Are MNNSHP park days busier?

[TeamSy]

Want to add another 3/4 day at MK… choice is between a MNSSHP day or not. We wouldn’t be attending the party and would plan on leaving by the time they “kicked us out” anyway but is a party day usually less crowded or more crowded than a non party day?

 

[mikalkwin]

Before covid they tended to be less crowded up until guests were arriving for the party (party starts at 6pm but guests can arrive as early as 4pm).

 

[DisneyFive]

Way less crowded during the normal hours actually. Those that aren't attending MNSHHP see the shorter park hours for MK and aviod it that day. If I recall, they used to boot everyone out at 7pm but guests with MNSSHP tickets used to be able to enter as early as 4pm (I know we did a number of times)

Dan

 

[Erica Ladd]

Hoping to hear some reports of this as the parties begin. Trying to figure out our park reservations!

 

[maltdizzy]

The party season (which now runs from mid-August to after Christmas) has a major effect on park traffic.

• Party days are relatively light until 4 pm. People who have a day ticket, or who do not have hoppers, will wait for a full day with fireworks. It gets significantly more crowded between 4pm when party guests can enter, until park close at 6pm (for a 7pm party)
• Non-party days get noticeably more crowed as most guests all try and visit during the same 4 days a week

Otherwise, things on party days still work similar to any other park day. You can still get in line for an attraction, or book an ADR, right before park close and they'll escort you out when you are done. Shops and restaurants in the various MK lands will all be closed to you, but you'll have a brief time to shop on Main Street.

 

[Erica Ladd]

What time does the park close for non party goers?

 

[maltdizzy]

What time does the park close for non party goers?

In 2018 or 2019, they started closing the park 1 hour before parties, so expect 6pm. This makes it easier for them to filter out day guests while continuing access to the attractions and dining for party goers.

Party goers all have wristbands and there will be CM at the transition points between all the lands, and at the entrances to attractions, shops, and dining to check for wristbands. They are pretty thorough, including checking bathrooms and any guests who just seem to be sitting/hanging around. From 6-7pm, party goers are steered to the LL entrance to rides, but the Standby line is given priority in order to get through the existing line first.

 

[scrappinginontario]

In the past we always chose party days to visit MK as historically the shorter hours deterred many from going. If we were going this year we'd book party days for MK again except one when we'd want to view the fireworks.

 

[TeamSy]

Thanks for your replies all! Pre-kids party days would be a deterrent for us as well! Now tho it seems like a good option for us haha

 

[gharter]

As others noted, MNSSHP days at MK were much less crowded until about 4 pm.
This fall, with all that has changed is anyones guess.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

Historically they are great days to visit MK IF you have a park hopper pass or want a Disney Springs evening AND can see fireworks another night. The park will be empty until 4 when Party Guests start to arrive. If I weren't attending a party and planned to be at MK on a party day, I would hop to another park at 3 or 4.

 

[VandVsmama]

Just wanted to chime in and say thanks to the OP for asking about this. I was wondering about this, too, for a trip we have coming up in October.

 

[kwdw]

While the park was good prior to letting in party guests at 4, it was a mad house, IMO, by 5 or 6pm with both crowds in the park. I’d have a plan for what you were going to do in that time, assuming that’s what happens this fall. One year, I did my shopping right around 6, and I had managed to get a dining reservation at 6:30. By the time I was done with my meal it was after 7 and they had changed to the Halloween music on Main Street. I wasn’t escorted out that year, but I suspect I would have been if I wasn’t naturally headed down Main Street to leave on my own.

Another year, I had naively thought I could make it to Under the Sea, People Mover, and Laugh Floor in the last 2 hours. The standby line for Under the Sea really took an hour, the People Mover line was winding well beyond its queue, and the pathway in Tomorrowland to the hub packed with folks. I gave up early.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Most MK visitors want to end their day with fireworks, so party days are good for lower crowds.

We usually stayed until the party started, but we had fast passes. This year, if you don't have LL for later in the day, it probably is better to park hop around 4.

 

[Adora]

I assume buses run for resorts during the party yes? Considering leaving MK at 6 via monorail, getting something to eat and coming back to MK to get the bus back to the resort.

 

[gharter]

I assume buses run for resorts during the party yes? Considering leaving MK at 6 via monorail, getting something to eat and coming back to MK to get the bus back to the resort.

shouldn't be a problem.
2 or 3 years ago, we had ADRs at BoG at 6:30, the party started at 7. Got finished with dinner and were walking toward the gate and got stopped by the parade (darn). Watched the parade and left. Normal bus service was going at 9 pm and the party ended after the midnight stage show.

 

[Adora]

Wonder can you go to ADRs at like 6pm if you aren't staying for the party?

 

[gharter]

Wonder can you go to ADRs at like 6pm if you aren't staying for the party?

You can, but they have a time limit as to how late you can schedule the ADR. If the party starts at 6, most likely 5:15 or 5:30 will be the latest ADR you can get without a party reservation.

 

[Adora]

You can, but they have a time limit as to how late you can schedule the ADR. If the party starts at 6, most likely 5:15 or 5:30 will be the latest ADR you can get without a party reservation.

OK, might look. Just thinking it would be a good way to end the day without having to stand in line with everyone waiting for a bus. We are staying at POFQ for 12 days so there aren't a lot of different options when we get back to the resort.

 

[codegoalie]

Thanks for your replies all! Pre-kids party days would be a deterrent for us as well! Now tho it seems like a good option for us haha

+1 to this! Especially as a 2nd MK day