Day Guests not allowed in Restroom at 7

[MychaelP]

My wife and I visited Disneyland yesterday. It was stated via loudspeaker that the Halloween Party would begin at 7pm. Then Party guests began arriving at 4pm. Lines became very long. We felt sorry for people who were from out of town that didn't realize things were basically not doable after 4pm unless you had a fastpass from earlier in the day. We were stuck in the Haunted Mansion line for over an hour and exited at 7:30. A restroom was needed badly, and each one we passed on our way out we were not allowed in. We were told only if we had a wristband. We felt this was unfair as we were in the line so long only due to the Party guests that now the restrooms were reserved for. We were turned away at New Orleans, and Adventureland restrooms as we walked out. One little boy was crying with his dad while holding his crotch saying "daddy I have to go", yet they would not allow him inside.
I've written Disney some constructive criticism regarding this experience and hopefully it has an impact and others don't have to deal with this.
Maybe a loudspeaker announcement telling everyone that restrooms are only available after 7pm if you pay for another ticket?
I'm glad we have AP's now, however for those that didn't, many children couldn't even get into the Emporium shop to buy a souvenir as they were blocked also.
Restrooms prior to the long drive home... too much to ask from Disney... at least for last night.
So beware if you have bladder issues

 

[Kilala]

Wow I never hear of this before. Not letting anyone using the bathroom is just crule

 

[ErikdaRed]

Probably blame people that would go in the stall, wait for the party to begin and sneak out to watch the fireworks/parade.

 

[cari12]

However, as a day guest, your ticket only allows you to be in the park until 7:00pm. After that it is a private event for party ticket holders only. Look at it from that perspective, you had stayed longer than you should have for the ticket you bought. If you had gone to the washroom when the announcement was made, you probably would not have had a problem.

 

[Malcon10t]

You were the victim of all the people who would hide out in the restroom for an hour to 90 mins to get to stay for fireworks. Yes, they did it, it was a reason they require a wristband to do ANYTHING after 7.

BTW - They did allow people to use the Main St restrooms and the restrooms outside the park... So, no long ride home with a full bladder.

 

[MychaelP]

However, as a day guest, your ticket only allows you to be in the park until 7:00pm. After that it is a private event for party ticket holders only. Look at it from that perspective, you had stayed longer than you should have for the ticket you bought. If you had gone to the washroom when the announcement was made, you probably would not have had a problem.

We entered a line prior to 7pm which appears to be allowed by Disney as thousands of people were doing just that. I have also done this in the past on non-party days, especially when a ride breaks down for a few minutes.

Party Guests allowed in early caused the line to be much longer than the "wait time" sign at the ride entrance. Disney did not announce that restrooms are off limits except to those who caused you to be delayed in line. Disney also only announced the party would be at 7pm, and not that people would be allowed in early to allow those already there to plan accordingly.
Seeing the little boy crying holding himself is not something I'd expect to see Disney promote, let alone, the experience my wife had.

As I stated, I'm hoping Disney uses this criticism constructively so people without AP's can have a better time. Will update if/when I hear anything back

 

[Malcon10t]

As I stated, I'm hoping Disney uses this criticism constructively so people without AP's can have a better time. Will update if/when I hear anything back

How would you fix the issue of people hiding out in the restrooms to avoid being swept from the park? This was a major issue the first year of the party in DL. While you feel the party guests (most of whom were day visitors also, as APs would have had the entire day to experience the park) interfered with your experience, the first year, there were a lot of people who interfered with people who paid for the party taking up prime viewing spots for the fireworks.

Add to this, the park closed at 7. There was no announcement the park would be open an hour on Main St to shop. If it was a hard close, people would have experienced the exact same issues.

 

[MychaelP]

How would you fix the issue of people hiding out in the restrooms to avoid being swept from the park? This was a major issue the first year of the party in DL.

Thanks for that question... I'm not entirely certain. But I do recall when it was at DCA they closed the park first, then allowed the party guests inside. Seemed easy and organized. They do the same thing at Knott's. I also think they do this at Universal as well but not certain.
"Mixing" guests does create a unique situation during those hours. So why not close it first? It would most likely shorten the day for day guests and also for the party as well unless they stayed open later.

 

[Sherry E]

...As I stated, I'm hoping Disney uses this criticism constructively so people without AP's can have a better time. Will update if/when I hear anything back

I'm not sure this is an AP-related issue. I thought that the issue was the people who were allowed into the park 3 hours before the party started (which is anyone who bought a party ticket and not only AP holders), and who packed into the line for HMH, causing you to not get to the bathroom until after 7:00 p.m., when the party had begun.

I'm very sorry that this happened to your son - I'm sure it has happened to other kids at DLR too. It sounds like it was just very unfortunate timing and it couldn't really be avoided once you were in the HMH line.

