Grad Night & Disney Ruin Magic Kingdom Stay

[carolfoy]

I feel for you, I think you've had appalling service, as an American (just guessing) are you supposed to know in advance all these things that happen all over your vast country!!!??? Clients at WDW from the uk also find that they aren't warned an advance about times that are supposed to be extra busy etc, I agree that there should have been some comment when you booked that it may be a very noisy time then you could make up your own mind. I also agree you should take this up with them.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Seriously, you all think it's a hotel guest's responsibility to ask if the noise level is going to be so bad after midnight that he won't be able to sleep?

That's just crazy,and and my opinion it's just taking "defending WDW at all costs" to a new level. I love WDW but it's not perfect. If something like this happened to me, I would complain like crazy.

So every time I make a reservation at a hotel from now on I have to ask if there will be any "noisy people" there???? I think we should just assume that it's management's responsibility to make sure everyone has a restful stay!!!

To me, it's not a matter of letting the guest know, but of keeping the noise level down!!

 

[Lewisc]

Most guests would find an extra fireworks show at midnight a plus not a negative. OP is complaining about bands at 4:00a when grad night ends at 3:00a.

Many of us think the OP is probably just a troll. If it was that loud OP should have been asked to change to a different room or resort.

 

[DVC-Don]

Wow -- PaulT from RADP lives!

Man, I have not thought of that guy in years (since I stopped visiting RADP)

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

We've had at least one other poster say that the high noise level is a reality. Besides, is everyone who complains a "troll" on this board? The suggestion to ask if there will be noise seems like something that one shouldn't have to do if he's paying for a room at WDW.

I guess I just don't see the need to defend everything WDW does! I love it there, I've been in the position of complaining about something at a resort and getting no help from management.

My neighbors at the Contemporary were having literally an all night party one year I was there. There was music, laughing (howling) and talking until the wee hours. I could also smell cigar smoke and we were in the non-smoking section. I called but they said there was nothing they could do about it.

A room at the Contemporary is expensive! The only recourse I had was to seek a little revenge and make all the noise I could when we were getting up for our first thing in the morning character breakfast.

Love WDW - I just insist on good service when I'm paying that much money!

 

[TammiMcMan]

While I've never stayed at the CR, I think the location of the hotel puts it very close to Tomorrowland Theatre, I think thats what it's called. If the bands were here, then the sound and vibration must of been pretty extreme. We have a neighbor who has quite an elaborate stereo system in his car and sometimes when he drives up the hill, the windows in my house actually shake from his car radio. I can only imagine what that would sound like on a grander scale. I agree that seeing the additional fireworks would have been lovely, but that lack of sleep from late night/early morning noise would have made for some very grumpy mouseketeers.

Before discovering the DIS, I probably wouldn't have known 1/4 of the things that go on at Disney. And as far as asking about special events happening during my stay, unless I had a previous experience like the OP's, I would never have thought to ask that question. While I'm sure Grad Night is a wonderful experience, would there be fewer complaints if the park were simply closed at 6pm and then let the kids have it from 7-midnight like they do for MVMCP? I'll answer my own question, probably not. There will be a group that complains about shortened park hours, but at least everyone would be able to sleep.

OP, you mentioned going through this for 2 nights. Didn't you request to be moved to the other side of the resort after the first night or ask to make other arrangements if that wasn't possible?

 

[Bev in Chgo]

Sorry that you and your family were unable to sleep for 2 nights.

If I am going to pay for an expensive hotel, I would expect some type of peace and quiet after a certain time at night. Well at any hotel u should expect that.

I am not saying that other people couldn't have their fun. I just think that the Disney park tickets are expensive and since I am an early bird, I would rather get a good night sleep so I can be up early at the parks. That is just me.

I do not get to visit Disney as often as I would love to (maybe every 4 - 6 years), and I DO NOT know about all these events that go on at Disney.
When I make our family rsvp, I do not think to asked about special evernts that are going on during the week that I will be there.

I'll admit that I do sometimes here about some event on these boards, but that is usually when I am reading about someone's trip report and they are mentioning some event. In which they will say that group was loud too.

I also heard about how the cheerleaders are loud, but they usually stay at the All Star Resorts.

Hey, here is a thought maybe Disney should build a hotel just for the special events people (cheerleaders, grad night, etc.) it doesn't have to have a lot of buildings. Then they could make all the noise they want.


Oh well just a thought.

 

[mom_rules]

Actually, I think WDW should take some sort of responsibility or at least offer a sincere apology. Here's our story:
We stayed BC concierge in March and for two nights our sleep was ruined by first the "pre-wedding" party running up and down the hall, banging on walls and doors and yelling and screaming at 2:00am the night before the wedding and then the after "the wedding hall and balcony party" that went on until 3:00am the next night-we started calling security at 12:30 - took three calls from us and a lot more from the other concierge guests to get security to finally put them to bed around 3:00am!
Next day we got "oh, sorry about that-you know how it is with young newlyweds and wedding parties"!
Now, you would think that with the amount of money paid for our room they could come up with a better apology than that?
I agree, WDW knows when grad nights are and should at least warn people when they are booking rooms-then it's up to the individual to decide whether to book or go another time but at least the decision would be up to the individual.

