Day Guests not allowed in Restroom at 7

[Susie63]

The CM should have told you that restrooms were available on Mainstreet,but the little kid should have been allowed to use the bathroom.
Sorry,but little kids trump any inconvience put upon adults....private party or not.
Adults can wait.

 

[DLRfan31]

The CM should have told you that restrooms were available on Mainstreet,but the little kid should have been allowed to use the bathroom.
Sorry,but little kids trump any inconvience put upon adults....private party or not.
Adults can wait.

Tell that to a pregnant woman!

 

[Susie63]

Tell that to a pregnant woman!

......and pregnant women

 

[lilpooh108]

We forgot it was a MNSSHP day last year and went during a party day in October at 3pm (have APs).

At 4:30pm the crowds became unbearable. Wall to wall people, all you could see were heads. DD is super short (she was 2) and she started getting scared while we strollered her behind crowds of people (I guess all she saw were legs and people rushing past her). We literally took an hour from 5pm to 6pm to get from the Treehouse to the exit/front entrance, fighting the crowd trying to leave.

Never again

(Oh yea, there are bathrooms on Main St and just outside the exit to use, so no point in driving home w/a full bladder...but kids can't hold it sometimes so weird policy by Disney).

 

[I❤MICKEY]

We are AP's and bought the tix to the party. Spent the day at DCA which was super quiet. Little to no wait. At 6:30 we got on the kids costumes and headed over to DL. It seemed very organized overall to me as far as entering/exiting the park. I would agree that it would be better to close the park before the party.

I personally experienced people trying to abuse not having a ticket last night. We had a family - with multiple young children - wait in character lines after 7. The parent told an older child to cry if they were turned away. When they got to the front the castmember asked to see their band. When he told them they couldn't have the pic the kid cried and the castmember made an exception. We were in front of them in another line and they did the same thing. I ended up seeing a plain clothed castmember and telling them. They were escorted to the gate. Those are the people who ruin it for everyone.

 

[Sherry E]

We are AP's and bought the tix to the party. Spent the day at DCA which was super quiet. Little to no wait. At 6:30 we got on the kids costumes and headed over to DL. It seemed very organized overall to me as far as entering/exiting the park. I would agree that it would be better to close the park before the party.

I personally experienced people trying to abuse not having a ticket last night. We had a family - with multiple young children - wait in character lines after 7. The parent told an older child to cry if they were turned away. When they got to the front the castmember asked to see their band. When he told them they couldn't have the pic the kid cried and the castmember made an exception. We were in front of them in another line and they did the same thing. I ended up seeing a plain clothed castmember and telling them. They were escorted to the gate. Those are the people who ruin it for everyone.

I❤MICKEY -

Good! I'm glad you told the CM about that family. Just as you said, they are the ones who ruin it for everyone. The MHP tickets are costly and not everyone can afford them, but the people who have paid for them deserve to have the exclusive access to certain things that is promised - one of which is the special character photo spots around the park - without having to deal with some people who did not pay trying to cheat the system.

Those were a few bad apples, of course. Most of the non-party guests don't try to get away with those antics.

It would be easier if the park just closed a couple of hours early to everyone, and then only the people with MHP tickets would be let back in.

 

[cari12]

We are AP's and bought the tix to the party. Spent the day at DCA which was super quiet. Little to no wait. At 6:30 we got on the kids costumes and headed over to DL. It seemed very organized overall to me as far as entering/exiting the park. I would agree that it would be better to close the park before the party.

I personally experienced people trying to abuse not having a ticket last night. We had a family - with multiple young children - wait in character lines after 7. The parent told an older child to cry if they were turned away. When they got to the front the castmember asked to see their band. When he told them they couldn't have the pic the kid cried and the castmember made an exception. We were in front of them in another line and they did the same thing. I ended up seeing a plain clothed castmember and telling them. They were escorted to the gate. Those are the people who ruin it for everyone.

Unbelievable!

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

How would you fix the issue of people hiding out in the restrooms to avoid being swept from the park?

EASY: Considering that there were CMs available to tell people they could NOT use a bathroom and prevent them from going in, I don't see why those very CMs couldn't let someone in and inform them that the CM would be waiting for them to exit in a couple of minutes. If they don't exit, then it becomes an issue for park security.
A year ago at a CRAZY Toys R Us Black Friday sale, my 6yo son and I were waiting in the line to get into the store when he had to go. After checking with the couple of parties who were immediately behind us if it was OK for us to get out of line and then come back in (everyone was friendly and understanding), we walked to the front of the line and talked to the TRU employee and security guard who were letting people in as others exited. The employee called someone on a walkie-talkie who came to the door, escorted us to the bathroom, and stood about 20 feet away. When we were done, he walked us back to the front door, where we then walked back to our spot in line. Simple and civil.
If you can commit staff power to telling people to get out and not use the bathrooms, you can use your staff to make sure someone uses the bathroom and then leaves to keep walking to the exit. Bathrooms seems like a completely easy thing to predict as an issue people would have as they are leaving the park. If there are some bathrooms that are available for use, CMs should know about them and clearly explain to non-partygoers where they can go to relieve themselves.
I don't agree that a handful of determined rule-breakers somehow justifies uncivil behavior to the rest of guests. And denying people access to bathrooms is uncivil.

