Free Entry To Parks?

[bb_in_alabama]

In a couple of weeks, my wife and I are going to be in the Orlando area. Although we are not currently, we have been AP holders and have been making multiple trips to WDW for the past five years.

We have a pretty packed schedule (we are down there on business), but thought that it would be nice to be able to spend a little time in the resort area. We are considering staying one night at the BC or YC. What is the chance of us just walking up to the International Gateway at EPCOT around 8PM one night and the CM allowing us to just walk in at no cost (or at a reduced rate)?

Has anyone been able to do this?

 

[jcriket]

I really don't see this happening, It really wouldn't be fair for those in the park that payed. And for as many years as we've been going I've never heard disney do this. Because of illuminations, a lot of people come just for the fireworks. That would mean a lot of free tickets. Maybe its happend in the past, but I doubt they will let you in for free. It would be nice though.

 

[Micca]

I would agree that there is no chance you would be admitted at no cost. Enjoy the evening at the resort, that sounds like fun

 

[Robo]

We are considering staying one night at the BC or YC. What is the chance of us just walking up to the International Gateway at EPCOT around 8PM one night and the CM allowing us to just walk in at no cost (or at a reduced rate)?

Has anyone been able to do this?

Not a chance,

They are very aware of how big a draw IllumiNations is.

But you should have no trouble strolling in at about 9:20pm AFTER IllumiNations.

I have done this several times.

 

[Allison]

I would say the chances are nil.

 

[Marie17]

This is going to go over big and I'll most probably get in trouble or get a little red from flames but I think you definitely have a possibility.

Last year when we were down, my son (16) was at Epcot while we went to return the little ones to the cabin to put to bed. My hubby returned back to Epcot but had taken out everything from his pockets when we walked in to the cabin. About 15 minutes later - after babies were in bed - he returned back to Epcot. Walked up to the front gate, reached in to pull out his wallet and voila - it's not there. Explained the situation to the Cast Member and she said - just go on in (she did open the gate so he didn't go through the turnstile) and I hope he's is where he's supposed to be. He had been in line for Soarin and had pretty much just got off the ride when my hubby got there.

I think you have a chance - just make up some romantic story about how you plan to re-ask you wife to marry you while watching Illuminations.

 

[frayedend]

This is going to go over big and I'll most probably get in trouble or get a little red from flames but I think you definitely have a possibility.

Last year when we were down, my son (16) was at Epcot while we went to return the little ones to the cabin to put to bed. My hubby returned back to Epcot but had taken out everything from his pockets when we walked in to the cabin. About 15 minutes later - after babies were in bed - he returned back to Epcot. Walked up to the front gate, reached in to pull out his wallet and voila - it's not there. Explained the situation to the Cast Member and she said - just go on in (she did open the gate so he didn't go through the turnstile) and I hope he's is where he's supposed to be. He had been in line for Soarin and had pretty much just got off the ride when my hubby got there.

I think you have a chance - just make up some romantic story about how you plan to re-ask you wife to marry you while watching Illuminations.

No flames from me because it wouldn't really bother me and I don't think thousands of people are attempting this. But I do think it's funny how you say to tell a lie and then quote the Pope in your posts.

 

[safetymom]

I have seen people turned away at the front gates of Epcot around 8:50 that didn't have tickets. So I wouldn't count on getting in after the park closes.

 

[Michael623]

Disney and free admission in the same sentence, good one.

 

[Allison]

No flames from me because it wouldn't really bother me and I don't think thousands of people are attempting this. But I do think it's funny how you say to tell a lie and then quote the Pope in your posts.

Now, that is an interesting observation.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Just to go into the parks to walk around, no free entry.
2) If you enter, you pay, regardless of time of day or length of time.
3) There is a way to go for up to one hour for free.
4) But, that is another story.

 

[wdwguide]

We've been able to get in via the International Gateway shortly before 9 without using our tickets before, but that was during the off-season several years ago. YMMV. I wouldn't count on them still doing that.

 

[Wendy1953]

This is going to go over big and I'll most probably get in trouble or get a little red from flames but I think you definitely have a possibility.

Last year when we were down, my son (16) was at Epcot while we went to return the little ones to the cabin to put to bed. My hubby returned back to Epcot but had taken out everything from his pockets when we walked in to the cabin. About 15 minutes later - after babies were in bed - he returned back to Epcot. Walked up to the front gate, reached in to pull out his wallet and voila - it's not there. Explained the situation to the Cast Member and she said - just go on in (she did open the gate so he didn't go through the turnstile) and I hope he's is where he's supposed to be. He had been in line for Soarin and had pretty much just got off the ride when my hubby got there.

I think you have a chance - just make up some romantic story about how you plan to re-ask you wife to marry you while watching Illuminations.

What your husband did was innocent....what the CM did was decent, but he/she could have gotten a reprimand-or fired(grounds of cheating the company)....and what you are proposing this other "guest" to do is FLAT OUT WRONG...IT'S CALLED STEALING, and if someone wanted to re-ask their wife to marry them, they should pay the price of admission to do so. Rules are rules, they do not have an "after a certain hour" reduction in price, so what I suggest to this couple is...either buy a ticket, or stay at the resort (BC/YC), or even take a walk over to the Boardwalk and watch the absolutely free entertainment provided there, or chance being arrested and/or getting an innocent cast member fired.

