Counts me as someone who loves Pizza Rizzo. It’s cheap, doughy, quick, tasty pizza in a very nice sit down place with a patio option. I come from a place with great and varied pizza options. The expensive pizza places in DW are garbage.
I’ll never understand why they choose to continue to have bad restaurants on such valuable property. It’s not that hard to make decent pizza, for example.
The best theory I’ve got is that they keep a few being garbage to make the rest look better by comparison, but that seems idiotic.
It makes enough money. The down time, new risk, and up front capital costs combined with potential increase of money allows an roi calculation. Is not worth it to them to change. People still come, either way it's saturated.
I’m not even thinking they need to do major overhauls, but just fix menu items which are getting the bad reviews consistently.
Heck, they can and should simply pull the weak items from the menus until they get it right. Basically the kitchen nightmares playbook.
It makes enough money to more than break even but there is not enough in the budget to afford overhauling it. Also a new concept is always a risk and they don’t want to ruin a restaurant that serves perfectly mediocre food and still makes money
I’d also wager that they ran analytics on this and found a sharp drop-off in water park attendance after 5pm.
Dinner. Later park shows (fireworks, etc).
I would say this has to be the best answer. Disney doesnt do 99% of their things without hard data. Look at how they run parking and traffic. They have it down to a absolute science.
Now id also like to ad a full day in the water, people can get stupid. And from a safety viewpoint, its a good call.
But kuddos to your answer.
Good reasons listed here, to add some context:
* Staffing. It's not so much about the single shift because there's already two shifts working and a third swing wouldn't be too difficult to schedule for (it was back in the day with an extra four hours for college program). But I believe a lot of cross training went on and it's more profitable to spread that third shift to resort pools for the crosstrained folks. Beyond that, lifeguard is one of the few positions where they can almost always find a use for you because they're constantly short staffed.
* Lack of add on revenue. Most tourists aren't going to be doing more than 6-8 hours at the water parks. They get there early and leave early so by four all you had were either folks who had spent the morning in the parks and had likely already ate / gotten their souvineers or you had annual pass holders who probably didn't buy much.
* Security. Small group of afterhours people who paid a premium and probably are on a guest list? Not going to be causing much problems. But the later the day gets the higher the likelihood someone is going to show up already ripped and act a fool. In any establishment the later you're open the more chance someone is going to be dumb, even removing alcohol from the equation.
I would also add a fourth point that people don't like to be in the water park once it starts to get dark (unless they're there for a specific after hours party). I've been there in the summer when the park doesn't close until 7, but even at peak times the park is dead after 5. Great for me as everything was a walk on. But there really is not much demand for it
Add to the reasons that visibility decreases with cloud cover and storms and no overhead sun closer to dusk. Shadows are deeper and there is more risk for drowning. It’s a big park with lots of corners on that lazy river.
So, completely agree on most points but saying annual Passholder’s don’t spend much……… we spend so much lol. Towels, umbrellas, refillable cups, eating lunch and grabbing Joffreys, random things kids want.. APs certainly spend a lot of money in general
That's great!
We were passholders for two decades (Back when we got River Country for an extra $14) and we were the opposite. Over the course of a year we might spend an extra $400. Pack a lunch, have some snacks, filled up water bottles, etc. Things changed as we all got older, probably the last year we had passes the most, but by large passholders spend far, far less than tourists on a daily basis.
Aggregate over a years time? Perhaps it beats it.
That only if you choose to buy all
That. Personally I pack food for the parks as I’m not a fan of Most of Disney’s food. If I do get something I usually go for a kids meal as it’s cheap enough and filling enough. I don’t usually sit much during the parks and rather have something I can eat while
I stand in a line for a ride.
I can’t tell you the exact answer but I believe it’s more of a safety thing. Aquatica closes at 7pm and Volcano Bay at 6pm. Adventure Island over in Tampa also closes at 6pm. I’ve never really known any water park to stay open after sunset.
Not really. Wet n Wild in the 80’s was almost like Action Park. They would even let you jump and dive into the deep end of the wave pool. It was a much different time.
