Is Rider Swap offered just before park closing

[Nick6300]

Can you obtain rider swap inside of 10 minutes before park closing? Such as 1) Flight of Passage at 5:55pm for a 6pm close or 2) Mine Train at 5:55pm on a party night.
We saw a stream last year where a CM at Flight of Passage allowed them to rider swap, knowing that it would be after park closing for the 2nd parent. But not sure if that's CM to CM or commonly allowed. We could ride Safari together as last ride instead of FoP if not allowed to RS late.

Guessing no for #2 for MNSSHP. Can you linger after 6pm by ordering at Cosmic at like 5:45, browsing in shops on Main St. after 6, so as long as not going into queues?

 

[Disney102015]

We tried to rider swap Test Track a few minutes before Epcot close and they wouldn’t let us because the swap wouldn’t be complete before closing. They did let my husband ride and brought me and my son to a waiting area, but I wasn’t able to ride after. I’m guessing it depends somewhat on CM/attraction.

 

[Nick6300]

We tried to rider swap Test Track a few minutes before Epcot close and they wouldn’t let us because the swap wouldn’t be complete before closing. They did let my husband ride and brought me and my son to a waiting area, but I wasn’t able to ride after. I’m guessing it depends somewhat on CM/attraction.

Thanks. I figured if AK is going to stay at 6pm close (hours for august recently posted) hopefully goes to 7pm, we could try a last ride. But I forgot that we now have a 1 yr old, and need to RS. I suppose we could try fop and if not allowed we could go on NRJ as backup or safari if enough time to walk there.

Might rethink going to MK during a party day if they really crack down on a late ride or dinner. This is the rare time we don’t have park hopper, partially because our baby typically gets tired around 7-8 central.

 

[sponica]

Might rethink going to MK during a party day if they really crack down on a late ride or dinner. This is the rare time we don’t have park hopper, partially because our baby typically gets tired around 7-8 central.

I'd still stick with the party day and aim to get all the heavy hitters done before party guests arrive at 4 PM. That overlap time is when the crowds will be heavier. Even if you weren't trying to RS at just before regular park close, I wouldn't pick that ride to do last.

 

[Nick6300]

I'd still stick with the party day and aim to get all the heavy hitters done before party guests arrive at 4 PM. That overlap time is when the crowds will be heavier. Even if you weren't trying to RS at just before regular park close, I wouldn't pick that ride to do last.

thanks. I normally go to MK during each party day, but I was thinking just the Fri MK this time (Tue Fri in mid/late Aug.). This is so that we can still have a chance for HEA, if baby allows it, earlier in the week and for that Fri, we wouldn't need the new FP+$ with the lighter crowds, and we'd get out earlier to pack/pool or DS if time. Since it's our last night.

It sounds like you're implying that 7D is more popular between 4-6pm on party nights because of non partiers trying to squeeze it in and 4pm partiers going there first. That wouldn't surprise me if that were the case. The little I've seen of the new FP+$, Tiana's Bayou is a group 1 selection come 7/24, meaning that would no longer be VQ. So if Tiana is available to SB by our Aug. trip, I wonder if the new ride magnetizes some of the last ride, first ride guests. If not broken down that night.

 

[Nick6300]

I'd still stick with the party day and aim to get all the heavy hitters done before party guests arrive at 4 PM. That overlap time is when the crowds will be heavier. Even if you weren't trying to RS at just before regular park close, I wouldn't pick that ride to do last.

Sponica - do you know if EEH increases crowds enough to change your park days? Mon is EEH for EP, Wed is EEH for MK, and Wed has an after hrs. event for HS. I currently had:
Sat AK
Sun MK
Mon EP
Tue HS
Wed MK
Thurs EP
Fri MK (party day, leaving at 6pm)
Sat AK (shorter flight day)

we have less HS because, along with AK, there aren't many attractions we can do together as a fam. I usually try avoiding EP on weekends of Food and Wine but swapping EP and MK - Sun at EP would be better than Fri/Sat. But I suspect that EEH isn't much of a factor, where the HS on Wed may be more of one.

 

[Disneydawg74]

Can you obtain rider swap inside of 10 minutes before park closing? Such as 1) Flight of Passage at 5:55pm for a 6pm close or 2) Mine Train at 5:55pm on a party night.
We saw a stream last year where a CM at Flight of Passage allowed them to rider swap, knowing that it would be after park closing for the 2nd parent. But not sure if that's CM to CM or commonly allowed. We could ride Safari together as last ride instead of FoP if not allowed to RS late.

Guessing no for #2 for MNSSHP. Can you linger after 6pm by ordering at Cosmic at like 5:45, browsing in shops on Main St. after 6, so as long as not going into queues?

