Why is the park closing at 7pm every night?

[DisneyJamieCA]

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.

Possibly, but I can promise you I'm not one of them.

Like I said, I understand the frustration. I just don't think it's as big a deal in the scope of things (talking about a 7pm closing, not the 5pm ones).

 

[dnamertz]

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!

It seems that most people's complaint about the one hour is that it's the only hour during that week were it will be dark (sunset is at 7pm that time of year) had they been open til 8pm. Yes, its only an hour but it's the only hour of some of those people's trip where they could have experienced the lights and magic of DL after dark. And they based it on historical information showing a pattern of DL closing at 8pm that time of year.

 

[Malcon10t]

Imagine if we went back 30 years, when the park was closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and closed at 6 on Wed and Thurs....

 

[dnamertz]

Imagine if we went back 30 years, when the park was closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and closed at 6 on Wed and Thurs....

Well, that was back when you could practically do everything in one day.

 

[sage210]

I guess this really only affects our travel plans because it means I'll get up earlier to use the early hours more than sleeping in. I'll get to look forward to seeing the freshly cleaned blacktop in the morning sun and breakfast food more than nightlights and fireworks. No biggie.

But it does make me wonder about the rationale. Usually Disney has "moonlight hours" or something for conference attendees at the GCH and DLR. They're usually 4 until close. Does anyone know how those are affected? No reason I'm wondering really except that I'm curious and usually have an opportunity to attend a conference during Sept/Oct. I guess I would think twice about that before signing up.

I know this is naïve, but part of me still hopes there some "Limited Time Magic" planned for the evening hours in these cases. If not we'll sure enjoy the pools and DTD then.

 

[GrandBob]

Imagine if we went back 30 years, when the park was closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and closed at 6 on Wed and Thurs....

And while we're at it, let's imagine if the price of admission was the same as 30 years ago. Adjusted for inflation, of course...

 

[sherilaine]

We have gone during off season when hours are 10 to 8 during Mon-Thurs and we get a great deal done in that time. You just have to plan so you see the shows you want on weekend nights but I would much rather shorter hours than heavy crowds. It really is one or the other, except for rare days when it is quiet on a weekend. We went one Sunday where crowds were less than the Tuesday of the same week, but i think that was just a fluke.

I totally see though how a 5PM closing would be a bummer though.

 

[Malcon10t]

Usually Disney has "moonlight hours" or something for conference attendees at the GCH and DLR. They're usually 4 until close. Does anyone know how those are affected? No reason I'm wondering really except that I'm curious and usually have an opportunity to attend a conference during Sept/Oct. I guess I would think twice about that before signing up.

Twilight tickets are good for a minimum of 4 hours. So, if the park is closing at 7, the ticket would be good at 3pm for entry.

Not sure what limited time magic you are looking for, they could offer something, but with the parks closing at 7, it will be offered during the day.

 

[smidgy]

one reason it matters: shorter hours makes it more impractical for midday breaks. the main reason for staying within walking distance.

we enjoy early moring rope drop,then some pool time in the afternoon and back to the park later. sigh.

any idea on the park hours in the 2nd week of october?

 

[Malcon10t]

one reason it matters: shorter hours makes it more impractical for midday breaks. the main reason for staying within walking distance.

we enjoy early moring rope drop,then some pool time in the afternoon and back to the park later. sigh.

any idea on the park hours in the 2nd week of october?

My guess... Mon, Wed, Thurs 10-8, Tues 10-6, Fri 9-7, Sat and SUn 9-11p.

 

[mom2rtk]

And while we're at it, let's imagine if the price of admission was the same as 30 years ago. Adjusted for inflation, of course...

Yep. Gotta be fair.

 

[Blue32]

one reason it matters: shorter hours makes it more impractical for midday breaks. the main reason for staying within walking distance.

we enjoy early moring rope drop,then some pool time in the afternoon and back to the park later. sigh.

any idea on the park hours in the 2nd week of october?

But... 10-8 is already shorter hours. Making a mid-day break already less practical, IMO.

The only reason I would be taking a break would be to make sure my kids got some rest to stay up for WOC.

Also getting to Rope Drop at 10 am is much easier and later in the morning, also making the break less than ideal.

Don't get me wrong, I would be disappointed also. Especially since it gets dark at 7pm. But DCA is still open. So I would be hopping over there to enjoy some attractions before bed. And if I was travelling this time of year, I would be overlapping with some weekend days anyway to catch the entertainment.

 

[mom2rtk]

But... 10-8 is already shorter hours. Making a mid-day break already less practical, IMO.

The only reason I would be taking a break would be to make sure my kids got some rest to stay up for WOC.

Also getting to Rope Drop at 10 am is much easier and later in the morning, also making the break less than ideal.

Don't get me wrong, I would be disappointed also. Especially since it gets dark at 7pm. But DCA is still open. So I would be hopping over there to enjoy some attractions before bed. And if I was travelling this time of year, I would be overlapping with some weekend days anyway to catch the entertainment.