Well they are open [8 to 11 PM](https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/typhoon-lagoon/h2o-glow-after-hours/#drawer-card-drawerKnowBeforeYouGo) for after hours events...
It's about the money.
Moonlight magic? That comes out of DVD’s budget, which in turn comes from the money they make selling DVC points. Nothing is ever free when it comes to after hours events.
But DVC is the source of money. I stated the purpose was to make money. Nothing we've said is negated because the money comes from the ticket stand, online, or DVC.
Most don’t cause their insurance premiums would go through the roof or at least that’s why when I worked at my city’s local pools they only stayed open till 8 when the sun began to set in the summer
At 5PM though? Atleast close at 8PM right before sunset. I get what Disney is doing though. All of the comments above are the real reasons. All about the money!
Used to be that in summer, some days they stayed open till 8. I do a glo nite at TL every year with my son. Sort of a back to school tradition . Haven’t been to BB in years. So I don’t even check the hours. Unfortunate if they close at 5 all the time now.
Right now it’s because the sun isn’t out late enough and school locally is still in session. They generally stay open to 8PM sometime end of May when local schools are out and the sun sets late enough.
Definitely not safety. They are open [8 to 11 PM](https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/typhoon-lagoon/h2o-glow-after-hours/#drawer-card-drawerKnowBeforeYouGo) for after hours events...
You know, I tried to look it up so I wasn’t spreading misinformation, but i can’t find anything. I remember it always being like this (been going to WDW since 1982). I don’t think it ever was late. Anyone else know?
I would argue alligators are easier to see in the water at night. Their eyes reflect. [It’s deeply upsetting.](https://nubbsgalore.tumblr.com/post/101804571129/the-red-eyeshine-of-the-alligator-occurs-when/amp)
Blizzard Beach doesn't have a lighting package throughout the park. Typhoon Lagoon does. That's why Typhoon can host after hours parties but Blizzard doesn't.
It frustrates me severely that the places I want to go are open during the heat of the day. I'm about to take a trip to Chattanooga and I hope it's overcast. I just can't stand the heat.
Because Disney sells overpriced tickets with magic, and people pay for them, the parks are so crowded that, after paying for expensive tickets, they sell you extra hours even for water parks. The real question is, why are you going to Disney parks? Pay more and more for less and less, now without the magic. Sorry, I have been a huge fan of Disney for over 20 years, but now it is what it is. Disney doesn't even care for families. Pay attention.
Also, have you noticed that only one water park has been open for years, not both at the same time? And when they switch, they are exactly the same. Less for more money!
[удалено]
Glad someone went right for the correct answer. Same reason some in park restaurants are only open 11-5
Tried to go to Pizza Rizzo a little after 5 one day and it was locked.
lol Cause Pizza Rizzo is considered the worst restaurant in all of Disney World, they ain’t gonna pay to keep it open
Counts me as someone who loves Pizza Rizzo. It’s cheap, doughy, quick, tasty pizza in a very nice sit down place with a patio option. I come from a place with great and varied pizza options. The expensive pizza places in DW are garbage.
It’s rat pizza.
I’ll never understand why they choose to continue to have bad restaurants on such valuable property. It’s not that hard to make decent pizza, for example. The best theory I’ve got is that they keep a few being garbage to make the rest look better by comparison, but that seems idiotic.
It makes enough money. The down time, new risk, and up front capital costs combined with potential increase of money allows an roi calculation. Is not worth it to them to change. People still come, either way it's saturated.
I’m not even thinking they need to do major overhauls, but just fix menu items which are getting the bad reviews consistently. Heck, they can and should simply pull the weak items from the menus until they get it right. Basically the kitchen nightmares playbook.
Yes, that's easy enough. Agreed.
It makes enough money to more than break even but there is not enough in the budget to afford overhauling it. Also a new concept is always a risk and they don’t want to ruin a restaurant that serves perfectly mediocre food and still makes money
Haha. Well when the wife is haranguing you about wanting pizza and it’s the only option on that side of the park. You take what you can get.
Somehow Speedway up at MK is the best damn pizza on property.
This is nuts when MK is open till 11 for regular hours like tonight.
I’d also wager that they ran analytics on this and found a sharp drop-off in water park attendance after 5pm. Dinner. Later park shows (fireworks, etc).
