MK on Party night but not attending.

[Day-Day]

We did exactly the same thing at Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor. It was around 7:35 when we got out and we just casually walked out of the park. We didn't stop or anything and nobody asked to see our bands or to escort us out. We knew we had to leave since it was after 7. Got to Monorail around 8, went to the Poly for dinner and then watched Hallowishes from the beach after dinner.

How dare you watch without a party ticket!

 

[crazymomof4]

I'm going to assume the people complaining about regular ticket holders being in the park a few minutes after 7pm on a party night are not entering the MK a minute before 7pm with their party ticket. Right?

Wow! Until reading this thread, I had no idea party ticket holders were allowed in earlier than 7pm! This year, as years past, we will go to MK for the shortened party day and leave around 6pm for dinner at one of the monorail resorts (ADR for Chef Mickey's this year) Good to know about the 4pm entry of party goers-- I'll make a point of saving 4-6pm for shopping or some of the less popular rides/attractions.

 

[Disneylover99]

Wow! Until reading this thread, I had no idea party ticket holders were allowed in earlier than 7pm! This year, as years past, we will go to MK for the shortened party day and leave around 6pm for dinner at one of the monorail resorts (ADR for Chef Mickey's this year) Good to know about the 4pm entry of party goers-- I'll make a point of saving 4-6pm for shopping or some of the less popular rides/attractions.

Or you can get in line at 6:59pm at 7DMT if you wish.

 

[crazymomof4]

Or you can get in line at 6:59pm at 7DMT if you wish.

HAHA Actually going to use this info about the 4-7pm crowds to convince DD15 that our 6:30 ADR at Chef Mickeys was not "too early"-- She frowned when I told her that we'd be leaving MK at or before 6 again this year instead of staying right up until 7pm (as she would want it).

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I don't think any of the restaurants in MK are worth sticking around anyway.

 

[ktlm]

As often as this is stated, I have to feel like it's an urban legend. Or less strict than it's made to sound. If the guest's response to "use the restrooms at the front of the park" is "It ain't waiting that long, your other choice is for me to use the flower bed over to your right", I have a hunch you're going to be allowed to use the restroom. Maybe accompanied by "Here's my iPhone, I'm not going to cheat if it means losing the phone."

A couple of years ago, we were attending a party and were up at the bathrooms near Town Hall a few minutes after 7:00 p.m. We were just outside the bathroom as a family who was clearly on their way out of the park stopped at the bathroom. The Mom had 2 preschoolers in tow, 1 that clearly absolutely had to go right then and headed to the ladies room. A CM stopped her outside the entrance to the ladies room and told her that she could not enter the bathroom without a party wristband and that she would have to go to the restroom outside of the park gate. When she stated they were leaving the park but her child had to go and couldn't wait, the CM told her it really wasn't that far to the bathroom outside the gate and pointed her in the direction of that bathroom and still refused to let her enter the bathroom with the children even though she said she wasn't sure her child could make it. I thought it was absolutely ridiculous. I'm sure a different CM probably would have let her enter (at least I would hope so), but that one wasn't going to budge. She basically grabbed the rest of the family and took off at a very fast pace to try to get to the bathroom outside the gate in time. It seems bad enough not to let an adult use the bathroom, but to refuse a preschooler who obviously had to go (any parent can recognize the potty wiggle), seemed downright mean. I'm guessing that CM did not have kids.



Last October, we actually saw a line of CMs refusing to allow people to go deeper into the park at 6:45 unless they had bracelets. I didn't think that was fair considering they still had 15 minutes before closing, which would have been plenty of time to get in line for, or possibly even complete a last ride. I can't remember the exact spot, but it seems like it was heading to the Ariel ride over by BOG. I remember that we went by with bracelets and I remember thinking that the Ariel ride was pretty much walk on right then, so the people they turned away could have been done and out before 7.

I have also seen people in a shop at a register get turned away when they tried to check out (with non party merchandise) because they did not have a bracelet

 

[mom2rtk]

A couple of years ago, we were attending a party and were up at the bathrooms near Town Hall a few minutes after 7:00 p.m. We were just outside the bathroom as a family who was clearly on their way out of the park stopped at the bathroom. The Mom had 2 preschoolers in tow, 1 that clearly absolutely had to go right then and headed to the ladies room. A CM stopped her outside the entrance to the ladies room and told her that she could not enter the bathroom without a party wristband and that she would have to go to the restroom outside of the park gate. When she stated they were leaving the park but her child had to go and couldn't wait, the CM told her it really wasn't that far to the bathroom outside the gate and pointed her in the direction of that bathroom and still refused to let her enter the bathroom with the children even though she said she wasn't sure her child could make it. I thought it was absolutely ridiculous. I'm sure a different CM probably would have let her enter (at least I would hope so), but that one wasn't going to budge. She basically grabbed the rest of the family and took off at a very fast pace to try to get to the bathroom outside the gate in time. It seems bad enough not to let an adult use the bathroom, but to refuse a preschooler who obviously had to go (any parent can recognize the potty wiggle), seemed downright mean. I'm guessing that CM did not have kids.

