Why is the park closing at 7pm every night?

[Hofmanns4]

Hey.... if the hours aren't long enough, just add more days. You know..... as long as you don't want more than 5.

So true! oh... How I long for the old 8 day pass!

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[Denine]

I can't even see the park hours for September anymore. Are they even opening a bit earlier that day? That would drive me crazy to have it close so early and on a Friday night when you are expecting Fireworks and Fantasmic. Please do take a few minutes and complain to Guest Services on your way out of the park one evening. If we don't complain then they won't know. I think DLR is geared more to locals but they need to remember there are some of us who aren't and we don't like the changes.

As far as I know the park opens at 9AM. If the shortened hours stay that way when were are there, we will make mention of it. I keep hoping they will change their minds. If we had known ahead of time, maybe we could have arranged our trip differently, but they come out so late with their hours.

 

[sweethannah]

Reduced hours plus shorter multiday passes sucks for the out of town visitors.

Let's see

Summer time - 16 hour days but busier. Rides run at maximum. Opportunity to leave the Park and return for evening shows and rides.
Off Peak time -9-10 hour day slower, rides run at reduced capacity. Very limited entertainment.


For the same price.

Offer longer passes valid only in off peak times then. Seems simple.

 

[mom2rtk]

Reduced hours plus shorter multiday passes sucks for the out of town visitors.

Let's see

Summer time - 16 hour days but busier. Rides run at maximum. Opportunity to leave the Park and return for evening shows and rides.
Off Peak time -9-10 hour day slower, rides run at reduced capacity. Very limited entertainment.


For the same price.

Offer longer passes valid only in off peak times then. Seems simple.

Well, given that this was supposedly done to increase profitability as the fiscal year comes to a close, I think any sort of price reduction is out of the question.

Maybe a better approach as the fiscal year comes to an end would be to allow guests to add extra tickets beyond 5 days at a reduced cost.

I'm just saying there's more than one way to skin a cat.

So part of the new planning recommendations we offer up to board visitors should be "Don't visit in the last fiscal month of the year. You don't know what you'll get."

 

[twinspirit]

Hey.... if the hours aren't long enough, just add more days. You know..... as long as you don't want more than 5.

It's not JUST about adding more days (we have 5 day hopper passes)...we were kind of looking forward to night time rides. Our first trip to DL and having never done night rides (the kids), it's a bummer. We had no idea the hours would be THIS short when we booked quite some time ago.

HOWEVER...it is what it is. And we have to accept and plan with it...just as DLR will expect us too But DLR..you ought to know that MANY Disney Goers are sadly upset.
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

 

[qckrun]

I hate to say it but if you don't like it don't go. Stop giving Disney your money.

OR

Realize you are going on OFF-PEAK season. I'm going Sept 15-20, park days of the 16-19th and I fully expected short days (which it looks like my dates they close at 8pm), does it suck, yes but I'd rather have 2hours less than deal with an extremely packed crowds.

Is 1-hour really going to affect your trip? How many rides will you realistic be able to go on in 1-hour.

Disney is a business, as people have said they are trying to maximize profits. You do have a choice when you go, Disney didn't tell you to go in Sept.

 

[sweethannah]

I hate to say it but if you don't like it don't go. Stop giving Disney your money.

OR

Realize you are going on OFF-PEAK season. I'm going Sept 15-20, park days of the 16-19th and I fully expected short days (which it looks like my dates they close at 8pm), does it suck, yes but I'd rather have 2hours less than deal with an extremely packed crowds.

Is 1-hour really going to affect your trip? How many rides will you realistic be able to go on in 1-hour.

Disney is a business, as people have said they are trying to maximize profits. You do have a choice when you go, Disney didn't tell you to go in Sept.

Compared to peak season it's approximately 6 hours less. Not to mention EMH is less effective when it's from 9-10 rather than 7-8

 

[aliceclones]

As far as I know the park opens at 9AM. If the shortened hours stay that way when were are there, we will make mention of it. I keep hoping they will change their minds. If we had known ahead of time, maybe we could have arranged our trip differently, but they come out so late with their hours.

Agree. We have already committed money to airfare, car rental etc. Too late to back out, or we are stuck losing a LOT of money. Will I let this ruin my trip? No. We are still going to Disneyland! But the 7pm and 5pm closings are really not nice, and I probably will let them know that this will affect our future decisions on where to vacation, possibly ruling out Disneyland. My kids are getting older, and they will still be wanting to be out at 7pm. 4 squirrely kids in a hotel room isn't pleasant.
I also agree with PP that at WDW at least you always have one park staying open late, even during off season. Yes it is often Epcot, but we LOVE Epcot!!!

 

[fctiger]

What's weird is that it says DCA closes at 8:00 but WOC is on the schedule as 8:15. So everything will close at 8, then after World of Color they will usher us out?

Actually they been doing that with WOC from litterally day one. The 2nd show usually perform at 10:15 and the park closes at 10. And same for weeknight shows. And yes, after the show people just go the exit. Also long time procedure at WDW as well when shows like Fantasmic and Innovations start when the park closes too.


As for Disney shutting down DL at 7 and keeping DCA closing later that will be an interesting experiment. So far sounds like people are dissappointed but who knows how this will effect the masses. Then again September is so slow I dont think too many people will care if they can do all they wanted.

We'll see what happens I guess.

 

[qckrun]

Compared to peak season it's approximately 6 hours less. Not to mention EMH is less effective when it's from 9-10 rather than 7-8

Again if it matters that much do not go in September. Change your plans, no one told you when to go, it's your choice.

