We weren't "asked to leave" as much as we were repeatedly reminded that we needed to be out by 7:00. This was around the time the announcement started playing over the loudspeaker, whatever time that is. It was annoying...we were making our way down Main Street toward the exit, we really didn't need the repeated reminders prior to 7:00. I really think that CMs should be trained not to give personal reminders...I think the loudspeakers do the job. CMs should save the "gentle" reminders until 6:55 or so, I think. Because the issue wasn't being reminded once, it was being reminded over and over again by different CMs, who obviously didn't know we'd already been reminded.
As for whether the party is worth it...absolutely. We had a great time at the party. Can't wait to go again this year! In addition to the rate M&Gs, there are just a lot of fun things to do.
I'd agree, save for the fact that every year and every time I've done the party, I've always seen some guest blowout over being told that they had to leave because of the party. People are on rides and don't hear the announcements, aren't aware there's a party, assume the park is open normal hours... Then they see people streaming in wearing costumes, think it looks neat... Then it's a total stunner when they're told they had to leave because they had "no idea" there was a special event... Or my personal favorite "if it's a private event, why are all these people here?"
Plus, there is a considerable amount of time and coordination that go into emptying a full park of non-attendees while simultaneously allowing entry to a huge amount of party guests, especially if it's already a full park. If they don't start getting people thinking about exiting who should be exiting at a time before the party, it makes a logistical nightmare for CM's to accommodate the needs of the paying guests who should be there while hustling the non-paying guests who shouldn't be out the door. Ideally, they want the non-guests out as quickly as possible as party people are told the party starts at 7 and expect that, at that time, they will start to have the park to themselves, as is advertised.
The alternative would be to totally shut the park down at 6 and then do re-entry at 7 for party guests... Obviously that's less convenient and more disruptive then just having a CM remind you "tonight the park closes at 7." Because you may know, but in all likelihood 7 out of the 10 people they notify won't know at all, and 1 or 2 out of that 7 will be combative or completely mad to be told they have to leave when it looks like the park is gearing up for something unusual, holiday related, special, and fun.
Actually, you cannot shop after 7 PM either. This is very different from regular park closing, even on an EMH night. You know Disney means business because they won't even SELL you anything after 7 PM. For which I am grateful. If I pay $65 a head to be there along with tens of thousands of others, I at least want the non-paying folks to leave.
I don't disagree in the slightest with the sentiment that, as a party guest, I want people who aren't paying to get out. Nothing irritates me more then the posts of people who're trying to be sneaky and make their CP or BOG reservations at 6:45 so they can "linger out the door" during the parade or Hallowishes. I always feel like, if you want to see it, pay for the ticket or view it from off-property. It's getting a service with a financial value for free, and we all know what the word for that is...
I will say though, having been the non-party guest on a party night, what they did for us was we were allowed to go in the store, but promptly at 7 people were put at all the entry points so, when you left, you were told to leave and at like 7:30, you were walked out when you were done. They didn't do a clean sweep of the stores, and actually at 7 I don't think they prevented us from going in the store, but you were strongly encouraged to be out and gone by 7:30. And there was certainly no hanging out in the store then wandering out when the parade started... You were walked out. Maybe that's changed, or maybe it's because it was a rainy night and park attendance was low and the parade was in question, but that's how they did it with us.
