MK closing at 6!? [Saturday 8/15/2020]

[petunia]

Why would MK be closing at 6pm on August 15? We go yearly around this time and have never thought to check close times as summer is usually late..now we are going with a big group and booked dining and flights (always do MK first full day) and I just noticed in MDE that it closes at 6 And we could only get dining ressie at 4 due to being a large party..I fell like thats half our day..

Couldnt be MNSSHP yet I dont think?

Does that mean no Wishes or I think its now Happily Ever After?

 

[goingtoexpo!!]

I see a Halloween Party on August 13th, not 15th though

 

[sponica]

I think the prevailing opinion is some sort of corporate buyout?

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Could be a cm party. They do one of those at Xmas time and that’s a great day to visit MK

 

[Disneylover99]

Why would MK be closing at 6pm on August 15? We go yearly around this time and have never thought to check close times as summer is usually late..now we are going with a big group and booked dining and flights (always do MK first full day) and I just noticed in MDE that it closes at 6 And we could only get dining ressie at 4 due to being a large party..I fell like thats half our day..

Couldnt be MNSSHP yet I dont think?

The Halloween party starts August 13th, but I think I read somewhere that the MK is closing early on the 15th due to a private party. Not entirely certain.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I can't recall who it is (or it may not be known), but it has been rumored to be a private group event of some sort that evening.

 

[Mickey of the Villages]

I suspect it is a corporate event. My guess is that a company reserved the entire park.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Whatever it is, should be a great day to visit!

 

[petunia]

Really? Ill take the optimism, but Im so upset, it will be about 10 people in our partys first time, and we only have 1 day booked for MK..

I have never heard of buying out MK! wOW

How would that work with dinner ressies, can we casually leave the park even if were out a bit after 6?

Thanks

 

[Kaadk]

This is one of the reason I wait till the hours are posted before deciding which parks to do which days. It gets to be cutting it close sometimes if you have a longer stay planned. Like our upcoming one, since the hours post 190 days out and we were staying slightly over a week, we were basically 2 days before the 180 dining res window before I could see all the hours through the whole stay.

Edit: Also, if it is just because of a corporate event, there is a possibility it might be cancelled, which might open up the hours. I've seen lots of news of conventions and other events being cancelled with all the travel restrictions currently in place.

 

[BarlowFamily]

If it's not a party day, I agree that it will be a great day to visit! The shorter hours will keep folks away, and they'll start hopping out of the park early afternoon. No late dinner ADR or fireworks for your family, but enjoy the rides!! The ADR system should only allow you to make a 6pm or earlier. On days like this we like to make the latest ADR possible to enjoy the most park time. You'll be kindly asked to leave after you eat, I've heard they escort you to the park exit, but that has not been our experience. We've just walked out no problem. Don't plan on stopping for purchases on main street. Just head back to your Resort or enjoy the night at another park of DS!

 

[petunia]

We usually do too! But with such a large group we decided on dates, and SW was suppose to release dates for August last month, then it was postponed and our ressie day passed etc..

I guess we will just have to go with the flow..

 

[Alesia]

Really? Ill take the optimism, but Im so upset, it will be about 10 people in our partys first time, and we only have 1 day booked for MK..

I have never heard of buying out MK! wOW

How would that work with dinner ressies, can we casually leave the park even if were out a bit after 6?

Thanks

If you're done after 6:00, expect to be escorted out of the park.

Why not just book an ADR outside of the park?

 

[petunia]

If you're done after 6:00, expect to be escorted out of the park.

Why not just book an ADR outside of the park?

We really wanted them to try LTT, its one of our faves..plus now our 180 day is gone and it will be even harder for the 16 of us to find a ressie..but it is a good idea..may be worth the extra few hours in the park to not eat until after..I dont know now..

 

[V.B.]

I hear ya. Crowds maybe nice and light if a lot of people are staying away. But, I'd be pretty upset if I'm spending that much money and then having such a shortened day because of a corporate party closing the park. So, I get what you're saying.

 

[sharonabe]

We really wanted them to try LTT, its one of our faves..plus now our 180 day is gone and it will be even harder for the 16 of us to find a ressie..but it is a good idea..may be worth the extra few hours in the park to not eat until after..I dont know now..

Don't cancel the LTT, but I would also make one somewhere outside the park for around 6:30 or so. If the corporation does cancel, MK will stay open and you'll have your full day. You don't have to cancel until 24 hrs, so you'll have lots of time.

For 16 people, you could try Kona, Grand Floridian, Whispering Canyon, or The Wave. Disney Springs might be a good option as well and you could use Open Table to get a reservation there. If you choose Disney Springs, you might want o make it for 7:00 to give you time to travel.

 

[finedice]

If you're done after 6:00, expect to be escorted out of the park.

Why not just book an ADR outside of the park?

An incredibly nimble and correct response... Why I would EVER want to buy an expensive ADR dinner inside MK gates - compared to the dining elsewhere on property for the same price boggles me once you consider the lower regular day crowds. I have never done the "Super Early Close MK Visit" that others here associate with much lower crowds, but I definitely trust them considering the way I have learned to experience WDW under their guidance.

10 hours is a haul for me these days - I like 6-7 hours, swim, shower (or both), and then out to dinner at a good restaurant!

 

[only hope]

As long as you didn't have your heart set on watching Happily Ever After, this should work in your favor. You'll probably be able to get more done than you would in more hours on a different day because so many people will stay away. If you want dinner in the MK, book the latest time possible so you don't miss much park time. How late do the reservations go? If there's one at 5:30 or later, I would take it.

 

[gatour]

Really? Ill take the optimism, but Im so upset, it will be about 10 people in our partys first time, and we only have 1 day booked for MK..

I have never heard of buying out MK! wOW

How would that work with dinner ressies, can we casually leave the park even if were out a bit after 6?

Thanks

It has been going on for years. I remember back in the late 70's when I was in junior or high school. We were staying at the Poly. I was on my own and wanted to ride one last ride on Space Mountain at closing. Back then you could only do an unlimited pass by staying on property which I had.

Got off Space Mountain, and noticed that most of the rides were still operating. Got in a short line for one of the E Ticket rides. Cast Member said I didn't need my pass anymore. Using a house phone called my parents at the Poly, and told them I will ride this out. I stayed for a few more hours.

As I exited, I noticed a banner welcoming "Western Auto". They had rented out the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Alesia]

As long as you didn't have your heart set on watching Happily Ever After, this should work in your favor. You'll probably be able to get more done than you would in more hours on a different day because so many people will stay away. If you want dinner in the MK, book the latest time possible so you don't miss much park time. How late do the reservations go? If there's one at 5:30 or later, I would take it.

4:00 is probably the lastest. They want everyone out of the park.