6 pm Closing for Magic Kingdom Party Nights

[HopperFan]

Last year, on the day we were at MVMCP, some of the QS restaurants actually closed at 6PM. As I recall, we entered 7DMT at 5:24 for our 5:30 FP, and we still had time to use a paper FP at PPF before we entered Pinocchio Village Haus to eat before 6 PM.

So if you plan to enter and eat around 5:45, you will be fine.

Yes as long as you are in line for the attraction before the park closes you will be fine.

Some restaurants and attractions close and are used for candy or cookie stations.

This is different than a restaurant but when we went on Halloween 2013 (without party tickets) we got in line for Space at 7 and then I believe we bought popcorn. If it means you spend money, I don’t think they’ll kick you out.

This is the case with EMH for offsite guests but this not how they run the party nights.

 

[focusondisney]

This is different than a restaurant but when we went on Halloween 2013 (without party tickets) we got in line for Space at 7 and then I believe we bought popcorn. If it means you spend money, I don’t think they’ll kick you out.

What happened in 2013 isn't happening any more. That is the whole point of them closing at 6 now. They are changing the process for getting day guests out before the party starts. They have people paying $90 - 120 to stay at the party. They will happily take that money from you if you want to stay past normal closing. Otherwise, be prepared to be asked to make your way to the exit at 6. And for them to refuse to sell you popcorn after 6.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Having been there the past two years, I can tell you that you may not want to be in the park much past 4:00. That is the time that people who have only party tickets can enter, and it got super, crazy crowded by 5:00.

I agree. We tend to use a day ticket at MK on our party days and, after experiencing the 4 pm crowd crush one year, we now make it a point to eat TS around 5 pm. We found, especially with the new 6 pm closing time at MVMCP last year, the crowds had subsided by the time we were done with dinner. OP, QS might actually be quite crowded if you wait until 5:45/6:00 pm. You might just want to plan to have dinner elsewhere or get in a late TS in MK?

This is different than a restaurant but when we went on Halloween 2013 (without party tickets) we got in line for Space at 7 and then I believe we bought popcorn. If it means you spend money, I don’t think they’ll kick you out.

Oh, yeah, they will kick you out, LOL! I've experienced it! Years ago, (at least 7 or 8 years ago), we had dinner at Tony's on a party night. We did not have tickets and I had no clue we wouldn't be able to shop after the park officially closed (I was a total WDW newbie at the time). After dinner, I tried to purchase a dessert in the candy shop for DS and they wouldn't even let me into the store. Security was called (without my even knowing they were called!) and we were very politely escorted to the exit. It was the kindest, most polite kick out the door I've ever experienced!

 

[HopperFan]

Oh, yeah, they will kick you out, LOL! I've experienced it! Years ago, (at least 7 or 8 years ago), we had dinner at Tony's on a party night. We did not have tickets and I had no clue we wouldn't be able to shop after the park officially closed (I was a total WDW newbie at the time). After dinner, I tried to purchase a dessert in the candy shop for DS and they wouldn't even let me into the store. Security was called (without my even knowing they were called!) and we were very politely escorted to the exit. It was the kindest, most polite kick out the door I've ever experienced!

At least you were in Town Square .... I love the stories of all the "perp walks" from Be Our Guest all the way to the train station.

It would only be better if they wore red flashing lights on their heads, so everyone knows .....

 

[JerseyJanice]

If you arrive at MK early on party days and leave by 5:00, it’s usually a good day in the MK (barring weather problems).

If you have park hoppers, go to another park. Or save the night for a dinner that will take a lot of time between the meal itself and traveling to/from the restaurant on Disney transportation.

Plan a dinner at a place close to MK, e.g., Chef Mickey, Ohana, 1900 Park Fare or Whispering Canyon. Take your time, enjoy those meals and maybe try to see Hallowishes from outside the park.

 

[disneylover102]

Oh, yeah, they will kick you out, LOL! I've experienced it! Years ago, (at least 7 or 8 years ago), we had dinner at Tony's on a party night. We did not have tickets and I had no clue we wouldn't be able to shop after the park officially closed (I was a total WDW newbie at the time). After dinner, I tried to purchase a dessert in the candy shop for DS and they wouldn't even let me into the store. Security was called (without my even knowing they were called!) and we were very politely escorted to the exit. It was the kindest, most polite kick out the door I've ever experienced!

