MK Early Closing January 23, 2017

[cosmicmommy]

I can see from the calendars that MK closes at 6 PM on this night. We are still visiting MK as I believe we can get what we need to done that day before then. However, I was wondering how it works at closing since I think it is closed for a special event. I am guessing it doesn't work like normal nights where you have about an hour past close to actually make it out of the park, but how does this affect rides? Do the rides officially close at 6 or do the queues close at 6? Will they let those in line still ride until the queue is emptied?

 

[Robo]

Guests of the event will be issued wristbands.

Anyone without a wristband still in the park after the "closing time" will not be able to ride attractions.

And, depending on the TYPE of "event," anyone without a wristband still in the park after the "closing time"
may or may not be "herded" out of the park.

 

[stobaugh6]

Any idea what the "event" might be? We are going to be there that week and I noticed the early closing time for MK that day as well.

 

[Robo]

Any idea what the "event" might be? We are going to be there that week and I noticed the early closing time for MK that day as well.

Speaking in general, MK is often the location for corporate and private parties.

There can be "press events" and "Cast Member parties," but those are usually known and discussed here in advance.

 

[SureAsLiz]

It's the annual cast service celebration event to honor cast who have been with the company for 10+5increment years.

In the past, it has been held at DHS and this is the first year it will at at MK

 

[Robo]

It's the annual cast service celebration event to honor cast who have been with the company for 10+5increment years.

In the past, it has been held at DHS and this is the first year it will at at MK

And, there ya go.
"Cast Member party" discussed here in advance.

 

[cosmicmommy]

My main question is - if I am already in line for a ride when 6 PM hits, will we still be allowed to ride it? Our timetable has us getting to a ride at about 5:45 that evening, with the park closing at 6.

 

[SureAsLiz]

My main question is - if I am already in line for a ride when 6 PM hits, will we still be allowed to ride it? Our timetable has us getting to a ride at about 5:45 that evening, with the park closing at 6.

My guess would be yes. I am not sure what time the event officially begins for cast, but they probably included a good buffer time between getting guests out and getting cast in.

I imagine it will be a lot like how things were managed during the special nighttime event they did a few months back - all stores had a hard close at park close (unlike now where Main Street stores officially stay open until at least 1-hour after park close), and the sweep would be fairly quick. Plus the cast attending will have credentials, so it will be pretty easy to gently push guests out of the park

 

[Jobie]

That's my birthday, so maybe my wife has planned the ultimate surprise birthday party for me!

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Well that is nice that they do this for the cast members. But probably disappointing for guest who will have to leave early that day.

 

[memo10]

It's pretty common for the parks to close early in Jan. We went a couple times with a 7pm close.

 

[Robo]

It's pretty common for the parks to close early in Jan. We went a couple times with a 7pm close.

AND... in Sep., Oct., Nov. and Dec. (but we all know why it closes THEN.)

 

[memo10]

AND... in Sep., Oct., Nov. and Dec. (but we all know why it closes THEN.)

Haha, very true! I LOVE going in Jan though! We went like twice a weekend, every week that month. We can get more done from 7-9 in January than an entire day in say, April. And the temp is way better!

 

[cosmicmommy]

We don't have a super long day planned that day anyway. Just trying to hit BTMRR, Splash (if open), all Pirates stuff, Aladdin stuff, Jungle Cruise, Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire, Haunted Mansion and Festival of Fantasy. We won't make rope drop, but we should have about 7-8 hours in the park, even with the early closing. I actually retooled my touring plan so that we end up at the final attraction by 5:30. I figure a lot of people will be avoiding MK that day BECAUSE of the early closure, so hopefully we won't run into wall to wall people in January.

 

[HopperFan]

I think how it will impact the guest will depend on when this party starts. Guests lingering in a private party is not cool. I've been in parks before them, while they are setting up, and they move you out pretty fast at closing to insure an empty park at party time.

 

[lroger01]

I'll bet the park will be dead that day. So many people will pick another day if they can to get their money's worth. It should be a great day to go providing you can go another day for fireworks and nighttime fun.

 

[disneyduonj]

So will the park be pretty empty that day??? I will be at WDW then too. Good or bad day to do MK?

 

[Robo]

So will the park be pretty empty that day??? I will be at WDW then too. Good or bad day to do MK?

There are at least two schools of thought on that, so no guarantee one way or the other.

 

[cosmicmommy]

I'll bet the park will be dead that day. So many people will pick another day if they can to get their money's worth. It should be a great day to go providing you can go another day for fireworks and nighttime fun.

We are actually firework-dodging as much as possible due to my sensory son's issues, so missing the fireworks isn't a bad thing for us.