24-Hour Day 2015 Tips

[shpooey]

The announcement thread has a lot of discussion on Frozen Summer Fun, so I thought it might be good to separate out discussion for the 24-hour day to consolidate questions and discussion. If there's a better place to discuss, let me know!

Here's the info on the 24-hour day for 2015 so far...

MAGIC KINGDOM, MAY 22 6 AM - MAY 23 6AM
Note that 6AM - 6AM is the operating day for May 22, so it's one ticket entitlement for initial park entrance and come and go as necessary until 6 AM on the 23rd

Official Announcement: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...lest-summer-ever-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

ALL DAY SCHEDULE: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/magic-kingdom/2015-05-22/#timeofday=allday

Parade/fireworks schedule:

• Festival of Fantasy Parade - 12 PM and 3 PM
• MSEP - 11 PM and 1 AM*
• Wishes - 9 PM

*Note that the all day schedule linked above doesn't show a 1AM MSEP, but it's on the travel agent calendar, and there was a 1AM parade last year, so I'm keeping it listed until confirmed otherwise.

And here's last year's in-park schedule, for a better idea of what's scheduled throughout the day: http://memoriesofdisney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/RockYour-DisneySide-Special-Program.pdf

SO...
Who's going this year??
And for those who have attended in previous years, any tips to getting through the day and making the most of it?

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UPDATE 4/12: Disney Parks Blog '24 Ways to Kick Off Our Coolest Summer Ever' with suggestions of things to do during 24-hour day (most stuff isn't exclusive to 24-hour day though)

UPDATE 5/7: Disney Parks Blog Video from Past All-Nighters

UPDATE 5/8: Disney Parks Blog Stars of Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Radio Disney to Kick Off 'Coolest Summer Ever'

 

[shpooey]

I'll be at WDW for 24-hr day with 4 friends, all adults. None of us have ever been there for the 24-hour event before.

Do you think a full day at MK is doable (very likely with an afternoon nap sometime/somewhere)?
Or would it be better to start the day at another park (thinking maybe AK), then breaking at the resort, before heading to MK for the evening/overnight?

I feel like the second option would be way less tiring, but 24-hours at MK is special, so I don't know if I'll be missing out by only spending the evening there.

Thoughts?

 

[ArielRae]

DH is letting me go this year May 20th-24th so if anyone would like to meet up message me and we'll see if our park schedules match.

 

[cariann77]

I'm going. It's the final day of our trip. We want to see the Star Wars fireworks. I have us booked for dinner at Sci-Fi and then we'll stay for that. After that, I plan on heading to MK for the overnight and stay for as long as my kids will make it.

I'm trying to decide if we want to do MK in the morning or if we want to sleep in and relax before trying to stay up through the night.

Since last year's theme was villains, will they be back this year? That is what we are most interested in seeing. I need to make some decisions soon! I get to book my fast passes in a couple of days!

 

[hiroMYhero]

I'm trying to decide if we want to do MK in the morning or if we want to sleep in and relax before trying to stay up through the night.

Having a slower morning may help. I used to attend Grad Nite at Disneyland with my high school students. Students and staff were released from school sites at noon so they could rest up for the bus ride and all-nighter.

If you're saving FPs for MK, go into DHS a little before your SciFi ADR and enjoy some of the SWW characters - we had fun trading with Jawas last year!

 

[shpooey]

Since last year's theme was villains, will they be back this year? That is what we are most interested in seeing. I need to make some decisions soon! I get to book my fast passes in a couple of days!

Villains was an awesome theme! I wonder if this year's theme is Frozen related since the announcement said it would kick off 'Coolest Summer Ever'. I'd much prefer to see the villains.

 

[jrjankowski8]

The early is the best if you plan to do lots of rides. There were a few characters out that were unique at that time and some fun themed snacks. Also a good time to get souvenirs.

For the night. It's a nightmare. Packed! Don't think they had closures. But my recommendation is don't do anything you can do any regular day. We saw the pre parade with villains and then spent a majority of the night standing in line for rare characters. From 11pm-5am we only had time to meet Stromboli, big bad wolf, and dr. Facilier.

