Why so dark?

[Lady Hiss]

Just got back from an evening at Epcot. The sidewalk areas outside The Land pavilion were almost dangerous due to the lack of lighting. Several people behind us remarked on it. It’s been that way each time we’ve been there after sunset. What gives? Is this by design or is something broken?
Speaking of broken, the number of rides down at 8:30PM was ridiculous (Rise, Frozen, Living with the Land and one more). Sheesh. I really think people aren’t getting their monies worth. Disney needs to do better.

 

[elvispursley]

Can't ent about the rides being down but I definitely noticed.it was extremely dark over by the land and seas area when we were there in the fall. Not sure what's going on.

 

[Lady Hiss]

Just got back from an evening at Epcot. The sidewalk areas outside The Land pavilion were almost dangerous due to the lack of lighting. Several people behind us remarked on it. It’s been that way each time we’ve been there after sunset. What gives? Is this by design or is something broken?
Speaking of broken, the number of rides down at 8:30PM was ridiculous (Rise, Frozen, Living with the Land and one more). Sheesh. I really think people aren’t getting their monies worth. Disney needs to do better.

Correction: Guardians was down (not Rise) at 8:30 PM

 

[DaviVascaino]

Just got back from an evening at Epcot. The sidewalk areas outside The Land pavilion were almost dangerous due to the lack of lighting. Several people behind us remarked on it. It’s been that way each time we’ve been there after sunset. What gives? Is this by design or is something broken?
Speaking of broken, the number of rides down at 8:30PM was ridiculous (Rise, Frozen, Living with the Land and one more). Sheesh. I really think people aren’t getting their monies worth. Disney needs to do better.

That is their way of telling "time to go home" LOL.

I agree with you, it can get really dark, and it kind of "kills" the vibe. I really think it is a way of saying the park is closing soon

 

[Minnie1222]

I think they dim the lights as it gets closer to the end of the night. One time we went into Figment at 8:50 and it was eerily creepy when we got out. Never again.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think they dim the lights as it gets closer to the end of the night. One time we went into Figment at 8:50 and it was eerily creepy when we got out. Never again.

Sounds like their technique is working.

 

[bakerworld]

I think WDW is trying to eliminate the 'hack' of arriving 30 minutes before the park close to access some of the more 'in demand' attractions.

 

[jo-jo]

I think they dim the lights as it gets closer to the end of the night. One time we went into Figment at 8:50 and it was eerily creepy when we got out. Never again.

I was afraid to use the bathroom round back. It’s so quiet there during the day, at night it’s spooky.

 

[Minnie1222]

I was afraid to use the bathroom round back. It’s so quiet there during the day, at night it’s spooky.

Oh gosh! I can't imagine using that bathroom after dark.

 

[beccasmom]

We noticed this too, but it was in World Showcase, specifically in France. I thought it was my eyes and double-checked that I had taken my sunglasses off! DH agreed with me, so I was relieved I wasn’t the only one who noticed it.

 

[kristenrice]

Note to self....pack a flashlight!

 

[SL6827]

I think WDW is trying to eliminate the 'hack' of arriving 30 minutes before the park close to access some of the more 'in demand' attractions.

They may eventually eliminate this completely. If it's starts hitting their wallet with less sales of LL.

 

[Lady Hiss]

If it’s a way to remind us of park closing, shame on them. I already feel cheated by the lack of available times when dealing with the lightning lane nonsense AND the number of rides that go down each day. I can easily take my $$ elsewhere and am seriously considering it.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

If it’s a way to remind us of park closing, shame on them. I already feel cheated by the lack of available times when dealing with the lightning lane nonsense AND the number of rides that go down each day. I can easily take my $$ elsewhere and am seriously considering it.

It’s not. Disney doesn’t want people leaving early. They want people there right up until closing to buy food and merchandise. That’s what hey have night shows.

 

[SL6827]

It’s not. Disney doesn’t want people leaving early. They want people there right up until closing to buy food and merchandise. That’s what hey have night shows.

They just don't want you getting in line for rides at closing.

 

[sponica]

I noticed this last year when we went for one day that it was pitch black between the land/the seas and moana: journey of water. Almost like they had removed lighting while doing construction on Moana and didn't reinstall it.

 

[Lady Hiss]

Whatever the reasoning I think they’re flirting with disaster. The lack of light is a definite hazard and could result in someone getting hurt due to disorientation or a fall.

 

[distherapy]

We noticed it this week. The streetlights in World Showcase were almost all off -there was no lighting at all at International Gateway and around most of the water. It was about 40 minutes until 9, so maybe preparing for Luminous? But it was such a hazard - especially with people sitting camped out and people darting in and out of the food booths - not that we could see at all what they were offering.

 

[bullcat_02]

I noticed Future World's sidewalks were extremely dark in December 2023. I just thought it was my almost 40 year old eyes.

 

[BrianL]

I remember way back int he glory days of a late night EMH at Magic Kingdom, I was over my The Little Mermaid at like 1:30 AM and it was pretty dark with not a soul around. I could definitely still see, but it was very dim. Personally, I loved it! It was calm and a little eerie, but in a good way. It felt like an adventure!