Lol! Sounds like it’s even worse now! This is why we avoid that time of year. It was actually pretty depressing getting kicked out so early on our last day!

 

[disneylover102]

Well that's an anomaly. The party starts at 7 and you shouldn't have been allowed in the line. And they will (or are supposed to) kick you out when the party starts, even if you plan to spend money.

We got in line right before the party started and it was right after the party started that they started making sure you had a party ticket, kind of like Evening EMH.

 

[Momof2Singers]

I can see where guests paying big bucks for a special party (we are paying over $122 per ticket at Christmas) would want those that did not have a ticket to leave by 6pm. It only makes sense. But it has been many years since we were there for the Halloween Party and my girls were having so much fun we really didn't notice if people had wrist bands. I do know when we got on Buzz, it was required that we showed the band. But if you are walking toward the entrance down main street, they should let you buy a snack on your way out. I know the TS restaurants were not open, because my daughter was very hungry and we did not have a lot of options, there are more snack options now. Eating only sugar snacks is not something my family enjoys. So I guess we need to get our fill before the party starts.

 

[MudBud]

So on a MVMCP night if we DON’T have a party ticket, can we watch the 6:15 castle lighting (the Frozen one) before we leave the park?

 

[Carol unsworth]

We were at two Christmas parties last year when the official closing time was 7pm and just happened to be in front of the castle at 7 both times waiting for the Castle lighting and Micky’s Most Merriest Celebration, we noticed that about half the people around us did not have party bands.
At exactly 7 o clock a whole group of CM s appeared out of nowhere( I thought they must have come up from underground!) and formed a chain which moved forward and asked everyone to show their bands, if they didn’t have a band they were asked to leave the park. It was an amazing sight to see, just because of the pure efficiency of the CM’s.Of course there were some disgruntled park goers who had planned on just staying to see the stage shows but the CM’s were very firm and managed to get people to move down Maine St if they didn’t have a band.

It’s a shame for the children who were looking forward to seeing the castle lighting, but at the same time families with two kids had paid 400 dollars for the party so it would be annoying to think you had paid all that money if others were able to stay and see it free of charge.

I know there are those who say everyone should be able to experience the Christmas special shows without paying extra, but unfortunately this is the way Disney has chosen to do it .

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

This is different than a restaurant but when we went on Halloween 2013 (without party tickets) we got in line for Space at 7 and then I believe we bought popcorn. If it means you spend money, I don’t think they’ll kick you out.

The rules have changed since '13...
The Halloween and Christmas parties have become much much stricter, due to party guests valid complaints about non party guests being allowed to "hang".
There are specialty food items and party only merchandise as well, it used to be that you had to have a wristband to buy. Now they close up shop so no one can get into the store until they reopen during party hours.
I would not plan on doing ANYTHING in the parks after 6 pm without a ticket. Either plan to eat earlier, or plan to eat elsewhere. You will not be able to grab a QS bite anywhere after 6 pm.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

So on a MVMCP night if we DON’T have a party ticket, can we watch the 6:15 castle lighting (the Frozen one) before we leave the park?

Nope

 

[Betty Rohrer]

So on a MVMCP night if we DON’T have a party ticket, can we watch the 6:15 castle lighting (the Frozen one) before we leave the park?

probably will not happen that night and no if it does as CMs will be checking for bands and making you leave even escorting you to gate

 

[maxiesmom]

I can see where guests paying big bucks for a special party (we are paying over $122 per ticket at Christmas) would want those that did not have a ticket to leave by 6pm. It only makes sense. But it has been many years since we were there for the Halloween Party and my girls were having so much fun we really didn't notice if people had wrist bands. I do know when we got on Buzz, it was required that we showed the band. But if you are walking toward the entrance down main street, they should let you buy a snack on your way out. I know the TS restaurants were not open, because my daughter was very hungry and we did not have a lot of options, there are more snack options now. Eating only sugar snacks is not something my family enjoys. So I guess we need to get our fill before the party starts.

I've taken to carrying a granola bar in my purse, just in case my blood sugar gets all crazy and I need something besides ice cream and popcorn.

The problem with letting people stop and shop at all is that people will use the time to try and hide from the CMs, or just to stall leaving the park. If you are aware the park closes at 6 (and honestly I'm not sure how that is possible) you need to plan to leave at 6 or before.

