Our personal escort out of the Magic Kingdom

[Rainkiss]

Heh.... I had to listen to my husband's teasing for months about my spreadsheet... All the park hours, for each day, with notes on when which parades and fireworks shows were, along with a day-by-day schedule (built flexable for weather) for which days to hit which parks, and when and where dinner reservations were made, along with the confirmation numbers.
We got to Ohana our last night, 8:00 PM... and our reservation wasn't showing up on their system. "I don't suppose you have your confirmation number?" asks the cast member, looking like she's getting ready to deal with a fight. "Oh, yes, right here." Out comes the somewhat tattered spreadsheet printout. Cast member's face lights up like a Christmas tree, types a little, makes a note that we did, indeed, have reservations not in their system (and I assume schedules a flogging for somebody on the IT team), and in we went.

Organization pays.

 

[Pappa Bear]

Heh.... I had to listen to my husband's teasing for months about my spreadsheet... All the park hours, for each day, with notes on when which parades and fireworks shows were, along with a day-by-day schedule (built flexable for weather) for which days to hit which parks, and when and where dinner reservations were made, along with the confirmation numbers.
We got to Ohana our last night, 8:00 PM... and our reservation wasn't showing up on their system. "I don't suppose you have your confirmation number?" asks the cast member, looking like she's getting ready to deal with a fight. "Oh, yes, right here." Out comes the somewhat tattered spreadsheet printout. Cast member's face lights up like a Christmas tree, types a little, makes a note that we did, indeed, have reservations not in their system (and I assume schedules a flogging for somebody on the IT team), and in we went.

Organization pays.

I did this for every ADR we had for our September trip. Every time the host or hostess asked for our name I gave them my name and reservation number. The look on their faces told me that most people don't but, given the posted crowd reports right before our trip plus my skepticism about the reliability computer system, I preferred to have some sort of tangible evidence that I had a reservation. Several greeters remarked that they appreciated having that number.

I did not have a spreadsheet and we did not plan to the degree that a lot of board posters. I just wanted to have that information handy in case of a ressie mix up. YOMV.

 

[Tinkermom76]

we are going to be there in 4 weeks and because I will be with 2 small DD's we are going to MK 3 times
once for MVMCP
once on a day of a party that we are not attending and have dinner at a resort then a sleigh ride so we will leave MK at 4pm that day
and the last day on a day there is no MVMCP so we can spend the whole day at MK
The information is there and the park hours say the park closes at 7 PM on party days so why anyone would think they are staying after the park closes beats me

Also when you look on the calendar for those days it doesn't list spectro or wishes as happening that day

 

[james'mommy]

I'm glad they are enforcing the rules. It's only fair to the people who pay extra for the party.

 

[princessmom29]

I did this for every ADR we had for our September trip. Every time the host or hostess asked for our name I gave them my name and reservation number. The look on their faces told me that most people don't but, given the posted crowd reports right before our trip plus my skepticism about the reliability computer system, I preferred to have some sort of tangible evidence that I had a reservation. Several greeters remarked that they appreciated having that number.

I did not have a spreadsheet and we did not plan to the degree that a lot of board posters. I just wanted to have that information handy in case of a ressie mix up. YOMV.

I thought I was the only one! I keep a 5x7 index card in my park bag with all of our conf#'s on it and another in the room just in case. I found that putting them on the index card keeps them from getting a tattered by the end of the trip. You are right , they were very suprised that I had that info.

 

[rie'smom]

It definitely helps to have your ADR confirmation numbers. We've needed them on a few occasions.

 

[Ava]

Hi LilGMom,
Grad Nights are Friday April 23rd, Saturday the 24th, Friday the 30th and Saturday May 1st. Unfortunately for us, they are the two weekends we are there

Do you know how far in advance Grad Nights are announced, or how you find out about them? I was thinking end of April for our next trip, but if MK will be closed weekend nights for Grad Nights I'd go earlier in the month instead. Thanks!

