Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disn...darMonthlyPage" target="_blank">http://disneyland.disney.go.co m/disn...darMonthlyPage</a> Originally, the Disneyland Resort had posted the park hours for Disneyland as closing at Midnight every night thru mid-August, it now is closing at 11 PM Sunday thru Thursday. DCA was scheduled to stay open until 10 PM nightly, it is now closing at 9 PM Sunday thru Thursday.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I'll bet the already tired and overworked Cast is happy to hear the news.
Originally Posted By Tink60 Is there any possibility that with the high level of attendance that they will push the close time back to midnight again? I know that everything is always subject to change. Cross my fingers and hope.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Why.... Well, my guess is the fact that Disney is trying once again to maximize profits, and labor costs are high. One thing Disney can do is add an hour if the crowds are large enough. On the other hand, it is very difficult to close earlier than posted. Weird thing, Disney keeps claiming attendance is up around 10%, maybe summer hotel bookings are not meeting expectations......
Originally Posted By tonyanton Aren't there still ongoing labor shortages at the DLR? Maybe that has something to do with it?
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Interesting. This is the first time that I can recall DL closing before midnight during the summer. Does anyone remember when the park closed at 1am every night during the summer months?
Originally Posted By dr jones Yes, I remember the 1am closings, I was telling my wife about that recently. I remember making a last ride of the night dash for Indy, and by the time we were walking back down Main Street, it was like 1:30 or better and not alot of people still in the park. I vote for 1am closings again!
Originally Posted By ni_teach Might it also do with them not having not full staffing? (just a thought)
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^Perhaps. It does seem (at least to me) that guests do a great deal of their shopping during the later hours. It seems to me that closing early amounts to leaving money on the table. If this is the case they could find ways to staff the park. It should be easier to hire part time summer help with students on summer vacation. Sure, they leave late August, but by then they won't be needed anymore. On the other hand, maybe they are truly projecting smaller crowds.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>On the other hand, maybe they are truly projecting smaller crowds.<< Its entirely possible that the nationwide slowdown in the housing market may have something to do with this. Some people may be more hesistant to tap into their home equity piggy bank than last year.
Originally Posted By berol It could be that people that were planning a 2006 trip moved it to 2005 for the anniversary. The wave crests last year, troughs this year. But then I haven't heard of any hotel deals or dropping rates.
Originally Posted By DopeyTink34 the calender still says midnight for june 21 st through the 27th with the exception of the 22nd for the grad night and the 24th for the POTC premire.
Originally Posted By Ursula HHhhmm. I remember the park hours when I worked there in '89. I was scheduled to clock out at 2:45 every morning. My job? Main Street Merchandise Hostess. It used to be that the park, in the summer, was open until 1am. Main Street shops closed our doors at 1:30 am so that everyone still inside could shop as long as they wanted. This usually had me ringing up the last guest at 2:00am then I had a half-hour to close my till and turn in my bag at the bank and change to street clothes and make it to the time clock. It's strange hearing that DL wants to close early in the summer. It's stranger still hearing that they are having cast problems. It used to be that people were banging down the doors to become a CM and there were three applicants for every one position.
Originally Posted By smeeeko ^^DLR isn't competative.. to other work opportunities out there I would think, not to mention union issues, and scheduling issues that people may have.. Also if they aren't getting the CM numbers it isn't for want of trying.. Many former CMs have been sent postcards requesting them to check the joblines and 'it's not too late to be a part of the magic' or whatever.. not to mention, the GIANT jobline ad at the BLOCK. =) Stores and other places are still short people.. With scheduling I think it would be ideal for folks that are single though and have set schedules.. and their own reliable transportation. =)
Originally Posted By alexbook They might also be anticipating lower attendance due to higher gas prices. It costs so much more to fly or drive to Anaheim than it did a year or two ago, and that's gotta keep a lot of people home. :-(
Originally Posted By n2mickey And did you notice the last week of August....9 p.m. closing for Disneyland and 6 p.m. closings for DCA. Then right after Labor Day back to the 10-8 for Disneyland and 10-6 for DCA! I think a lot might have to do with staffing. It's a shame. However if you want quality people to hire in and stay and give the 110% that Disney wants you have to be willing to at least pay what In-N-Out or McDonalds pays their staff. I remember years ago (as in the 70's) when I first hired in they only took about 2 of every 10 people who applied. Now I think they will take anyone who is breathing...and I'm not sure that is a major requirement. It use to be such a special place to work, and when you told people you worked at Disneyland...their eyes opened wide and people were impressed....not anymore I am afraid. Oh well, maybe someday the powers that be will see the value of paying people a reasonalbe wage for the work and the attitude they expect.
Originally Posted By AaronInCal If I remember correctly, it was either the summer of 2004 or 2003 when they shortened the hours as well to 11pm closings. It does seem odd afterhaving such a huge summer last year, to cut the hours this year with the 50th stuff still going. But like has been said, it's somewhat easier to extend the park hours to midnight if it's busy on certain days.
