MK Closing at 6 pm for MVMCP???

[PlainJane]

Really? Most reports were the latest ADR you could keep was shortly after 4.

That is crazy! A two hour buffer? Three if the real closing time is 7. So, the only people who can book a reservation from 4ish-7 are people who according to their admission ticket, not policy, aren't supposed to be in the park yet? That is really bizarre.

I think the lighter crowds are totally worth it, but it does seem that non-party people definitely get the shorter end of the stick.

 

[DisneyMom93]

That is on conflict with many posters reporting that this year ADRs are being cut off earlier than in prior years. There was a thread when you could start booking ADRs on party nights where people were quite upset

Well the park is listed as closing at 6pm as opposed to 7pm like usual. So that is earlier than last year.

Since the park technically closes at 7pm the ADR is an hour earlier than normally allowed before closing.

I'll look for that thread. Thanks.

 

[DisneyMom93]

That is crazy! A two hour buffer? Three if the real closing time is 7. So, the only people who can book a reservation from 4ish-7 are people who according to their admission ticket, not policy, aren't supposed to be in the park yet? That is really bizarre.

I think the lighter crowds are totally worth it, but it does seem that non-party people definitely get the shorter end of the stick.

I have an ADR 5:55pm at MK on a night I won't be at MVMCP, as well as one at 5:55pm on a night that we do have MVMCP tickets.

I called to confirm and she said 5:55pm is last available for anyone without MVMCP tickets.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Personally, I think there are too many parties. Even if you're springing for one--and I assume most people go for only one--you're still affected the rest of your trip by early closings on the nights you're not going and by the crowds on days and nights when there is no party.

Two per week is plenty--maybe three during the week of the actual holiday. Four nights per week is a load of horse manure.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've been going to these parties, especially the Christmas one, for years. I started going back when they herded those that had party bands into a particular 'land'. Then, CMs swept the park to make sure no one stayed behind and got into the party without those bands. It worked great. And I think it's time to go back to that. I've watched CMs walking down Main St, an hour prior to the first parade, asking people to show their party bands. I was amazed at how many people didn't have them. I actually heard one family try to get the CM to believe that they didn't know they were supposed to get bands!!! Those without bands were escorted from the park. Whenever you tried to do an attraction, or buy merchandise, you had to show your band. And there were always people that didn't have them...and were taken from the park. I think the CMs started lightning up a bit on asking to see the bands after that first parade and the fireworks. But, yes, there were plenty of cheaters in the park.
Those that say they aren't getting a full day because the park is closing at 6. Well...the last night of our stay with friends, who had wanted to go to MK and see the fireworks on our last night, aren't able to. Why? MK is closing at 4:30!!! Or how about when I go in Sept and just the week prior, the park is open until 11 or 12, but for me, the park is open until 9? Disney can close the parks when they want to....fine print allows that.
And that 4pm entry with party passes? That can also be done away with, easily. It isn't stated anywhere, officially, that this is allowed. Sure would be easy for Disney to stop allowing entry before the party starts, or 30 mins prior.

Everyone can see, well before they go, what the park hours are. Yes, they do change sometimes. But, if you plan accordingly, it won't impact you. I also think the parties are way too frequent now. Used to be three times a week. Not anymore. Disney has almost doubled the number of party nights, and then started selling many more tickets per party. Used to be very nice going to a party. Lines were short, it was very easy to get a good spot for the late parade just before parade time. Not anymore. Lines are long. They took characters out of the meet and greet lineup, for Halloween parties, in order to put them in a special hard ticketed event...Villains party. I'll be there for both party times this year. I'm not at all sure I'll be doing either one. Used to cost me under $30 to buy a party ticket, now it's over $100, and I'm getting less for my money!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Personally, I think there are too many parties. Even if you're springing for one--and I assume most people go for only one--you're still affected the rest of your trip by early closings on the nights you're not going and by the crowds on days and nights when there is no party.

Two per week is plenty--maybe three during the week of the actual holiday. Four nights per week is a load of horse manure.

Are you saying Disney should be happy making less money?

Next thing you know people will start suggesting selling fewer tickets each night.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Personally, I think there are too many parties. Even if you're springing for one--and I assume most people go for only one--you're still affected the rest of your trip by early closings on the nights you're not going and by the crowds on days and nights when there is no party.

Two per week is plenty--maybe three during the week of the actual holiday. Four nights per week is a load of horse manure.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: This is a big reason why we chose Thanksgiving week this year. I know it will be crowded, but I don't want to plan around parties this time.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Are you saying Disney should be happy making less money?

Next thing you know people will start suggesting selling fewer tickets each night.

LOL!

But seriously, they've been finding different ways to increase revenue. Surely those ridiculously priced dessert parties (for example) can cover fewer Halloween and Christmas party tickets.