The only ride we did was mine train twice because it was the first day it was open to the public and it wasn't supposed to be.

Timing wise we got there at 6am. Stayed til 1pm. Napped then went back at 10pm til 6am.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We went to the leap day event a few years back. It was our arrival day, so we were only able to go at night. According to rumor, they let CM's go (they usually aren't allowed to events like this?), so it became popular for all CM's to head to MK when their shift was done.

No special villains then, but the park was pretty busy. I agree it would be smart to focus on elements that are unique to that night, and most normal things for another day for another day, unless lines end up being short. (some of our hard ticket parties had short lines)

On the leap day event, they only sold shirts, and mostly they sold out quickly. It was a mob scene to get one. We decided we didn't need to fight the mob to pay a crazy price to get a cheap, ugly shirt in the wrong size.

I also think MK crowds will be light the day after the 24 hour event. I haven't looked at the schedule that week, but it is probably a good day to go back.

CM's did reward those who wore the shirts, but it was also kind of funny...in some cases you could tell the person wearing the 24 hour shirt had not washed it. and that also became a kind of running joke.

 

[shpooey]

With the park being so packed in the middle of the 24 hours, has there been any phased closures in previous years where guests are turned away? I'd hate to show up late to avoid some of the more crowded hours, but then be turned away!

 

[Minniekins]

I'll be at WDW for 24-hr day with 4 friends, all adults. None of us have ever been there for the 24-hour event before.

Do you think a full day at MK is doable (very likely with an afternoon nap sometime/somewhere)?
Or would it be better to start the day at another park (thinking maybe AK), then breaking at the resort, before heading to MK for the evening/overnight?

I feel like the second option would be way less tiring, but 24-hours at MK is special, so I don't know if I'll be missing out by only spending the evening there.

Thoughts?

I haven't been for the 24 hr event before either. We've(myself and DD24), just put together a very sudden 'what started as a one day trip for the event, turned into a three night trip' mini vacay! Crazy, crazy, I'll tell ya! One thing we're excited to see is the opening and closing ceremonies with the characters. So, you'd miss the opening ceremony if you start the day at another park, if that would matter. Not sure what's going in the afternoon. I'll have to see what they are planning as they haven't released much info yet, but we are considering taking an afternoon break back at the room to rest and charge up the ecv, and the going back late afternoon and going thru the kiss goodnight at the close of the day. But, I do worry about missing anything while I'm gone so I'm not sure about the afternoon break. I'm, well both of us really, are definitely big night owls, so the late hours don't bother me at all, it's the early morning to start with that'll be very hard!

Villains was an awesome theme! I wonder if this year's theme is Frozen related since the announcement said it would kick off 'Coolest Summer Ever'. I'd much prefer to see the villains.

I'm thinking that since it is kicking off the Frozen Coolest Summer Ever, that this event will be Frozen themed with frozen characters available maybe. I'm hoping that Olaf and Kristoff will be there for M&G's, and Sven would be be cool, too, though I suppose unlikely. I guess we will see!

 

[shpooey]

I haven't been for the 24 hr event before either. We've(myself and DD24), just put together a very sudden 'what started as a one day trip for the event, turned into a three night trip' mini vacay! Crazy, crazy, I'll tell ya! One thing we're excited to see is the opening and closing ceremonies with the characters. So, you'd miss the opening ceremony if you start the day at another park, if that would matter. Not sure what's going in the afternoon. I'll have to see what they are planning as they haven't released much info yet, but we are considering taking an afternoon break back at the room to rest and charge up the ecv, and the going back late afternoon and going thru the kiss goodnight at the close of the day. But, I do worry about missing anything while I'm gone so I'm not sure about the afternoon break. I'm, well both of us really, are definitely big night owls, so the late hours don't bother me at all, it's the early morning to start with that'll be very hard!

