Grad Nights

[MillauFr]

I’ve never had issues with the Knott’s crowds. At its worst, they attract a lot of teens just as DL did in its Videopolis days, but they’ve slowly decreased as a curfew/ chaperone policy was implemented. Just like at DL during its Videopos days.

The high prices at DL eliminate most of the problems.

 

[wendlle]

Why on earth would anyone go to Knott's to avoid a DL grad night? That makes zero sense.

I'm not going there to avoid Grad night, I'm going there anyway. I'm wondering which 3 days to do DL and which 1 day to go to Knott's. 2 of the days are Grad Nights out of the 4 I have.
I figured avoiding one of them would be best.

 

[foolish_mortals]

bet that a significant portion of DLR’s local guests collect some type of government assistance. When you need only make monthly payments, and taxpayers are covering your food…

Considering that many guests are cast members, that's a safe bet since many of the positions offered by Disney have such low pay that they would qualify for assistance...

Either way this discussion has gone far off-topic and doesn't address OPs question.

 

[tlovesdis]

Let's please stay ON TOPIC here so we don't have to close down this thread. Thanks!

 

[joseph821]

Are there a set number of tickets sold per Grad Night like an OBB night or Disneyland After Dark event night?

 

[LAS2AMS]

Are there a set number of tickets sold per Grad Night like an OBB night or Disneyland After Dark event night?

I’m sure there’s capacity controls. It’s priced slightly lower than OBB/ After Dark events, so they may let a few more people in. But even with chaperones, you couldn’t fill the park to capacity with 18yo… that’s just asking for disaster anywhere!

 

[joseph821]

I’m sure there’s capacity controls. It’s priced slightly lower than OBB/ After Dark events, so they may let a few more people in. But even with chaperones, you couldn’t fill the park to capacity with 18yo… that’s just asking for disaster anywhere!

I thought so. I am certain the capacity is lower than OBB/After Dark Events. Most probably buy just the DCA party ticket starting at 9pm.

 

[LKing]

Grad Night tickets are not sold to individual grads. They are done by school. Each school has a certain number of seniors. When they book/arrange for their grad night, it is a package where Disneyland knows how many students and chaperones will be arriving. They control numbers buy controlling what nights different sizes of schools can go.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Grad Night tickets are not sold to individual grads. They are done by school. Each school has a certain number of seniors. When they book/arrange for their grad night, it is a package where Disneyland knows how many students and chaperones will be arriving. They control numbers buy controlling what nights different sizes of schools can go.

Technically yes but Disney announces the dates and prices a year in advance, schools survey students then commit to a specific ticket purchase based on interest. They often require payment in advance of knowing which dates and tickets they’ll be able to secure.

The event is obviously a huge local tradition, and classes would sometimes fundraiser for the event so everyone can go… not sure if Disney still allows that? It’s gotten so expensive that many schools no longer have enough interest to meet the minimum ticket purchase to participate.

 

[LKing]

Right, but my point was that tickets aren't sold to the general public like OBB or after hours events. Disney may have five schools in the 100-200 student range and then add a half dozen schools in the <50 range. If there is a particularly large school going one night, they shift what days they book the other schools. What combo of sizes of schools are booked on each night is decided well before tickets are offered to the students.

Some local schools do all day Disneyland "field trip" for seniors instead of grad nite.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Right, but my point was that tickets aren't sold to the general public like OBB or after hours events. Disney may have five schools in the 100-200 student range and then add a half dozen schools in the <50 range. If there is a particularly large school going one night, they shift what days they book the other schools. What combo of sizes of schools are booked on each night is decided well before tickets are offered to the students.

Some local schools do all day Disneyland "field trip" for seniors instead of grad nite.

It’s great info. I think @joseph821 was wondering what capacity controls are in place. The tickets are sold through schools but there’s still some capacity controls. They use to have a high chaperone to student ratio… in 2000 it was 1:1, I wonder if that’s still the case?

I just noticed WDW no longer hosts grad nights. In the 1990s, unlike DL, any allowed individual groups of students (with chaperones) to sign up. We were there (not for grad nights, but to visit WDW) in the mid-90s and I recall the code of conduct at the MK said no chewing gum was permitted. Not sure what the reason was for, or why / when WDW ended grad nights.

 

[joseph821]

It’s great info. I think @joseph821 was wondering what capacity controls are in place. The tickets are sold through schools but there’s still some capacity controls. They use to have a high chaperone to student ratio… in 2000 it was 1:1, I wonder if that’s still the case?

I just noticed WDW no longer hosts grad nights. In the 1990s, unlike DL, any allowed individual groups of students (with chaperones) to sign up. We were there (not for grad nights, but to visit WDW) in the mid-90s and I recall the code of conduct at the MK said no chewing gum was permitted. Not sure what the reason was for, or why / when WDW ended grad nights.

Yes thank you. WDW ended them because they were not really financially profitable anymore and more Florida schools did not participate.
I think Grad Nights are very popular at DL but anything can happen so I would not be surprised if Grad Nights were cut and more Disneyland After Dark events happened in May/June.

 

[winklet]

Our last DL trip overlapped with Grad Nites on two of our park days. I was bracing for the worst after what I'd read online and honestly they were both GREAT days and nights in the park.

I actually thought the extra teens added an overall dose of joy to the vibe of the crowds. So many of them were so visibly excited, and honestly, so many of them were so super cute together. I think DL brings out the child in a lot of people, and in fact most grad nite attendees are still children (even if big ones at that!). Our kids were 9 and 12 on that trip and I think it made them feel extra cool to be surrounded by some extra teens. I wouldn't hesitate to go on grad nite. I said congrats to anyone I saw wearing graduation mouse ears or other regalia and got nothing but smiles and a high five in return. Go for it!