MK Closing at 6 pm for MVMCP???

[ShirikiUtundu]

They used to do this. Party guests could go to Tomorrowland while they cleared the rest of the park. Rides were open, cookie stations were open and you could get your free picture taken (this was a long time ago.....).

I was going to say the same thing. This isn't so much a new practice as simply a return to the old practice, when there was an effort to clear the park before the parties.

 

[jo-jo]

I just wish we could still use the express bus to get back to MK. It might not make sense, but I'd rather walk from Buzz to the front and then to BLT, than walk out of another park, stand waiting for a bus or two,and perhaps stand on the bus. For some reason standing in one spot seems worst than walking.

They could even bring us through the back way so we don't see any snowflakes or special lighting on main street.

As someone said, for us we are there for 8 nights, 4 are party nights. That means changing the use of the express bus too.

 

[Elizabeth Smith]

I think one of the major complaints of the day guest is that the party could potentially cut an hour off of you park time and it makes your park ticket a bad value. However, if the party guests were not permitted to enter the park until official party start time at 7, then undoubtedly, their ticket is also a worse value. The coexistence of day guests and party guests from 4pm-6/7pm is necessary to ensure that both get an adequate value in terms of time in the parks. If party goers cannot enter until 7, then the ticket is incredibly over-priced. It can be tough to work all of one's plans around it, but I plan to avoid the MK or park hop before 4pm on nights that I'm not attending MVMCP to ensure that I get the most out of my park tickets. . .

 

[maxiesmom]

I think the reason the let party guests in at 4 is to avoid a huge mob at the tap-styles.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

I don't disagree...but if this is the plan I hope they announce it sooner rather than later. I'm sure this will impact a lot of people's decisions as to whether or not to buy party tickets.

Precisely why they won't make a definitive decision or announcement until the last minute

I might be reading way too much into this whole 6pm "close" on party nights but I can't help thinking this may be the beginning of a new entrance/exit procedure. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out the party goers will not be allowed access to the park at 4.

I'd be bummed, but not remotely surprised.

 

[HopperFan]

No argument there. I realize many people have limited vacation windows to pick from, so I sympathize if they can't go at an optimum time — we lost our favorite week (pre-Labor Day week) to go to the school calender next year.

But everyone should only expect and plan for more party growth in the future.

YUP. The best year ever was when my biggest Disney-fanatic kid was out of school! WOOT! Here we come and we kicked it off with a graduation trip!

 

[mom2rtk]

Precisely why they won't make a definitive decision or announcement until the last minute

I might be reading way too much into this whole 6pm "close" on party nights but I can't help thinking this may be the beginning of a new entrance/exit procedure. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out the party goers will not be allowed access to the park at 4.

I'd be bummed, but not remotely surprised.

I would be shocked to see that happen. Having everyone enter at once would be a disaster and a security nightmare.

 

[DonaldDuck77]

I think the reason the let party guests in at 4 is to avoid a huge mob at the tap-styles.

Huger. Those that don't know you can get in early still create quite a crowd at 7.

 

[HopperFan]

I would be shocked to see that happen. Having everyone enter at once would be a disaster and a security nightmare.

Huger. Those that don't know you can get in early still create quite a crowd at 7.

^ YES and YES

They came up with this 4 pm to help avoid a cluster of 30,000 people give or take 5,000 at the gate at once. It's not just about scanning to get in, it's also them putting your wristband on.

Right now these folks all don't show up at 4 pm like many on here seem to think, flooding the park. Many are already in the park for the day and some will show up at 4, 5, 6 and even right at 7 or later. There is not an extra 30,000 give or take coming in at 4 flooding the rides. And many that are coming in early are going direct to their Dining ADR they have before the party stops. Try booking an ADR before a party.

 

[Kaytie]

I agree on ADRs.

I don't agree on the FPs. You should be able to make FPs until 7 if the hours are until 7

FPs don't open until September at the earliest. Times could change.