I'm thinking that since it is kicking off the Frozen Coolest Summer Ever, that this event will be Frozen themed with frozen characters available maybe. I'm hoping that Olaf and Kristoff will be there for M&G's, and Sven would be be cool, too, though I suppose unlikely. I guess we will see!

That's so exciting that you're planning a mini-vacay with DD! A girls weekend will be so much fun!

I keep checking the Disney sites to see if they've released any more details about 24-hour day, but no luck yet. I'll make sure to update the top post here with any news that comes out.
The villains parade that they did before MSEP last year looked pretty cool. If there are Frozen characters this year, it would be amazing to see Sven!! Reindeers are better than people, after all

 

[mickeyluv'r]

With the park being so packed in the middle of the 24 hours, has there been any phased closures in previous years where guests are turned away? I'd hate to show up late to avoid some of the more crowded hours, but then be turned away!

For me, packed was a relative term. I've been in MK past midnight on numerous holiday weeks. I mean it was packed relative to the time of day. I don't think MK had any phased closures.

The 24 hour event was busy enough that we were shuttled to the back-side corridor of the Main Street shops; the first time I'd seen that in person! I also don't think MK had FP going (old FP then). One of the shorter waits we saw was Small World. We waited about 20 min. We just looked at Pan and others and said, "No way!" Because we knew we'd have shorter waits the next day. We rode a few others, but IaSW is only ride that stands out because it was our last.

We knew we were done for the night because we nearly dozed off 3/4 through the ride! It became a running joke that week.

 

[Minniekins]

That's so exciting that you're planning a mini-vacay with DD! A girls weekend will be so much fun!

I keep checking the Disney sites to see if they've released any more details about 24-hour day, but no luck yet. I'll make sure to update the top post here with any news that comes out.
The villains parade that they did before MSEP last year looked pretty cool. If there are Frozen characters this year, it would be amazing to see Sven!! Reindeers are better than people, after all

Yes, it'll be awesome, we are Disney buddies and always go together! Of course, usually we plan far ahead, lol, like to the next year. So, I got this text that I see on the phone that says, "I hope you don't think I'm joking, ... I'm not, lol!" I was like what the heck, thinking - she can't be seriously considering, no, really, the 24 hr event?, she must be joking! So I quickly opened phone to read and sure enough that's what she was talking about, lol And now here we are, I can't believe it!

I'm looking forward to finding out more details soon, We're so excited and we wanna know what's gonna be happening on that day. I didn't realize the parade was different. Do they do the event related parade in the place of the Festival of Fantasy parade or is that parade at a different time and FoF parade is at the usual time(and noon)? I'll be keeping an eye out for news as well, and be watching this thread! More fun to chat with others who are excited to be going to this special event!

 

[shpooey]

I'm looking forward to finding out more details soon, We're so excited and we wanna know what's gonna be happening on that day. I didn't realize the parade was different. Do they do the event related parade in the place of the Festival of Fantasy parade or is that parade at a different time and FoF parade is at the usual time(and noon)?

Last year they did something called the "It's Good to Be Bad! Villainous Celebration" which I think was like a pre-parade before MSEP with a bunch of the villains, which they did before both the 11PM and 1AM parades. Anyone have any more info on what that was like?

The FoF parade is still on and scheduled for noon and 3pm that day.

 

[jennab113]

I'm going! I actually have two CP breakfast ADRs right now - one at 6:35 and one at 8. I think I will keep the earlier one, so I can watch the Welcome show, ride one or two rides depending on the lines, eat breakfast with Pooh, and be done in time to still enjoy the low crowds in the morning. My plan is to leave after the noon FOF to nap and come back in time for Wishes. I'll probably do my FPs for that evening time when it will be crowded. I wonder if FP+ will continue all night.

 

[shpooey]

Last year, fastpasses were available from 6AM - 4AM...and hopefully after 4AM, there won't be a need for FP+

 

[Minniekins]

Last year they did something called the "It's Good to Be Bad! Villainous Celebration" which I think was like a pre-parade before MSEP with a bunch of the villains, which they did before both the 11PM and 1AM parades. Anyone have any more info on what that was like?