 

[DisneyMom93]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: This is a big reason why we chose Thanksgiving week this year. I know it will be crowded, but I don't want to plan around parties this time.

I'd rather plan around parties than go a super crowded week. I think the lines at Thanksgiving are super long wait times. When the parks close early there are still less people and you can do a lot more.

 

[mom2rtk]

LOL!

But seriously, they've been finding different ways to increase revenue. Surely those ridiculously priced dessert parties (for example) can cover fewer Halloween and Christmas party tickets.

Except that they went the revenue from both.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Except that they went the revenue from both.

Problem is that there never seems to be enough revenue for the current management.

 

[mom2rtk]

Problem is that there never seems to be enough revenue for the current management.

Yep. That.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I'd rather plan around parties than go a super crowded week. I think the lines at Thanksgiving are super long wait times. When the parks close early there are still less people and you can do a lot more.

We really like going to the Food & Wine Festival which runs at the same time as the Halloween parties. So we're kinda stuck.

I never used to spring for hopper passes, but between the parties and our current preferred resort (the Swan), hopping is worth it now.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I'd rather plan around parties than go a super crowded week. I think the lines at Thanksgiving are super long wait times. When the parks close early there are still less people and you can do a lot more.

I've heard some say it's insane and some say it's very manageable with a good plan. I am not one who has crowd mania. We're also going back in less than a year, so we plan to do less park time toward the end of our trip.

ETA: We've been the 2nd week of December and it was pretty crowded on those non-party nights. Either way you slice it there will be a lot of people.

 

[Kaytie]

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

As megaplanners and with the level of knowledge DIS members possess, we should reasonably be expected to know that if we want these conditions not to visit MK on a party day without party tickets.

Except now everyone goes through security screening before they reach the immediate front of MK

Are you sure? What about resort bus passengers? Just the Value resorts have over

Technically 4pm-7pm (or 6pm) FP and dining reservations should be for those who paid for MK park tickets that day.

7,000 rooms, potentially 28,000 guests needing to go through securing at the park, no?

Two per week is plenty--maybe three during the week of the actual holiday. Four nights per week is a load of horse manure.

LOL!

But seriously, they've been finding different ways to increase revenue. Surely those ridiculously priced dessert parties (for example) can cover fewer Halloween and Christmas party tickets.

Problem is that there never seems to be enough revenue for the current management.

Walt Disney World is ultimately in business to be a successful business and provide revenue to its millions of owners.

Curious why you think it makes sense to downgrade or eliminate something that works.

 

[DisneyMom93]

As megaplanners and with the level of knowledge DIS members possess, we should reasonably be expected to know that if we want these conditions not to visit MK on a party day without party tickets.

Are you sure? What about resort bus passengers? Just the Value resorts have over

7,000 rooms, potentially 28,000 guests needing to go through securing at the park, no?

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MY COMMENT: Technically 4pm-7pm (or 6pm) FP and dining reservations should be for those who paid for MK park tickets that day.
YOUR REPLY: 7,000 rooms, potentially 28,000 guests needing to go through securing at the park, no?

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I'm confused. You quoted my comment about the MVMCP guests being allowed in from 4-7pm, as opposed to allowing them in at 6pm, giving them an hour to enter. Are you saying that 28,000 guests are going to the MVMCP each night?

 

[JerseyJanice]

Walt Disney World is ultimately in business to be a successful business and provide revenue to its millions of owners.

Curious why you think it makes sense to downgrade or eliminate something that works.

The 4 nights per week parties are NOT working for the vast majority of guests.

Disney World has increased its revenues in spite of attendance being down. But current events and economic changes will affect their bottom line eventually.

Disney's image may become one of greed and avarice if the current rate of revenue enhancements continue. It is dangerously close to that now.

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm confused. You quoted my comment about the MVMCP guests being allowed in from 4-7pm, as opposed to allowing them in at 6pm, giving them an hour to enter. Are you saying that 28,000 guests are going to the MVMCP each night?

That is a reasonable number.

 

[DisneyMom93]

That is a reasonable number.

Is that not doable in an hour? What's the difference between entering the park at opening in the morning and for MVMCP, aside from crowds of people leaving?

Just curious as to how many people enter MK on an average day when the park opens, at least in comparison to MVMCP.

 

[Farro]

The 4 nights per week parties are NOT working for the vast majority of guests.

Disney World has increased its revenues in spite of attendance being down. But current events and economic changes will affect their bottom line eventually.

Disney's image may become one of greed and avarice if the current rate of revenue enhancements continue. It is dangerously close to that now.

I read somewhere that park attendance decrease for 2016 was mostly because 2015 was such a banner year, (MK had over a million more guests in 2015 than in 2014) it would be hard to top? Is that true?

In times of recession, companies probably count on their "whales" to get them through. Perhaps that's why Disney seems to be favoring upper income guests?