The logistics of running these parties ensure that there will always be unhappy people. Escorting people without tickets out of the park is probably the best option. It keeps the party-crashing to a minimum without making ticket holders exit & re-enter the park.

 

[maxiesmom]

I thought I was the only one! I keep a 5x7 index card in my park bag with all of our conf#'s on it and another in the room just in case. I found that putting them on the index card keeps them from getting a tattered by the end of the trip. You are right , they were very suprised that I had that info.

I have my ADR numbers on me too, and my paper is always beat up by the end of the trip. I never thought to put them on an index card, thanks for the tip!

 

[RNtheRN]

Maybe you should have tried bribing the cast member with some Disney Dollars.

 

[johnGorski]

Glad they fixed this with the ADR. We had a meal at LTT and got escorted out by a CM because of MNSSP. Was not all that bad as week had a very nice conversation with the CM about Disney and Baseball. The CM did mention many people get offended that they are being escorted out as they feel they paid for a expensive disney trip, and should leave on there free will. He said it bothers some CM but most it dose not I can understand from both ends but it is the ones that cheat that ruin it for all. As reading about rude escorts this is not Disney Brand and should be reported.

 

[twinklebug]

Here I thought you were going to say Pooh walked you out.

<snip>

I do have to say, now that I've read the description of it...I'm less inclined to go! With the exception of the cocoa (which my family couldn't drink) and cookies...it's pretty much what DLR offers all of its guests with normal admission at the holidaytime! Different castle, of course. Will probably save ourselves some party money and plan for another park those nights instead during our stay next year.

I was thinking the same thing about a character escort out - that would have been cool

I'm saving our money for the holidays too. I cannot believe there is anything so special about the MK on a MVMCP night over visiting any of the other parks with lights, music and entertainment that warrants dropping yet another $156. in Mickey's pocket for the three of us (note - we already have APs, those who buy single day tickets might find it more attractive).

This said, however, my b-day is on the day of a MVMCP and I have a CP ADR for 4pm. I hope we don't get the "get out" attitude as we leave.

 

[RCMommy]

We have ADRs at CP for 6:50 on Dec 13th (day we arrive and only time available that whole day when I booked) We don't have tickets for the MVMCP that night which starts at 7pm. I posted a few weeks ago about can I still keep that ADR. Everyone on here came back with a yes. Even if CP is running behind, we will still get to keep our ADR for the night.

We have no intention of trying to stay and get a freebie party in. We have tickets for the 15th and saw the party last year as well. It has always just been our family thing to do MK the day we arrive and eat at CP. I would take an earlier ADR since the kids might be tired due to travel but you have to take what you can get right?

If we happen to get an escort out, I totally understand why and wouldn't mind. Though might be a bit embarassed if people are looking at us like 'freeloaders' who got caught!

Are ticket holders for the MVMCP that night going to be thinking that we are taking advantage and shot us dirty looks all evening?

 

[RCMommy]

ahhh...I also meant to add that a family of 13 we know very well was down eating at CP a few weeks back.. When they left the MNSSH party was on and they did not have tickets. The CM was escorting them out and said "I'll be right back" Next thing they know, he came back and handed them over 13 FREE tickets to the party. They were shocked!


so was I when they told me...

 

[LilGMom]

Heh.... I had to listen to my husband's teasing for months about my spreadsheet... All the park hours, for each day, with notes on when which parades and fireworks shows were, along with a day-by-day schedule (built flexable for weather) for which days to hit which parks, and when and where dinner reservations were made, along with the confirmation numbers.
We got to Ohana our last night, 8:00 PM... and our reservation wasn't showing up on their system. "I don't suppose you have your confirmation number?" asks the cast member, looking like she's getting ready to deal with a fight. "Oh, yes, right here." Out comes the somewhat tattered spreadsheet printout. Cast member's face lights up like a Christmas tree, types a little, makes a note that we did, indeed, have reservations not in their system (and I assume schedules a flogging for somebody on the IT team), and in we went.

