Walt Disney World Park Hours cut starting September 8 2020

[JoeCamel]

Dec 31 hours have been extended.

MK now closes at 2300
EPCOT now closes at 2200
DHS now closes at 2100
DAK now closes at 2000


So they extend hours but still avoid the midnight cluster and give transportation a manageable park exit strategy.

Yeah, probably the best they can do.

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

Yeah, probably the best they can do.

And hopefully spread the crowd out.

 

[GoofGoof]

Dec 31 hours have been extended.

MK now closes at 2300
EPCOT now closes at 2200
DHS now closes at 2100
DAK now closes at 2000


So they extend hours but still avoid the midnight cluster and give transportation a manageable park exit strategy.

It makes a lot of sense for transport and crowd management, but where are people going to go for midnight? Disney Springs also closes at 11PM unless they extend that. For locals they can either go home or go somewhere else that’s open, but if all the parks are closed by 11 will the resorts do anything for guests? I know they don’t want a big crowd gathering for the countdown to midnight. Just curious what people think.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I’m guessing mk and Epcot extend hours to midnight the day of. That way it keeps people from showing up to ring in the new year.

 

[GoofGoof]

I’m guessing mk and Epcot extend hours to midnight the day of. That way it keeps people from showing up to ring in the new year.

I was thinking maybe Disney Springs would extend their hours. I’m sure those vendors would be interested in being allowed to have true NYE packages that extend beyond midnight.

 

[techgeek]

It makes a lot of sense for transport and crowd management, but where are people going to go for midnight? Disney Springs also closes at 11PM unless they extend that. For locals they can either go home or go somewhere else that’s open, but if all the parks are closed by 11 will the resorts do anything for guests? I know they don’t want a big crowd gathering for the countdown to midnight. Just curious what people think.

I think it’s just setting up to be an ugly situation all around. Without a plan for a midnight celebration, everything announced to be closed and literally every holiday communication avoiding the issue, I can see a resort guest being justifiably upset considering the money and effort they’ve spent to be there... a place that has been a distinctive worldwide destination for NYE since they opened.

Going to WDW and counting down the new year in your hotel room?? Is that really what they expect people to do?

If it’s not safe to have crowds gather, leave every park open past midnight and spread the crowds out as much as you can. Design a short countdown sound / light / low pyro show that can play in each entire park. As in prior years, play it on the 30th as well to encourage options and rehearse crowd flow. Run extra transportation deep and late to spread out the departure crowds. There’s a way to do it, and do it safely. Just ignoring the situation and hoping people do the right and boring thing is not.

 

[GoofGoof]

I think it’s just setting up to be an ugly situation all around. Without a plan for a midnight celebration, everything announced to be closed and literally every holiday communication avoiding the issue, I can see a resort guest being justifiably upset considering the money and effort they’ve spent to be there... a place that has been a distinctive worldwide destination for NYE since they opened.

Going to WDW and counting down the new year in your hotel room?? Is that really what they expect people to do?

If it’s not safe to have crowds gather, leave every park open past midnight and spread the crowds out as much as you can. Design a short countdown sound / light / low pyro show that can play in each entire park. As in prior years, play it on the 30th as well to encourage options and rehearse crowd flow. Run extra transportation deep and late to spread out the departure crowds. There’s a way to do it, and do it safely. Just ignoring the situation and hoping people do the right and boring thing is not.

That was kinda my thought too. It’s just odd to have people go to WDW and stay at a resort for NYE and not offer any sort of midnight countdown. I guess maybe individual resorts could do something, maybe out on the lawn or on the pool decks. Maybe use the inflatable movie screens they use for outdoor movies or something. Maybe it’s better if they don’t advertise it ahead of time too. It’s a lot of maybes. I don’t know there‘s a good answer. I guess if you know going in there is nothing planned then you shouldn‘t be disappointed but I feel like there’s a good chance there will be a lot of negative feedback.

 

[Disone]

It makes a lot of sense for transport and crowd management, but where are people going to go for midnight? Disney Springs also closes at 11PM unless they extend that. For locals they can either go home or go somewhere else that’s open, but if all the parks are closed by 11 will the resorts do anything for guests? I know they don’t want a big crowd gathering for the countdown to midnight. Just curious what people think.

I am guessing that this year the intent is not to provide a place for people to gather at midnight. It is what it is for 2020. Go back to your room and ring in the new year with your family in your room.

That said I know that some of the pool times at the resorts will be 1 a.m. So I suspect there will be some place for those who really need to gather together.

