MVMCP--can you do it for free?

[Yngpreacherman]

I had a friend tell me that you do not need a ticket for this as long as you are in the park when they close before the "party" hours. Is this true? If not, how do they know and tell the difference between those who have payed and those who have not? How do they get everyone to leave without a ticket?

 

[dawnbu40]

Partygoers are given wrist bands and there are CMs all over the park making sure ONLY guests with wrist bands are allowed in any lines for rides,characters etc.

We saw many people get "escorted out" because they did not belong at the party.

So no you cannot go for free

 

[cruisingkat]

They do give out wrist bands to those with tickets. You might be able to stay in the park, but you would not be allowed to ride any rides or attractions (such as pictures with those rare Disney characters).

 

[kerri0616]

Arghhh....another post about trying to beat the system and get something for free. Really?

I attended MVMCP way back in 2003 and we were given wristbands upon entering the park. Since I've never tried to stay for an event without paying, I am not sure how CM's handle those who think they can get something for nothing. I'm assuming those without wristbands are asked to leave. You wouldn't be able to get on a ride without the wristband. I suppose you could lurk about and catch some of the shows/parades without a wristband.

Hope your friend feels really proud about their ethics. Great job...you cheated the mouse while all those suckers around you paid $50+! That's what Disney's all about.

Boo.

Kerri

 

[vicki_c]

They do give out wrist bands to those with tickets. You might be able to stay in the park, but you would not be allowed to ride any rides or attractions (such as pictures with those rare Disney characters).

Staying in the park is only allowed for EMHs for non-resort guests (this is the new policy since they did away with the EMH wristbands).

For the hard ticket parties, you cannot be in the park without a separate party ticket and a wristband. The CMs will sweep everyone out of the park at 7. There have even been posts where CMs gave people a hard time trying to use the restrooms at closing and stood outside the door waiting for them and then escorted them out.

The parties do not work the same as EMHs - you cannot stay in the park at all.

 

[Minniemouse07]

You most definitely need a ticket!

The last time I attended MVMCP was in 2008. We were waiting for the parade to start and a family about 20yds away was approached by one of the CMs "working" the line to keep everyone on the curb, etc and asked to display the wristbands they gave out upon entering the park (or at different stations if you were already inside before they distributed them).

The family indicated to the CM that they didn't speak English...so the CM started speaking to them in Spanish! Basically the family said they were just watching the parade not going on any rides. The CM told them that they had to leave if they didn't have a ticket. The family refused!!

In about 30 seconds 4-5 very LARGE CMs surrounded the family and gently escorted them out of the park.

I was really amazed at how low key the entire interaction was ...and if I hadn't been that close, I would have never even known it had happened!

 

[Yngpreacherman]

Arghhh....another post about trying to beat the system and get something for free. Really?

I attended MVMCP way back in 2003 and we were given wristbands upon entering the park. Since I've never tried to stay for an event without paying, I am not sure how CM's handle those who think they can get something for nothing. I'm assuming those without wristbands are asked to leave. You wouldn't be able to get on a ride without the wristband. I suppose you could lurk about and catch some of the shows/parades without a wristband.

Hope your friend feels really proud about their ethics. Great job...you cheated the mouse while all those suckers around you paid $50+! That's what Disney's all about.

Boo.

Kerri

Whoa. Take a deep breath there. I am getting tickets. I thought it was just as unfair as you if it was the case that people do this, thus the reason I asked. No, my friend didn't do this. She had heard that people do it to just watch the parades. She said that from her understanding that is free and does not need a ticket. Only the rides and treats need tickets. She didn't know, but had read it somewhere and had told me that. Hopefully now you can sleep tonight.

