Have you ever gotten kicked out at park closing?

[honeymo78]

DH and I were the last people out of Epcot one night in 2010. It was F&W EMH night and we were at Rose and Crown until about 1:30am. We were just chatting with our fave bartender and her crew while they were doing their clean up work. We didnt keep them from doing any of their closing work. Totally lost track of time and hadn't realized it was so late. A couple suits showed up as they were clearing the park and we were escorted to the front by a guy on a Segway. They were holding a bus and the monorail for us. We heard them release the bus after we told them we were at BLT. When we got to the resort loop, the monorail stopped at the poly and the driver came to our car and asked which was our stop. We flew past the GF and MK stops and were dropped off at CR.

 

[SDSorority]

CMs at all parks have this closing down the park down to a science. It is totally built into the shifts. For a short time my daughter worked at AK and I can't remember how late exactly ( it was 2 maybe 3 hours) she worked after closing but it was her job to stand on a bridge and let people leave from behind her (coming from yak n yeti) but not allow people to pass her going further into the park.

Liz

Good to know!

 

[Neelloc]

We were some of the last guests out of MK this past trip. It was 11/28, and we had a 7:40 reservation for BOG when park closing was at 8pm. They were way behind on seating people (tables weren't turning over fast enough because people were lingering for a long time) and we weren't seated until 8:25pm. There were several parties still waiting to be seated after us.

We enjoyed our meal and finished at about 10pm. There were still many people eating when we left BOG and started walking through FantasyLand to leave. We saw a few CM's who wished us good night and then we made our way to and through the castle. It was amazing! There wasn't a soul to be seen! We started snapping pictures and got some amazing photos.

We slowly made our way down Main Street and I was able to get lot of shots of the Castle changing colors with the ice lights on it. We encountered a security CM by Casey's and she asked us if we had enjoyed BOG because she was told there were still plenty of diners eating. We chatted with her for a bit and she told us to take all the pictures we wanted of the castle and Main Street because she wasn't going anywhere for a while.

We were able to linger for another 30 minutes taking pictures of the castle and Main street. Everytime another group of guests would emerge down Main street we'd all stop to chat and marvel at the view.

A supervisor came over to the secuirty CM and they were chatting that BOG was still working out the kinks and there will still many tables dining.

I think it was 10:45pm when we made it to the bus stop. The CM there asked us which resort and he told us that there were still 50 guests still in BOG finishing up. Even at that late time we were able to get a resort specific bus and there were other people on it.

We never never made to feel unwelcome or rushed out. However, I think it had something to do with the guests still being in the park.

 

[dsneygirl]

We were the VERY last people leaving Blizzard Beach one time. It was a mid December day, and when the announcement came that the park was closing, we were literally the ONLY family still in the water. By the time we all changed and came out of the locker rooms, we were literally the only people in the park, except for CMs.

They walked with us to the gates (no rush, or anything that made us uncomfortable). In fact, we had a nice conversation as we walked from the lockers to the gate.

This was us at Typhoon Lagoon last year. The lifeguard let DS have 1 last run on Crushin' Gusher AFTER they had blown the whistle.

 

[SDSorority]

We were some of the last guests out of MK this past trip. It was 11/28, and we had a 7:40 reservation for BOG when park closing was at 8pm. They were way behind on seating people (tables weren't turning over fast enough because people were lingering for a long time) and we weren't seated until 8:25pm. There were several parties still waiting to be seated after us.

We enjoyed our meal and finished at about 10pm. There were still many people eating when we left BOG and started walking through FantasyLand to leave. We saw a few CM's who wished us good night and then we made our way to and through the castle. It was amazing! There wasn't a soul to be seen! We started snapping pictures and got some amazing photos.

We slowly made our way down Main Street and I was able to get lot of shots of the Castle changing colors with the ice lights on it. We encountered a security CM by Casey's and she asked us if we had enjoyed BOG because she was told there were still plenty of diners eating. We chatted with her for a bit and she told us to take all the pictures we wanted of the castle and Main Street because she wasn't going anywhere for a while.

