Perhaps your previous trip to WDW happened at a different time of year. During the summer months and the winter holiday season, the theme parks are often open until midnight and sometimes have Extra Magic Hours after that so that the parks are open until 2:00 or 3:00 a.m.
However, you are correct that during some of the slower times of the year, the parks may close much earlier in the evening. Here are a few things to consider:
- Sometimes when the parks, particularly the Magic Kingdom, have a stated closing time of 7:00 p.m. This does not really mean the park is closed. There may likely be an event such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party that you can attend until midnight. (Tickets are required).
- There are evening Extra Magic Hours almost every night of the year. This means that guests of the Walt Disney World resort hotels can spend up to three extra hours in the park after it officially closes. You can read more about Extra Magic Hours
HERE.
Your family should be able to find plenty to do during their evenings at WDW.
Enjoy!