ADRs after park closing?

[aleksandr]

This may be a stupid question...

I'm trying to plan some reservations for my son and daughter-in-law for their honeymoon.

We were able to get a Be Our Guest reservation for 9:30PM on 10/23/16. Magic Kingdom reportedly closes at 7PM that day (which strikes me as a ridiculously early closing, but I've never been in October so I don't know what its like).

I know how early ADRs work, as I've had them for Crystal Palace before park opening, but how do they work after park closing?

Will they get to stay in the park from 7PM until 9:30PM? How do cast members differentiate who to kick out and who to let stay? Are rides, attractions, and shops actually open? Or, will they have to leave and then re-enter, showing their reservation for that time to get back in?

And, if restaurants in park are actually open 2-3 hours after park closing time, why bother even closing the park that early?

Thanks!

 

[jo-jo]

I'm guessing it's a party night, that's why the early closing. I've never gone to any parties, but I'm sure someone will jump in here and give a proper answer.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I haven't checked, but I am betting that 10/23 is a party day.

Which means to stay in the park, or to even enter the park after 7, they must have a ticket to the party.

If that is the case, no they will not be able to use those reservations.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

10/23 is a party night. You will be unable to dine at 9:30 unless you buy a party ticket.

After 7PM, if you do not have a party ticket you will escorted from the park by a CM.

 

[aleksandr]

Interesting. Yes, you are both correct. Just verified it is a party night. I went ahead and bought them tickets to the party. It is their honeymoon after all, might as well enjoy it.

However, that really sucks that the dining reservations page doesn't note that.

 

[Stitch808]

Yes, you will need a party ticket to be able to use that ADR.

 

[aleksandr]

Interesting. Yes, you are both correct. Just verified it is a party night. I went ahead and bought them tickets to the party. It is their honeymoon after all, might as well enjoy it.

However, that really sucks that the dining reservations page doesn't note that.

And, way to go with my own observation skills. It does indeed note that.

However, it is much lower than the button to click for the reservation time, so I didn't even see it!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Your reservation confirmation would have mentioned it multiple times.

 

[wilkeliza]

Interesting. Yes, you are both correct. Just verified it is a party night. I went ahead and bought them tickets to the party. It is their honeymoon after all, might as well enjoy it.

However, that really sucks that the dining reservations page doesn't note that.

It should have noted in the reservation and confirmation that it was being booked during a special ticket event.

 

[wilkeliza]

A 930 on a party night may not be the best anyway. They would miss the special fireworks that make the party worth the extra cost. I would try and see if a 945 or 10 opens up.

 

[aleksandr]

What time are the special fireworks?

 

[nkereina]

A 930 on a party night may not be the best anyway. They would miss the special fireworks that make the party worth the extra cost. I would try and see if a 945 or 10 opens up.

Exactly what I was going to mention. If they will be attending the Halloween party, the last thing they will want to do is dine at a TS restaurant during the middle of it. It will be too time consuming. The party is only from 7pm-12am and much of that time is spent waiting for character meets, lining up to view the parade/fireworks, trick or treating, etc. They'd have to give up doing some of the special party activities in order to eat at BOG, and that makes the cost of the party not worth it IMO. The first parade is usually around 8:15pm I believe and the fireworks are usually at 9:30pm.

If I were you, I'd cancel BOG that night and try to get them an ADR on another day. Even a breakfast or lunch one. Even though breakfast and lunch is QS, the food is still good, its a cheaper price point, and you still see the inside of the restaurant.

 

[aleksandr]

We managed to get a 9:50PM instead. BOG seems tough, I clicked through their entire week looking for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and late dinners on party nights appear to be all that are available. I know that things may open up later, but I feel better having this guaranteed. And, seeing as she is a massive Beauty and the Beast fan, I think even missing part of the party she she can eat at BOG will be worth it. Anything Beauty and the Beast beats anything Halloween or Mickey for her

 

[wilkeliza]

We managed to get a 9:50PM instead. BOG seems tough, I clicked through their entire week looking for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and late dinners on party nights appear to be all that are available. I know that things may open up later, but I feel better having this guaranteed. And, seeing as she is a massive Beauty and the Beast fan, I think even missing part of the party she she can eat at BOG will be worth it. Anything Beauty and the Beast beats anything Halloween or Mickey for her

9:50 should be good. Hopefully they fireworks don't get moved from their traditional 9:30 spot. They should be able to do a lot of party stuff before and then eat after the fireworks and still have time after for a quick ride or something.

 

[nkereina]

We managed to get a 9:50PM instead. BOG seems tough, I clicked through their entire week looking for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and late dinners on party nights appear to be all that are available. I know that things may open up later, but I feel better having this guaranteed. And, seeing as she is a massive Beauty and the Beast fan, I think even missing part of the party she she can eat at BOG will be worth it. Anything Beauty and the Beast beats anything Halloween or Mickey for her

9:50 will be better than 9:30. I'd still keep checking and keep this as a back-up if you can't get another day or time. BOG is one of the tougher ones to get, unfortunately.

By going at 9:50, they will miss the second parade so make sure they know to attend the first one. Since you're gifting the tickets to them it's not as big of a deal, but I always advise to not eat TS during the party because you're spending a lot of money to be at the *party* and TS takes so much precious time away from that. It sounds like the party is secondary for them, though. For some people, it's the main focus and they want to accomplish as many of the special activities and special character meets as they can.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Hallowishes was at 10PM last year, after 9:45 Celebrate the Magic. Either 9:30 or 9:50 will put them into a castle without windows for the show if timing holds.

See: http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/wdwparks/annual/MNSSHP_GuideMap.pdf for last year's schedule.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Which means to stay in the park, or to even enter the park after 7, they must have a ticket to the party.

Your ADR would even state that you MUST have a party ticket for an ADR after "party" hours start.