I know people enjoy the parties and I don't fault anyone for that, but this is all about them trying to double-ticket the MK and they would do it every day of the year if they could.

I remember when the party guests did not enter at 4:00 and it worked much better

No, actually it's logistics. Five hours for a party which costs more than one day of most multi-day tickets. 10,000 to 25,000 party guests all trying to enter right at 7 PM. Back when they did close and c Lear the park at 6, it could take a couple of hours to get all the party guests in. Really not fair.

There is absolutely no attempt to cheat and hang out at the party. Our intention is to eat our dinner at a reasonable dinner time and then leave the park which is completely understandable. Dining Reservation CM's have in the past told guests not attending the party they can book reservations up to 7pm and I would say in my experience encouraged it.

Frankly if they change the time to eat dinner to non-party goers to before 6pm..I will not go on a party night.

Or, go - and then eat dinner at one of the dozens of non-park, on-site restaurants.

Also, the person paying for the day is not getting a full day so their ticket should be prorated accordingly.

"Day" guests are getting a full day. A full day is whatever management announces it is.

I agree wholeheartedly. The day guests should be allowed to enjoy their day without being bombarded at 4pm by party guests. To be fair, the day ticket guests should not overlap with the party ticket guests. If the park gets so crowded by party guests at 4 that they can't enjoy things without being overcrowded, that's just not fair to the day ticket guests.

Simply because party guests can enter the park starting at 4 PM doesn't mean they all do. And there is no actual or implied promise of an uncrowded park any day.

 

[Kaytie]

They price MK differently for SINGLE day tickets, selling at a high premium cost in relation to the other parks.
Disney clearly still expects guests to pay a premium price at MK, even if they close that park early.

Or, Disney markets and clearly expects guests to purchase multi-day or annual passes, thereby getting a much better value per day. True, a one day MK ticket has less value per hour when the park closes at 6 vs 7 - but even a worse value when the park closes at 7 vs 10 or so

I also wonder, why they had an escort and we didn't . No one said a word to us.

Your attitude vs theirs. Or, People Mover ran out of CM escorts

 

[kimieko]

The ticket shouldn't be valid until the party starts, ie 7pm.

Why? This is how the ticket works. I dont see how this is such a sore spot for people. I am paying more for a shorter amount of time and with less attractions. If it is so much of an issue for some to have the park close at 6, just go on another day.

 

[minniemous]

FPs don't open until September at the earliest. Times could change.

No, actually it's logistics. Five hours for a party which costs more than one day of most multi-day tickets. 10,000 to 25,000 party guests all trying to enter right at 7 PM. Back when they did close and c Lear the park at 6, it could take a couple of hours to get all the party guests in. Really not fair.

Or, go - and then eat dinner at one of the dozens of non-park, on-site restaurants.

I am well aware of the dozens of non-park restaurants... but not thinking of myself solely there are many people who really want to experience BOG dinner in the evening and taking in the fireworks. Personally when I go to MK I love to spend the entire day and evening there. We do not rush and hopping for us is more hassle then it is worth. We love closing down the park.

There is absolutely no denying that people who do not like parties or do not want to spend the money for parties are really put at an imposition at certain times of the year having to work around them. People here on the disboards (crowd calendars) are true planners and I like to plan park days for certain as well. I can testify it is no problem when I am paying for a party because I know I will have a MK day that is decent if I spend the entire day there on the party day. The only time I can count on being busy is that period between 4:00 and 7:00. The years I am a non-party guest are a real pain!

I do not know why most party proponents are not at least wiling to admit that it is a real pain for people not going to the parties instead of letting us "know" the alternatives. I can certainly see the desire to have the party. It is novel..get to see rare characters, get to have a less crowded park, special parade.. etc., etc. MK is the most popular park. If you have already spent a lot of money on a vacation the idea of spending more money on party tickets is not doable to some people and then they are stuck going to MK on days that are highly unrecommended or go on a party day and miss out on a lot.