 

[Figmificent]

They are very strict with the wristbands. I have been asked while standing waiting for a parade to show my wristband... not just us, everyone they walked past. So no, nothing without a wristband, not even shopping at the parties

 

[serene56]

I have read about people looking to book ADRs for places inside the park where they can be finished by 8pm so they can see the parade.
I thought that really sucked--

Last year friends of ours went to the MNSSHP and was amazed at the number of people around him that did not have wrist bands on- he was kinda miffed because he paid all this money and people got to see the same parade and villians show for free.. (even got to meet the villians.)

So you see, some people do stay in the parks

 

[maiapapaya]

When we were at MNSSHP in October there was a line of CM's standing across the bridge into Tomorrow Land and we had to show them the wristbands (and this was well after the party had started). They were definitely being very strict. Obviously people trying to overstay their welcome has been a problem at some point.

 

[si-am]

In the past, they used to completely empty the park before re-opening for the party.

Now they just let those with wristbands stay and seem to let others linger indefinitely. Sure, they check for wristbands, but if someone was really lucky and avoided hitting a "spotcheck" they could probably hang around and enjoy the entertainment.

I think it sucks. The past few parties we've been to have been completely ruined because of all the extra people (lingering in shops on Main Street, enjoying the snow that I paid for!) Way too crowded now.

 

[bleeps]

We've also seen CMs being insistent that guests leave if they don't have wristbands for the party. Aside from not being able to get onto attractions, we witnessed CMs turning people away from store entrances -- and they definitely want to see your wristband before they sell you any party-specific merchandise.

I think they do as good as job as they possibly can to clear the parks of non-ticketed guests on party nights.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

I wish they would just go back to closing/clearing out the park before the party time. Truth be told, I really don't care if ppl use a refillable mug again at their resort...but my hot button is I do care if I pay $65 for a special event and someone is in there for free. I typically don't do the rides except for one or two so I am there for the parade, fireworks, shows etc.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Yup they will make you leave, I'd be embarrassed being kicked out of the park. When last year & also got a wrist band

 

[RMulieri]

Whoa. Take a deep breath there. I am getting tickets. I thought it was just as unfair as you if it was the case that people do this, thus the reason I asked. No, my friend didn't do this. She had heard that people do it to just watch the parades. She said that from her understanding that is free and does not need a ticket. Only the rides and treats need tickets. She didn't know, but had read it somewhere and had told me that. Hopefully now you can sleep tonight.

She is Misinformed...The parade ,shows and fireworks are a BIG part of the Party events,and are included as perks of the party and are included in the cost of purchase for a party ticket.Sorry.I have personally seen CMs go up and down the parade route checking bracelets.those without were asked to leave and escorted out.

 

[gigi1313]

when in wdw in nov we were not permitted into the photo store to get our free photopass pic on the way out of the park (at 7pm sharp) 'cause a party was starting and we were not staying (had been the night before)... finally, after vowing that our intentions were pure (really just wanted our photo) and had adrs over at the gf for dinner, so no lingering for us, we were granted permission for *one* of us to go in while the other waited under the strict supervision of a cm!

 

[sjs314]

I wish they would just go back to closing/clearing out the park before the party time. Truth be told, I really don't care if ppl use a refillable mug again at their resort...but my hot button is I do care if I pay $65 for a special event and someone is in there for free. I typically don't do the rides except for one or two so I am there for the parade, fireworks, shows etc.

I have to agree, it seems that the old system of closing and reopening was a better way to control MVMCP nights. This will be my first year ever going to the party and I was quite willing to fork over the $ for the tickets to see the parade, fireworks, shows and charactors in holiday attire. I am not going that night to ride the rides or to shop so CM's keeping anyone who lingered and did not pay for the party off the rides/and or store does nothing for me, get rid of the ones taking up prime viewing space at the parade,fireworks,shows, and charactor meets.

 

[goofy4tink]

Can you get past CMs without a wristband and stay in the park for the parties? Sure. But, there's a reason the parade and fireworks don't start for several hours after the party starts. It gives the CMs plenty of time to get non-paying guests out of the park.
If you don't have a wristband on, you won't be allowed to buy anything, you won't be allowed into a restroom, you won't be allowed on any attractions. If a CM sees you and you are asked to show your wristband and you can't oblige, then you are escorted out of the park.