Organization pays.

My DH has grown to love my spreadsheet because it makes finding out the park times, what night parties are happening, ADR times and confirmation numbers so easy. We are going with some friends on their first trip and they just giggle when I mention my spreadsheets. The young grasshoppers will learn!!!!

 

[kbelle8995]

Actually they have been doing this for years. The first year they had the Halloween party I was eating with a friend at Cinderella's round Table. We were asked if we had tickets for the event we said no. We were placed with a group of other guests who did not have tickets and escorted out of the park.

Ah well at least I got to see how Main Street was decorated for the )

 

[bstnsprts]

We have ADRs at CP for 6:50 on Dec 13th (day we arrive and only time available that whole day when I booked) We don't have tickets for the MVMCP that night which starts at 7pm. I posted a few weeks ago about can I still keep that ADR. Everyone on here came back with a yes. Even if CP is running behind, we will still get to keep our ADR for the night.

We have no intention of trying to stay and get a freebie party in. We have tickets for the 15th and saw the party last year as well. It has always just been our family thing to do MK the day we arrive and eat at CP. I would take an earlier ADR since the kids might be tired due to travel but you have to take what you can get right?

If we happen to get an escort out, I totally understand why and wouldn't mind. Though might be a bit embarassed if people are looking at us like 'freeloaders' who got caught!

Are ticket holders for the MVMCP that night going to be thinking that we are taking advantage and shot us dirty looks all evening?

Yes you can keep your reservation. The park closing at seven does not mean that you have to be out at seven. Your reservation is for before park closing time, so yes you can stay and enjoy your meal, then exit after. If you get in line for an attraction at 6:59 and there is a 45 minute wait, you still get to ride the attraction, then exit after. Be polite, but don't let anyone tell you different. Closing time does not always equal exit time. While you can't wander around the park after seven, you can be enjoying a meal or in line for an attraction.

 

[DznyDreamz]

People, Cali Grill is NOT in MK, but atop the Contemporary. People watch fireworks from the restaurant without tickets all the time and Disney pipes in the music. It's part of eating there.

Just a little off topic but are the regular day tickets discounted when there is a special event since you can't stay the whole day and watch the fireworks and/or parade?

For what its worth, for my trip in January most of the parks, including MK, are closed by 7-8pm. That isn't much later then when the park closes for hard ticket events. Regular park tickets are not discounted with the "short" hours during this time of year. It is what it is.

 

[DisneyGerry]

that is weird

 

[Angel Ariel]

If you don't have tickets to MVMCP, you should be escorted out. You did not pay extra for the right to see the same fireworks display that others had to pay extra to see.

Loudspeaker: Escort needed at California Grill!

NVM me

I respectfully disagree. Anyone can eat at California Grill on any given night, whether they have a park ticket or not, and they can see the fireworks at MK--whether they have a park admission or not.

Why should a party be any different? one of the perks of eating at the California Grill IS seeing the fireworks show...which, i'm sure, is factored into the cost of eating there (since you know they have to have some idea of how long people will stay at a table, etc). You may not be paying a park admission to see it, but you're definitely shelling out the money to do so.

 

[aspen37]

Maybe they didn't realize it's a party night or they don't know what a hard-ticket even means.
Btw, I have an adr for California Grill on an MVMCP night which I am hoping will let us see the holiday fireworks. Mwahaha.

If you are done before Holiday Wishes starts just save your receipt. You are allowed to come back and watch the fireworks, you just need to have your receipt showing that you ate at California Grill that day.

If you don't have tickets to MVMCP, you should be escorted out. You did not pay extra for the right to see the same fireworks display that others had to pay extra to see.

Loudspeaker: Escort needed at California Grill!

People, Cali Grill is NOT in MK, but atop the Contemporary. People watch fireworks from the restaurant without tickets all the time and Disney pipes in the music. It's part of eating there.

As I was reading this I was thinking the same thing.