Disney Villains After Dark --- I don't get it....

[mickey0624]

Wristbands

That's it? doesn't seem to efficient

 

[wilbret]

That's it? doesn't seem to efficient

Why? Every party is handled this way. You get it upon entry, or you go get it if already in the park. They will make you leave if you don’t have it. It’s very efficient.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Disney does park clearing/sweeping efforts for Villains After Hours to the same extent they do for MNSSHP and MVMCP. VAH has various stage shows and other odds/ends that are billed as part of the VAH experience - they don't make it easy for day guests to cheat and stick around to experiences those things.

 

[mickey0624]

Why? Every party is handled this way. You get it upon entry, or you go get it if already in the park. They will make you leave if you don’t have it. It’s very efficient.

so if someone doesn't have one, they walk them out of the park?

 

[MNDisneyMommy]

We went last year, it was perfect for our situation... 1) we got a DVC discount for our entire party (we were there with a bunch of friends) 2) we got through the gate around 6:45p and left around 2:30am 3) it was summer, so it was not blistering hot while we were there since the sun set pretty quick 4) we were with other adults, all of whom could stay up late without whining 5) it was our only park time on the vacation, we felt like it maximized our cost/benefits.

We got three FP booked at 30 days all in before the party started, rode nearly everything we wanted (skipped 7DMT because it was still 30-40 min, but Space & Pirates themed, Big Thunder, Splash, etc plus the many other more casual rides were all pretty clear), loaded up on free snacks (I finally did my dream of a bite by bite comparison of the mickey sandwich and mickey bar, and can now definitively declare the bar my winner), watched the (better than expected) show at 2am, and the dragon at night was pretty awesome as well. When we rode the ferry back to our cars in the wee hours, everyone had fun - both the Disney fanatics and the people who had never been before.

So, the event I think "depends". I would never pay for my family of 4 (kids 5 and 8) to go, it would not be a good use of money... but for that trip, it was.

 

[wilbret]

so if someone doesn't have one, they walk them out of the park?

Yes. If it comes to that, but most people aren’t jerks. They just leave when asked (politely). The transition is pretty clear.

 

[mickey0624]

Yes. If it comes to that, but most people aren’t jerks. They just leave when asked (politely). The transition is pretty clear.

Not trying to be difficult, just asking because it's frustrating when u pay $150+ for a ticket and people next too u watching show are bragging to one another that they didn't pay...there are more "jerks" than you think. we heard it more than once at Halloween party a few years ago...wondering if they changed the way it was done (ex: clearing the park)

 

[wilbret]

Not trying to be difficult, just asking because it's frustrating when u pay $150+ for a ticket and people next too u watching show are bragging to one another that they didn't pay...there are more "jerks" than you think. we heard it more than once at Halloween party a few years ago...wondering if they changed the way it was done (ex: clearing the park)

Yep, some people try to cheat the system. Just turn them in. I probably would.

 

[Haley R]

Yep, some people try to cheat the system. Just turn them in. I probably would.

I’ve seen people without wristbands at pretty much every event I’ve done (dah, mnsshp, MVMCP). I just try to not let it ruin my night. It’s not my job to police the park, as much as I don’t like them sticking around.

 

[kylenne]

Not trying to be difficult, just asking because it's frustrating when u pay $150+ for a ticket and people next too u watching show are bragging to one another that they didn't pay...there are more "jerks" than you think. we heard it more than once at Halloween party a few years ago...wondering if they changed the way it was done (ex: clearing the park)

Yes, things have very much changed from that if you haven’t been to a recent hard ticket event. I attended VAH and MVMCP this past year and both events had CMs literally stationed at checkpoints, not just at attraction queues but throughout the park, and they make you hold up your wristband to pass. I don’t doubt that some people still slip through the cracks but CMs make an effort to clear the parks and it works well.

 

[TinkHappy]

Just want to thank everyone on this thread who had wonderful reviews for After Hours at MK. My husband and I are headed to WDW for the first time without our DDs (23&25) and I just purchased two tickets to this event for us. We have been going since our honeymoon '91. SO EXCITED and this is going to add to our vacation. WootWoot!! LOVE the DISBOARDS!!! Thank you!!!

 

[clm10308]

I'll debate that one with you - we have always taken our kids, since they were little, to after hours events. You just have to manage accordingly, i.e. not expect them to go from park open to midnight, etc, or to get up for 6am open the next day. (however, we have done that...lol).

Our MK portion of our trips is frequently ONLY a party or after hours event. 4pm-midnight or 1am is a pretty good deal for the price, without the heat, and hopefully smaller crowds (not lately, though). We have done this since 2012, when our kids were 4, 2, and 0.

Ok, I will clarify. I would not have done it when my kids were younger as they would not have lasted long enough to make it worth the money. I am sure that there are some children who could stay up late at night and not have any issues.

 

[Alli1988]

so if someone doesn't have one, they walk them out of the park?

Walkways are narrowed at check points so employees can easily see everyone walking by and verbally let them know they need to exit, and then politely follow to make sure you make your way to the next check point towards the front of the park. It's usually a pretty mass exit since they announce it over the park loud system. Also, they check when you get on any ride, visit a character, see a show, pick up the treats, etc. I've never seen it be an issue in the parties I have went to. We usually treat this as a park day but since we visit 7-10 days it's not much of a savings (we cut the 10th day which only costs $15/person or whatever). A few have seemed worth it, and a few have attendance higher than normal park attendance that day. We will probably skip for the near future and listen to rumblings to decide if we want to come back.

 

[gnozuk]

Are these after hour events typically worth it?

 

[BrianL]

so if someone doesn't have one, they walk them out of the park?

What they do is "sweep" the parks by forming checkpoints with CM's that you can only pass if you have a wristband. Basically you can't go deeper into the parks past these points and you are directed toward the exit. They can move these checkpoints further and further in until it is determined to be no longer necessary. Sure, there are always some that can slip by, but if caught they will be escorted out.

 

[BrianL]

Are these after hour events typically worth it?

It depends on what you want from it. If you want very short lines, then the "regular DAH" was preferred. The Villains thing is more crowded, but it has a cool stage show and other features. The rides that get overlays will have the longest lines, but some stuff is very short still. You also get unlimited free snacks (ice cream bars) and soda too. It's kind of up to one's personal tastes, but I really enjoyed it last year.