I just don't get it. Help Please!

[Karnak]

Let’s see if I’ve got this right. I am planning on visiting the Magic Kingdom on Sunday, March 19. The WDW web site tells me that the evening schedule for that park on that day reads:

8:00 SpectroMagic Parade #1
9:00 Fireworks
10:00 SpectroMagic Parade #2
10:00 Official park closing for those staying off site.
10:00 Extra Magic Hours begin
1:00 am Park closes

How does all of this work? Do day guests not staying at a WDW resort have to leave at 10:00 just as the second parade begins? Do cast members really check for wristbands? Why the late hours? Would you say that Disney is expecting a huge crowd on that date? How much advantage is there in making use of the three hours between 10:00pm and 1:00am?

Thanks

 

[jennymouse]

It appears they are expecting a good sized crowd that night. When I go, I avoid EMH and go to the park that had it the previous day. I just perfer lower crowds, especially if that extra three hours is so packed you can't do anything anyway. I have gone into the park just to view the parade. They won't let folks who don't have the wristbands get on the rides but I don't think they run them out of the park....I guess they like to keep them shopping....

 

[snowy76]

They definitely cannot get on attractions after closing -- I would imagine at some point a CM will gently let them know that the park is open for resort guests. Still, I've never seen anyone booted out of the park entirely... I think most people who don't have bands either wander out of the park themselves because they don't know about EMH, or they don't want to risk getting in trouble for hanging around.

But also remember that closing time is when they no longer let people IN. It's not a hard and fast time for everyone to be OUT like at a mall or a store. Many park shops (like those on Main Street or Hollywood Blvd at MGM) remain open for a while as the throngs exit the park slowly. That's on a regular night, so I don't think EMH would be too different.

I would imagine in the scenario that you describe that non EMH people can stay for Spectro but then would be expected to start heading out. I'm not 100% on this, but take Epcot. Epcot is regularly listed as closing at 9:00 -- and that's when Illuminations starts! They certainly don't kick people out in that situation!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Non Disney resort guests are not required to leave the park when the evening EMH begins. Without the wristbands they cannot do any of the rides or attractions. For the most part the Cast Members are very dilligent in checking and double checking for the EMH wristbands.

 

[Hopefully]

The late hours that evening do indeed indicate that Disney expects crowds. They monitor reservations, both on site and in the area, as well as historical patterns, and adjust their park hours accordingly. The time you are going would be during the typical spring break periods and I think you should expect it to be crowded.
As others have said, only on site guest who have gotten wristbands are eligible to ride the rides and attractions. The CM's do check for wristbands.