The FoF parade is still on and scheduled for noon and 3pm that day.

Thanks, Thats good to know, I'm glad the FoF parade is still as usual, with the extra one added at noon! Then I don't have to worry about missing the parade if we take an afternoon break!

Pretty cool that last year they put the villain parade before the early and late showings of MSEP! I'd love to hear more info in how that worked last year , as well, so hopefully someone will find this and chime in!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

As luck would have it, this day just became a possibility for us. I will be gleaning all the info I can

 

[StLDisFan]

This was a bucket list item when I first started going to the parks a couple years back. I thought to myself, "there would be nothing greater than to spend 24 hours at my new favorite place in the world. (possible exaggeration there)" This year everything aligned and I just booked my trip last week. Sooo stoked!

Since it is the first day of my short stay and I will have plenty of energy (I have insomniac tendencies...), I plan on doing the full 24 hours in the park with the goal of riding every single ride (with the exception of my favorite ride, PofC ). I have a CP adr at 7:40, but am currently trying to decide my plan of attack. I'm a "photographer" so the sunrise/sunset/"sunrise" will be on the list and hopefully I can snag a FP for Wishes as I'm sure the hub will be packed by that point as well as one for the Mine Train and something else in the early evening. Otherwise I plan to hit up some bigger attractions early between breakfast and photos, then parades and indoor shows and less popular rides in the afternoon to avoid the crazy crowds and then hitting up some more of the big attractions with a ride on the TTA to close it out in the early morning hours. I am also trying to group the ride order by Lands just to cut back on the amount of walking. Just waiting on my FP+ window to open in a few days to really square it away. WOOT!

Is anyone who is attending the event going to be dressing up the event? I've got my go to of Mr. Smee, but I might bound as the Genie or Christopher Robin (b/c of my CP ADR).

 

[shpooey]

This was a bucket list item when I first started going to the parks a couple years back. I thought to myself, "there would be nothing greater than to spend 24 hours at my new favorite place in the world. (possible exaggeration there)" This year everything aligned and I just booked my trip last week. Sooo stoked!

Since it is the first day of my short stay and I will have plenty of energy (I have insomniac tendencies...), I plan on doing the full 24 hours in the park with the goal of riding every single ride (with the exception of my favorite ride, PofC ). I have a CP adr at 7:40, but am currently trying to decide my plan of attack. I'm a "photographer" so the sunrise/sunset/"sunrise" will be on the list and hopefully I can snag a FP for Wishes as I'm sure the hub will be packed by that point as well as one for the Mine Train and something else in the early evening. Otherwise I plan to hit up some bigger attractions early between breakfast and photos, then parades and indoor shows and less popular rides in the afternoon to avoid the crazy crowds and then hitting up some more of the big attractions with a ride on the TTA to close it out in the early morning hours. I am also trying to group the ride order by Lands just to cut back on the amount of walking. Just waiting on my FP+ window to open in a few days to really square it away. WOOT!

Is anyone who is attending the event going to be dressing up the event? I've got my go to of Mr. Smee, but I might bound as the Genie or Christopher Robin (b/c of my CP ADR).

Baaah I'm also so sad that PotC will be closed when we're there! I love that ride!!

Is your CP ADR at 7:40 AM or PM? (Love that both are an option )

I just did a quick check, and I still see Wishes FP+ still available for that day. If you're worried about them being gone before your window opens, let me know if you'd like me to hold a FP+ for you, then we can coordinate for me to let it go later once your window is open.

I'm thinking about going as Russell from Up (just like in my avatar), however I don't think my friends will want to dress up, so I need to decide if I want to be the only one of us in costume... The good thing about Russell is that the costume is pretty much just shorts and a t-shirt with some accessories, so if I do decide to dress up, at least it's a super comfortable costume.

CAN'T WAIT FOR 24 HOUR DAY!!