 

[cari12]

EASY: Considering that there were CMs available to tell people they could NOT use a bathroom and prevent them from going in, I don't see why those very CMs couldn't let someone in and inform them that the CM would be waiting for them to exit in a couple of minutes. If they don't exit, then it becomes an issue for park security.
A year ago at a CRAZY Toys R Us Black Friday sale, my 6yo son and I were waiting in the line to get into the store when he had to go. After checking with the couple of parties who were immediately behind us if it was OK for us to get out of line and then come back in (everyone was friendly and understanding), we walked to the front of the line and talked to the TRU employee and security guard who were letting people in as others exited. The employee called someone on a walkie-talkie who came to the door, escorted us to the bathroom, and stood about 20 feet away. When we were done, he walked us back to the front door, where we then walked back to our spot in line. Simple and civil.
If you can commit staff power to telling people to get out and not use the bathrooms, you can use your staff to make sure someone uses the bathroom and then leaves to keep walking to the exit. Bathrooms seems like a completely easy thing to predict as an issue people would have as they are leaving the park. If there are some bathrooms that are available for use, CMs should know about them and clearly explain to non-partygoers where they can go to relieve themselves.
I don't agree that a handful of determined rule-breakers somehow justifies uncivil behavior to the rest of guests. And denying people access to bathrooms is uncivil.

The CM's should not have to keep track of guests without party tickets that stayed past the regular time, the wristbands make it easy to see who belongs and who doesn't. Escorting every guest or even keeping track of exactly who went in and who came out of the restroom among the thousands of guests at the park is really not reasonable. The CM could politely tell people though which ones are open for non-party goers.

 

[Malcon10t]

The CM's should not have to keep track of guests without party tickets that stayed past the regular time, the wristbands make it easy to see who belongs and who doesn't. Escorting every guest or even keeping track of exactly who went in and who came out of the restroom among the thousands of guests at the park is really not reasonable. The CM could politely tell people though which ones are open for non-party goers.

Right, when you are attempting to sweep 30,000 people from a park, you aren't going to escort people to the restroom. There were restrooms on Main St and just outside the gates to be used. Yes, that might happen with 1-2000 people at a Toys R Us, but with 30K, its a different story.

Out here on the west coast, we have been used to the parks shutting down, clearing everyone out, then starting the party. But it is my understanding, at WDW, they usually do the mix in like the Halloween parties have become. It is very successful there, and it does seem to work overall here, with a few exceptions. They also probably get fewer complaints about the park closing at 7 than they do if the park closed at 5.

 

[MissMichigan]

I think another thing to keep in mind with this particular situation is that the OP wasn't trying to use the restroom right at 7, but a full half hour after they were supposed to have left. The CM may have thought they had already snuck in at that point. At that point in the night, they would expect the non MHP guests to be gone already, so when you, as a CM, find a straggler you may be less accommodating than if it had been closer to the closing time. (For example, a store may let you use their restroom right when they are closing, but not 30 minutes after they have closed, kwim?)

 

[MychaelP]

Wow, thank you all for your replies and conversation related to this topic.
A few other observations:
Emporium was closed at 7:40 as we walked by so only certain stores were open to non-party guests.
Good point about pregnant women and restrooms. Or anyone with a medical issue really.
Yes we should have left prior to 7pm, however we need to keep in mind that the party guests were allowed in early. No it isn't early per "their ticket details", however that 3 hour early item is not mentioned to day guests, they are only informed that 7pm time.
Disney should announce that or let us know when entering the park. Many people plan their day based on wait times for rides, yet at 4pm they all were extended significantly thus making the estimated wait times unreliable.

Now when you really think about it... lets say some people hid out in the restrooms. How many total people would that realistically be? 20? 40? Is that a number that is relevant enough to make people walk all the way back to find an open restroom?

Closing the park, then doing the party is what they do for all other events....
I'm lucky that we have AP's now and will avoid days after 4pm at the parks on Party Days. I'm sure there are many way they could improve the method, but restroom restrictions at a place like Disneyland shouldn't be one of them.

I'll update when I hear back from them. I hope they take it constructively. It's a difficult item for Disney as the tickets cost the same for day guests as on a normal day when they close at 8pm without the extra people arriving at 4pm. Maybe they don't tell day guests to keep the ticket sales up? I don't know, but thank you everyone for the constructive comments. Maybe someone at Disney will read some of the great ideas posted here.

 

[Malcon10t]

Yes we should have left prior to 7pm, however we need to keep in mind that the party guests were allowed in early. No it isn't early per "their ticket details", however that 3 hour early item is not mentioned to day guests, they are only informed that 7pm time.
Disney should announce that or let us know when entering the park. Many people plan their day based on wait times for rides, yet at 4pm they all were extended significantly thus making the estimated wait times unreliable.

