Changes to Grad Nights. Maybe for the better for regular guests?

[twodogs]

Just saw that DL is offering 3 different types of Grad nite tickets this year. The base ticket only admits the kids to the party at 9pm. The next level ticket admits them ONLY to CA the day of the party, and then to the party that evening. The third level (and most expensive) ticket is a parkhopper for the day and then admission to the party that night.

I can only hope that schools take the cheapest option, and this will make the parks less crowded during the day on Grad Nites.

From the Grad Nites site:

OPTION 1:
Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure Park - $79.00 per student
Access to Disney California Adventure Park starting at 8 p.m. on the day of your school's registered Grad Nite event date. Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure Park will take place from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

OPTION 2:
Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure Park plus mix-in at Disney California Adventure Park - $99.00 per student
Admission to Disney California Adventure Park ONLY starting at the published park opening time on the day of your school's registered Grad Nite event date. Groups who purchase this ticket type will also have access to the Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure Park from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

OPTION 3:
Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure Park plus mix-in at Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park- $139.00 per student
Groups will be able to enter both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park starting at the published park opening time on the day of your school's registered Grad Nite event date. Groups who purchase this Park Hopper® ticket type will also have access to the Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure Park from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

 

[Geemo]

Just saw that DL is offering 3 different types of Grad nite tickets this year. The base ticket only admits the kids to the party at 9pm. The next level ticket admits them ONLY to CA the day of the party, and then to the party that evening. The third level (and most expensive) ticket is a parkhopper for the day and then admission to the party that night.

I can only hope that schools take the cheapest option, and this will make the parks less crowded during the day on Grad Nites.

From the Grad Nites site:

OPTION 1:
Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure Park - $79.00 per student
Access to Disney California Adventure Park starting at 8 p.m. on the day of your school's registered Grad Nite event date. Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure Park will take place from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

OPTION 2:
Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure Park plus mix-in at Disney California Adventure Park - $99.00 per student
Admission to Disney California Adventure Park ONLY starting at the published park opening time on the day of your school's registered Grad Nite event date. Groups who purchase this ticket type will also have access to the Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure Park from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

OPTION 3:
Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure Park plus mix-in at Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park- $139.00 per student
Groups will be able to enter both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park starting at the published park opening time on the day of your school's registered Grad Nite event date. Groups who purchase this Park Hopper® ticket type will also have access to the Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure Park from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

It's nice to have three options for the Grad Nights.
However, I don't think many will skimp on their GRADUATION PARTY TIME at Disney.

I'm sure most will pony up the $139 for Option 3.

At least Disney has provided this schedule well in advance.
It gives those not wanting to be there during a Grad Night the ability to plan accordingly.

Geemo

 

[HydroGuy]

This sounds like a good piece of news. Where did you see it? It would be nice to have the link here to keep an eye on.

 

[twodogs]

Got it from this link in the School Holidays thread that Figment keeps:

https://www.disneyyouth.com/our-pro...ad-night-dlr/#categories-disneyland-grad-nite

 

[theluckyrabbit]

It's nice that there will be options for those students who worked hard but really cannot afford option #3.

 

[darph nader]

Seems kinda pricey for 5hrs. But that's just me.

 

[Geemo]

This sounds like a good piece of news. Where did you see it? It would be nice to have the link here to keep an eye on.

The site with all the Grad info is here.
https://www.disneyyouth.com/our-pro...ad-night-dlr/#categories-disneyland-grad-nite

Figment_jii's General info for 2017 is here.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/2017-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3528760/
On page six, post #105 figment_jii, says "I guess it's time to start thinking about spinning 2018 out into its own thread!"

We'll all have to watch for 2018's information to have a thread of it's own soon. Thank you Figment_jii!!

Geemo

 

[3monkeys4me]

I wish we could have spent the whole day at Disneyland when I did my Grad night years ago (1998). We boarded buses from the Bay area at like 4/5 am and got to Magic Morning around park opening time, spent most of the day there, I think we left at 4 or something. Took the buses to a hotel where we had a short time to change into dressier clothes since they were required by Disney and ate a buffet dinner then go tot Disneyland around 7 or so and waiting in a huge line to get in. I can't remember what time we were booted out of the parks but we boarded the buses and went straight back home. It was a blast for sure but such a rushed trip!