 

[BikeFan]

Man, I have not thought of that guy in years (since I stopped visiting RADP)

Can someone explain the "Paul T" story? And what's RADP? Thanks!

 

[poohluvrs]

What is MVMCP? And we're going 1st & 2nd wk of Oct - I guess I should educate myself - any special events going on at that time that I should be aware of?

I have 2 toddlers and have not slept through the night in 3 years Regardless of my lack of sleep at home, if Im paying thousands of dollars to stay at a WDW resort, there is no way that if what OP described as other guests keeping their family up all night, I would have tolerated that, NO WAY! A good nights sleep and some respect for all guests is not too much to ask of Disney goers...

 

[zalansky]

Can someone explain the "Paul T" story? And what's RADP? Thanks!

I second that.

 

[ChapelHillian]

Did you by chance stay at the CR April 20 - 23? We were there and I swear I saw a "Peters Family" from Chapel Hill as the family of the day on the bulletin board.

If you were at the CR, where were you? - we did not hear the noise you are describing (we were in the tower facing Bay Lake)

That is pretty funny! Yes, we were the "family of the day" on our day of arrival.

We stayed in the contemporary on the tower facing MK. We read in books and internet forums that this would be the best way for our twin 4 year olds to view the fireworks from a non-scary distance.

M

 

[TammiMcMan]

What is MVMCP? And we're going 1st & 2nd wk of Oct - I guess I should educate myself - any special events going on at that time that I should be aware of?

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade is a hard ticketed item offered between Thanksgiving and the week before Christmas. During your stay, you might want to look into MNSSHP (Mickey's not so scary halloween party). Same basic idea, with the park closing to day guests at 6pm and re-opening for this event at 7pm. Open to all guests who purchase a ticket.

 

[poohluvrs]

Thanks Tammi - we were thinking of doing MNSSHP but our kids are only 2 - I think they'll turn into pumpkins not long into the Halloween party though, and couldnt justify $37 pp to trick or treat, any other bene's of it Im missing>


And OP - as a MOM (Mom of multiples) I really feel your pain of the loss of sleep you got w/ your twin boys,

 

[Chuck S]

I can't explain the Paul T reference, but RADP is a news group on the news servers rec.arts.disney.parks I posted there years ago before I found the DIS...I've met a few of the members at WDW. AFIK, it is unmoderated.

 

[mickeymom]

We were at the Wilderness Lodge a few years ago with my parents. I remember getting a form letter in our room saying grad night was taking place and they apologized for any inconvenience that it may cause. I remember being able to faintly hear music. My 60+ parents were not thrilled but I really wasn't bothered by it. I tend to save everything from our trips. I have to check and see if I have the letter packed away somewhere.

 

[ChapelHillian]

Most guests would find an extra fireworks show at midnight a plus not a negative. OP is complaining about bands at 4:00a when grad night ends at 3:00a.

Many of us think the OP is probably just a troll. If it was that loud OP should have been asked to change to a different room or resort.

I don't mind midnight fireworks except when travelling with kids that wake me up early in the morning.

It took us until 1am to fall asleep. Then we were woken up several times thoughout the night. I called the front desk at 2:30 am. I thought that I was up again at 4am and to see if this might have been the case, I looked up grad night after I returned home and the page I saw said 4 am.

Please forgive me for being sleepy and out of it in the middle of the night.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[ChapelHillian]

Seriously, you all think it's a hotel guest's responsibility to ask if the noise level is going to be so bad after midnight that he won't be able to sleep?

That's just crazy,and and my opinion it's just taking "defending WDW at all costs" to a new level. I love WDW but it's not perfect. If something like this happened to me, I would complain like crazy.

So every time I make a reservation at a hotel from now on I have to ask if there will be any "noisy people" there???? I think we should just assume that it's management's responsibility to make sure everyone has a restful stay!!!

To me, it's not a matter of letting the guest know, but of keeping the noise level down!!

Thanks for the support.

I always ask for a quiet room when I check in. And I am pretty sure I asked this time. After this, I would want something signed by an employee saying it will be quiet.

M

 

[Kaitysmom]

"Are you sure about the 4 in the morning Grad night ended at 3 am for sure. You should of complained and moved rooms or resorts if it was that bad."

Really not much difference between 3 am or 4 am IMO.

 

[jpeltier]

I think its ridiculous to suggest that when making a reservation you have to ask if their are any special events planned. WDW is a fun place but we all know that its about money(as it should be on WDW's part) because they are a business. However, customer satisfaction leads to more repeat guests.
What's up with the attitude toward Disney? Its pretty pitiful that someone cannot express a critical opinion. Is there a screening process now that forbids free speech? I've appreciated the fact that I can learn both good and bad things about WDW on this site.Do you know what its like to have kids? Have any of you spent a restless night with your child? I feel bad that M's vacation was messed up because of the music.
Other sites have posts about the negativity being expressed on the this board and I thought the statements were unfair, but now I don't know. Mean spiritedness might be a better word. Yes, I know that I don't have to come to this site but fortunately I can and I will.