 

[wdwfan22]

I’m guessing mk and Epcot extend hours to midnight the day of. That way it keeps people from showing up to ring in the new year.

I don’t see that happening. By having a Midnight close that leads people to believe they will be offering New Years entertainment. 11pm close allows Guests extra time in the park without the expectation of entertainment.

 

[GoofGoof]

I am guessing that this year the intent is not to provide a place for people to gather at midnight. It is what it is for 2020. Go back to your room and ring in the new year with your family in your room.

That said I know that some of the pool times at the resorts will be 1 a.m. So I suspect there will be some place for those who really need to gather together.

Makes sense. I didn’t know that they extended the pool hours. If people are going to be somewhere it’s better they are outdoors than in the lobby or a bar/restaurant. They could easily pipe in some music and a countdown to midnight.

 

[LastoneOn]

Knowing for months the hours were restricted, a person shouldn't have been counting on any midnight events.
That there was NO celebration scheduled is not a surprise.
The people going to WDW have knowledge about what they're doing, have knowingly made plans to go to a place with restricted movements, hours, events.

Too much dredging up FUD at every turn around here.

 

[Horizons '83]

Maybe off topic, but does anyone else feel like New Year's Eve/Day is sort of an overrated "holiday"? It's just another day in my book

I guess we can celebrate that 2020 will be behind us but its not like 2021 is looking so exciting anyway. Hopefully towards the end of next year there will be something to celebrate.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

And hopefully spread the crowd out.

That magic kingdom time is gonna be a problem...I fear...

It makes a lot of sense for transport and crowd management, but where are people going to go for midnight? Disney Springs also closes at 11PM unless they extend that. For locals they can either go home or go somewhere else that’s open, but if all the parks are closed by 11 will the resorts do anything for guests? I know they don’t want a big crowd gathering for the countdown to midnight. Just curious what people think.

I’m gonna suggest where they should be: home.

Not to preach...but I honestly don’t know what it’s gonna take at this point?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Knowing for months the hours were restricted, a person shouldn't have been counting on any midnight events.
That there was NO celebration scheduled is not a surprise.
The people going to WDW have knowledge about what they're doing, have knowingly made plans to go to a place with restricted movements, hours, events.

Too much dredging up FUD at every turn around here.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Maybe off topic, but does anyone else feel like New Year's Eve/Day is sort of an overrated "holiday"? It's just another day in my book

I guess we can celebrate that 2020 will be behind us but its not like 2021 is looking so exciting anyway. Hopefully towards the end of next year there will be something to celebrate.

It’s the “kickoff” of the most awful 3-4 months of the year. Overrated doesn’t even scratch the surface.

My son’s birthday is 12/31...he hates it

 

[Horizons '83]

It’s the “kickoff” of the most awful 3-4 months of the year. Overrated doesn’t even scratch the surface.

My son’s birthday is 12/31...he hates it

Even in my partying days, which are way behind me, I never quite understood the appeal of going out, spending way more than you should for a night of drinking, then feeling like garbage on day one of the new year, not to mentioned trying to get a cab to get home (pre-uber days). Eh, to each their own I suppose.

 

[LastoneOn]

Maybe off topic, but does anyone else feel like New Year's Eve/Day is sort of an overrated "holiday"? It's just another day in my book

I guess we can celebrate that 2020 will be behind us but its not like 2021 is looking so exciting anyway. Hopefully towards the end of next year there will be something to celebrate.

Its not related to anything outside of itself so that does put it lower on my scale, but its still on the list.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Even in my partying days, which are way behind me, I never quite understood the appeal of going out, spending way more than you should for a night of drinking, then feeling like garbage on day one of the new year, not to mentioned trying to get a cab to get home (pre-uber days). Eh, to each their own I suppose.

Talk to the police/paramedics...who tell stories of how tedious “amateur night” is...and that was before people had cell phones to record/perform their stupidity on.

 

[GoofGoof]

That magic kingdom time is gonna be a problem...I fear...



I’m gonna suggest where they should be: home.

Not to preach...but I honestly don’t know what it’s gonna take at this point?

I don’t disagree, but if Disney is going to be open and allow guests to book a room for NYE I’m assuming people are expecting something to do at midnight.

 

[LastoneOn]

I don’t disagree, but if Disney is going to be open and allow guests to book a room for NYE I’m assuming people are expecting something to do at midnight.

I assume the people know what is or what isn't happening, made their decision, and don't need me to worry about them.