Does it suck that Disney only posts the times 6-weeks in advance YES, but everyone knows this if you research your trip, so you took the chance when booking your OFF-PEAK season trip.

 

[cel_disney]

Again if it matters that much do not go in September. Change your plans, no one told you when to go, it's your choice.

Does it suck that Disney only posts the times 6-weeks in advance YES, but everyone knows this if you research your trip, so you took the chance when booking your OFF-PEAK season trip.

But Disney also posts their expected hours for planning for the year and explicitly state closing at 8 or 10 nightly in September for DL. They do not say 5 or 7 or 8 or 10. I am relieved that the week I am there it will not be 7, but I think it's terribly unfortunate for those traveling that first week. I also expect Disney will loose out on dining costs as families like mine will not be having a big meal or two in the parks. We will be leaving at 7 and eating at other establishments!

 

[AZlady]

Again if it matters that much do not go in September. Change your plans, no one told you when to go, it's your choice.

Does it suck that Disney only posts the times 6-weeks in advance YES, but everyone knows this if you research your trip, so you took the chance when booking your OFF-PEAK season trip.

I did research this trip I also assume many families will be showing up Wednesday or Thursday to enjoy Fridays "'opening night & villian party". Thursday was my arrival day. With closing so early, they lost all my money i would have spent that day. 5pm closing...ridiculous.

 

[Malcon10t]

I did research this trip I also assume many families will be showing up Wednesday or Thursday to enjoy Fridays "'opening night & villian party". Thursday was my arrival day. With closing so early, they lost all my money i would have spent that day. 5pm closing...ridiculous.

5pm closing usually indicates a corporate party. There is usually a travel agents party in the fall, so I am guessing this is it. They close at 5, have all out by 6, then reopen to guests at 7. Private parties will cause the park to close early. They may lose the money you would have spent, but these private parties are charged in the neighborhood of $1 million, so they win.

 

[DLR29]

But Disney also posts their expected hours for planning for the year and explicitly state closing at 8 or 10 nightly in September for DL. They do not say 5 or 7 or 8 or 10. I am relieved that the week I am there it will not be 7, but I think it's terribly unfortunate for those traveling that first week. I also expect Disney will loose out on dining costs as families like mine will not be having a big meal or two in the parks. We will be leaving at 7 and eating at other establishments!

First of all, I will agree that 5PM seems extremely early.

Second, this is why Disney has that small text at the bottom of everything saying "Park hours are subject to change". There is no guarantee of any particular hours.

Third, 7:00 vs. 8:00 really doesn't seem like a huge difference to me IMO, especially because DCA's hours are staying the exact same as last year with a nightly WoC.

Fourth, I've said it before, but this is what happens when you go during "off seasons". You will be going at a time where there are fewer people and shorter lines. It's a trade-off. Unfortunately, you can't have everything anymore. For me, personally, I'd rather go during the summer because they way I react to crowds is totally in my own control. Short park hours and ride refurbishments during "off season" are not in my control.

 

[cel_disney]

I think anyone with little kids that count on a rest would think that a 7pm closure is too early.

We travel to WDW in September regularly. I understand ride refurbishments and have no complaints about that.

I do still expect to have a place to be entertained most of the nights during the week. Watching WOC 5 nights in a row is not going to happen.

We would have adapted if the park was closing at 7 our week but it would not be our typical approach to a Disney vacation since we would likely end up skipping park meals to make sure we get enough park time in and then eat after we leave the parks in the evening.

When we go to WDW in September we can usually be at the parks for 8/9, have lunch at 11:30, leave parks at 1pm for a break. Head back to park at 4:30, have table service dinner at 6, head back to the room at 9.

Obviously that won't cut it in DL the beginnig of September unless its a DCA/WOC day for our family. So it would mean going off to make a new plan!

 

[mom2rtk]

Obviously that won't cut it in DL the beginnig of September unless its a DCA/WOC day for our family. So it would mean going off to make a new plan!

I'm pretty sure DLR would be happy to take your money to upgrade you to hoppers to better accommodate their shorter park hours.

 

[cel_disney]

I'm pretty sure DLR would be happy to take your money to upgrade you to hoppers to better accommodate their shorter park hours.

I have hoppers. And if there was a Halloween party, I would have bought tickets to it as well. But who would want to watch WOC 5 nights in a row????

I don't vacation in September because its cheaper. It's just when my DS birthday is and we LOVE Halloween!!!!

 

[nostalgic4disney]

I have been to DL in Sept twice in the past where the park closed around 7pm. They were having private group only night.
One night it was LA County firefighters night, the other was Lockheed night.
I've been there during these events (but it has been a few years ago!).

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I understand the frustration, but does an hour really make or break it for you? What did you used to do between 7-8 that you won't be able to do this year. I haven't been in the off season in years, so I can't say for sure, but I didn't think there was nightly entertainment in DL during the off season. Hasn't it been on weekends during that time? DCA is still open, so it's not like there isn't anything to do.

Maybe if I were going during this time, I'd be equally upset as some of you, but if you know you are trading off crowds for shorter hours, I don't see how one hour is that big a deal. I hope all of you who are going are able to have a wonderful trip!

 

[TheLanes]

Does Disneyland employ people to post replies on this board to calm people down? Some replies above seem overtly like corporate responses. I wouldn't be surprised if they did nor could I find fault with doing so.