Lingering is discouraged. We had tickets for a party about 2 years ago, had our wrist bands on and were approached pretty sternly four or five times by different Cast Members who asked if we had party tickets.

 

[Nick6300]

Lingering is discouraged. We had tickets for a party about 2 years ago, had our wrist bands on and were approached pretty sternly four or five times by different Cast Members who asked if we had party tickets.

Do you think that we'd be able to order QS at say Pinocchio's or Casey's at 5:45 to sit outside and eat/people watch costumes on Main St. or would they make you scarf down a footlong hot dog at 6pm and not having a wrist band.

 

[Disneydawg74]

Do you think that we'd be able to order QS at say Pinocchio's or Casey's at 5:45 to sit outside and eat/people watch costumes on Main St. or would they make you scarf down a footlong hot dog at 6pm and not having a wrist band.

As always, depends on how many CMs have feet on the ground to deter guests without party tickets from overstaying. I think the shops are monitored for ticket holders because there is often a crush from partygoers looking for special merchandise at the parties. But, if you’re finishing your food. you should be ok to finish and for a slow stroll down Main Street on your way out of the park. Be aware that the QS hours aren’t always the same as nonparty days.

 

[Nick6300]

As always, depends on how many CMs have feet on the ground to deter guests without party tickets from overstaying. I think the shops are monitored for ticket holders because there is often a crush from partygoers looking for special merchandise at the parties. But, if you’re finishing your food. you should be ok to finish and for a slow stroll down Main Street on your way out of the park. Be aware that the QS hours aren’t always the same as nonparty days.

that's interesting that they'd deter non party guests at the shops on Main St. too. Just like non party days, they usually want guests to spend $ after park close on the way out. But I get that it's a broad sweep effort to have you out by 6, no matter where you are. All of our years of attending during party nights, we have never actually stuck around much past 4pm, because of the expected uptick and because we've always had PH. We decided to go with base tickets for this trip because last year with baby, we never come close to seeing fireworks, always leaving early, and I sort of expect more or less the same. But now that there are no more reservations, and us being used to having PH, I'm sort of regretting that decision, but not willing to potentially lose the UT discount we got for the early booking of base tickets with the upgrade.

 

[Disneydawg74]

that's interesting that they'd deter non party guests at the shops on Main St. too. Just like non party days, they usually want guests to spend $ after park close on the way out. But I get that it's a broad sweep effort to have you out by 6, no matter where you are. All of our years of attending during party nights, we have never actually stuck around much past 4pm, because of the expected uptick and because we've always had PH. We decided to go with base tickets for this trip because last year with baby, we never come close to seeing fireworks, always leaving early, and I sort of expect more or less the same. But now that there are no more reservations, and us being used to having PH, I'm sort of regretting that decision, but not willing to potentially lose the UT discount we got for the early booking of base tickets with the upgrade.

Totally understand your situation. It’s a bummer they try to limit shopping as you are on your way out. But, every year is different, so you’ll find out how this year is going (We aren’t doing MVMCP this year either).

 

[Nick6300]

Totally understand your situation. It’s a bummer they try to limit shopping as you are on your way out. But, every year is different, so you’ll find out how this year is going (We aren’t doing MVMCP this year either).

I haven't done MNSSHP since like 2008 when it was very different, and never the Christmas party. Somewhat interested in trying it once, to try it, but not as a value play. Same with the Holly Jolly at HS. My best disney friend always does the HP every Oct., and touts the bags of candy and they get a locker full of diet cokes. My reply is always, do you know how much candy you can purchase for like $199 per person? And really, the Holly Jolly uses some of the events that were there before such as Jingle Bam. But the after hours parties are much more lucrative to Disney vs. the old extra evening hours perk.

 

[Mle8308]

I haven't done MNSSHP since like 2008 when it was very different, and never the Christmas party. Somewhat interested in trying it once, to try it, but not as a value play. Same with the Holly Jolly at HS. My best disney friend always does the HP every Oct., and touts the bags of candy and they get a locker full of diet cokes. My reply is always, do you know how much candy you can purchase for like $199 per person? And really, the Holly Jolly uses some of the events that were there before such as Jingle Bam. But the after hours parties are much more lucrative to Disney vs. the old extra evening hours perk.

Just FYI, soda is not free for MNSSHP, it is during After Hours events, but I wouldn't want to lug around bottles of soda, even for "free". Only the candy is given out at MNSSHP (and it hasn't been so great the past few years, and as you say, definitely not $199 worth, though I do enjoy the party).

