Walt Disney World Park Hours cut starting September 8 2020

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I got on more rides in 10-hour days at WDW than I used to in 16-hour days. I was literally getting off FoP and the CM said, “want to ride again?” and sent us through the DAS queue.

We had a blast and it was the most-relaxing WDW vacation in years without the albatross of FP+. Going to the pool at 9 am before Epcot was lovely. Hopping on E-tickets during the traditional lunch and dinner times (we ate at off-times) with minimal wait was amazing. And, honestly, we didn’t mind the earlier closing times. We actually slept on vacation!

Were there things we missed? Sure. Those things will return. But the character cavalcades were cool and, for better or for worse, this pandemic will be a defining moment in our lives. I take any chance I can get to create happy memories with my kids. Our vacation provided 10 days of great memories. How wonderful to not have to just cancel the whole year.

For the record, I felt safer at WDW than I do at my local Walmart.

...because...you...were...the...only...people...there...!!!

Which means money isn’t being made...which means cuts, closures and reductions.

Wdw is about numbers.

Numbers= profits.

This is just where we are. Not nearly enough are going...not even close

 

[Jrb1979]

...because...you...were...the...only...people...there...!!!

Which means money isn’t being made...which means cuts, closures and reductions.

Wdw is about numbers.

Numbers= profits.

This is just where we are. Not nearly enough are going...not even close

Opening more slots for AP holders doesn't make them a lot of money.

 

[HairyChest]

I'm thinking once flights from out of country are green lit, Disney can return to full hours and itll get busy. If they wait to see an uptick in crowds with really short hours, alot wont show up.

 

[GoofGoof]

I'm thinking once flights from out of country are green lit, Disney can return to full hours and itll get busy. If they wait to see an uptick in crowds with really short hours, alot wont show up.

Brazilian tourists maybe. I don’t see a whole lot of Canadian and British citizens rushing to visit the US anytime soon. Maybe if the case numbers go way down.

 

[ToTBellHop]

...because...you...were...the...only...people...there...!!!

Which means money isn’t being made...which means cuts, closures and reductions.

Wdw is about numbers.

Numbers= profits.

This is just where we are. Not nearly enough are going...not even close

I wouldn’t say no one was there, just that crowds were manageable. DAK was dead. The other parks, less-so. Long lines for Food and Wine kiosks.

Certainly wasn’t dead down on the BoardWalk at night.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

I wouldn’t say no one was there, just that crowds were manageable. DAK was dead. The other parks, less-so. Long lines for Food and Wine kiosks.

View attachment 492346
Certainly wasn’t dead down on the BoardWalk at night.

I liked the castles new colors when seeing close up pictures. In that one it doesn’t look good. Could be my eyes but something looks way off. Sorry for the diversion.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I liked the castles new colors when seeing close up pictures. In that one it doesn’t look good. Could be my eyes but something looks way off. Sorry for the diversion.

I really liked it in person. Much better than in pics. It’s beautiful in the sunlight.

 

[easyrowrdw]

We don't always have a rental...plus, sleeping kiddos.

Yup. We enjoy our evenings eating on the patio after the kids are asleep. Even if I had a car I wouldn't have any interest in driving to get food when it's a short walk away.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I wouldn’t say no one was there, just that crowds were manageable. DAK was dead. The other parks, less-so. Long lines for Food and Wine kiosks.

View attachment 492346
Certainly wasn’t dead down on the BoardWalk at night.

It’s same thing...light crowds = no money

The boardwalk...as in DVC with short park hours/no park hopping?

Nobody not committed could go into Epcot...nicer restaurants at all hotels still closed?


...on second thought....that crowd at MK was pretty pathetic...great for you...but bad for Disney, no?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Opening more slots for AP holders doesn't make them a lot of money.

Absolutely not. If it did...they already would have done it.

More staff...more supply....less walk away revenue from APs (yes...they know all this)

 

[DVCakaCarlF]

I liked the castles new colors when seeing close up pictures. In that one it doesn’t look good. Could be my eyes but something looks way off. Sorry for the diversion.

No where near as pink and the whole bottom 1/3 is gray.

 

[DVCakaCarlF]

@Sirwalterraleigh why no park hopper?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

@Sirwalterraleigh why no park hopper?

It’s not allowed...unless I missed something ??(which I may have...haven’t been paying too much attention)

 

[Herdman]

Yea from the vloggers you cant tell. So for Epcot, the issue was even though they closed at 9, the restaurants closed earlier. Specifically Via Napoli had a last seating at 7:45. I don't know whats happening with the restaurants there when Epcot is closing at 7. will last seating be at 5:45? I hope not. Otherwise we were really glad Epcot was open until 9 and gave us somewhere to visit at night.

Magic Kingdom was difficult because we like the nightime lights there, couldn't see that. And if a ride went down , say at 5 due to weather or technical difficulties, it wouldnt come back up because the parks were going to close soon. And we really missed the plaza ice cream parlor, which wasnt open at all.

Animal Kingdom was a huuuuge blow to us because we LOVE Pandora at night. It also caused the rainforest cafe thats outside of the park, to close at the same closing time (6pm). We love it there for dinner.

Hollywood Studios, again it was open until 8 which is better then 6 however we still didnt see much lit up.

