Grrr....I see what you did there, Disney

The Rovang 5 · Mar 6, 2015

On our upcoming trip, we have 5 days planned in the parks- a visit to each with MK twice. However, this year, 4 of our 5 days are MVMCP nights. I feel like we're either forced to purchase tickets to the party (been there, done that) or buy park hoppers to avoid losing time in the parks. Both are well over $300 for our family of 5. : (

So what time do we absolutely have to be out of the park if we're not going to the party? What is the latest dinner reservation we could make?

Thanks!

smitch425 · Mar 6, 2015

7pm, and dining reservations can be anytime before 7, with an escort out of the park after your meal.

Lisa loves Pooh · Mar 6, 2015

The Rovang 5 said:
On our upcoming trip, we have 5 days planned in the parks- a visit to each with MK twice. However, this year, 4 of our 5 days are MVMCP nights. I feel like we're either forced to purchase tickets to the party (been there, done that) or buy park hoppers to avoid losing time in the parks. Both are well over $300 for our family of 5. : (

So what time do we absolutely have to be out of the park if we're not going to the party? What is the latest dinner reservation we could make?

Thanks!

The parties are in response to demand for them.

You must exit promptly at 7pm--what this means is you will be/should be permitted into attractions and store as late as 6:59pm, but then will need it leave.

I think ADRs must be scheduled prior to 7pm. You will be required to exit the park upon completion of your meal. They will not kick you out of the restaurant at 7pm.

The Rovang 5 · Mar 6, 2015

4/5 = 80% of our park days for a Christmas party before Thanksgiving. We've been before and enjoyed it- it's a great party. I just find that unusual....

Mikie · Mar 6, 2015

I've gone on a Halloween party day and I do love the lower crowds as people either wait for party time or avoid MK with its shorter hours that day. I was surprised, though, how crowded it was trying to get out of the park right at 7. If you can get an ADR at 6:45, I think it's a great way to get every last drop of park time and avoid the exit crowd.

canadiandisneynut · Mar 6, 2015

That's really too bad and disappointing. Was the announcement made after you booked your trip? Might be worth a call to customer service. Maybe they will add a hopper onto just one of your days so that you can use it on one of your Magic days and not lose park time.

MrInfinity · Mar 6, 2015

How do they usher you out? If you just want to mill around, not go on rides and stuff...
I'm hoping it's the case that these days are indeed much lighter than otherwise.

Dis703 · Mar 6, 2015

fuzzylogicllc said:
How do they usher you out? If you just want to mill around, not go on rides and stuff...
I'm hoping it's the case that these days are indeed much lighter than otherwise.

When we were there each land had CMs lined across sections at the entrance and you couldn't even go past them to walk around without showing your wristband. People who didn't have them were directed to the exit to leave.

smitch425 · Mar 6, 2015

fuzzylogicllc said:
How do they usher you out? If you just want to mill around, not go on rides and stuff...
I'm hoping it's the case that these days are indeed much lighter than otherwise.

You can't travel between lands without a party wristband. You also cannot enter a shop/restaurant, bathroom, buy snacks, etc. without a party band. For ADRs, you are led to the gate by a CM, with no stopping along the way.

JimmyV · Mar 6, 2015

The Rovang 5 said:
4/5 = 80% of our park days for a Christmas party before Thanksgiving. We've been before and enjoyed it- it's a great party. I just find that unusual....

I agree. I went to WDW one time and arrived the Sunday after Thanksgiving. They were just beginning to put up the Christmas decorations, and it was the most quiet time that I had ever been there. Now? Christmas starts before Thanksgiving. As Lisa loves Pooh points out, as long as there is a demand for more Christmas parties, they will continue to sell the hard tickets for the event. It won't be long before we see MNSSHP and MVMCP occurring on alternating nights.....in September.

JimmyV · Mar 6, 2015

smitch425 said:
You can't travel between lands without a party wristband. You also cannot enter a shop/restaurant, bathroom, buy snacks, etc. without a party band. For ADRs, you are led to the gate by a CM, with no stopping along the way.

"No wristbands? Well...out you go, you hooligans!"

siskaren · Mar 6, 2015

fuzzylogicllc said:
How do they usher you out? If you just want to mill around, not go on rides and stuff...
I'm hoping it's the case that these days are indeed much lighter than otherwise.