I do not know what the answer is to make both sides happy...I know not letting party people in quite as early as 4pm would go a long way for me. I do not think 3 hours of transitioning is necessary. Also if that amount of time for the money is too much for party ticket cost perhaps Disney should adjust the price of the party ticket accordingly so it is a better experience for all.

 

[HopperFan]

I am well aware of the dozens of non-park restaurants... but not thinking of myself solely there are many people who really want to experience BOG dinner in the evening and taking in the fireworks. Personally when I go to MK I love to spend the entire day and evening there. We do not rush and hopping for us is more hassle then it is worth. We love closing down the park.

There is absolutely no denying that people who do not like parties or do not want to spend the money for parties are really put at an imposition at certain times of the year having to work around them. People here on the disboards (crowd calendars) are true planners and I like to plan park days for certain as well. I can testify it is no problem when I am paying for a party because I know I will have a MK day that is decent if I spend the entire day there on the party day. The only time I can count on being busy is that period between 4:00 and 7:00. The years I am a non-party guest are a real pain!

I do not know why most party proponents are not at least wiling to admit that it is a real pain for people not going to the parties instead of letting us "know" the alternatives. I can certainly see the desire to have the party. It is novel..get to see rare characters, get to have a less crowded park, special parade.. etc., etc. MK is the most popular park. If you have already spent a lot of money on a vacation the idea of spending more money on party tickets is not doable to some people and then they are stuck going to MK on days that are highly unrecommended or go on a party day and miss out on a lot.

I do not know what the answer is to make both sides happy...I know not letting party people in quite as early as 4pm would go a long way for me. I do not think 3 hours of transitioning is necessary. Also if that amount of time for the money is too much for party ticket cost perhaps Disney should adjust the price of the party ticket accordingly so it is a better experience for all.

There is no reason for Disney to try to make both sides happy, they are a business, they will operate it to maximize profits. They will adjust the party night operations and schedule in a way that works best for them both from an operational, financial and safety point of view. They have increased the number of parties because they are selling them out or close to, making lots of money and it fills the resorts during what used to be a very quiet time (ie August parties). And to keep selling them out at the current party prices they have to make it a highly attractive event.

Day guests ........... well they aren't as worried about them. Most have already committed to trips and tickets, and what these parties do is make a Hopper ticket highly desirable and those are pure profit for Disney. Imagine if only 1 person per room per week (7 day ticket) bought a hopper pass. That is $2.25 million per week profit ($117 million a year profit). Would guess most have more than 4 day tickets so that the 5th, 6th etc days are only $20 so hard to complain you don't get your days worth.

I see no point in anyone complaining at all. Not happy either way, vote with your dollars.

I don't see it as a pain for day guests. You are in a probably less crowded park because many avoid the park party days and then later in the day some will begin arriving early spread out over 3 hours, some are already in the park with you. Many of them coming early are going direct to an ADR and not impacting the attractions at all. Main Street used to be more crowded but last year they sent party guests via the back lane so no issues there. That said -

If you are a day guest and don't like the hours, don't go that day. If you don't like the number of party days, don't travel that time of year. If you travel that time of year take advantage of rope drop and park hopping. If you think Disney is ripping you off all around, vacation elsewhere. If I'm not happy with a vacation destination I move on.

If you are a party guests and Disney decides they won't let you in until 6 or 7, then you have to decide if the party ticket is worth it. If not, don't buy them. If I can't get in until 6 I would likely still be okay with 6 since I am in before the party starts. If I can't get in until 7, then I probably won't buy tickets because that means I likely won't be back to the party area until 8, losing an hour. My decision.

Disney decides what works, we decide if we will participate.

 

[Ava]

I would be shocked to see that happen. Having everyone enter at once would be a disaster and a security nightmare.