I like the different options, it will be interesting to see how it turns out.

 

[tlovesdis]

Man when I did mine (1987, ugh 30 years ago), we drove all day and entered the park at like midnight and we were there until like 6 or 7 am then we drove home. We had to dress up to. I hated going on rides in a dress! But we had fun. There was a famous band there (well they got famous after that) doing a concert in Videopolis (man am I dating myself) but of course I can't remember now who it was. When my friend went the next year NKOTB were playing (notice my pic...I would have died). LOL!!! Good times!!!!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Man when I did mine (1987, ugh 30 years ago), we drove all day and entered the park at like midnight and we were there until like 6 or 7 am then we drove home. We had to dress up to. I hated going on rides in a dress! But we had fun. There was a famous band there (well they got famous after that) doing a concert in Videopolis (man am I dating myself) but of course I can't remember now who it was. When my friend went the next year NKOTB were playing (notice my pic...I would have died). LOL!!! Good times!!!!

I was there for one of the 1987 grad nights, too! I went with my then-boyfriend/now-husband. We went the next year, too, in 1988 for my graduation. I don't remember at all who the bands were or if we even watched them. Both events seem somewhat surreal in my memories since we were in the park from midnight until dawn. I do remember my feet were killing me (because of high heeled shoes to go with the required dressy outfit) and that if we sat on a bench and closed our eyes, security would come along and make us get up and move. Love the memories of being there in the wee hours, though!

 

[Lesley Wake]

This is definitely interesting news. Do the schools have to choose one type for everyone? Or can they have kids choose which one they want? I could imagine if the schools have to pick one for everyone, they may end up doing Option 1 or 2, as Option 3 is much more expensive.

I hate that I squandered my Grad Nite. It was in 2003 and it was an overnight in DL, where it was closed to everyone else. There was the option of an exclusive DCA party for 2 hours before DL opened for us, but my school didn't do it. Of course I wasn't feeling well and ended up going to the nurse and calling my mom to get me about 3am (still feel bad about that), so I missed seeing the sunrise over Disney!

 

[StormyCA]

Interesting. I'd think that local schools may be able to have ticket options if they're close enough and the students can provide their own transportation. Different students showing up at different times wouldn't be a problem. But schools who have to (or choose to) charter transport or use their own buses will have to decide one ticket level for all their students. Otherwise it would be a madness of students who can get in at opening and students that have to wait until 8pm.

Very different from when I had my grad nite (back when the earth was cooling). We were 'local' but had to ride the bus, no private transport allowed. The party started at (IIRC) 8 pm but lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

 

[purple figment]

Interesting. I'd think that local schools may be able to have ticket options if they're close enough and the students can provide their own transportation.

Very different from when I had my grad nite (back when the earth was cooling). We were 'local' but had to ride the bus, no private transport allowed.

It hasn't changed. Students and chaperones still have to arrive together and everyone in the group must have the same ticket package.

From their website: https://www.disneyyouth.com/our-pro...ad-night-dlr/#categories-disneyland-grad-nite
All students/chaperones must arrive together on the day of their event and enter through our designated Grad Nite security screening area (TBD).

All students/chaperones from the registered school must purchase the same Grad Nite ticket package type. Only one reservation will be allowed from each school. No exceptions.

 

[StormyCA]

It hasn't changed. Students and chaperones still have to arrive together and everyone in the group must have the same ticket package.

From their website: https://www.disneyyouth.com/our-pro...ad-night-dlr/#categories-disneyland-grad-nite
All students/chaperones must arrive together on the day of their event and enter through our designated Grad Nite security screening area (TBD).

All students/chaperones from the registered school must purchase the same Grad Nite ticket package type. Only one reservation will be allowed from each school. No exceptions.

