Grad Night & Disney Ruin Magic Kingdom Stay

[DawnCt1]

Hi ChapelHillian

Wow, that's increadible! My personal opinion is that is awful. Especially on Disney's part. Disney is a place fun and enjoyment for ALL members of families and individuals who travel there. It's Walt's way to have everyone have the best time possible. Disney is for kids and the kids in us adults. Not just for a bunch of partying teenagers celebrating their grad night. Don't get me wrong as a teenager I did more than my share. However at Disney 'till 4 in the morning??? Come on, have it somewhere else where you're not keeping up hundreds of 1 to 8 year old kids.

Something should have been done for you no question. I'm a father with a 5 year old son and 1 year old daughter. If that had of happened when I was there the first thing I would have done is walked down to the front desk and DEMANDED something be done. My first sentance would have been to transfer me to another resort (and yes make it a very nice room and a very nice resort with some free dinner passes or something to compensate). If I got a hassle... I'd grab my daugher under her arms, lift her up and show them the red eyes and her crying because she couldn't sleep. I'd then ask "Is this what Disney is about????"!

Again, Disney is for kids and the kids in us adults.

Just my $0.02
Andy

Actually Disney is for anyone who wants to go and pays for admission. Disney has done grad night for years. It's not like the teens were running amok in the hotels. They were at a reserved, paid for venue that Disney has always offered. The also have conventions, meetings, etc. I have stayed at the Yacht Club when the lobby has been packed with conventioneers, complete with a greeting desk and posters. Any hotel that has a convention center is going to attract a convention crowd. Some might find that it detracts from the "magic". Thunderstorms can be equally loud. The OP could have asked to be transferred to another room in the hotel. He didn't want to be bothered moving. I don't think its that big of a deal.

 

[zalansky]

I have to agree with the OP, I would have been extremely upset if I had to hear that loud music all night long, especially with small children. When tacking theme parks, I think we need all the rest we can get. Especially when paying rates as high as at CR.

 

[26555]

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.

I agree and I wouldn't have know about the noise level without the post. I had in my mind the only negative to grad nights would be earlier park closings (which didn't bother me). Now, noise level at grad nights is something I know about and can steer clear of grad nights or take it into consideration when booking. Thanks to the OP and others who dare criticize Disney on occassion, helps balance out the boards.

 

[mjmcca]

I am curious what you expected the hotel to do to remedy this situation. You said that you werent interested in moving what else could the hotel do. There was nothing that could have be done about the noise level it was a concert format in a themepark that you are hearing not any event in the hotel that the management would have control over.

 

[LoraJ]

edit:
Ooops, I don't know why i thought the music was coming from another room. my bad.

 

[ChapelHillian]

I am curious what you expected the hotel top do to remedy this situation.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I think I have been clear that I was asking for advance disclosure.

You said that you werent interested in moving what else could the hotel do.

I didn't say I wasn't interested in moving. I said that moving was not an ideal proposition. Particularly not in the middle of the night.

There was nothing that could have be done about the noise level itwas a concert format in a themepark that you are hearing not any event in the hotel that the management would have control over.

If the hotel was owned by someone other than Disney, then I might agree. Are you suggesting that Disney does not operate the Contemporary Resort and Magic Kingdom park as part of the integrated Walt Disney World Resort? I am not complaining about Marriott or some other hotel. Given these issues, I disagree with your statement.

 

[Lewisc]

I am curious what you expected the hotel top do to remedy this situation. You said that you werent interested in moving what else could the hotel do. There was nothing that could have be done about the noise level itwas a concert format in a themepark that you are hearing not any event in the hotel that the management would have control over.

One of the posters had a friend in GF who wouldn't move. OP didn't say if they asked to be moved or if it was offered. After the first night OP should have been moved.

NOT NECESSARILY THE OP but I suspect some guests, even knowing about grad nights, might have taken their chances with the noise in order to keep their MK view.

 

[ChapelHillian]

NOT NECESSARILY THE OP but I suspect some guests, even knowing about grad nights, might have taken their chances with the noise in order to keep their MK view.

I agree that had we been told up front and had decided to "take a chance" that this would be a different situation. But we were never given that chance.

 

[Lewisc]

I agree that had we been told up front and had decided to "take a chance" that this would be a different situation. But we were never given that chance.

You said you had a noise problem 2 nights. I understand not moving at 2:00a but did you ask to move after the first loud night?