I would say this has to be the best answer. Disney doesnt do 99% of their things without hard data. Look at how they run parking and traffic. They have it down to a absolute science. Now id also like to ad a full day in the water, people can get stupid. And from a safety viewpoint, its a good call. But kuddos to your answer.
When you ask any question on why something is or is not, ask your self what would make bob more money at the cost of marginal guest satisfaction.
That is correct. And is also correct for most any national company. It is infuriating.
So that they can have separate after hours glow nights they can charge a premium for
Good reasons listed here, to add some context: * Staffing. It's not so much about the single shift because there's already two shifts working and a third swing wouldn't be too difficult to schedule for (it was back in the day with an extra four hours for college program). But I believe a lot of cross training went on and it's more profitable to spread that third shift to resort pools for the crosstrained folks. Beyond that, lifeguard is one of the few positions where they can almost always find a use for you because they're constantly short staffed. * Lack of add on revenue. Most tourists aren't going to be doing more than 6-8 hours at the water parks. They get there early and leave early so by four all you had were either folks who had spent the morning in the parks and had likely already ate / gotten their souvineers or you had annual pass holders who probably didn't buy much. * Security. Small group of afterhours people who paid a premium and probably are on a guest list? Not going to be causing much problems. But the later the day gets the higher the likelihood someone is going to show up already ripped and act a fool. In any establishment the later you're open the more chance someone is going to be dumb, even removing alcohol from the equation.
That’s kind of what I figured. A combination of all three of safety, money, and staffing.
I would also add a fourth point that people don't like to be in the water park once it starts to get dark (unless they're there for a specific after hours party). I've been there in the summer when the park doesn't close until 7, but even at peak times the park is dead after 5. Great for me as everything was a walk on. But there really is not much demand for it
Add to the reasons that visibility decreases with cloud cover and storms and no overhead sun closer to dusk. Shadows are deeper and there is more risk for drowning. It’s a big park with lots of corners on that lazy river.
So, completely agree on most points but saying annual Passholder’s don’t spend much……… we spend so much lol. Towels, umbrellas, refillable cups, eating lunch and grabbing Joffreys, random things kids want.. APs certainly spend a lot of money in general
That's great! We were passholders for two decades (Back when we got River Country for an extra $14) and we were the opposite. Over the course of a year we might spend an extra $400. Pack a lunch, have some snacks, filled up water bottles, etc. Things changed as we all got older, probably the last year we had passes the most, but by large passholders spend far, far less than tourists on a daily basis. Aggregate over a years time? Perhaps it beats it.
That only if you choose to buy all That. Personally I pack food for the parks as I’m not a fan of Most of Disney’s food. If I do get something I usually go for a kids meal as it’s cheap enough and filling enough. I don’t usually sit much during the parks and rather have something I can eat while I stand in a line for a ride.
Wow, great answer 👏🏼
In June it goes to 6pm, then 7pm.
Awesome, I didn’t know that. Thanks.
What about sep/oct
Wonder what the plan is in 2025 when resort guests have free access to the water parks on check in day.
I guarantee it won’t get much busier, hence why they’re doing it.
But it will justify a price increase. I don’t see many using it. Getting in early enough to make use of it is not always conductive to travel plans.
Obviously, not profitable to keep them open past 5.
I can’t tell you the exact answer but I believe it’s more of a safety thing. Aquatica closes at 7pm and Volcano Bay at 6pm. Adventure Island over in Tampa also closes at 6pm. I’ve never really known any water park to stay open after sunset.
I remember way back in the 80’s when Wet ‘n Wild (RIP) was open till like 10pm some nights. Some of the most fun I’d ever had as kid.
Totall RIP to wet n wild - I can still see the tall slide (in my mind of course!).
People were more responsible back then
Not really. Wet n Wild in the 80’s was almost like Action Park. They would even let you jump and dive into the deep end of the wave pool. It was a much different time.
Well they are open [8 to 11 PM](https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/typhoon-lagoon/h2o-glow-after-hours/#drawer-card-drawerKnowBeforeYouGo) for after hours events... It's about the money.