She should thank the others that came before her and hid out in bathrooms when the parties started.

 

[revdon64]

My post was in response to those who wee insisting that people without a ticket on a party night should not be in the park after 7PM. That no one without a ticket shoudl be in a restaurant at 6:5 for an ADR or in queue just before 7. However they see nothing wrong with Disney allowing party people to enter before 7. I am an advocates that since Disney allows both behaviors it is acceptable. I was simply trying to say that I find it ironic that I never see anyone who is a normal ticket holder complaining about the bottlenecks between 4 and 7, yet peole who are party goers are pretty specific about what is improper behavior.

Like I said in my first post in this thread, I've been to a party (1 MVMCP last year), but I wouldn't consider myself a party goer because my family and I are not terribly likely to do another one. That said, I stand by my feeling that if someone hasn't purchased a ticket for a hard ticket event then the only thing they should be doing in the park after 7pm is finishing whatever they started before 7 and/or heading for the front gate. Mind you, this is purely in response to the OP's post that started the whole discussion:

"I know dates aren't released yet for MNSSHP but Disney says MK will close at 7 on Sun Sept 11. I know with out tickets we are to leave. On a "normal" night closing you can stay and stop after close for a bit. Is this the same on party nights? I plan to get in a ride line right before 7 and want to shop when we get off on our way out. Without wrist bands will they let us? (Nonparty exclusive merch) What about grabbing a bite to eat at the counter serve restaurants that are open? I know we can not watch parade or fireworks or anything. I just want to eat or shop to part with more $ on our way out. Lol!"

Maybe I should have simplified my answer... No.

 

[TAK]

Like I said in my first post in this thread, I've been to a party (1 MVMCP last year), but I wouldn't consider myself a party goer because my family and I are not terribly likely to do another one. That said, I stand by my feeling that if someone hasn't purchased a ticket for a hard ticket event then the only thing they should be doing in the park after 7pm is finishing whatever they started before 7 and/or heading for the front gate. Mind you, this is purely in response to the OP's post that started the whole discussion:

"I know dates aren't released yet for MNSSHP but Disney says MK will close at 7 on Sun Sept 11. I know with out tickets we are to leave. On a "normal" night closing you can stay and stop after close for a bit. Is this the same on party nights? I plan to get in a ride line right before 7 and want to shop when we get off on our way out. Without wrist bands will they let us? (Nonparty exclusive merch) What about grabbing a bite to eat at the counter serve restaurants that are open? I know we can not watch parade or fireworks or anything. I just want to eat or shop to part with more $ on our way out. Lol!"

Maybe I should have simplified my answer... No.

I've only been to one party so far myself, but this answer sums up what I think as well.

Whatever a non-ticket-holder is doing up until 7 PM should be fine. Dinner reservations at 6:55? Go for it. Got in line for a ride at 6:45 and still waiting at 7? Of course you should be able to keep waiting -- I mean, heck, I'm sure you would rather have not HAD to wait in a line at all, so it's not your fault!

But -- not to be a jerk about it or anything -- but no, of course you shouldn't plan activities that start after 7 PM. And shopping, strolling around, eating QS, those are activities. It's not just about the parade and the fireworks. We went to the party to enjoy the whole park during that time. At the MNSSHP I was at last year, those are things I liked doing during the party -- checking out merchandise in a less crowded store, strolling less crowded areas, and so on -- and that's why I paid for a ticket. If you didn't you're just crashing a "private" party, at that point. And that's all TOTALLY different from starting an activity before 7, and being allowed to finish it.

 

[Nancyg56]

I've only been to one party so far myself, but this answer sums up what I think as well.

Whatever a non-ticket-holder is doing up until 7 PM should be fine. Dinner reservations at 6:55? Go for it. Got in line for a ride at 6:45 and still waiting at 7? Of course you should be able to keep waiting -- I mean, heck, I'm sure you would rather have not HAD to wait in a line at all, so it's not your fault!

But -- not to be a jerk about it or anything -- but no, of course you shouldn't plan activities that start after 7 PM. And shopping, strolling around, eating QS, those are activities. It's not just about the parade and the fireworks. We went to the party to enjoy the whole park during that time. At the MNSSHP I was at last year, those are things I liked doing during the party -- checking out merchandise in a less crowded store, strolling less crowded areas, and so on -- and that's why I paid for a ticket. If you didn't you're just crashing a "private" party, at that point. And that's all TOTALLY different from starting an activity before 7, and being allowed to finish it.

