"Back in the Day" Disneyland was closed on Mondays or Mondays & Tuesdays (I forget). I think they had longer hours since they could do minor touchups, etc., on those days. I think that now that the parks are open every day, they have that extra hour to do their maintenance jobs.
Like most reasons in life, money! They probably realized in the later years that the amount of guests staying wasnt big enough or buying enough to justify the hour of operation and why everything is now closed at midnight--minus MS of course which still stays open to one.
And yes it probably nicer to have the extra hour for maintenance every night. Now with all the extra early hours for hotel guests which didnt start until the 80s, its probably not a lot of turn around to refit everything when it opens at 7 a.m.
That said, believe it or not DL is the only park that closes at midnight. Yes every Disney theme park, including MK parks worldwide usually close 10-11 the latest even in high season. Barring some special event, no other Disney park stays open that late regularly so DL is still pretty unique in that regard.
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