Except now everyone goes through security screening before they reach the immediate front of MK. I would not be surprised if they DO stop allowing party guests to enter so early, since the new security procedures are designed to prevent bottlenecks in the MK area. They could easily hold party guests on one side of the tap styles until 6pm, and have them enter as day guests are exiting through the other side.

 

[mom2rtk]

Except now everyone goes through security screening before they reach the immediate front of MK. I would not be surprised if they DO stop allowing party guests to enter so early, since the new security procedures are designed to prevent bottlenecks in the MK area. They could easily hold party guests on one side of the tap styles until 6pm, and have them enter as day guests are exiting through the other side.

Yeah, I get that. But if the entry is a hard 7 PM, you're going to have a bottleneck somewhere. So what if it's at the TTC instead of at the gates? And where on earth would you hold all those guests coming in by bus? With only 5 hours of party time, most people aren't going to meander in at 7:30 or 8. It's going to be everybody all at once. I just can't wrap my head around where they would all be. And if they are split into 2 or 3 groups farther from the main gates, is that really any less of a target? It's still a standing pool of people with nowhere to escape.

 

[DaisyJ]

Why? This is how the ticket works. I dont see how this is such a sore spot for people. I am paying more for a shorter amount of time and with less attractions. If it is so much of an issue for some to have the park close at 6, just go on another day.

I don't go during party season at all anymore, since I don't find value in having my MK days cut short.

 

[Ava]

Yeah, I get that. But if the entry is a hard 7 PM, you're going to have a bottleneck somewhere. So what if it's at the TTC instead of at the gates? And where on earth would you hold all those guests coming in by bus? With only 5 hours of party time, most people aren't going to meander in at 7:30 or 8. It's going to be everybody all at once. I just can't wrap my head around where they would all be. And if they are split into 2 or 3 groups farther from the main gates, is that really any less of a target? It's still a standing pool of people with nowhere to escape.

I wasn't suggesting that the entry be a hard 7pm for party guests. I agree that with only 5 hours of party time, most people will want to maximize it and be there before 7pm. But I think a 6pm entry for party guests is very do-able and makes sense. If guests know that their party ticket doesn't allow them entry until 6pm, and the party officially starts at 7, most will likely show up somewhere between 6-7pm. (Similar to how morning rope drop now works, with Main St open at 8am for a 9am open. I don't think many people arrive much earlier than 8am.) Sure, there may be some people who arrive & line up before 6pm, if they want to eat or get a couple rides in before the party starts, but without the motivation of 3 extra "free" hours of park time and 3 FP+ booked with their party ticket, most people are unlikely to show up very early. It's knowing they can get in at 4pm and use 3 FP+ before the party starts that pushes people to show up so early the way it is now.

 

[maxiesmom]

I wasn't suggesting that the entry be a hard 7pm for party guests. I agree that with only 5 hours of party time, most people will want to maximize it and be there before 7pm. But I think a 6pm entry for party guests is very do-able and makes sense. If guests know that their party ticket doesn't allow them entry until 6pm, and the party officially starts at 7, most will likely show up somewhere between 6-7pm. (Similar to how morning rope drop now works, with Main St open at 8am for a 9am open. I don't think many people arrive much earlier than 8am.) Sure, there may be some people who arrive & line up before 6pm, if they want to eat or get a couple rides in before the party starts, but without the motivation of 3 extra "free" hours of park time and 3 FP+ booked with their party ticket, most people are unlikely to show up very early. It's knowing they can get in at 4pm and use 3 FP+ before the party starts that pushes people to show up so early the way it is now.

I wonder what percentage of party goers know that they can get in at 4 pm? I'm betting it is a very small one.

 

[Farro]

If you have hoppers and a party ticket, it doesn't really matter when they let you in for the party. I can use my hopper to get in whenever and then show my party ticket later right? This is just assuming they stop letting party people in at 4- which I doubt will happen.

Although I'm going to the Halloween Party and it doesn't look like they are changing anything...