Ah, I see. Makes sense. It will be interesting to see how schools who are in diverse economic areas handle this. The HS my sons attended had a broad range of 'family income' from dirt poor to super rich due to the school's geographic area and district boundaries. It did have an impact as the more affluent parents wanted more expensive venues for prom/winter ball and other activities that certain other parents couldn't afford.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

Sort of off topic but still related to Grad Nights. My son's HS is very strict. The kids all ride on a bus from Phoenix and they can only bring on the school provided cinch sak and whatever they want to bring must be inspected prior to putting it in the cinch sak. They also must check in with the chaperone every 2 hours.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Sort of off topic but still related to Grad Nights. My son's HS is very strict. The kids all ride on a bus from Phoenix and they can only bring on the school provided cinch sak and whatever they want to bring must be inspected prior to putting it in the cinch sak. They also must check in with the chaperone every 2 hours.

Security used to be much tighter for Grad nites. When I went, all the buses were supposed to arrive at a specific time and location. If they arrived early, kids were held onto the bus until their time. Then all the groups were led out and funneled through a security checkpoint (where the eastern checkpoint is now). This was before Disney was doing bag searches or metal detectors for general guests. All students bags were thoroughly checked; I even remember seeing dogs sniffing for drugs/alcohol! And everyone was sent through the metal detectors-kids were separated into male/female, so only male security officers frisked guys and female officers frisked girls. Then we were all sent into Disneyland. Once everyone was in, they rearranged the park benches to prevent kids from walking past the train station. In order to do so, you had to have a school chaperone, as well as a Disney escort!

It seems now, students are just subject to the same security precautions as any guest, with a cursory bag check and metal detectors. I guess it's up to the school to make sure kids don't bring in any prohibited items.

 

[Kender]

I'm kind of disappointed by these new options. I already thought it disappointing they changed it from the 10pm/midnight - 6/7am party to a regular ticket with private party afterwards (not to mention the lowering standards every year for how the kids are required to dress). But I just don't like this. While it looks like it gives options to those who might want to spend a little less, it feels to me more limiting.

I'll be curious to see what my old high school decides to do. I can see them picking the cheap option just to maximize who can go, but it's such a long drive that it would be crazy to only go for just the party. They'll also have to balance it with who might opt to not go based on cost and perceived value (since any cost savings might be eaten up by fewer going). I certainly wouldn't have gone if it was just the current private party model.

I hate that I squandered my Grad Nite. It was in 2003 and it was an overnight in DL, where it was closed to everyone else. There was the option of an exclusive DCA party for 2 hours before DL opened for us, but my school didn't do it. Of course I wasn't feeling well and ended up going to the nurse and calling my mom to get me about 3am (still feel bad about that), so I missed seeing the sunrise over Disney!

I went in 2003 too. I didn't realize the DCA part before DL became open to us at midnight was optional. That actually explains why it felt a lot less crowded than DL (didn't help things like PotC and SM were closed). I always just thought it was because most people were still driving and chose not to leave early in the day like we did.

For what it's worth, you didn't miss much in DCA. As I recall, we were stuck entirely in the Pier area and there were only what, a few rides at the time? Screamin' being the biggest and thus longest line. Most people around me I encountered were just killing time until they let us into DL at midnight. It was a boring two hours.

 

[IntoDeNile]

Security used to be much tighter for Grad nites. When I went, all the buses were supposed to arrive at a specific time and location. If they arrived early, kids were held onto the bus until their time. Then all the groups were led out and funneled through a security checkpoint (where the eastern checkpoint is now). This was before Disney was doing bag searches or metal detectors for general guests. All students bags were thoroughly checked; I even remember seeing dogs sniffing for drugs/alcohol! And everyone was sent through the metal detectors-kids were separated into male/female, so only male security officers frisked guys and female officers frisked girls. Then we were all sent into Disneyland. Once everyone was in, they rearranged the park benches to prevent kids from walking past the train station. In order to do so, you had to have a school chaperone, as well as a Disney escort!

It seems now, students are just subject to the same security precautions as any guest, with a cursory bag check and metal detectors. I guess it's up to the school to make sure kids don't bring in any prohibited items.

Disney can be quite strict when it comes to Grad Nite. 4 years prior to my senior year of high school, some students from my school were caught at Disneyland with alcohol?/drugs? (I don't remember which or if it was both). Because of those students my whole high school was banned from having Grad Nite at Disney for 4 years. Like thanks, way to go ruining Grad Nite not just for yourself, but for all future seniors at my high school for the next 4 years.