 

[jo-jo]

I understand non party people having to leave, but what annoys me is there is a party more than half the nights. Depending on your trip , you may only have few chances to go to MK at night because of all the parties.

I shared this story from a few years ago before.......we were on wedway and it stalled a few mins, we got off a few mins past 7 . We started walking toward main street. Some one else was being escorted out. At we got to the castle area a show was starting, the other person paused and looked toward the castle. The CM yelled "you're not allowed to look" I would have thought something like "we have to keep moving", would make more sense.


After that we made sure we only looked at the ground before someone stuck a bag over our heads.

 

[Missyrose]

So on a MVMCP night if we DON’T have a party ticket, can we watch the 6:15 castle lighting (the Frozen one) before we leave the park?

Nope

They let day guests watch the lighting last year, but guests without a party wristband had to head up Main Street and leave right afterward.

 

[Momof2Singers]

I've taken to carrying a granola bar in my purse, just in case my blood sugar gets all crazy and I need something besides ice cream and popcorn.

The problem with letting people stop and shop at all is that people will use the time to try and hide from the CMs, or just to stall leaving the park. If you are aware the park closes at 6 (and honestly I'm not sure how that is possible) you need to plan to leave at 6 or before.

Yes, and you never know from year to year what changes they make. We have never been during Christmas, so this will be our first time and our first Christmas Party, so not sure what to expect. I understand some people not knowing the park actually closes early. Everyone is not the planner like we are on here. We were there once in the fall and they were telling us to leave, some kind of private party and of course I was not the planner I am today, so it was a big disappointment

 

[ArielSRL]

I understand non party people having to leave, but what annoys me is there is a party more than half the nights. Depending on your trip , you may only have few chances to go to MK at night because of all the parties.

I do understand this but it isn't like Disney makes the dates a secret. One would know 6 months before a trip. Therefore there is always an option to go at a different time. Maybe personal situations dictate travel timeframes (I deal with as a teacher) but what I am saying is, Disney does offer travel dates that do not include parties.

 

[heath92681]

We were allowed to watch the castle lighting before the party last year. I specifically asked a CM because I didn't want to get in trouble! The CM assured me it was ok and we wouldn't be escorted out. We were able to watch the show then slowly make our way down Main Street, even stopping for pictures. We even caught some of the "snow" starting to fall. We did not attempt to go in any stores, thought, just slowly kept moving toward the exit. Two years ago we had a 5:45 Crystal Palace reservation, which took so long, we ended up not leaving there until 8. No one questioned us or escorted us out then either. But, again, we didn't attempt anything other than gathering our belongings and making our way towards the exit.

 

[Princess_Lisa]

I was at MVMCP this year and once 6om came around there were cast members at key points and if you didn't have a wristband you couldn't go "deeper" in the park. You may be okay getting to someplace on the way out but you may be stopped from backtracking.

And therein lies the difference. During normal closing it is not an issue (although it wasn't that long ago when it was). During PARTY time, the closures are firm. In the past you could not enter a store or restaurant without a Party Band, you could not enter a restroom without a Party Band, you could not walk past checkpoints that were anything other than heading to the gate without a Party Band. For years they have been quite strict and I've seen it all - including the temper tantrums by guests without Party Bands.



THIS ^ as moving the time up an hour could alter some of their procedures. But if it's the same procedure but an hour early .... OP have a backup plan. Personally I wouldn't want to be a wait and see issue, I would make some plans to eat QS outside the park either at our resort, Disney Springs or maybe just monorail over to Poly's QS.

They didn't even let you use the bathroom? I cannot imagine that going well for Disney the first time a guest has an accident because they are denied bathroom access.

So on a MVMCP night if we DON’T have a party ticket, can we watch the 6:15 castle lighting (the Frozen one) before we leave the park?

I went on at least one MVMCP night last year. They didn't kick everyone out at 6 PM. Quite a few folks (without bands) hung around and watched the Frozen Castle Lighting or just wandered around Main Street. I didn't try to ride anything, do any shopping, or go further into the park, and I left well before 7 PM, so I don't know how they would respond if you tried to push it. But, they definitely were not rushing to get those of us without bands out of the park right at 6 PM.

My guess is that is why they went with the 6 PM closing and 7 PM party start. Enough people will leave in that hour that it will be a lot easier to identify and eject those who shouldn't be there slightly before 7 PM.