Disney made another round of changes to the March 2016 operating schedule, following up on an initial batch of updates a couple of weeks ago. It still doesn’t seem like nearly enough as we head into the extremely busy spring break and Easter weeks beginning in the second week of March and continuing into the first week of April. We still don’t have any regular 8am opens at Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios, any second Fantasmic shows towards the beginning of the month, any second Electrical Parades at Magic Kingdom around Easter, and only the usual amount of Extra Magic Hours over both Easter weeks. Easter will be busier than Presidents Day Weekend and the hours are significantly shorter with far fewer opportunities to enjoy the nighttime spectaculars.
We’ll see what happens and whether this sort of hodgepodge scheme of adding hours and shows is an anomaly or another example of the New Normal. As always, when Disney opens up dining reservations 180+ days early and FastPass+ booking 60+ days in advance, it seems unfortunate that they’re still making adjustments that obviously need to be made just a few days in advance of the actual date.
Will keep you apprised.
Tuesday March 1:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 9pm, in addition to 7pm Parade.
Wednesday March 2:
No changes.
Thursday March 3:
No changes.
Friday March 4:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 9pm, in addition to 7pm Parade.
Saturday March 5:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 11pm, in addition to 9pm Parade.
Sunday March 6:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 10pm, in addition to 8pm Parade.
Monday March 7:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 11pm, in addition to 9pm Parade.
Tuesday March 8:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 11pm, in addition to 9pm Parade.
Wednesday March 9:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 10pm, in addition to 8pm Parade.
Thursday March 10:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 11pm, in addition to 9pm Parade.
Friday March 11:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 11pm, in addition to 9pm Parade.
Saturday March 12:
No changes.
Sunday March 13:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 11pm, in addition to 9pm Parade.
Monday March 14:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 11pm, in addition to 9pm Parade.
Tuesday March 15:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 11pm, in addition to 9pm Parade.
Wednesday March 16:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 11pm, in addition to 9pm Parade.
Thursday March 17:
Second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 11pm, in addition to 9pm Parade.
Friday March 18:
No changes.
Saturday March 19:
No changes.
Sunday March 20:
No changes.
Monday March 21:
No changes.
Tuesday March 22:
No changes.
Wednesday March 23:
No changes.
Thursday March 24:
No changes.
Friday March 25:
No changes.
Saturday March 26:
No changes.
Sunday March 27:
No changes.
Monday March 28:
Magic Kingdom hours extended to 8am-12am from 9am12am.
Tuesday March 29:
Magic Kingdom hours extended to 8am-12am from 9am12am.
Wednesday March 30:
Magic Kingdom hours extended to 8am-12am from 9am12am.
Thursday March 31:
Magic Kingdom hours extended to 8am-12am from 9am12am.
So, are the fast passes available right away for the 8-9 AM slot at MK in late March?
I feel badly for the families who booked early ADRs in Magic Kingdom. Those breakfasts are magical but it is very hard to lose that first hour in the parks. I just wish that Disney would make the right prediction of the day’s crowd and set the hours correctly the first time.
That is really weird how they added MSEPs to the first of March but none during Easter week. I am happy to see 8am openings but I sure would like 7 am EMHs. If this is the norm due to being over budget in Tokyo, then I think they need to scrap whatever project they don’t have enough money for in Tokyo!
Sorry I meant Shanghai
A lot of these added parades are at closing time. Is that unusual? Doesn’t that create traffic flow problems, or do they do it to spread out the departing crowds?
The also added noon Festival of Fantasy parades, March 28-31.
Where can I find the latest info?
These changes don’t appear to have filtered through to http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/ParkHours/WDWTravelAgent_march.pdf yet
FWIW, I was unable to participate in the survey, so here are my answers if it helps turn your results either way:
A
D
D
B
C
Blue
Tom Selleck
If the Electrical Parade is at 11 and that is also when MK closes, should we expect them to extend their hours for that day also? I can’t imagine them Starting a parade during closing time. At least I have never heard of them doing that before.