You've got to be kidding me with these hours!

[disneymagicgirl]

Seriously it was rediculous. Also don't know if you tried the EMH at all this trip but what a disaster. Their system sucks, they scan your band at each attraction instead of giving you a wristband at the beginning of the night like they used to

I didn't this trip. It was a last minute trip just sat and sun...home Monday am.

 

[umichigan10]

I didn't this trip. It was a last minute trip just sat and sun...home Monday am.

Ah gotcha. Well needless to say their system needs improvement (although I really think EMH is being phased out)

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Seriously it was rediculous. Also don't know if you tried the EMH at all this trip but what a disaster. Their system sucks, they scan your band at each attraction instead of giving you a wristband at the beginning of the night like they used to

Prior to magic bands you showed your Key to the World card.
Its hard to even recall wristbands for EMH. I think it was back in 2008-2009 they did stopped. So we are talking a long time ago at this point.

 

[smallworldnh]

What's frustrating about the whole hours thing is that you're expected to plan your food 180 days ahead of time for "high demand" table service places, select your fast passes 60 days out....without knowing if the hours are going to change 3 weeks before you go.

That's for sure! I've been checking the hours for over two months now hoping they would change and nothing yet.

 

[greg9x]

This is just one more thing on a long list of why WDW has gone downhill the past decade.

Back in my day, before the iPhone, things were much better!

In 2007 we had paper FP.
We had more extra magic hours days
We had extra magic hours at multiple parks the same day
EMH was 3 freaking hours
We had later MK closing hours
There were fewer tour groups chanting and holding hands as they marched through the parks
The Halloween party was only $30
There were fewer party nights which means the park didn't close early 70% of the days from 9/1-12/23
There were fewer people in the parks. I would guess it was 70% of the attendance we're seeing in 2017.

I want to go back!

I think Disney attendance was down quite a bit following 9/11.. they added lots of perks to get people in. Then everyone started going, so they started bumping up prices until they saw the recent drop in attendance (but not profits)... so now it seems they are cutting back on the perks to make more money. Got a feeling this is going to continue until their bottom line suffers, but that won't be anytime soon with the new lands coming. The only way to change things it to vote with your $$'s and go somewhere else, but obviously that's not the case right now as we all are still going.

 

[FastPasser.]

If you are no longer happy with your experience then it may be time to find a new destination.

The only way to change things it to vote with your $$'s and go somewhere else

Great advice.

 

[umichigan10]

Prior to magic bands you showed your Key to the World card.
Its hard to even recall wristbands for EMH. I think it was back in 2008-2009 they did stopped. So we are talking a long time ago at this point.

I think the system in some way shape or form could be improved. Frankly even the key card deal was faster

 

[umichigan10]

I also don't understand anyone pining for paper fastpasses. Frankly that system was stressful as hell and having some beforehand really helps with peace of mind and being able to experience new things

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I think the system in some way shape or form could be improved. Frankly even the key card deal was faster

Not really considering that the CM looked at the check out date of each person's KTTWC.

 

[DaisyJ]

Not really considering that the CM looked at the check out date of each person's KTTWC.

LOL No, they didn't. All you did was flash the card at them and they waved you in.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

LOL No, they didn't. All you did was flash the card at them and they waved you in.

They did for me every time. If they didn't offsite folks could have way too easily gotten on attractions.

 

[Shanti]

OP, if those hours aren't enough for you, you can expand them several ways.

You can buy EMM tickets at the bargain price of $69 per person plus tax and park admission. EMM (Early Morning Magic or Even More Money as I call it) also includes a breakfast buffet. Not only do you get to be inside the park ahead of the general public, you can ride 3 attractions as many times as you want during the hour and 15 minutes of EMM.

Not enough time? Consider attending Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. You are allowed in at 4:00 without having to purchase an additional ticket. I don't know the exact price, but I'm going to guess around $100 per person.

Still not enough? Well, maybe you need to maximize the time you do get inside the park with a dessert party. Why stand around for who knows how many minutes to get a perfect view of Happily Ever After?

Just pay $50 or $70 (the extra $20 gets you a seat), and you'll have your cake and eat it too while watching the fireworks. But these prices do not include tax or admission to the MK.

Happy planning.

That's not money most people want to spend just to have longer hours in the park. Hours that used to be included with the ever-increasing price of admission.

 

[CAS239]

What's frustrating about the whole hours thing is that you're expected to plan your food 180 days ahead of time for "high demand" table service places, select your fast passes 60 days out....without knowing if the hours are going to change 3 weeks before you go.

Yep. But people still pay.

And it's not just Disney. If you travel to the universal section of these boards you'll see plenty of people mentioning how universal usually updates hours and stuff roughly 2 weeks out

 

[rlp]

I have been going since the 80's and my parents since 1973.
Yes it has changed. Some things for good and some for bad.
It is what it is.
If you are no longer happy with your experience then it may be time to find a new destination.

That may be true but it seems like you are trying to shut down criticism. People should complain about what they don't like - maybe it will spur change in the right direction.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

You can buy EMM tickets at the bargain price of $69 per person plus tax and park admission. EMM (Early Morning Magic or Even More Money as I call it) also includes a breakfast buffet.

Even More Money!!!

 

[firefly_ris]

Yep. But people still pay.

Case in point, I'm going in the fall.

 

[DaisyJ]

Yep. But people still pay.

And it's not just Disney. If you travel to the universal section of these boards you'll see plenty of people mentioning how universal usually updates hours and stuff roughly 2 weeks out

Are you expected to reserve things 60-180 days in advance at Universal?

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

That may be true but it seems like you are trying to shut down criticism. People should complain about what they don't like - maybe it will spur change in the right direction.

Nope. To each their own. My point was why bother going if you don't like anything about it anymore?
I can point out a ton of things that I used to like at Universal that are no more so guess what? I don't go anymore.

 

[JerseyJanice]

That's not money most people want to spend just to have longer hours in the park. Hours that used to be included with the ever-increasing price of admission.

I know. I was just trying to point out current Disney management's greed in a facetious way.

 

[Shanti]

That may be true but it seems like you are trying to shut down criticism. People should complain about what they don't like - maybe it will spur change in the right direction.

Nope. To each their own. My point was why bother going if you don't like anything about it anymore?

I haven't seen rlp or anyone else on this thread put down WDW as an experience in and of itself. Quite the contrary. People here love Disney World and are complaining that the hours are too short to have a chance to properly get to enjoy it.

Telling people with that concern to just stop going to WDW does not address their concern. Rather, it's just a way to try to shut down what they're saying.