We were able to linger for another 30 minutes taking pictures of the castle and Main street. Everytime another group of guests would emerge down Main street we'd all stop to chat and marvel at the view.

A supervisor came over to the secuirty CM and they were chatting that BOG was still working out the kinks and there will still many tables dining.

I think it was 10:45pm when we made it to the bus stop. The CM there asked us which resort and he told us that there were still 50 guests still in BOG finishing up. Even at that late time we were able to get a resort specific bus and there were other people on it.

We never never made to feel unwelcome or rushed out. However, I think it had something to do with the guests still being in the park.

Beautiful pictures!!!!

 

[WEDWDW]

CMs at all parks have this closing down the park down to a science. It is totally built into the shifts.Liz

 

[daveyk]

As a one-time CM, park closing was always an interesting time. You don't want to be rude, but you do want to start sending people toward the exit.

In the back part of the park, they will shut down the merchandise and food locations, and then start to shut the doors to the attractions / put up barriers to keep new people from joining the queue. Anyone who's in line can stay. And anyone who was doing something can finish doing it - but they'll try and offer to "help" so you'll get going a little quicker.

In the front of the park, particularly Main Street, the shops will be "open" for at least another hour. The rule of thumb is as long as their is a crowd, they'll keep the doors open. Once the crowd thins, doors start closing, and again its a matter of trying to "help" and get people going.

Eventually you start closing off part of the store by standing there and simply telling people that section is closed, and ushering people to another part of the store.

As a guest, before I was a CM, I have stayed until they start the process - but was always polite and left before being actually told.....knowing more now, I will leave a little earlier but joke with the CMs about it.

 

[SDSorority]

As a one-time CM, park closing was always an interesting time. You don't want to be rude, but you do want to start sending people toward the exit.

In the back part of the park, they will shut down the merchandise and food locations, and then start to shut the doors to the attractions / put up barriers to keep new people from joining the queue. Anyone who's in line can stay. And anyone who was doing something can finish doing it - but they'll try and offer to "help" so you'll get going a little quicker.

In the front of the park, particularly Main Street, the shops will be "open" for at least another hour. The rule of thumb is as long as their is a crowd, they'll keep the doors open. Once the crowd thins, doors start closing, and again its a matter of trying to "help" and get people going.

Eventually you start closing off part of the store by standing there and simply telling people that section is closed, and ushering people to another part of the store.

As a guest, before I was a CM, I have stayed until they start the process - but was always polite and left before being actually told.....knowing more now, I will leave a little earlier but joke with the CMs about it.

Great information!!

 

[sephorachick]

Have you ever gotten kicked out at park closing? How much time do you have to leave once the park is closed? What happens if you're in line for a ride, or are eating a late dinner- do you get escorted out after you're done? I just didn't know what the closing protocol was.

I used to work in Fantasyland attractions. They would have a cast member get at the end of the lines so no one new can get in line. As long as you are in line before park close you can ride it.

WE would have to escort people out of Fland via by enchanted grove otr on other side via castle.

 

[ForMyBoys]

This was us at Typhoon Lagoon last year. The lifeguard let DS have 1 last run on Crushin' Gusher AFTER they had blown the whistle.

Out of curiousity what time was this at? On our trip I see closing is at 5pm, but we likely won't get there until 1pm, do they do last whistle right at 5?

 

[Marionnette]

My daughter and I had an 8:30 ADR at La Hacienda de San Angel last summer. I think we had just finished our appetizers when Illuminations started, so the waitress held our entrees until it was over. By the time we'd finished out meal, it was well past 10:30 and the World Showcase was deserted. We were staying at BWV, so we wanted to leave thru the International Gateway. We hung a right out of the restaurant, expecting to take a little more scenic route past Norway, China, Germany, Italy and France but we met up with CMs who directed us to turn around and go in the opposite direction. It was both beautiful and eerie to walk through the WS without other people around.