 

[Nick6300]

Just FYI, soda is not free for MNSSHP, it is during After Hours events, but I wouldn't want to lug around bottles of soda, even for "free". Only the candy is given out at MNSSHP (and it hasn't been so great the past few years, and as you say, definitely not $199 worth, though I do enjoy the party).

That stinks no free pop. All those "free" Mickey ears and popcorn without something to wash it down. That was second hand info on my part, or maybe I mixed discussions with other AH parties like you stated. There's no way I'd go through the trouble of renting a locker and storing as many pops as I can during my party. I don't know that I'd choose do a lot of trick or treating either except that I know I'm going with an extended family with a bunch of kids, so likely yes.

My biggest priority for MNSSHP would be for lower wait times, and I hear that it was better recently but sometimes still lengthy. This party for Sept 2025 is being discussed but I also don't know if my baby would allow us to stay out that late. Right now, 8pm Central is bedtime so that's 7pm Eastern.

 

[Mle8308]

That stinks no free pop. All those "free" Mickey ears and popcorn without something to wash it down. That was second hand info on my part, or maybe I mixed discussions with other AH parties like you stated. There's no way I'd go through the trouble of renting a locker and storing as many pops as I can during my party. I don't know that I'd choose do a lot of trick or treating either except that I know I'm going with an extended family with a bunch of kids, so likely yes.

My biggest priority for MNSSHP would be for lower wait times, and I hear that it was better recently but sometimes still lengthy. This party for Sept 2025 is being discussed but I also don't know if my baby would allow us to stay out that late. Right now, 8pm Central is bedtime so that's 7pm Eastern.

The Mickey bars and popcorn aren't free either at MNSSHP. That stuff is only free at the After Hours parties. MNSSHP used to be quieter earlier in the season, but since now most dates are selling out, it really doesn't make a difference. They tend to be quite busy until after the first parade and fireworks. It clears out a bit after that.

 

[Nick6300]

The Mickey bars and popcorn aren't free either at MNSSHP. That stuff is only free at the After Hours parties. MNSSHP used to be quieter earlier in the season, but since now most dates are selling out, it really doesn't make a difference. They tend to be quite busy until after the first parade and fireworks. It clears out a bit after that.

wow, I'm really misinformed. I even have in my head watching streams of the halloween parties with Adam and Kristen from when they were on Streaming the Magic, with Adam scarfing like 5 mickey bars at a time and talking with his mouth full. But maybe that was not a halloween party. Less appeal to me now.

 

[Disneydawg74]

The Mickey bars and popcorn aren't free either at MNSSHP. That stuff is only free at the After Hours parties. MNSSHP used to be quieter earlier in the season, but since now most dates are selling out, it really doesn't make a difference. They tend to be quite busy until after the first parade and fireworks. It clears out a bit after that.

People may be remembering the Boo Bash of 2021 (we attended that party) which was a post-Covid Halloween party in place of MNSSHP. Free Mickey bars and popcorn were part of the event. Tickets were $159. It started at 7:00 p.m. (no earlier entry without a separate park ticket).

 

[sponica]

8pm Central is bedtime so that's 7pm Eastern

I think you have that backwards. 8 PM central is 9 PM Eastern.

As far as EEH, in my experience it's been a non issue for crowds during the time of year where there aren't parties...the only thing that might be different is that during party season non party days are just more crowded so people can see fireworks.

For the After Hours, it might get a little more crowded towards the end of the night. I'm not sure when AH starts/ticket holders enter. I do remember at least one time reading about park close being too close to the AH start time, so the AH crowd was complaining about how there wasn't enough buffer to clear the lines out of the top tier attractions.

 

[Nick6300]

I think you have that backwards. 8 PM central is 9 PM Eastern.

As far as EEH, in my experience it's been a non issue for crowds during the time of year where there aren't parties...the only thing that might be different is that during party season non party days are just more crowded so people can see fireworks.

For the After Hours, it might get a little more crowded towards the end of the night. I'm not sure when AH starts/ticket holders enter. I do remember at least one time reading about park close being too close to the AH start time, so the AH crowd was complaining about how there wasn't enough buffer to clear the lines out of the top tier attractions.

Yes - I do that all the time on the Central to Eastern.

Thanks on the EEH perspective. Being that our trip is mid/late Aug., hoping it doesn't really matter crowds should be lower. I think the HS party is 9:30-12:30 and reg. hours ends at 9. We currently have HS on Tue with that HS party being on Wed., it was only a consideration if moving MK from Wed to avoid EEH. I believe I never previously considered EEH to factor into scheduling before and it was fine, because with party days and F&W and the after hours parties, and flight days, there's enough to consider.

 

[Nick6300]

what are the current rough approximate pricing for stroller rental options? We're bringing one but my sister in law wants to rent one.