In off season, why does Universal/IOA close so early - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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I'm with ya on that!
I think they realize they are a "secondary" destination and don't have the motivation to make themselves a "primary" destination, so they just schedule hours to accomodate WDW "overflow".
Less people in the park = Less of a need to stay open late, so less hours
More people in the park = More hours because more people are in the park, so it's worth it to stay open later
September (except for Labor Day) and October are generally slow periods at all the Orlando theme parks. Also, October is the big Halloween Horror Nights event and the park that is hosting the event usually closes earlier than the other.
The same thing happens at Disney. DCA on a September weekday closed at 6. MK on a September weekday closes at 6 or 7. Epcot usually closes at 9 at any time during the year due to dinners at World Showcase and Illuminations.
Saying that Universal is a "secondary" destination and schedules around WDW "overflow" is wrong and a little insulting.
I actually like Universal, and meant no insult.
Let me clarify what I meant...
Their management team does NOTHING on a national level to publicize themselves as a primary destination, whereas Walt Disney World does. "Walt Disney World vacations start at $1600 for a family of four....." WDW actually markets off the assumption that a visitor to WDW will be spending their entire vacation there.
It's an interesting point, particularly in marketing terms - and that's the area I work in. Although there are lower crowds at quieter times of years, I can see the marketing possibilities in what Rob's saying, especially if you offered cheaper evening tickets to draw the Disney crowd....
I Universal, but I agree. I wish they would offer a more affordable hotel onsite as well. Also, dining is lacking....But I think with the coming of Harry Potter mania, they may just up the ante **fingers crossed**
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I think they do it mostly, because you can do the whole park in one day by that time during those months. And they want you to take advantage of CityWalk during the evening hours, eating a meal in one of their restaurants and enjoying whatever entertainment might be offered, or maybe a movie at the movie plex.
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I would just love to ride the Hulk in the dark, same with dueling dragons, and jurrasic park.
They have a few good restaurants in both parks. We usually end up eating dinner at city walk though.
I do agree with the hotels they are a bit pricey, Even though we have annual passes, and can get discounts, its still around 150.00 per night at the Hard Rock.
It would be nice if they at least stayed open till 9.
To clarify...
A one-day one-park Disney ticket: $71.00 plus tax
One-day parkhopper Disney ticket: $116.00 plus tax
Universal - 85.99 plus tax advance purchase
Universal - 95.99 plus tax gate price
-unlimited admission to US and IOA for 7 consecutive days.
1 BIG dif is that the 85.99 Universal Ticket gets you in for a week! divide that by 7 and that is like what 12.28 each day! Wow when you mark it like that what a diff!
I love both parks but I do wush Universal was open a little later durring the slow season!
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Universal, but I agree. I wish they would offer a more affordable hotel onsite as well. Also, dining is lacking....But I think with the coming of Harry Potter mania, they may just up the ante **fingers crossed**
divide that by 7 and that is like what 12.28 each day! Wow when you mark it like that what a diff! 
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