Parties aren't like EMH nights where the purpose is to ride rides and if you aren't staying on property you can stay in the parks and shop or just walk around. For parties, the big draws are the parade, the special version of Wishes (either Holiday Wishes or HalloWishes), stage shows and special meet and greets, which means that someone who's in the park but doesn't have a ticket for the party would be experiencing all those things for free.

jimandami · Mar 6, 2015

canadiandisneynut said:
That's really too bad and disappointing. Was the announcement made after you booked your trip? Might be worth a call to customer service. Maybe they will add a hopper onto just one of your days so that you can use it on one of your Magic days and not lose park time.

That's not how park hopping works. You either have it for all your days or you don't have it at all.

The Rovang 5 · Mar 6, 2015

canadiandisneynut said:
That's really too bad and disappointing. Was the announcement made after you booked your trip? Might be worth a call to customer service. Maybe they will add a hopper onto just one of your days so that you can use it on one of your Magic days and not lose park time.

Yes, we booked before the MVMCP schedule came out, but we knew there would be at least a couple parties during our stay. I consider this a minor hurdle and considering we're all researchers, it shouldn't be too much of an aggravation. I do feel bad for those who have no idea- like first timers- they're in for a surprise if they think they're closing the park.

Eeyore's Wife · Mar 6, 2015

Most people will avoid the days with shortened hours. The lighter crowds, especially first thing in the morning, means we can usually get MORE done than on the days during the week with longer hours. My suggestion is plan on hitting the Magic Kingdom on those shortened days at rope drop and enjoy how much you can get done with far fewer crowds! Around four things will begin to fill up as the party folks start filling into the parks. As has been suggested, get an ADR for just before 7 and then enjoy a friendly employee escort out of the park. My hubby and I laugh that it is our way of getting a "plaid experience" for free.

Note: "Plaids" refers to the paid Personal Disney Tour Guide and Facilitator you can book to accompany you though the parks. They are an expensive perk at approximately $350 per hour for a minimum of six hours.

smitch425 · Mar 6, 2015

The Rovang 5 said:
Yes, we booked before the MVMCP schedule came out, but we knew there would be at least a couple parties during our stay. I consider this a minor hurdle and considering we're all researchers, it shouldn't be too much of an aggravation. I do feel bad for those who have no idea- like first timers- they're in for a surprise if they think they're closing the park.

They are "closing the park". The hours are posted for a 7pm closure 6 months (or more) in advance. Unless they don't check the hours, there won't be any surprises, and I can't imagine anyone wouldn't check them. Lol

The Rovang 5 · Mar 6, 2015

Eeyore's Wife said:
Note: "Plaids" refers to the paid Personal Disney Tour Guide and Facilitator you can book to accompany you though the parks. They are an expensive perk at approximately $350 per hour for a minimum of six hours.

Oh, dang!! I'm an Outlander fan and thought I was getting a personal escort by a kilt-cladded Scot. Oh, well....

sharonabe · Mar 6, 2015

The Rovang 5 said:
On our upcoming trip, we have 5 days planned in the parks- a visit to each with MK twice. However, this year, 4 of our 5 days are MVMCP nights. I feel like we're either forced to purchase tickets to the party (been there, done that) or buy park hoppers to avoid losing time in the parks. Both are well over $300 for our family of 5. : (

So what time do we absolutely have to be out of the park if we're not going to the party? What is the latest dinner reservation we could make?

Thanks!

While I know having that many parties really messes with your plans, in reality, it's not that bad. One of your two MK days will need to be on a non-party night, and the other one will be an early night. AK will also be closing early, probably 5:00 every night you are there, so that's another early night. Without park hoppers, you'll just need to find some other things to fill out your evenings. If the weather is warm enough, you could have an evening swim at the pool, take in one of the resort's movie nights or spend some time at the Boardwalk area. See it as an opportunity to do some things you usually don't have time for because you're closing down the parks.

ArwenMarie · Mar 6, 2015

That's one of the downsides of going during party season. I know people enjoy the parties, but it's very annoying. Plus side is the crowds are lower on the party days.

sharonabe · Mar 6, 2015

ArwenMarie said:
That's one of the downsides of going during party season. I know people enjoy the parties, but it's very annoying. Plus side is the crowds are lower on the party days.

I don't know. It looks like there are more party days this year, or at least more close together. The fact that OP has 4 of 5 days with a party seems to indicate that. With that many party days, guests don't have that many options for when to visit MK. I expect non-party days to be slammed almost like major holidays and party days will be much more crowded than they were in the past due to the fact that guests just don't have any other option.

Grrr....I see what you did there, Disney

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