Exactly. Disney allows this, and the ticket holders have paid for access to ALL activities up to 7PM.

The CM's do a really good job of ensuring that non ticket holders do not gain the benefits fro using the shops, attractions queues, restaurants, etc once 7 PM rolls around. It is my humble opinion that as long as Disney is allowing either behavior...access before 7 PM and entry prior to 7 PM, who am I to tell anyone that this is not okay?

 

[revdon64]

Exactly. Disney allows this, and the ticket holders have paid for access to ALL activities up to 7PM.

The CM's do a really good job of ensuring that non ticket holders do not gain the benefits fro using the shops, attractions queues, restaurants, etc once 7 PM rolls around. It is my humble opinion that as long as Disney is allowing either behavior...access before 7 PM and entry prior to 7 PM, who am I to tell anyone that this is not okay?

But look again at where I cut/pasted the OP's thread started. That's not their intention. Their intention is to get in a ride line right before 7, then wander the shops and/or stop at Casey's for a hot dog. Like I said, line up for ride before 7? Yes. Do anything but head for the gate after 7? No.

 

[Nancyg56]

But look again at where I cut/pasted the OP's thread started. That's not their intention. Their intention is to get in a ride line right before 7, then wander the shops and/or stop at Casey's for a hot dog. Like I said, line up for ride before 7? Yes. Do anything but head for the gate after 7? No.

I read that and I understand that was the original intention.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

I was trying to plan our ADR's despite not knowing party dates for sure yet so I wanted to know the rules to decide which park which day. These things are totally allowed on any normal park closing so I honestly didn't know what is allowed as far as stores. When I have gone to parties I did not enter any store so I didn't know how they treated them during parties. I'm not trying to cheat the system. I have ZERO plans to stay to watch any entertainment. I will watch the fireworks from Top of the World Lounge. My kids would be terrified of the Headless Horseman and Oogie. I don't want to do any party things. I wanted to go early enough in Sept to avoid ALL the parties but they seem to have moved them sooner on Sept 10th. If I go to MK that day I just want to utilize what I paid for (access to MK from 9-7) and know what is and isn't allowed. I wish we didn't have to deal with the party at all but it is what it is. I'm just trying to learn to plan properly.

 

[starousse]

A couple of years ago, we were attending a party and were up at the bathrooms near Town Hall a few minutes after 7:00 p.m. We were just outside the bathroom as a family who was clearly on their way out of the park stopped at the bathroom. The Mom had 2 preschoolers in tow, 1 that clearly absolutely had to go right then and headed to the ladies room. A CM stopped her outside the entrance to the ladies room and told her that she could not enter the bathroom without a party wristband and that she would have to go to the restroom outside of the park gate. When she stated they were leaving the park but her child had to go and couldn't wait, the CM told her it really wasn't that far to the bathroom outside the gate and pointed her in the direction of that bathroom and still refused to let her enter the bathroom with the children even though she said she wasn't sure her child could make it. I thought it was absolutely ridiculous. I'm sure a different CM probably would have let her enter (at least I would hope so), but that one wasn't going to budge. She basically grabbed the rest of the family and took off at a very fast pace to try to get to the bathroom outside the gate in time. It seems bad enough not to let an adult use the bathroom, but to refuse a preschooler who obviously had to go (any parent can recognize the potty wiggle), seemed downright mean. I'm guessing that CM did not have kids.

Honestly, if a CM prevented my little kid from using the bathroom, me or my husband would wind up getting ejected from the park. That is absolutely ridiculous. I would have simply said, sorry, but you can wait outside to escort me out. I 'd be leaving the park, but my child would be using the bathroom first. Sorry!

 

[Robo]

Honestly, if a CM prevented my little kid from using the bathroom, me or my husband would wind up getting ejected from the park...

I think that's the whole idea.

 

[maxiesmom]

Honestly, if a CM prevented my little kid from using the bathroom, me or my husband would wind up getting ejected from the park. That is absolutely ridiculous. I would have simply said, sorry, but you can wait outside to escort me out. I 'd be leaving the park, but my child would be using the bathroom first. Sorry!

That whole problem is easily avoided--if you don't have tickets to the party, use the bathroom before the park closes to non party guests. Or leave before the park closes to non party guests. Unless you had planned to physically shove a CM out of your way (which could quite possibly get you banned from WDW), how would you intend to get by them?

This is a hypothetical problem that is easily avoided. Definitely not worth getting worked up over.

