early closing hours for three weeks in may--why? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
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i'm looking at the park hours for both US and IoA for the week we're going in may, and the latest either are open is 7pm. in fact, they both close at FIVE pm on the friday night we will be there (and the friday night before and after, so it can't be a special event). looking in april--three weeks before we go--both are open until 9 or 10 at night, every night.
why would this be? any chance of it changing? because that kind of really, really stinks.
grad night three friday nights in a row? and three saturday nights in a row? if that's what it is, i'm seriously considering canceling and just doing disney. 5pm? really?
EDIT--i looked up gradbash, and it isn't that weekend. i was very concerned about that (i'm not into dj ANYONE) so that's good--right?
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IOA and Universal seem to close early all the time. I've been at Spring Break and in November and both times the parks closed around 7pm if I remember right. We never stayed until closing because we were able to accomplish what we wanted by 3pm-ish each day. We used the late afternoon for swimming and then had a nice meal out and shopping at CityWalk or went to a movie (or rented one in the room).
The nights they are closing at 5 pm are either the gradbash (first weekend in May) or the middle school grad night (8th graders) (May 13th and May 20th). The parks would be open later the last 2 weeks of April since that is spring break time.
The nights they are closing at 5 pm are either the gradbash (first weekend in May) or the middle school grad night (8th graders) (May 13th and May 20th). The parks would be open later the last 2 weeks of April since that is spring break time.
oh dear god...it is middle school grad night.
well that settles it. we're canceling our reservations. i teach 8th grade--i just can't do thousands of them whist on vacation. i think that's fair, don't you?
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For the most part the kids won't be in the parks until the park empties for the Day Guests. Either parks Disney/USO/IOA will have children in them of all ages, but the kids going to the Grad Parties won't show up in masses until around 4:30 and they are kept out of the way in a part of City Walk. Then when the park has closed they start letting them in.
We had dinner at Margaritaville one night last year during Grad Bash and they were all kept in a separate waiting area.
I wouldn't cancel a trip because Kids will be there. Otherwise you will never get to go. There are Grad Bashes, they have tour groups that go with kids of all ages all year long. Some from other countries, some from here.
As a previous poster said if you get there at opening and have a good touring plan you should be able to see and do most of the park before 4pm. Then you could leave have a nice meal and enjoy the resort or find an activity close to USO/IOA on I-Drive to spend your evening.
But its your vacation and if you feel that it wouldn't work out by all means change your plans. But I don't think you'll have that many kids during the day.
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ok--sorry. i didn't mean to be overly negative. everyone reading this should know that i typed my previous response during the only break i had today (20 minutes) and the rest was filled with cupcakes and fund raisers and middle school dances (with live bands and inflatable guitars....seriously.) thus the negativity towards middle school grad night. however, we will still be going to universal, and i'm sure it will all be fine.
but silver lining--this event may have helped me convince my husband to use that day for AK/Epcot, as we have 3.5 days at US (and only really need 2.5).
I understand the need for the "kidless" time. My oldest had Friday off and I'm willing to sell all 3 at the fair price of $10, yup that's all I'll pay you to take them.
I think Epcot would be a great pick. It's a favorite here, even the little kids. There is so much for your book there too.
I understand the need for the "kidless" time. My oldest had Friday off and I'm willing to sell all 3 at the fair price of $10, yup that's all I'll pay you to take them.
I think Epcot would be a great pick. It's a favorite here, even the little kids. There is so much for your book there too.
Love it!
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ok--sorry. i didn't mean to be overly negative. everyone reading this should know that i typed my previous response during the only break i had today (20 minutes) and the rest was filled with cupcakes and fund raisers and middle school dances (with live bands and inflatable guitars....seriously.) thus the negativity towards middle school grad night. however, we will still be going to universal, and i'm sure it will all be fine.
but silver lining--this event may have helped me convince my husband to use that day for AK/Epcot, as we have 3.5 days at US (and only really need 2.5).
Understand where you are coming from. I 'volunteered' at DS school for a field trip to the Science Center. Really needed one of those lovely little drinks you posted a picture of in your TR. Can't imagine teaching Middle Schoolers all day..you are a saint!
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