 

[Marie17]

"Be not afraid" - Pope John Paul II

My goodness I guess after reading the Disboards - I have come to realize that I am in the company of "saints." I should have known when one thread I read a long time ago - actually criticized another DISguest for taking/using the napkins since she didn't purchase her lunch at the park - she had brought it in. Another poster stated that the person should not have sat down on a park bench near the food court because she was taking a seat away from a "paying lunch guest." Another accused them of stealing Disney property. Another said that "salt, pepper, ketchup" is only for those guest that actually paid Disney for the lunch. Bringing your lunch into the park is not "illegal Disney" but using their napkins and bench and condiments were to some of the reply posters.

The poster was asking a question - he has a choice. He can buy a ticket (I wouldn't to just see the fireworks - its not worth a full-days admission), ask the CM to let him in the park to see the show without lying (they just might) or make-up a little lie (it might work or it might not - who knows).

I love the Pope and am not afraid to state it. I am, however, NOT the Pope.

 

[DVCLiz]

Goodness, I never felt I was a "saint" because I followed the rules. I wouldn't dream of driving over to McDonald's and helping myself to some free napkins and ketchup, then sitting down and opening up my homemade lunch. Why is it any different to do that at a Disney restaurant?

OP, I know how you feel - it's a big chunk of change to pay for an hour or so, but Disney really has gotten much tighter in this and many other areas, so I don't think you'd have much luck. It sure wouldn't hurt to ask, though. I just think there are probably many requests for this, and obviously Disney has decided not to allow much flexibility, or we'd be reading lots of "we got in Epcot free just to see the fireworks" stories on the DIS.

 

[Marie17]

It wasn't in a restaurant - it was at a counter service food court area (I think it was at MGM) and someone was complaining that a person was eating their lunch on a park bench - ones on the street near the food court. The poster had paid for their lunch and no more seats were available in the food court area and they noticed someone eating their own lunch on a bench and were a little ticked that people had the audacity to sit down on a bench (not a table mind you) to eat. The "tone of that reply" was that "those types" of people should have not been anyhwere near the food area since they are too cheap to buy a Disney lunch.

Napkins SHOULD be everywhere in the park and easily accessible to ANYONE as they MIGHT help with cleanliness & hygiene! I would rather someone use a napkin to sneeze into rather than into the air when you are in line or wipe sticky hands so I don't have to get a grimy feeling when touching a ride rail or to catch blood into from a nosebleed, etc.

Anyways ... I am still not afraid. Ask and the worse thing they could say is "are you nuts? are you trying to get me fired? where's the hidden camera? Disney for free? I don't think so - no!"

Oh, well - just go have fun while you're in Orlando with your wife and I do hope that you both have a wonderfully romantic time.

 

[FOV]

I have entered Epcot once AFTER Illuminations as people were pouring out of the park. We forgot something in the rental stroller and I wanted to run back in to retrieve it. Even then I practically had to beg the CM to let me back in. He was very nice and let me in (alone, not with the whole family) but I was questioned.

Another idea - I know it is a bit of a ride, but have you considered going over to the Contemporary and watching the fireworks from the patio outside the California Grill? We have done this many times and have always enjoyed it. It's a great place to see the fireworks and is open to people who are not dining at CG.

 

[seashoreCM]

3) There is a way to go for up to one hour for free..

Was offered to let people go shopping. You left your license at the turnstile area. Discontinued I am told.
Probably too many sob stories 64 minutes later: "It took me so long in line to pay for this souvenir"

One thing I hate about parking garages is that you may have to pay for the next hour if the previous hour ends while you are waiting to pay at the exit. As a result I rarely patronize businesses that don't have free parking nearby.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[kaytieeldr]

Another idea - I know it is a bit of a ride, but have you considered going over to the Contemporary and watching the fireworks from the patio outside the California Grill? We have done this many times and have always enjoyed it. It's a great place to see the fireworks and is open to people who are not dining at CG.

Actually, it's not any longer. Guests must have an ADR for California Grill and must first check in at a desk on the second floor of the Contemporary. They're then allowed access to the elevator to the CG close to their ADR time.
Besides, you could only see the high fireworks from Illuminations from the CG, and only in the distance.
Now, on the other hand, anyone can access the deck on the fourth floor of the Contemporary and watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from there.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Was offered to let people go shopping. You left your license at the turnstile area. Discontinued I am told.

1) Still available.
2) Just different procedure.
. . . go to Guest Service
. . . tell them you need to shop
. . . tell them EXACTLY where you will go to shop and WHAT you will buy
. . . they take credit card imprint for full admission charge
. . . don't come back in 45-min (sometimes 1-hr allowed) card is processed

NOTE: This is intended for those who want to pick up something in particular that they forgot or decided to get at last minute, not a "general" shopping or browsing tour. When you return, they WILL check the items bought to see it it was what was specified.