Why does Epcot close so early?

[Babe the Blue Ox]

9 pm in the middle of summer is way too early. It's barely dark out.

 

[annaaidan99]

I was thinking that too. On a normal night FW closes at 7? No wonder the Soarin line is always so long.

 

[DebbieB]

I was thinking that too. On a normal night FW closes at 7? No wonder the Soarin line is always so long.

FW closes at 9. Some of the less popular attractions close at 7 but Soarin is always open until close, sometimes until 10.

 

[DOOM1001]

A couple of years ago they said FW closes at 7pm with the more popular rides staying open until closing,they then changed it to FW closing at 9pm with less popular attractions closing at 7pm,basically it's always been the same,the major attractions have always been open until closing.

 

[Tomader]

We just came back from Disney and more daughter said the same thing. Why does Epcot close so early? It's fun to walk the lands at night but 9:00 is to early to close. Epcot already has very limited ride choices. The same for the Studios and Animal Kingdom. They also close early. The parks should be opened at least until 11:00.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I always wish Epcot was open later too.

 

[Redmic]

I heard it's because the Europeans aren't allowed to work past 9 p.m.

 

[Robo]

I heard it's because the Europeans aren't allowed to work past 9 p.m.

Or Asians...

Or Central Americans...

Or Moroccans...

Or Canadians...

Or Coca-Cola vendors in a somewhat African setting...

Or those Americans who find themselves in the midst of all of those other cultures...



.

 

[TravelAgentJen]

I knowww!!! I always have wanted to just stroll around world showcase in the dark and be able to still have everything from daytime at my disposal. Not only does it close early but you have to spend your last sometimes 2 hours setting up your view of illuminations and your exit strategy

 

[mesaboy2]

I knowww!!! I always have wanted to just stroll around world showcase in the dark and be able to still have everything from daytime at my disposal. Not only does it close early but you have to spend your last sometimes 2 hours setting up your view of illuminations and your exit strategy

Two hours? I've never had trouble getting a decent spot just 30 minutes before, excepting super-busy times of year.

 

[flortlebap]

I heard it's because the Europeans aren't allowed to work past 9 p.m.

Try telling that to half my office

 

[TravelAgentJen]

Two hours? I've never had trouble getting a decent spot just 30 minutes before, excepting super-busy times of year.

I was referring to getting a dinner table bc we don't enjoy standing and w/people in front of us

 

[Flamingeaux]

So they can start charging people for after hours drinking.

 

[mesaboy2]

I was referring to getting a dinner table bc we don't enjoy standing and w/people in front of us

That makes more sense.

 

[disnut8]

Personally, my husband and I end every day at Epcot. We like to take it easy and just tool around World Showcase. We like the close time but that's us.

For us, Epcot closing means our day is over at the parks and it's time to go back to the room and do what we came on vacation for - relax and enjoy some quiet time with each other.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

The early close time is probably why Epcot is our least favorite park.

In the Summer, AK stays open until 7. Sure that's earlier but a lot of guests leave after the 3:45 parade. That leaves 2-3 hours of quality time to visit the attractions with limited waits.

DHS is generally open until 10, but the masses start lining up for Fantasmic1 at about 8. The attraction lines, including Midway Mania, are very short during those last 2 hours. We like to stroll in to Fantasmic2 right at show time and sit just about anywhere.

MK is open until midnight or later. Again, the masses start lining the parade route for the 1st showing of the electrical parade which empties out a majority of the park, especially Fantasyland. Rides that had very long waits during the afternoon are virtual walk-ons later in the evening. Even meet and greet with the princesses drop to 5-10 minutes during the last few operating hours.

That brings me to Epcot. They only show Illuminations once and that's technically after the park closes. There isn't much time for the crowds to dwindle at the major attractions. Keeping the place open a couple of hours after the show would be a big plus.

I know that they have emh until 11 pm once per week, but that's about it.

 

[Sparkly]

If Epcot closed later, maybe at 11pm ish it would make it viable to hop to after another park. That's why we visited MK so much at night, it was often open very late so it worked. And you can't beat saying goodnight to the castle at the end of a park day!

 

[DLFT]

The funny thing is that long ago in a galaxy far, er, when I was younger, Epcot closing at 9:00 was often the latest closing park during the offseason. Now MK is usually open til 9:00 or later year round (save for private party nights). Shows how the times change.

Regardless, I'd love to see EPCOT open until 10 in the offseason, 11 during busier times, and Midnight during the crazy weeks. Would take some pressure off of MK and encourage PH.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I've been wondering the same thing! I thought I was just being Disneyland-centric by expecting the parks to have longer summer hours than they do. I've never been but I was shocked that Epcot closes so early because it seems like it would be a wonderful place to walk around in the evening. I just read somewhere that they are doing extended hours if you pay to have a little snack from set menus at certain restaurants. So, clearly they could have longer hours if they really wanted to.

 

[Magpie]

Personally, my husband and I end every day at Epcot. We like to take it easy and just tool around World Showcase. We like the close time but that's us.

For us, Epcot closing means our day is over at the parks and it's time to go back to the room and do what we came on vacation for - relax and enjoy some quiet time with each other.

This is frequently our approach, too. Sometimes after park close and dinner, we even enjoy a quiet stroll around the resort, looking at the theming.