The main issue is when visiting for vacation, especially onsite, the best thing is going to a park in the day, pool and rest in the afternoon at the resort, back in the park in the evening for dinner. We could barely do that this trip. We will be able to do that AT ALL with the extra short hours.

Another HUGE issue was and will be even more so the transportation. Because the boats, skyliner, and monorail and busses are only open usually for an hour after a park closes, we couldnt take them at night to visit different places, resorts, or just take them to experience the beauty. That was a huge issue.

Definitely understand your issues. The thing we will miss the most are the nighttime shows for sure. We will be spending close to two full days in each park so we won't have any issues with doing everything we want and the headliners more than once. That should also give us plenty of time to still enjoy dinner at the park restaurants we enjoy, as well as our favorites at DS. Since we're going in late October the heat shouldn't be a huge factor so I don't think we'll miss not going back to the resort, and I think we might actually come home from this trip not completely worn out.

We are really looking forward to a chance to tour the parks without a go, go, go mentality. It's going to be differnt for sure, but I also think it will be a lot of fun. Thanks for your perspective.

 

[Herdman]

I got on more rides in 10-hour days at WDW than I used to in 16-hour days. I was literally getting off FoP and the CM said, “want to ride again?” and sent us through the DAS queue.

We had a blast and it was the most-relaxing WDW vacation in years without the albatross of FP+. Going to the pool at 9 am before Epcot was lovely. Hopping on E-tickets during the traditional lunch and dinner times (we ate at off-times) with minimal wait was amazing. And, honestly, we didn’t mind the earlier closing times. We actually slept on vacation!

Were there things we missed? Sure. Those things will return. But the character cavalcades were cool and, for better or for worse, this pandemic will be a defining moment in our lives. I take any chance I can get to create happy memories with my kids. Our vacation provided 10 days of great memories. How wonderful to not have to just cancel the whole year.

For the record, I felt safer at WDW than I do at my local Walmart.

Exactly the kind of trip we are looking forward to ourselves. Different for sure, but a chance to do things in a way we've never done them before. Making ADR's on Sunday and can't wait for the trip!

 

[LittleBuford]

Glad you had a blast!
I’m on the other hand of the spectrum. We enjoy a few rides a day but that’s probably our least favorite thing anymore. We enjoy wandering around the parks at night. The shows in all of the parks. Our favorite restaurants. It definitely wouldn’t be worth it for us.

For me, what’s missing right now is what I most love about Disney: fantasy and escapism, both of which are impossible to experience when the parks are full of reminders of a very real pandemic. I’ve said it in another thread, but all the pictures that people are sharing—of the parks almost empty, of guests wearing masks—feel almost dystopian to me. I’m actually somewhat envious of those who are able to view things differently, because I know that my current mindset means that I won’t be returning to Disney for quite some time.

 

[Nunu]

For me, what’s missing right now is what I most love about Disney: fantasy and escapism, both of which are impossible to experience when the parks are full of reminders of a very real pandemic. I’ve said it in another thread, but all the pictures that people are sharing—of the parks almost empty, of guests wearing masks—feel almost dystopian to me. I’m actually somewhat envious of those who are able to view things differently, because I know that my current mindset means that I won’t be returning to Disney for quite some time.

I get what you mean. I don't think I'll be able to completely disconnect myself from reality as often as I did during previous visits. I'm willing to give this new experience a try, that is, when I'm finally allowed to catch a plane and visit. I'm curious to see how it feels for me.

Only thing is, to me, WDW is more about the atmosphere and less about the rides. Looks like most people who've visited under these circumstances, see the low crowds and ability to ride attractions as the biggest draw.

I'm prepared to keep an open mind, stay safe and have the best possible time, whenever that may be.

 

[nickys]

I'm thinking once flights from out of country are green lit, Disney can return to full hours and itll get busy. If they wait to see an uptick in crowds with really short hours, alot wont show up.

It isn’t just flights that need to be available, it’s other things too. For those of us from the U.K., for example, where we can travel to certain European countries, there are issues with:

Travel insurance - some policies will cover you if you get ill and are diagnosed with Covid whilst abroad. None will cover you if you get sick or have to self isolate before you travel. Or of course if official advice is for essential travel only.

Quarantine - I work in the public sector, I would not be paid for any mandatory quarantine period afterwards, even if the rules changed whilst I was away so that my holiday destination was no longer “safe”

Perception of safety - both of flights and the destination country

 

[ToTBellHop]

It’s same thing...light crowds = no money

The boardwalk...as in DVC with short park hours/no park hopping?

Nobody not committed could go into Epcot...nicer restaurants at all hotels still closed?


...on second thought....that crowd at MK was pretty pathetic...great for you...but bad for Disney, no?

Sir, one of us was there, and the other is in front of a computer. On the ground, the crowds were not “pathetic”. I have gone every August since 2011. Crowds were only noticeably lower than usual at DAK, which makes sense. You can’t park hop and its the park with the best shows...which aren’t running.

A curious phenomenon on walkways, though: they weren’t jam-packed. Why? Because no FP+. People were in actual lines.

 

[peter11435]

A curious phenomenon on walkways, though: they weren’t jam-packed. Why? Because no FP+. People were in actual lines.

There is something to that. However it’s important to remember that while not “dead,” crowds are significantly lower than normal. We are still talking generally less than 20% of the normal guest count.