 

[Nancyg56]

That whole problem is easily avoided--if you don't have tickets to the party, use the bathroom before the park closes to non party guests. Or leave before the park closes to non party guests. Unless you had planned to physically shove a CM out of your way (which could quite possibly get you banned from WDW), how would you intend to get by them?

This is a hypothetical problem that is easily avoided. Definitely not worth getting worked up over.

Exactly. While I am totally supportive of using all of the MK facilities prior to 7 PM, after that......

With that said, I find it had to believe that a CM woudl not let a child use the bathroom. Not saying it did not happen, but I think that this is an unusual occurance. Now an adult? March to the front......quick like a bunny!

 

[HopperFan]

A couple of years ago, we were attending a party and were up at the bathrooms near Town Hall a few minutes after 7:00 p.m. We were just outside the bathroom as a family who was clearly on their way out of the park stopped at the bathroom. The Mom had 2 preschoolers in tow, 1 that clearly absolutely had to go right then and headed to the ladies room. A CM stopped her outside the entrance to the ladies room and told her that she could not enter the bathroom without a party wristband and that she would have to go to the restroom outside of the park gate. When she stated they were leaving the park but her child had to go and couldn't wait, the CM told her it really wasn't that far to the bathroom outside the gate and pointed her in the direction of that bathroom and still refused to let her enter the bathroom with the children even though she said she wasn't sure her child could make it. I thought it was absolutely ridiculous. I'm sure a different CM probably would have let her enter (at least I would hope so), but that one wasn't going to budge. She basically grabbed the rest of the family and took off at a very fast pace to try to get to the bathroom outside the gate in time. It seems bad enough not to let an adult use the bathroom, but to refuse a preschooler who obviously had to go (any parent can recognize the potty wiggle), seemed downright mean. I'm guessing that CM did not have kids.

Honestly, if a CM prevented my little kid from using the bathroom, me or my husband would wind up getting ejected from the park. That is absolutely ridiculous. I would have simply said, sorry, but you can wait outside to escort me out. I 'd be leaving the park, but my child would be using the bathroom first. Sorry!

That whole problem is easily avoided--if you don't have tickets to the party, use the bathroom before the park closes to non party guests. Or leave before the park closes to non party guests. Unless you had planned to physically shove a CM out of your way (which could quite possibly get you banned from WDW), how would you intend to get by them?

This is a hypothetical problem that is easily avoided. Definitely not worth getting worked up over.

Exactly. While I am totally supportive of using all of the MK facilities prior to 7 PM, after that......

With that said, I find it had to believe that a CM woudl not let a child use the bathroom. Not saying it did not happen, but I think that this is an unusual occurance. Now an adult? March to the front......quick like a bunny!

- In the time it took the parent to argue about using the Town Hall bathroom they could have already been in the bathroom outside the main gate. To stand there and argue about it was on the parent.

- Agree, get all you must get done before the clock strikes 7. I never waited for my young kids to tell me they had to go for fear we would be in a line or on a ride, you take them regularly. So as the park is getting ready to close to you for a private party, get them in the bathroom.

- If you want to push past a CM be prepared to have Security waiting for you, and honestly that isn't something I'd want my kids to experience. Having watched a recent guest/security interaction my last trip, watching him and his young daughter escorted out ... just use the bathroom earlier and not risk a dampen on your vacation.

- No, it's not unusual at all. I've seen it more than once. I've seen them refuse children in the bathrooms even farther back in the park.

Disney is on to all the excuses from guests to get away with things. Because other guests have paid for these parties it is one area they are more focused on. A big problem they had over the years was folks hiding in bathrooms until long after the party starts in hopes of melting into the crowds and find a way to at least watch the first parade.

 

[starousse]

That whole problem is easily avoided--if you don't have tickets to the party, use the bathroom before the park closes to non party guests. Or leave before the park closes to non party guests. Unless you had planned to physically shove a CM out of your way (which could quite possibly get you banned from WDW), how would you intend to get by them?

This is a hypothetical problem that is easily avoided. Definitely not worth getting worked up over.

I absolutely agree that people should plan to use the bathroom before closing time, however things don't always work out that way with young kids. When a kid has to go, they have to go. I'm also not implying that I'd physically shove someone out of my way. I'd simply have my child run into the bathroom quickly. What are the workers going to do? run into the bathroom and grab my kid. Of course not. As another poster wrote, I simply can't imagine a CM saying that a child can't use the bathroom. That must have been a one off.

 

[Robo]

MK would benefit by having secondary exit gates from the park.

The problem is, all of the areas at the south end of the park are already built-up with much-used buildings and transportation hubs.