 

[AustinTink]

If I were a day guest there on a MNSSHP day, I would certainly plan accordingly. I would actually feel quite conspicuous being in the park after 7. More than likely, I would plan to wrap things up by 6:30 just to get out of the park on time.

MNSSHP tickets are quite expensive. We went to our first party last year at WDW. I have to admit I was irked by the few people I saw lingering past 7pm. They seemed to be gone by 7:30 or so, but I found it rude. But, I'm a serious rule follower by nature and I would have exited long before 7.

 

[LizzyS]

Honestly, I don't like the Halloween party idea and I would avoid visiting in late September/October for that very reason alone. What others have said is correct, it's due to people who would hide out in the restrooms and try to sneak into the Halloween party. Unfortunate, but true. Like someone else said, I'm sure the bathrooms right outside the park where available to use at any rate.

 

[Malcon10t]

Thanks for that question... I'm not entirely certain. But I do recall when it was at DCA they closed the park first, then allowed the party guests inside. Seemed easy and organized. They do the same thing at Knott's. I also think they do this at Universal as well but not certain.
"Mixing" guests does create a unique situation during those hours. So why not close it first? It would most likely shorten the day for day guests and also for the party as well unless they stayed open later.

To open for the 7pm party, they would hard close the park at 5, like they did in DCA. I believe they did a survey a few years back and people stated they preferred this.

Disney is excellent at sweeping the park at closing, only allowing those with wrist bands to remain. I was concerned my first year, but have found they do an excellent job. I'm sorry you had to wait to the front of the park to use the restroom, but due to other cheaters, you suffered.

As for souvenirs, DCA was open, as was World of Disney.

 

[cari12]

Thanks for that question... I'm not entirely certain. But I do recall when it was at DCA they closed the park first, then allowed the party guests inside. Seemed easy and organized. They do the same thing at Knott's. I also think they do this at Universal as well but not certain.
"Mixing" guests does create a unique situation during those hours. So why not close it first? It would most likely shorten the day for day guests and also for the party as well unless they stayed open later.

Closing the park at DCA was a much better set up. When we go to the party, we are not going to go in early to avoid some of this.

 

[Mel522]

I agree that it is a little harsh, but if you where at any other establishment a 1/2 hour after they closed, they probably wouldn't have let you use the facilities either.

 

[krispin41]

It is an unfortunate situation, I can see it from both sides. I work in retail, and my first job was in a small shop. We had one bathroom and it was not open to the public. I had many a parent yell at me because of it. It came down to a safety/insurance situation. I felt horrible every time it happened.

On the other hand, my DH and I attended the Party last year on the first day of a five day trip. We got to our hotel early, unpacked and had leisurely late lunch, and then into the park during the "overlap" hours, letting us save our 4-day hopper for the rest of our trip.

 

[Sherry E]

I kind of preferred the hard closing a couple of hours ahead of time when the party was held in DCA too. I'm not really fond of the overlapping of the party guests/non-party guests either. It has not affected me personally in any way but I can see how it would bug other people in those 3 hours of really heavy crowds before the party starts.

I guess that back when the TOTP was held in DCA, DCA was not as big of a deal and it didn't make much of a difference if they closed it a little early. (Today it's a different story, of course.)

 

[figment_jii]

Last night they did announce that non-party guests were welcome to shop for 1 hour (7 to 8) on Main Street. So those areas were still open.

 

[jory29]

That is ridiculous!! Not being allowed to use the restroom just doesn't make sense. I know Disney is concerned of people hiding in stalls, etc., but Disney can easily hire more staff to man all of the restrooms and make sure those who don't have bracelets on will quickly leave.

It's bad enough that little children weren't allowed to use the washroom, but what about those with special needs, such as crohn's disease, or say, a lady who needs to tend to her monthly cycle needs, or, stomache upset from food in the park, etc. etc. or, long waits in lines where the washroom was not available.

Disney, c'mon, there has to be a better solution to this.

I also would have made it a point to leave earlier, to make way for the Halloween Party crowds, and I'm sure many Disney guests do that as well, but in the OP's case, they were in a long lineup for a ride and didn't get out before 7 pm. Understandable they would need to use the restroom after.

 

[jory29]

Last night they did announce that non-party guests were welcome to shop for 1 hour (7 to 8) on Main Street. So those areas were still open.

Well, of course... they still want their money for merchandise and food purchases.

 

[MissMichigan]

Just to clarify, the party guests weren't "allowed in early." The actually party starts at 7pm, however the ticket to it is good for entry starting 4pm. So, technically, they were allowed in on time.

And not all of them would have been people that only just showed up for the party. Many of the MHP guests were in the parks all day to begin with, then went to change into costumes, etc and came back.