why does Epcot close so early?

[umichigan10]

The is just a general question ive always had. During most of the year influential the summer months when MK is regularly open until 11 and DHS 10-11 epcot closes at 9. Why? I don't see a reason that it needs to close that early as I know I and many others would stay if it was open later on non EMH nights.

 

[windi622]

I'm not sure why it closes at 9 during peak times. However, one of the things I love is that during non peak times, it is still open until 9! I appreciate the consistency of Epcot. Somtimes DHS is closing at 7, and Epcot is still open until 9.

 

[Geoff_M]

My gut answer is that due to a number of factors (fewer attractions than MK, many "walk thru" attractions, fewer "E-ride" bottle-necks, etc.) you don't really need to stay to midnight to be able to fully "do" the park even at busier times. And since they show Illuminations every evening and need to wait for nightfall that prevents earlier closing in off-peak times.

 

[grimley1968]

Why? I don't see a reason that it needs to close that early as I know I and many others would stay if it was open later on non EMH nights.

But you and many others are far outnumbered by the hordes of people who go to MK. They only have so many CM's, and the demand, even after all these years, still tends to favor MK over all the other parks. I'd love for AK to be open later than 5 most days when I can go in October, but they just don't have the crowd numbers at AK to support it. It's nice that EPCOT can be counted on to be open until 9 PM on days like that.

If demand shifted, I'd bet they'd have EPCOT open until 11 PM or later on non-EMH nights.

 

[Senator Tressel]

How is it that Hollywood Studios always has longer hours than Animal Kingdom, but Animal Kingdom has beaten it in attendance for at least the past two years?

 

[NancyIL]

How is it that Hollywood Studios always has longer hours than Animal Kingdom, but Animal Kingdom has beaten it in attendance for at least the past two years?

Fantasmic has to operate when it's dark.

 

[Sweettears]

How is it that Hollywood Studios always has longer hours than Animal Kingdom, but Animal Kingdom has beaten it in attendance for at least the past two years?

Fantasmic

 

[Sweettears]

Fantasmic has to operate when it's dark.

Jinx.

 

[DOOM1001]

How is it that Hollywood Studios always has longer hours than Animal Kingdom, but Animal Kingdom has beaten it in attendance for at least the past two years?

The attendance numbers between these parks is not that much different.AK if it likes it or not has zoo characteristics written all over it,and zoos just don't open after dark.DHS's theme lends itself more to nighttime operation.Until AK gets a nighttime show and they build Avatarland with a major E-Ticket attraction and with flourescent colors that glow at night I just don't see AK staying open past 6-7pm on a regular basis.Epcot closes at 9pm pretty much all year,in the Holidays they extend it to 9:30 and I think sometime last year or in 2010 they had a 10pm closing time either on Fridays or Saturdays I think during the F&W Festival.I agree that at certain times in the year I would like to see them close later but on the other hand I'm glad that they at least always stay open until at least 9pm,DHS might stay open later than 9pm sometimes but other nights they're closing at 7pm.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

The attendance numbers between these parks is not that much different.AK if it likes it or not has zoo characteristics written all over it,and zoos just don't open after dark.DHS's theme lends itself more to nighttime operation.Until AK gets a nighttime show and they build Avatarland with a major E-Ticket attraction and with flourescent colors that glow at night I just don't see AK staying open past 6-7pm on a regular basis.Epcot closes at 9pm pretty much all year,in the Holidays they extend it to 9:30 and I think sometime last year or in 2010 they had a 10pm closing time either on Fridays or Saturdays I think during the F&W Festival.I agree that at certain times in the year I would like to see them close later but on the other hand I'm glad that they at least always stay open until at least 9pm,DHS might stay open later than 9pm sometimes but other nights they're closing at 7pm.

So Avatarland is opening in AK?

 

[Micca]

Staffing is typically one of the highest budget items for any business. While other factors may play into the early closing at AK, certainly the cost of CMs
at Epcot and DHS are a factor. Possibly there is some evidence that park hopper sales increase (and therefore food & merch revenues) when the closing of one park "forces" a percentage of guests to other parks.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

When Epcot has PM EMH do they keep FW open another 3 hours too or is that just limited to WS.

 

[DebbieB]

When Epcot has PM EMH do they keep FW open another 3 hours too or is that just limited to WS.

Both

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/calendar/extramagichours/

Evening Hours:
The American Adventure in the American Pavilion
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros in the Mexico Pavilion
Captain EO starring Michael Jackson
Circle of Life
Journey Into Imagination With Figment
Living with the Land
Maelstrom in the Norway Pavilion
Mission: SPACE
O Canada!
Soarin'
Spaceship Earth
Test Track
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Turtle Talk With Crush

 

[Phatoomch]

How is it that Hollywood Studios always has longer hours than Animal Kingdom, but Animal Kingdom has beaten it in attendance for at least the past two years?

I read that it was to do with the animals - closing at 5 means that they can get the animals back to their sleeping houses etc in good time.

 

[DOOM1001]

So Avatarland is opening in AK?

About two weeks ago someone apparently got pictures of Disney Imagineering testing an ultralight aircraft themed to look like a dragon at a small airport near Bakersfield,Ca.,here's the thread that talks about it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2947188

 

[Mom2six]

I read that it was to do with the animals - closing at 5 means that they can get the animals back to their sleeping houses etc in good time.

I watched one of the behind the scenes Disney specials on tv recently, and they stated that the closing time has to do with the number of hours it takes to get the animals back to their night homes and properly fed/cared for. The show explained that each of the animials is trained to return "home" when they hear a certain sound. It then takes them a while to make their way back there, and I believe they don't do each of the types of animals at the same time.

 

[Phatoomch]

I watched one of the behind the scenes Disney specials on tv recently, and they stated that the closing time has to do with the number of hours it takes to get the animals back to their night homes and properly fed/cared for. The show explained that each of the animials is trained to return "home" when they hear a certain sound. It then takes them a while to make their way back there, and I believe they don't do each of the types of animals at the same time.

Thats what I was reading about - it was maybe an article tied to the show. It is apparently a first that Disney were able to train the bats to a whistle - others said they would never do it. Cool

 

[kaligal]

I appreciate the consistency of Epcot.

Me, too!

How is it that Hollywood Studios always has longer hours than Animal Kingdom, but Animal Kingdom has beaten it in attendance for at least the past two years?

AK is a much, much better park!!!

 

[dburg30]

I read that it was to do with the animals - closing at 5 means that they can get the animals back to their sleeping houses etc in good time.

I watched one of the behind the scenes Disney specials on tv recently, and they stated that the closing time has to do with the number of hours it takes to get the animals back to their night homes and properly fed/cared for. The show explained that each of the animials is trained to return "home" when they hear a certain sound. It then takes them a while to make their way back there, and I believe they don't do each of the types of animals at the same time.

Yep I'm sure it has to do with the animals.. Basically keeping them on a pretty fixed schedule would be my guess... If you have a pet you know how they are as reliable as a clock when it comes to meals they will remind you in case you forget lol

 

[tofubeast]

I always wondered the same about EPCOT-- WS. Especially with the restaurants/bars etc. Just would think it would be profitable to keep WS open later. It would be fun if the restaurants were open post Illuminations for a special dessert/drink menu.