The fact that they are taking an hour from already short hours is what makes it so crazy. Taking an hour from already long days would be much less of an issue.

And the mid-day break is real problem for people with little kids used to napping. Mess with their schedule, and WOC at 8 PM just isn't going to be worth it. For them..... or anybody around them. You can't just tell a little kid to hold on a few more hours and they can sleep them. It just doesn't work that way.

 

[RAnderson0819]

We are going in September as well. Planning 3 park days, the 11-13. One of the evenings DL closes at 5; we'll be doing DCA that day instead. Will they have fAntasmic and the fireworks on Friday, the 13? Hours are longer that day so I'm guessing yes?

 

[twinspirit]

Just checked the September calendar for hours....I'm pretty relieved to see that they wont too bad, AND we WILL have opportunity for night rides...not as bad as I feared happy dancin here

 

[tdhickey]

Just checked the September calendar for hours....I'm pretty relieved to see that they wont too bad, AND we WILL have opportunity for night rides...not as bad as I feared happy dancin here

Yeah, its not a huge deal. DLR closes at 7, but DCA is open until and WOC is running so really its open until 9.

 

[fctiger]

Yeah, its not a huge deal. DLR closes at 7, but DCA is open until and WOC is running so really its open until 9.

Yeah DL use to close between 5-6 between the 80s to early 2000s when it use to be JUST DL! I know I was there lol.

Now for the past decade they have expanded those off season times to now 8 p.m. and I think people assumed its always been that way...it hasnt. One hour difference, while dissappointing, is not exactly a huge deal considering it use to be much shorter anyway and you didnt have another theme park to hop to for another few hours when that one shut down at 6 p.m. Nor was there a DTD to go to either. People just went back to their hotels and called it a (very early) night.

I think the best advice is just spend as much time in DL and then hop over to DCA from the evening on. And I know people are saying they dont want to see WOC everynight which is understandable but again, there was NO night time show at all during those hours at all before. So its nice there is that option vs not having any until a few years ago.

 

[junmatno]

Yeah, its not a huge deal. DLR closes at 7, but DCA is open until and WOC is running so really its open until 9.

This statement is somewhat accurate. WOC STARTS at 8 when the park closes because it has to be dark. But don't get it twisted, the park is CLOSED the rides as not running except to clear the people that were already in line at 8 pm.
Some CM's say to get in line for RSR right before park closing cause the line goes faster. (No FP people)

This make it sound like the rides stay open which they don't except as I stayed above. The stores are open I think until an hour after WOC ends.

 

[cel_disney]

Yeah DL use to close between 5-6 between the 80s to early 2000s when it use to be JUST DL! I know I was there lol.

Now for the past decade they have expanded those off season times to now 8 p.m. and I think people assumed its always been that way...it hasnt. One hour difference, while dissappointing, is not exactly a huge deal considering it use to be much shorter anyway and you didnt have another theme park to hop to for another few hours when that one shut down at 6 p.m. Nor was there a DTD to go to either. People just went back to their hotels and called it a (very early) night.

I think the best advice is just spend as much time in DL and then hop over to DCA from the evening on. And I know people are saying they dont want to see WOC everynight which is understandable but again, there was NO night time show at all during those hours at all before. So its nice there is that option vs not having any until a few years ago.

All of the "way it used to be" discussions is why myself (and likely others) never went to DL....it is why it was for locals or folks passing thru and not tourists..

They are open til 8 (not 7) my week otherwise I would be very upset about it and had made Disney aware that they need to get the park hours out sooner like at WDW. If they want to close at 7, that's fine - but at least tell us early enough to truly have time to make a choice. Week before is not enough given air fare, lodging /(DVC in my case), and work related scheduling to make changes beyond flat out cancellations.

I would also suggest to them that they had stayed open til 8 at least ONE week night during each of those two weeks. That would be more aligned with the WDW approach as well and would give folks a chance to see the castle at night etc.

 

[fctiger]

All of the "way it used to be" discussions is why myself (and likely others) never went to DL....it is why it was for locals or folks passing thru and not tourists..

They are open til 8 (not 7) my week otherwise I would be very upset about it and had made Disney aware that they need to get the park hours out sooner like at WDW. If they want to close at 7, that's fine - but at least tell us early enough to truly have time to make a choice. Week before is not enough given air fare, lodging /(DVC in my case), and work related scheduling to make changes beyond flat out cancellations.

I would also suggest to them that they had stayed open til 8 at least ONE week night during each of those two weeks. That would be more aligned with the WDW approach as well and would give folks a chance to see the castle at night etc.

I dont think anyone would disagree with that! And yeah WDW is really more designed for tourists and DL has always been a more local park although that has changed a lot like they did with Tokyo and Paris with the addition of a second gate and more hotels. I guess the point is its not like it was meant to close at midnight, this is low season for a reason because the parks do run at a minimum during this time. Thats how its always been and guests still have an option with DCA vs before when it was JUST DL and the puppy shut down at 6.

But I do agree they should at least give people a better heads up about it but my guess is it was decided very recently.