Will Disney parks ever go back to longer hours like in the good old days?

[Greg Wright]

Does anybody think that Disney will ever go back to keeping the Magic Kingdom open till midnight like in the good old days??? (excluding e-ride nights)

I don't think so, but curious as to anyone's reasoning that thinks they will!

Now that would be a dream come true...

 

[dmadman43]

It the demand is there and Disney can at least recover costs, if not make money by doing so, then sure it will come back.

 

[DNBois]

DH and I just got back tonight from 8 nights/9 days at CBR and the crowds were unmanageable. DH thinks that since the war itself is over and it ended positively that most families who had placed vacations on hold are now coming to Disney. We were not impressed at all with the park hours; the fact that they made certain that every food stand, every merchandise counter and every souvenir shop was staffed, while rides (i.e. Winnie the Pooh, CofP, the GMR, Timekeeper) remained closed, made me think that Disney has turned into a marketing empire more so than a family vacation destination. Throughout my whole Disney experience (I have probably been about 12 or so times), I did not feel like I mattered; we have felt like Disney has decided to take their consumers for granted. We compared this trip to a trip we took in May of 2000 and it was obvious that the crowds were much worse but with lessening the park hours (but raising the prices of tickets) and placing a hiring freeze, and, as we noticed, reducing the number of buses to/from parks, think of the $$$ they have not only saved but made off of the consumers. Pardon me for being so down on Disney but we were not that thrilled with our vacation and will be notifying Disney of our dissatisfaction. We'll see what happens. . .

 

[jdonat]

I'ts all dependent on how well resort
ressies go (I think). Our 2002 Spring
Break trip (Mar 2002) ended up with
MK hours of 8-12mid and EC opening
early, and ST open until 10pm. These
hours were changing DAILY until we
left, and they even extended hours
on a daily basis. When we started
looking at the park hours page, the MK
hours were 9-10pm!
The resorts give Disney the ability
to project part attendance pretty
accurately.
So, let's hope that the AP rate deal and the Fairytale packages do what the
Mouse wants them to do!

JED

 

[donmil723]

I'm so sorry you didn't have a good vacation!

Donna

 

[blackshirt]

Hours will never return to former levels under current management. In fact, I'll wager they will get worse than most anyone can imagine. Eisner has already bragged(at the last stockholder's meeting, I think) that the last few years were committed to "investment" while the next few will devoted to reaping the profits. God help us!!! The last few years were one of INVESTMENT? Is this man delusional or just a flat out idiot? Actually, I believe Disney will reap what it has sowed, but not in the way Eisner thinks. Perhaps from the financial wreakage the parks can be salvaged and restored to their former glory.

 

[Planogirl]

I personally don't think that the current management team understands the Disney magic. I do believe that eventually others will be in charge that will help restore some of those things that are lacking. JMHO.

 

[forgetyourtroubles!]

I wonder how much of your dissatisfaction stemmed from being in 100% full resort? With the closing of POFQ, CBR became full to capacity and this would be the first week of that being in effect. SO...you would have crowds at the parks, crowds at the food court, crowds at the busses, pools, etc. Transportation schedule might not yet be adjusted to the greater needs at the other moderates
I wonder if your resort had been a break from crowds, if it would make the parks seem more manageable?
Just a thought?

 

[TreeOfLife]

Recalling all the posts from those that discouraged guests from demanding the return of ee mornings and the consequence of pressure, I can't say it will never happen.

Guests put a strong pressure on Disney demanding the return of ee mornings, and they're back. If guests put likewise pressure, the hours are extended no matter how tough it seems.

People just seem to accept this better that the elimination of ee..

 

[ThAnswr]

Not with this group running Disney.

You'll just get "nickle and dimed" with an hour here or a parade there.

Here's the scenario: Change the management, change the attitude, and then change the operating hours.

 

[carene]

Does anybody think that Disney will ever go back to keeping the Magic Kingdom open till midnight like in the good old days???

I WISH!