EPCOT; Mother and Son; Spaceship Earth
  • On Jan 12, 2012
    Jen from WI Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I have heard that when parks have extended hours, it might be best to go to another park and avoid the crwods - -do you agree? We are going next month, so it isn't a peak time.

    Hi there Jen! It sounds like you are a smart Walt Disney World travel planner looking to get the most out of your time spent touring the parks!

    There are really two schools of thought on this one and probably even more suggestions/ ideas on how to maximize the extra magic hours benefit offered to Disney resort guests. You are correct that many times, the parks opening early or staying open for up to three hours after official closing do sometimes tend to have the higher attendance levels that day. However, if you have the park hopper option added to your Magic Your Way Ticket or if your plans include a mid-day break when crowd levels tend to be at their highest, I still really think it makes a lot of sense to enjoy the early morning and late evening hours that are only open to Disney resort guests. I can't count the number of times we have had a nearly empty theme park to ourselves because we were willing to get up early or take a nap/ swim and then, return to tour late into the evening.

    For some people, the best choice is to visit those parks not offering this option either because they are not staying onsite at a Disney resort hotel or they do not have the ability with say, small children, to enjoy the benefit to the fullest.

    A great unofficial resource that might aid in making your final decision is www.touringplans.com.

    Thanks for taking the time to visit us at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel and feel free to send more questions our way in the days leading up to your trip! May your Disney vacation be practically perfect in every way!
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Meet the Panelist: Kim, North Carolina

I am a wife and mom of 2. I have some unique Disney planning experiences related to special diets, touring with a preschooler and teenager at the same time, and meeting mobility needs. I look forward to helping you plan the vacation of your life! Learn More About Kim

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