Welcome to planDisney, Beverly! I am so excited to see you are planning a magical vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort, and making the most of your days by staying in the parks as late as possible is one of my favorite tips to share with vacation-goers! If you're anything like me, you never want to leave after a magical day!
Beverly, the best way to plan your departure time is to keep an eye on the
Park Hours & Events Calendar as your trip approaches. Here you will find the park hours, entertainment schedules for fireworks shows, parades, and other events, and information about the availability of extended hours for certain
Disney Resort Hotel Guests.
As a general rule of thumb, the posted closing time is the time when the rides and attractions will close their lines to guests, but the shops, restaurants, and
PhotoPass photographers will usually be available past this posted time for last-minute shopping, snacking, or pictures as you make your way to the park exit. Some in-park restaurants will even offer reservation times after the park has closed; this is one of my favorite times to book a meal so that we can enjoy relaxing in the park after a full day and then exit after the crowds have already cleared out!
One thing to keep in mind if you are staying at a Disney Resort Hotel and taking advantage of the complimentary transportation is that the transportation options between the parks and resorts are usually offered for up to one hour after the park's closing time. You can always ask at your resort front desk to confirm the transportation hours for the day so you can plan accordingly! If you are planning to drive to the parks, the complimentary trams will also have a set schedule for picking guests up to bring them back to their parking area at the end of the day. This is usually announced when you board the tram!
Beverly, I hope this has been helpful and that you have a wonderful visit! Be sure to check out the
EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, which will be in full bloom during your springtime vacation! And, of course, if you have any additional vacation planning questions, come on back to
planDisney anytime!
See you real soon,
Alison