 

[W.E.D.]

One of our favorite times to be in EPCOT. We usually are somewhere around Germany after Illuminations. We let the masses file away, and then take a pleasant stroll out. We try not to waste any CMs time, but we enjoy our walk.

 

[SDSorority]

One of our favorite times to be in EPCOT. We usually are somewhere around Germany after Illuminations. We let the masses file away, and then take a pleasant stroll out. We try not to waste any CMs time, but we enjoy our walk.

We have done this in the past, too.... just take our time leaving, but not the last people out.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I worked downtown disney and when it was closing time we would lock all the doors, turn the music off, and one person would stand at each door so if someone tried to open the door we would tell them it is closed.
Then when everyone was out, we would clean up and everything.

People lingering isn't annoying, it just only is when we close at 11:30 and we are scheduled until midnight and guests are lingering browsing for 45 minutes and the coordinators are standing around waiting for the last purchase so they can collect the money..

..only for the guest to not buy anything.

 

[Dan Murphy]

..only for the guest to not buy anything.

 

[acourtwdw]

I worked downtown disney and when it was closing time we would lock all the doors, turn the music off, and one person would stand at each door so if someone tried to open the door we would tell them it is closed.
Then when everyone was out, we would clean up and everything.

People lingering isn't annoying, it just only is when we close at 11:30 and we are scheduled until midnight and guests are lingering browsing for 45 minutes and the coordinators are standing around waiting for the last purchase so they can collect the money..

..only for the guest to not buy anything.

It doesn't matter if it's Disney or Best Buy, this happens in every retal store. As a former retail employee (I left after 25 years in it 3 weeks ago) this is what makes me not like customers. How would you feel if I came to your office and just hung out while you were supposed to be on your way home? I try not to be that person when out and about.....

 

[kevschickee]

I agree, thanks for wording that so well. I don't think that people stay behind to be nasty, but aren't aware that all those CM's waiting for them to leave are hourly employees and have families and friends that they would like to get home too. As a Guest, your on vacation, they are working. You can sleep in if you want, they have to go to work again.

It would be nice if people would think of that when they linger after closing. Think about your own job and how you would feel if you were forced to stay late for no real good reason. In this case, with the stores, you had all day to make purchases, it's just really inconsiderate to make people wait for you. Like I said, I don't think that people are consciously thinking about that, but this is as good a place as any to remind folks that the CM's are not AA's they are real live living humans that are tired and would like to get home.

I agree 100%

 

[SDSorority]

I worked downtown disney and when it was closing time we would lock all the doors, turn the music off, and one person would stand at each door so if someone tried to open the door we would tell them it is closed.
Then when everyone was out, we would clean up and everything.

People lingering isn't annoying, it just only is when we close at 11:30 and we are scheduled until midnight and guests are lingering browsing for 45 minutes and the coordinators are standing around waiting for the last purchase so they can collect the money..

..only for the guest to not buy anything.

Ugh.

 

[RebeccaB]

Last year, we were at the infamous MNSSHP early October (4?maybe?) where it rained/thundered/lightning-ed and many people bailed out early. We rode the last ride of the night on HM....completely unintentionally. We weren't paying attention to the time. When we got off the ride, all the CM's walked out with us. That was pretty cool. As we made our way out of the park, there were really only a handful of people left in the park.

 

[stindall]

I worked downtown disney and when it was closing time we would lock all the doors, turn the music off, and one person would stand at each door so if someone tried to open the door we would tell them it is closed.
Then when everyone was out, we would clean up and everything.

People lingering isn't annoying, it just only is when we close at 11:30 and we are scheduled until midnight and guests are lingering browsing for 45 minutes and the coordinators are standing around waiting for the last purchase so they can collect the money..

..only for the guest to not buy anything.

This is retail everywhere, not just Disney. I work at a cupcake bakery and it seems like the only time people come in just to see what flavors we have is right before we close...then they don't want anything and leave.