Any proximate idea of when hours are finalized for september/October?

[crazgurl]

I'm r trying to plan the fast passes I have to snag in about a month and it's very difficult without the star wars fireworks for the studios or the night stuff reflected in the schedule. I realize these are new and this is the reason, but any idea, on average, how long disney takes to make these updates with past new elements? How common is it the park hours or extra magic hours change after that 60 day mark? I'm hating on this fast pass system!!

 

[dreamfinder]

The days for EMHs should stay fairly firm once announced. However the actual park hours can and often are modified right up until that day. WDW has definitely been in the mindset of announcing less hours at first, and then adding hours as it gets closer based on perceived needs/crowd levels. Hours usually won't decrease, but will often be increased.

 

[crazgurl]

Good to know!! I guess my problem is we land around noon the day we arrive, with the time the magical express takes and checking into the hotel and getting some lunch in us, I expect to be able to get to a park by 4:00. Currently, MK and the studios close at 7/8 and Epcot at 9, but my hope was to go to AK to see some of the night stuff since they may also close at 9 (even though the hours currently show 5). Thing is, I would want to book fastpasses... if they open extra hours do they also add fastpass times?

Also a question about fastpasses while I'm at it, if we book them but don't use them is there a penalty other than not being able to book another until it's expired? My point being if we assume we will be at the park for 4, get fastpasses for say 6, but then our flight is delayed and we only arrive at 9 and skip the parks or something nuts?

 

[dreamfinder]

If the park is open later, then they usually allow FP+ bookings as well. I'm not shocked to see AK still with early hours, I think they are still trying to figure out RoL and will adjust based on when that opens vs still running Jungle Book.

No penalty to not using your FP+, other than not being able to book your 4th, or FP+ in other parks until they all expire/are used. So you can choose to not go the parks, go to a different park, and it doesn't matter, but you can't book more FP+ for that day until your previous ones are used, expired or swapped (depending on exact scenario)

 

[crazgurl]

ok, thanks for the info!! This is my first trip since 2009 and I'm so excited, but I'm really hating on this process!! I like that we don't have to run for those machines first thing in the morning, but I feel like planning 2 weeks in advance would be more than long enough, 2 months its excessive and frankly hard because we don't know so many things like park hours and potential refurbs and stuff to be able to make decisions!!!

 

[crazgurl]

I'm also curious if we can choose our fastpass+ times or if it's first come first serve like the old system? I'm kind of hoping it is because I'd rather choose when I have to be at certain areas, that would make me hate this a little bit less!

 

[dreamfinder]

I'm also curious if we can choose our fastpass+ times or if it's first come first serve like the old system? I'm kind of hoping it is because I'd rather choose when I have to be at certain areas, that would make me hate this a little bit less!

FP+ lets you choose times. You can't have them overlap, and it won't let you schedule things for the same time you have meals booked.

 

[crazgurl]

Perfect! Thanks again for the info!!