JMO but Disney would be wrong if they didn't find a way to accommodate that request and you'd be wrong if you didn't insist on being moved.

Some of us posting in this thread aren't just answering your post but some of the others. My comment suggesting the CM tell you your MK view room would be noiser than normal was intended as the type of solution that would solve the problem for future guests. MK is opened late for grad nights, night of joy, private parties and so on. Really should be a standard spiel to give guests.

At least one person posted that a friend refused to move from their MK view room at GF because it wasn't worth the inconvenience. Sorry but those guests have no reason to complain.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

I am curious what you expected the hotel to do to remedy this situation. You said that you werent interested in moving what else could the hotel do. There was nothing that could have be done about the noise level it was a concert format in a themepark that you are hearing not any event in the hotel that the management would have control over.

So there's nothing Disney can do about Disney ?? How about not planning things in ways that inconveniences other guests (who have paid hundreds of dollars for a room)?

Thank you Chapel Hillian for posting your experience - I am glad to know about this. Information is a wonderful thing - even when it's subversive!!!!

 

[AndyMcV]

...Actually Disney is for anyone who wants to go and pays for admission. Disney has done grad night for years. It's not like the teens were running amok in the hotels. They were at a reserved, paid for venue that Disney has always offered...

Sure, I agree that Disney is for anyone that wants to go and pay for admission. No question. However WDW is a family friendly vacation spot. This is fact and the true mentality of the resorts and parks. Given that half if not a lot more Disney attendees ar under the age of 12 it doesn't seem right for Disney to have loud entertainment until 4 in the morning. To be honest it's not the teens fault at all. It's Disney for not separating the event(s) from the regular resort guests.

I have no problem with Disney wanting to do that for special events and special groups but, and this is a big but, it should not affect the other guests especially at 4 in the morning trying the get a normal night's sleep. In my book it's just common sense.

Andy

 

[mjmcca]

If the hotel was owned by someone other than Disney, then I might agree. Are you suggesting that Disney does not operate the Contemporary Resort and Magic Kingdom park as part of the integrated Walt Disney World Resort? I am not complaining about Marriott or some other hotel. Given these issues, I disagree with your statement.

The hotels and the themeparks are separate entities in Disney. The management of one has no control over what happens in another. Even each themepark has its own managerial team.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

well i have to agree with the OP
Dsiney should have tolf them it was grad time when making the reservation but htey wanna fil lrooms so..
also i dont think CH is a "troll" and i think people should not call others names
from what i have seen grad night is til 4am and if i paid for a room facing MK at the Contm id be mad if iw as upp all night listening to it to
good luck with guest services

 

[chamonix]

Here is an important "warning" to everyone: After MK closes at night, anyone with the money to, can rent it out for a special private event, including fireworks and bands if they pay enough. These special private events can (and DO) occur all the time. We see it frequently when we stay at the Poly with a view of the MK. (yes, we hear it too, but are not bothered by it because it's pretty far away) Actually, any of the parks can be bought or rented for special private events after the regular public hours. Often these private events are purchased by corporations or other groups (with deep pockets!) who are having conventions nearby. My friends have attended as part of their conference package every year. Noone will warn you of these events, now that you know they are possible, consider making other arrangements for your hotel if you are a light sleeper and very near a park.

I think some of the problem is just that some people are used to ignoring some noise at night, and some people (like me) are used to quiet. My dear friends who have always lived in apartments are used to hearing people in the hallways, car doors slamming at all hours, etc and they can sleep through it no problem. Every time I stay over there I am up all night because I live in a much more quiet neighborhood of homes with large yards, and very little traffic, so every noise has me lifting my head off the pillow saying, "huh? What's that?" I live in a small quiet town, urban dwellers are much more likely to not notice late night noise, you know?

Often when I am in hotels, it is noisier than I am used to, even with just the "usual" amount of noises--just people walking down the hallway not being particularly loud can wake me up because I am used to silence when I sleep. I don't blame Disney for that. I do hate noisy parties in hotel rooms near me though, and people who yell in the hallways at 3am, etc. of course! I think that upon check-in, regardless of the ages of the guests involved, the desk should have warned that the MK side of the hotel was going to have loud noise on that night, and offered to place the guests in another area.

Anyway, I mostly just wanted to warn people that things like grad nights are not the only time they can "expect" noise from a park after closing, and you should be aware that fireworks noise, etc can happen at any time of night.

