24 Hour Event

[cjnettles]

I have a question about the 24 event at MK on May 23-24th. If this was asked elsewhere I apologize. If you were at the 24 hour event last year, can you elaborate on the crowds? We have to work 1/2 day on Friday the 23rd and won't get to Orlando until about 4:00 and probably not to Magic Kingdom until about 6:00. I have read elsewhere that it's a huge possibility that the park could close due to reaching capacity. Am I wasting my time driving the three hours to do this to not be able to get there until Friday evening? Will the "Party" go on all night, or does most of the special things happen during the day? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,
CJ

 

[2012DisneyWorldBride]

We went last May and are attending this year as well. Last May there was a webcam set up so I had watched it throughout the day until we headed over. From about 6:00 am till 11:00 am crowds were decent and not too busy... After that it seemed quite busy in the webcam. We headed over and finally got in the gates around 7:00 pm and main street was a mad house but we got in no problem (don't think there were any closures at that time). We went away from Main Street and it got more manageable. Around 1:00 am till 6:00 am the park crowd level was great... Watched the parade and got on rides with 10 mins or less wait.

Have fun!!

 

[serene56]

Last years event--

was not as publishes as this year. More people have time to get ready for that event.

(or am i confusing it with the Leap Year 24 day?

Everything I read tells me the crowd will start building after 6pm

I am hoping its not the mess of the villians fiasco

 

[2girlsmom]

We got there last year about 9pm, and it was about normal spring/early summer levels as far as crowds. We stayed till a little after 4am, and the parks were nearly empty by then.

 

[HopperFan]

I do not believe the 24 Hour Event reached capacity. It was crowded from the afternoon on through to about 1am. I believe (and someone can verify) that after the crowds for the Leap Year 24 Hour the CMs were not allowed to the Monsters 24 Hour unless they used a "pass". This may have helped.

Last year's party was not announced anywhere near this early to allow for people to plan to attend. They are really advertising it in relation to the release of Malicifent with villains and that is appealing to another whole level of audience, such as those who attended the Unleash the Villains - a free party!

Unleash the Villains was a nightmare!!! We arrived early in day because we knew that it was going to be packed. Apparently Disney did not get the memo. The theme, the permitting of costumes, all the extras with no party ticket brought in thousands and thousands of locals and non-working CMs. In short the park was grossly too small for the event (MK is better), there were drunks (MK no alcohol), the events were poorly planned and setup, and it became a "unsafe" situation.

I think this upcoming 24 Hour Event is going to be a cross between the two because not only are they open 24 Hours but they gave permission for costumes without a party ticket. This means many who did Unleash and enjoy villains, cosplay, steampunk, anime, gothic etc dress will see this a great opportunity for a fun costume all night party. The only positive is there is no alcohol in MK.

I would not plan the attendance based on just last years, I would add more people. Permitting costumes when they normally are not allowed, potentially changes everything! I would think once you hit the end of day work hours 4 pm .... getting into the park, especially by car is going to be a challenge.

If I were able to go again this year sad: have to go to a wedding) I would be getting there no later than lunch time and planning to stay put. I would also get myself away for Main Street until at least midnight. We did that last year and avoided most crowds as after 1-2 am many had left. We stayed until closing and the end was really the best part of the night!!

Have fun!

 

[ars0525]

I am taking a different approach. I have to work Fri and by the time I drive over I am just going straight to the hotel to sleep for a few hours. I figure I will head over about midnight cause I hope to stay til 6am. I then plan to sleep and head over to AK for the late afternoon on Saturday.

Has there been a schedule of any sort posted anywhere yet? Depending what it is could make me alter my game plan.