Grrr....I see what you did there, Disney

[Maleficent Dragon]

How do they usher you out? If you just want to mill around, not go on rides and stuff...
I'm hoping it's the case that these days are indeed much lighter than otherwise.

I was wondering the same thing. I always see CMs point people to the front of the park, but the people are never forced to leave. They are free to shop for non-party merchandise and buy food all they would like....and while they are at it, enjoy the parade and fireworks.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

You can't travel between lands without a party wristband. You also cannot enter a shop/restaurant, bathroom, buy snacks, etc. without a party band. For ADRs, you are led to the gate by a CM, with no stopping along the way.

I have gone to 2 Christmas parties every year for the last 10 years and I will call baloney on this. Nobody is manning the bathrooms or snack locations. They also do not stop people from spending money in the shops.

We seldom are asked to show our wristbands other than when purchasing party merchandise and walking into an attraction. We have seen people making their "last purchases" for the evening around 9 PM who do not have wristbands. Even to the point last December where the CM told the guest they could purchase all but two of the items in their hands because they were MVMCP items. The CM did tell them they 'should' leave the park afterwards, but there was no ushering. We went into Casey's for nachos around 8 at the 2nd party we attended and the two guys in front of us in line had no issues getting their order without their wristbands. I sat within ear shot of somebody on the bus back to the room who stayed at the party all night without a ticket. He commented on how much he enjoyed the parades and fireworks although he was unable to ride anything. :/

 

[smitch425]

I have gone to 2 Christmas parties every year for the last 10 years and I will call baloney on this. Nobody is manning the bathrooms or snack locations. They also do not stop people from spending money in the shops.

We seldom are asked to show our wristbands other than when purchasing party merchandise and walking into an attraction. We have seen people making their "last purchases" for the evening around 9 PM who do not have wristbands. Even to the point last December where the CM told the guest they could purchase all but two of the items in their hands because they were MVMCP items. The CM did tell them they 'should' leave the park afterwards, but there was no ushering. We went into Casey's for nachos around 8 at the 2nd party we attended and the two guys in front of us in line had no issues getting their order without their wristbands. I sat within ear shot of somebody on the bus back to the room who stayed at the party all night without a ticket. He commented on how much he enjoyed the parades and fireworks although he was unable to ride anything. :/

Your experience is vastly different from mine. I have never been to the Christmas parties, but have been to 6 MNSSHPs, and they even check bands along the 2nd parade route. If you didn't pay to be there, you are supposed to leave.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Your experience is vastly different from mine. I have never been to the Christmas parties, but have been to 6 MNSSHPs, and they even check bands along the 2nd parade route. If you didn't pay to be there, you are supposed to leave.

I agree with that last part. However, supposed to and actually doing are not the same. I have never seen a guest escorted out. I have seen CMs point to the front, but never force anybody to leave. I wish they would.

The first party I went to, 2002 I think, everybody with a wristband was sent to wait in Tomorrowland while those without them were actually sent out of the parks. I have never seen so many CMs in one place a time. It was like the DEA surrounding a drug factory in a movie.

 

[lugnut33]

I haven't been to a party in years, but I thought they stopped using wrist bands? Don't they just use either a hard ticket or attach them to magic bands? Unless they scan the ticket or band how would they ever know if you stayed without a ticket?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Nope, definitely wristbands. It's the fast, simple, non-confrontational way to verify anyone is authorized to be there.

 

[smitch425]

I haven't been to a party in years, but I thought they stopped using wrist bands? Don't they just use either a hard ticket or attach them to magic bands? Unless they scan the ticket or band how would they ever know if you stayed without a ticket?

They stopped using wristbands for EMH, not parties.

 

[lugnut33]

Thanks Kayt and smitch.

 

[patster734]

Here is a picture of last year's MVMCP wristband.

 

[baler31]

Also, the wristbands have different background colors for each night to prevent people using the same bands to attend another party. We have seen a group escorted out after being confronted about their wristbands.

 

[baler31]

Your experience is vastly different from mine. I have never been to the Christmas parties, but have been to 6 MNSSHPs, and they even check bands along the 2nd parade route. If you didn't pay to be there, you are supposed to leave.

This has been our experience as well. I have seen multiple CM's checking wristbands. At the Emporium last year the doors were closed with CM's outside and you had to show your wristband to enter the store.

 

[mom2rtk]

I have seen them checking wristbands upstairs in the train station right before the parade.

 

[maxiesmom]

Add me to the list of people who have noticed Disney checking wrist bands. They sure did this past December! I've also seen them escort more than one group of people from the park who didn't have wrist bands on. When you are waiting for the parade to start they catch a lot of people trying to scam.

 

[patster734]

They were checking wrist band as we were heading towards the castle prior to the Anna and Elsa castle lighting show.

 

[Pkltm]

I have gone to 2 Christmas parties every year for the last 10 years and I will call baloney on this. Nobody is manning the bathrooms or snack locations. They also do not stop people from spending money in the shops.

We seldom are asked to show our wristbands other than when purchasing party merchandise and walking into an attraction. We have seen people making their "last purchases" for the evening around 9 PM who do not have wristbands. Even to the point last December where the CM told the guest they could purchase all but two of the items in their hands because they were MVMCP items. The CM did tell them they 'should' leave the park afterwards, but there was no ushering. We went into Casey's for nachos around 8 at the 2nd party we attended and the two guys in front of us in line had no issues getting their order without their wristbands. I sat within ear shot of somebody on the bus back to the room who stayed at the party all night without a ticket. He commented on how much he enjoyed the parades and fireworks although he was unable to ride anything. :/

We were at the second MVMCP last year, it was a sellout, they would not let you into order at Casey Corner without a wristband. We saw them walk guest right to the exit.

 

[Fastpassminus]

Go to MK that day. Do RD-dinner time. It will be light crowds. Use FP plus to your advantage. Make a dimmer reservation at one of the resorts. Use the time to enjoy a new part of the resort. Go on the hayride & Marshmellow Roast at FtW or have dinner at Ohana or Kona and see the Fireworks from the Beach. Or go enjoy the Boardwalk.

Plan to stay out really late at another park the night before your second MK day ( non party day) the have your pool morning & relax. Go to MK & FP Wishes since it will be pretty crowded.

The key to WDW is to zig when they zag & really REALLY don't try to so it all.

 

[OasterP]

I've only been to one party - a MNSSHP last year. I can honestly say I don't remember them checking my wrist band even once, but maybe they just saw it? I had on short sleeves. I definitely wouldn't try to do a party without one, but that's just me.

Also I'm reading that they are adding so many parties b/c of demand - are they just closer together? I know that there are far fewer dates (or at least starts much later) in September for the MNSSHP. Last year they had dates in early(ish) September, but not this year. The dates we are planning to go this year had parties last year but not this year. I wondered if they just didn't have great attendance at those. I was disappointed but not too much. With no food and wine and no parties maybe it will be lighter crowds.

 

[Suzanne74]

I miss the days where they actually closed the park down and then reopened. It just seems way too crowded at the parties lately and like OP said, too close together. So the rare days that don't have the parties, MK is packed and then on party days, Epcot and DHS are packed. We just have such better memories from parties 8 years ago than recently.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

We were at the second MVMCP last year, it was a sellout, they would not let you into order at Casey Corner without a wristband. We saw them walk guest right to the exit.

Well let's all put on our shocked face about the inconsistencies with/at Disney.

 

[Suzanne74]

Well let's all put on our shocked face about the inconsistencies with/at Disney.

I wonder if they are escorting people out that have problems understanding English.