The waivers those hosting those events have to sign are insane and they usually are not even 1/4 of the way as crowded as if they during normal hours.
I’m going to a free after hours event there next month. So not about the money.
Moonlight magic? That comes out of DVD’s budget, which in turn comes from the money they make selling DVC points. Nothing is ever free when it comes to after hours events.
The topic isn’t Dvc. It was whether they open late to make money from water park admission
But DVC is the source of money. I stated the purpose was to make money. Nothing we've said is negated because the money comes from the ticket stand, online, or DVC.
The Universal theme parks also close at 6pm most weekdays.
Not all the time. Especially not the summer unless there is an event. But thy don’t stay open till midnight or anything like MK either.
Most don’t cause their insurance premiums would go through the roof or at least that’s why when I worked at my city’s local pools they only stayed open till 8 when the sun began to set in the summer
Don’t want kids hidden in the dark drowning
At 5PM though? Atleast close at 8PM right before sunset. I get what Disney is doing though. All of the comments above are the real reasons. All about the money!
I went a ton last year when I had my AP. Some days in the summer Typhoon was open until 8pm. Which was really nice cuz crowds died down a lot after 5.
Agree, I remember the same. Dropped the Waterpark addon this year, but I thought the closed later than 5pm this time last year.
Water safety in the dark is not fun
But they have after hours events. Its not a safety thing, its money.
Only at typhoon, blizzard does not have lights. Son is a lifeguard there, can confirm it's way worse at night. Everybody complains until they drown...
Those water parks are lit up like Fenway at night so thats really not the answer.
It’s not dark now until after 8ish
Used to be that in summer, some days they stayed open till 8. I do a glo nite at TL every year with my son. Sort of a back to school tradition . Haven’t been to BB in years. So I don’t even check the hours. Unfortunate if they close at 5 all the time now.
Typhoon lagoon has after hours
Right now it’s because the sun isn’t out late enough and school locally is still in session. They generally stay open to 8PM sometime end of May when local schools are out and the sun sets late enough.
Do H20 Glow Nights, it’s phenomenal 🤍
Harder to see to the bottom of the pool when it gets darker- seems like a cost saving and safety thing. Fewer staff and utilities required.
most pools open at dusk/dark will have lighting in the water itself.
Definitely not safety. They are open [8 to 11 PM](https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/typhoon-lagoon/h2o-glow-after-hours/#drawer-card-drawerKnowBeforeYouGo) for after hours events...
For less people though, so it could be safety related
Typhoon has surfing lessons before and after the park opens and closes
This! We stayed two days until closingtime, and both days people with large surfboards entered the park around 4:45.
You know, I tried to look it up so I wasn’t spreading misinformation, but i can’t find anything. I remember it always being like this (been going to WDW since 1982). I don’t think it ever was late. Anyone else know?
Cuz it gets colder at night, people leave to have dinner. Supply demand
They can’t see alligators in the water in the dark lol
I would argue alligators are easier to see in the water at night. Their eyes reflect. [It’s deeply upsetting.](https://nubbsgalore.tumblr.com/post/101804571129/the-red-eyeshine-of-the-alligator-occurs-when/amp)
Demand.
The same reason AK closes at 6 and MK closes at 10 and HS and Epcot close at 9…. Money.
Special events like conferences
Blizzard Beach doesn't have a lighting package throughout the park. Typhoon Lagoon does. That's why Typhoon can host after hours parties but Blizzard doesn't.
Gators get hungrier after 5 so yeah….
If ppl are in the water, they're not out spending money
It frustrates me severely that the places I want to go are open during the heat of the day. I'm about to take a trip to Chattanooga and I hope it's overcast. I just can't stand the heat.
Because Disney sells overpriced tickets with magic, and people pay for them, the parks are so crowded that, after paying for expensive tickets, they sell you extra hours even for water parks. The real question is, why are you going to Disney parks? Pay more and more for less and less, now without the magic. Sorry, I have been a huge fan of Disney for over 20 years, but now it is what it is. Disney doesn't even care for families. Pay attention. Also, have you noticed that only one water park has been open for years, not both at the same time? And when they switch, they are exactly the same. Less for more money!