 

[ChapelHillian]

The hotels and the themeparks are separate entities in Disney. The management of one has no control over what happens in another. Even each themepark has its own managerial team.

So when I call the Disney number I cannot book both a room and park entry tix? Reservations should know all of this and should disclose. The park should communicate with the hotels so the hotels can disclose. Anything less is a cop-out. Disney is a powerful and well organized company that could have chosen to manage and disclose this information.

 

[mjmcca]

Yes they are one company but the hotel has nothing to do with the operartion of the themeparks. Tey have no idea who would and who would not be effected by the noise simce some people seemed to notice and others did not. They offered to move you you declined. That is the extent of their obligation IMO.

 

[Lewisc]

BINGO Some events may not have even been booked when a guest makes his hotel reservation. A guest that requests a quiet room should have been politely advised to accept a Bay view room. A guest who was bothered by the noise should have been moved after the first night.

I don't think Disney owes the guest any more than that.

OP still hasn't said if he asked to be moved after the first loud night. If Disney refused I think he's entitled to some compensation. If he didn't ask then he has to share the blame.

Here is an important "warning" to everyone: After MK closes at night, anyone with the money to, can rent it out for a special private event, including fireworks and bands if they pay enough. These special private events can (and DO) occur all the time. We see it frequently when we stay at the Poly with a view of the MK. (yes, we hear it too, but are not bothered by it because it's pretty far away) Actually, any of the parks can be bought or rented for special private events after the regular public hours. Often these private events are purchased by corporations or other groups (with deep pockets!) who are having conventions nearby. My friends have attended as part of their conference package every year. Noone will warn you of these events, now that you know they are possible, consider making other arrangements for your hotel if you are a light sleeper and very near a park.

I think some of the problem is just that some people are used to ignoring some noise at night, and some people (like me) are used to quiet. My dear friends who have always lived in apartments are used to hearing people in the hallways, car doors slamming at all hours, etc and they can sleep through it no problem. Every time I stay over there I am up all night because I live in a much more quiet neighborhood of homes with large yards, and very little traffic, so every noise has me lifting my head off the pillow saying, "huh? What's that?" I live in a small quiet town, urban dwellers are much more likely to not notice late night noise, you know?

Often when I am in hotels, it is noisier than I am used to, even with just the "usual" amount of noises--just people walking down the hallway not being particularly loud can wake me up because I am used to silence when I sleep. I don't blame Disney for that. I do hate noisy parties in hotel rooms near me though, and people who yell in the hallways at 3am, etc. of course! I think that upon check-in, regardless of the ages of the guests involved, the desk should have warned that the MK side of the hotel was going to have loud noise on that night, and offered to place the guests in another area.

Anyway, I mostly just wanted to warn people that things like grad nights are not the only time they can "expect" noise from a park after closing, and you should be aware that fireworks noise, etc can happen at any time of night.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

BINGO Some events may not have even been booked when a guest makes his hotel reservation. A guest that requests a quiet room should have been politely advised to accept a Bay view room. A guest who was bothered by the noise should have been moved after the first night.

I don't think Disney owes the guest any more than that.

OP still hasn't said if he asked to be moved after the first loud night. If Disney refused I think he's entitled to some compensation. If he didn't ask then he has to share the blame.

I'm really trying to figure out why you want to argue with the poor guy. He never said he "wanted" anything except to alert us and to tell Disney that he didn't like how they handle this situation.

Oh, just change rooms? That makes everything OK? If it's late at night and you're all unpacked and you have little kids (or even if you don't) it's an inconvenience to change rooms. Why they would be blasting loud music until 4:00 am where there other paying guests are trying to sleep is beyond me anyway.

People don't always "want" things when they complain. They just want people to know that everything wasn't satisfactory.

 

[mjmcca]

I am sorry this guy wants more than that . Why else is he telling people to call the cops on Disney.

 

[ms1]

I'm really trying to figure out why you want to argue with the poor guy. He never said he "wanted" anything except to alert us and to tell Disney that he didn't like how they handle this situation.

Did you read his letter to Guest Services? He WANTS 2 days compensation. He WANTS a WRITTEN apology. He WANTS a promise that all guests be informed at booking. I don't remember exactly what else he WANTS. I just don't think that is realistic.

If GS sent me a reply that said they understood and customer service could have been better and we will explore ways to correct this in the future...I would be happy. It would mean that my experience, good or bad, mattered to them.