Based on this, should Disney announce to "day guests" the number of conventions that have "Twilight Tickets" offering 4pm entries on a daily basis? You often see a large influx of guests after 5 from various conventions in the area? Should they list the various conventions coming up that may impact your visit? I mean, you would think the middle of Feb would be slow, but there are cheer competitions, so should DIsney announce non-Disney conventions?

On normal Fridays, there is a huge influx of guests after 4pm. Why? Locals get off work and head to the park. Lines get considerably longer after 4 every Friday. Just because this was a party night doesn't mean it wouldn't have been busy on a Friday night after 4pm.

 

[Mel522]

Wow, thank you all for your replies and conversation related to this topic.
A few other observations:
Emporium was closed at 7:40 as we walked by so only certain stores were open to non-party guests.
Good point about pregnant women and restrooms. Or anyone with a medical issue really.
Yes we should have left prior to 7pm, however we need to keep in mind that the party guests were allowed in early. No it isn't early per "their ticket details", however that 3 hour early item is not mentioned to day guests, they are only informed that 7pm time.
Disney should announce that or let us know when entering the park. Many people plan their day based on wait times for rides, yet at 4pm they all were extended significantly thus making the estimated wait times unreliable.

Now when you really think about it... lets say some people hid out in the restrooms. How many total people would that realistically be? 20? 40? Is that a number that is relevant enough to make people walk all the way back to find an open restroom?

Closing the park, then doing the party is what they do for all other events....
I'm lucky that we have AP's now and will avoid days after 4pm at the parks on Party Days. I'm sure there are many way they could improve the method, but restroom restrictions at a place like Disneyland shouldn't be one of them.

I'll update when I hear back from them. I hope they take it constructively. It's a difficult item for Disney as the tickets cost the same for day guests as on a normal day when they close at 8pm without the extra people arriving at 4pm. Maybe they don't tell day guests to keep the ticket sales up? I don't know, but thank you everyone for the constructive comments. Maybe someone at Disney will read some of the great ideas posted here.

Their ticket in no way effects your ticket. They were let in when their ticket said they could get in. You did not leave when your ticket said you should have left.

 

[kevdo]

How would you fix the issue of people hiding out in the restrooms to avoid being swept from the park?

One parent stays outside with the cast member while the other parent and kid goes inside for a few minutes.

This isn't a difficult problem to solve. Disney should be ashamed of this, I think this is truly a terrible customer satisfaction decision.

 

[kevdo]

I think another thing to keep in mind with this particular situation is that the OP wasn't trying to use the restroom right at 7, but a full half hour after they were supposed to have left. The CM may have thought they had already snuck in at that point.

This should have been plenty reasonable for any cast member (especially at New Orleans Square):
"We just got off Haunted Mansion after an hour wait. That's why we haven't left yet. We're happy to leave but our kids really have to use the bathroom"

 

[Malcon10t]

One parent stays outside with the cast member while the other parent and kid goes inside for a few minutes.

I'm a single mom of 4.

And to those who think parents don't use their kids, see the post above where the parents used their child to meet the villians, despite not having tickets to the event.

"We just got off Haunted Mansion after an hour wait. That's why we haven't left yet. We're happy to leave but our kids really have to use the bathroom"

To clarify, the OP was husband and wife, no children.

 

[Tinker1972]

Personally, I don't think its up to Disney to announce that party guests are allowed in "early"..I believe its up to individuals to do their research. When I plan our Disney trips, I check to see if there are any conventions or special events happening. Disney isn't keeping it a secret that party guests are let in at 4pm. I would think the majority of people who go to the Halloween party also have regular tickets, not just Halloween party tickets. When we went to WDW last year, on the night we didn't have party tickets, we made sure we started exiting the park at 6:30 so we knew we would be out by 7pm. I don't necessarily agree with Disney not allowing people to use restrooms, but I can see their point if they have had "cheaters" in the past. Its unfortunate that a few people have ruined it for others.

 

[Mary09]

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.

Why were people "stuck in the Haunted Mansion line"? Isn't it easy to bail out of, to find a restroom?

 

[indygirl99]

Wow, thank you all for your replies and conversation related to this topic.

I'll update when I hear back from them. I hope they take it constructively.

And hopefully you will take the comments here constructively. Your ticket was until 7pm. You knew you were to be out by 7pm, yet you expected Disney to allow you to stay until you finished the ride you were in line for knowing when you got in line you would not be done by 7pm. Guess how many other people felt that same entitlement?

This is not like when the park closes at 10 pm and no one else has tickets to get in. There was a planned party that you knew started at 7 pm, you knew that ahead of time and poor planning on your part is not Disney emergency to allow you in the bathroom that has had problems in the past with cheaters.

You won't believe the excuses people use to justify why they should be allowed to break the rules. I have seen this so many time. when closing time is XX that means closing time is XX. No if's and's or but's.