreograph about 75% of our vacation. We booked dinners at Ohana and California Grill for early August both at 7pm. Goal was to be entering MK as the sun goes down but still have 2.5 hours (guessing 11 pm close) to get in 3 FP's and a couple smaller line rides in between.

If the hours stay at 10 pm close the ADR's are all booked up now and next to impossible to move for the high demand restaurants. We also never went to EMH and always did a separate park on that night. Scrambling now a tad to update the strategy

 

[ktate82]

I'm hoping for quiet, too.
Wait times this week have been low for summer season, so it is possible that Disney is projecting lower July crowds.

While I would like later park hours, I will take lower crowds.

 

[Klayfish]

Remember, July hours were only extended to 10 in the past week. You will probably have another 3 weeks before August hours are extended.

Pretty sure July hours has been at 10pm for quite a while.

Very much doubt it's going to change at this point. We can always hope, but I'd be very cautious equating a 10pm park close with expected low crowds. Really don't know the true answer why, but my guess is still that it's because of the extra resources (CMs) they're putting in AK to keep it open until 1am...and it has nothing to do with expecting small crowds.

 

[DaisyJ]

Remember, July hours were only extended to 10 in the past week. You will probably have another 3 weeks before August hours are extended.

July hours were extended to 10pm weeks ago. I know because I was able to move a fastpass later.

 

[Karebear]

Pretty sure July hours has been at 10pm for quite a while.

Very much doubt it's going to change at this point. We can always hope, but I'd be very cautious equating a 10pm park close with expected low crowds. Really don't know the true answer why, but my guess is still that it's because of the extra resources (CMs) they're putting in AK to keep it open until 1am...and it has nothing to do with expecting small crowds.

I agree with this. I read on Easywdw that crowds are low right now except in the MK. It seems like they are putting resources into AK staffing but not MK. I would not use the extra hours at AK for just 2 rides especially since you can rope drop the river journey and get a FP for FoP. I would love to see Disney maybe leave AK open late for 1 or 2 nights and then use the staff to extend MK for the other nights

 

[SaharanTea]

Pretty sure July hours has been at 10pm for quite a while.

Very much doubt it's going to change at this point. We can always hope, but I'd be very cautious equating a 10pm park close with expected low crowds. Really don't know the true answer why, but my guess is still that it's because of the extra resources (CMs) they're putting in AK to keep it open until 1am...and it has nothing to do with expecting small crowds.

I've got to think the number of CMs needed for Pandora pales in comparison to the number of CMs Magic Kingdom needs.

 

[PolyRob]

I've got to think the number of CMs needed for Pandora pales in comparison to the number of CMs Magic Kingdom needs.

The AK extra hours only have Pandora operating. Probably a very small amount in comparison.

 

[capegirl]

Unfortunately it was the same story for MK when we were there last July. Crowds were definitely on the lower side, and Pandora was also not a factor then. The elimination of the MSEP was most likely part of the plan to decrease MK hours and to encourage crowds to hop over to AK in the evenings for Pandora and RoL.

 

[Jfine]

Any thoughts on July 4th at Epcot? Still says Illuminations is at 9, but it's usually at 10 for the 4th. I planned my ADR on years of tradition. And I know things are subject to change, but up until recently Illuminations wasn't even on the schedule so there was no indication what time it would be. Anyone think they'll change it back to 10?

 

[emmabelle]

I'm hoping for the crowds of this week. You could still get FP's for Test Track and Soaring for like 5:45pm at 4:30pm

 

[preemiemama]

Any thoughts on July 4th at Epcot? Still says Illuminations is at 9, but it's usually at 10 for the 4th. I planned my ADR on years of tradition. And I know things are subject to change, but up until recently Illuminations wasn't even on the schedule so there was no indication what time it would be. Anyone think they'll change it back to 10?

I actually saw it officially posted-maybe on the Disney Parks Blog?- both the MK fireworks and Illuminations are at 9 pm this year.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Unfortunately it was the same story for MK when we were there last July. Crowds were definitely on the lower side, and Pandora was also not a factor then. The elimination of the MSEP was most likely part of the plan to decrease MK hours and to encourage crowds to hop over to AK in the evenings for Pandora and RoL.

This. It seems fairly obvious that with no MSEP, WDW execs would like to nudge crowds to Pandora. That is bound to be a nice savings because it takes far fewer CMs for Pandora than it does all of MK. I just wish they would open up the rest of AK for evening EMH too. Honestly though, if the crowds are as low as are being projected for July I will be thrilled, and not a bit concerned about MK closing at 10.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Not only does MK close at 10, but so do the resort pools... I'm thinking this might be our last summer WDW trip for a while.

Do the pools close at 10, or is that just when there are no more lifeguards?

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Not only does MK close at 10, but so do the resort pools... I'm thinking this might be our last summer WDW trip for a while.

Are you sure? Where did you see that? Disney just sent me a rec calendar for June (don't know why- my stay is the first week in July) and it says the pool at Pop is open 9 am to 11. Are they taking away an hour in July? That would seem strange.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Do the pools close at 10, or is that just when there are no more lifeguards?

Disney no longer allows guests to swim when there are no lifeguards at their main pools.