I actually was behind a family of about 4 or 5 a few years ago...it was at MNSSHP...heading to the ladies room. I overheard the dad talking to his kids, saying that they needed to stay in the stall for about 15 mins. Then, they could come out and they would be able to stay in the park. Now, it was about 7:30 at this point, the park had been officially closed to non-paying guests for over half an hour. So, this family had managed to avoid CMs for that long. BUT.....as we got to the restroom area, and that family tried to enter the two restrooms, they were asked to show their wristbands. Well...obviously they didn't have any to show. The dad got all miffed and said they hadn't had time to get the wristbands yet. Yeah, right. So, two CMs escorted them to the park entrance, where, I'm assuming, they were made to exit since they hadnt paid for any party tickets.

Yes, it was better when they closed the park at 7 and then herded the party goers into one area, then reopened at 8 for the actual party. But, Disney doesn't feel the need to do that anymore. The CMs are really very good about getting out the freeloaders.


To answer the OPs question...no, not one single thing is free once that party starts. The parade and fireworks are part of the hard ticketed party...if a CM sees you sitting there, waiting for the parade without a wristband, they will take you out of the park.

 

[sjs314]

when in wdw in nov we were not permitted into the photo store to get our free photopass pic on the way out of the park (at 7pm sharp) 'cause a party was starting and we were not staying (had been the night before)... finally, after vowing that our intentions were pure (really just wanted our photo) and had adrs over at the gf for dinner, so no lingering for us, we were granted permission for *one* of us to go in while the other waited under the strict supervision of a cm!

I can understand your frustration but on the other hand I think it was brought on by your not planning ahead, knowing full well that the park was closing at 7pm for the MVMCP and you should have gone to pick up your photopass pics a little before 7pm sharp and not lingered in the park till the very last minute. JMHO

 

[sjs314]

Can you get past CMs without a wristband and stay in the park for the parties? Sure. But, there's a reason the parade and fireworks don't start for several hours after the party starts. It gives the CMs plenty of time to get non-paying guests out of the park.
If you don't have a wristband on, you won't be allowed to buy anything, you won't be allowed into a restroom, you won't be allowed on any attractions. If a CM sees you and you are asked to show your wristband and you can't oblige, then you are escorted out of the park.

I actually was behind a family of about 4 or 5 a few years ago...it was at MNSSHP...heading to the ladies room. I overheard the dad talking to his kids, saying that they needed to stay in the stall for about 15 mins. Then, they could come out and they would be able to stay in the park. Now, it was about 7:30 at this point, the park had been officially closed to non-paying guests for over half an hour. So, this family had managed to avoid CMs for that long. BUT.....as we got to the restroom area, and that family tried to enter the two restrooms, they were asked to show their wristbands. Well...obviously they didn't have any to show. The dad got all miffed and said they hadn't had time to get the wristbands yet. Yeah, right. So, two CMs escorted them to the park entrance, where, I'm assuming, they were made to exit since they hadnt paid for any party tickets.

Yes, it was better when they closed the park at 7 and then herded the party goers into one area, then reopened at 8 for the actual party. But, Disney doesn't feel the need to do that anymore. The CMs are really very good about getting out the freeloaders.


To answer the OPs question...no, not one single thing is free once that party starts. The parade and fireworks are part of the hard ticketed party...if a CM sees you sitting there, waiting for the parade without a wristband, they will take you out of the park.

Reading your post made me realize, I don't feel bad for the Adults who try to stay without paying for the party, but I do feel bad for the kids who because of the parents not willing to pay or not able to afford to pay for tickets, for getting their children excited and hopes up of staying in the park only to be escorted out. Not to mention teaching your kids to be dishonest
Personally I think I would not go to MK on a party night if I had small kids unless I was staying for the party. Life is rough enough without a big disappointment in the MK.