Are "Grad Nights" crowded??

[marshallandcartersmo]

I just read a thread about Grad nights, looked them up and it looks like they will be on the weekend we planned on being at WDW (last week in April). I planned our trip that late in the Spring to hopefully avoid the Spring Breakers. Does anyone know about Grad Nights??? Are they busy?? Is it mostly in the late evening?? I will be traveling with 3 little guys under 5, so we won't be out late. thanks!!

 

[Tinkaroo]

We were in the World at the time of the 1st Grad Nights this year. It was pretty crowded for late April anyways, I think (a lot of New Englanders were on their Spring Break since Easter was so early this year). I really didn't notice a huge influx of people around those times, but you do have to think about the impact of MK closing early to the public for those 2 nights - it pushes all those that would typically be at the MK into the other parks.

We were also suprised that Disney didn't have an evening EMH or any later park hours for the other parks during that time. That would have been helpful, IMO.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

follow up question.......certain parks are closed so just grads can go in?? Do you know what time they would close?? Was it more crowded during the day also, or just in the evening?

 

[paladin]

Grad Nites are special hard-ticketed private parties for graduating high school seniors, which begin at 11 p.m. and run until 4 a.m.

The Magic Kingdom closes at 7 p.m. on those nights in order to set up for these parties. The Grad Nites this year were held April 22, 23, 29 and 30 - next years dates are not yet published, but should be somewhat similiar.

 

[JMSMommy]

we went Grad nights in 2004 (1st week of May then)

We stayed at All Star Movies...and I HIGHLY recommend staying away from All Star Movies if you are going during Grad Nights...REALLY loud with all the highschoolers there. Music and Sports were practically empty. However, I have to say I didn't hear a peep from them around 3-4AM when they came back...and it was really quiet the morning after when we got up to go to the parks. One night I remember a high school band playing a song by the pool at 11PM-ish.

We didn't notice it being much more crowded in the other parks, but MK was fairly busy our entire stay (with the mornings AFTER Grad night being practically empty).

 

[ADisneygirl]

Yes, my daughter attended Grad Night there a couple of years ago and came back to tell us that it was more crowded there that night for her than she had ever seen the parks to be! You must remember that there are many, many schools from all over that participate in this, so crowds should be expected. She said that she couldn't get on all the rides! Also, if you are there for the daytime park hours I would imagine that there would be quite a number of these teens going to the parks then too. Not all of them will wait til 11pm if they have passes. My daughter who had an AP went during the day as well.

 

[SammieG]

we have been there many times whilst Grad nights are going on, and although the parks close an hour or two earlier, we have never noticed any increase in park attendance during the day.

 

[DebbieB]

follow up question.......certain parks are closed so just grads can go in?? Do you know what time they would close?? Was it more crowded during the day also, or just in the evening?

It's only at Magic Kingdom, it closes at 7:00pm. I was there during that time in 2004 and it wasn't a big deal. The only thing that might affect your plans is there is no Spectomagic or Wishes those nights. They usually schedule Spectromagic for a couple other nights that week, Wishes is all other nights.

There were posts from the nights this year that loud music was played until very late (2:00-3:00am), it could be heard at the Contemporary.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

thanks for all the replies! I'll definately have to check with Disney on next years dates.......in the past, is it usually just a Friday and Saturday night??

 

[Magalex]

We stayed at POP from 4/22-4/30 2005.
We noticed the buses coming in for the Grad night event on the first weekend. But we never had any crowd problems at the parks. I noticed teen groups in the parks but nothing to make lines long.
We were thinking about going for a small trip April 2006. Thanks for info from JMSMOMMY to stay away from All Star Movies(it is the resort we were thinking to try). Maybe we will try the week after Grad night. I would think the grads would be at Sports and Music too. I wonder why only the Movies? I will be looking for those grad night dates as soon as they are posted on the board.



Magalex

 

[DebbieB]

http://disneyyouthprograms.disney.g...amsOpenCenter?id=ProgramsGradNiteThisYearPage

"Disney Grad Nite 2006 promises to be the biggest and best celebration yet! On April 28, 29 and May 5, 6 high school senior classes will gather for an exclusive, all-night party in the Magic Kingdom® Park, featuring live performances by some of the hottest performers!"

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

thanks so much for the update DebbieB!!