Park Closing time enforcement???

[kenny]

Anyone who has been recently, how strict are the park hours now?

meaning pre COVID if the MK closed at 9 you could get a snack, walk through the gift shop etc

how quickly are they ushering you out now? Can you still shop or snack or does everything close now at park close?

 

[VandVsmama]

From what I've read, the shops remain open 1 hour after park close.

 

[yulilin3]

Front of park shops usually stay open an extra hour, food places close at closing time

 

[RanDIZ]

Not sure if it varies by park, but I walked into Mouse Gear last week at EP after 9:00p park close. Walked out with over $500 worth of crap, Lol. I doubt they’d deny entry when money is being spent.

 

[yulilin3]

Not sure if it varies by park, but I walked into Mouse Gear last week at EP after 9:00p park close. Walked out with over $500 worth of crap, Lol. I doubt they’d deny entry when money is being spent.

MG is considered front of park shop

 

[Tarilyn]

If you’ve ever worked in retail, you know how it is at closing time. Closing time is closing time

 

[goofyernmost]

I still find it ridiculous how Disney has to fake closing time because people don't understand what we are closed means. They probably would just have closing time at 10 and then no one would have to wonder if they were going to get thrown out or not. If you know it closes at 10 and you want a snack and you want to shop, then plan to do that an hour before closing time. It would make things far simpler and I don't know why it is necessary for people to push it beyond that stated time of closing. It just seem wrong to me. You don't get to hang around in a bank for an hour or so after they close, and I'll bet that most of you watch the clock waiting for 5 o'clock to make a mad dash to your car. But you go to a theme park and you feel that it is OK to just ignore closing time and continue to drag you butts on the way out. I know that Disney plans for that, but I find that to be a disturbing human trait. I just wish they could set a time, and then everyone would know when it is time to leave.

 

[yulilin3]

I still find it ridiculous how Disney has to fake closing time because people don't understand what we are closed means. They probably would just have closing time at 10 and then no one would have to wonder if they were going to get thrown out or not. If you know it closes at 10 and you want a snack and you want to shop, then plan to do that an hour before closing time. It would make things far simpler and I don't know why it is necessary for people to push it beyond that stated time of closing. It just seem wrong to me. You don't get to hang around in a bank for an hour or so after they close, and I'll bet that most of you watch the clock waiting for 5 o'clock to make a mad dash to your car. But you go to a theme park and you feel that it is OK to just ignore closing time and continue to drag you butts on the way out. I know that Disney plans for that, but I find that to be a disturbing human trait. I just wish they could set a time, and then everyone would know when it is time to leave.

You understand that it benefits Disney right? If it didn't you can bet that it wouldn't happen

 

[goofyernmost]

You understand that it benefits Disney right? If it didn't you can bet that it wouldn't happen

No it doesn't, If they now say they close at 9 pm and they stay open until 10 to accommodate the draggers on. What difference would it make if they made the official closing time 10 pm instead. And close everything stores, rides everything at 10 pm. Same thing.

 

[yulilin3]

No it doesn't, If they now say they close at 9 pm and they stay open until 10 to accommodate the draggers on. What difference would it make if they made the official closing time 10 pm instead. And close everything stores, rides everything at 10 pm. Same thing.

What stays open are the stores in the front of the park for people to do their last minute shopping. More money for Disney. They close the attractions and restaurants at closing time unless they offer after hour reservations like Oga's . Again more money for Disney. If it didn't make money for Disney they wouldn't do it
They don't stay open to accommodate the draggers they stay open in some places to make more money

 

[chaboyd]

I don't think people are necessarily "draggers." If I want to buy something bulky or halfway fragile, I don't want to lug it around the park all day.

Tuesday night at MK, we got in line at the Emporium right at 9. They were telling people it would be a 15 minute wait to get in and I know LOTS of people were still getting in line behind us. OP, I noticed a lot of the snack carts closed up early. They don't want people eating and walking with masks off. So shopping is good, but I would not count on a lot of the food carts being open. Just the snacks you can buy at the stores on Main Street.

 

[Tarilyn]

Most of these responses who believe that Disney is just making money are from people who have never worked retail. It’s that thinking that is totally wrong, it’s about the employees who are people too you know.The CMs are not going to kick people out as they are Disney employees, and for those who think it’s ok to walk into a store a few minutes before closing, has no idea what it is to work in a retail store. No idea. Their closing time is when they get to go home after a long day at work. Just like you. But instead here comes someone saying “I’m know right where it is that I need to pick up” or “I’ll be just 5 minutes” and then they stay an hour. Those employees don’t want to stay an extra hour bc you couldn’t do this the ENTIRE day you were at the park, but you had to come at closing time. And it doesn’t mean when the last customer leaves, then they leave. No, then they have to clean the store, count the money, restock, etc. so they are at least another hour there only bc you just wanted to press the limit of shopping at closing time.
It would be like someone coming to your workplace right when you are ready to leave on a Friday, and wants to meet with you, and it lasts over an hour. And do you tell him/her no? Do you turn him/her away? Or do you stay an hour or more later after a long day of work bc someone wants to chit chat with you? It’s the same thing, but for them it happens every day bc of people who can’t see that 9:00 is closing time. So what would you do if it happened to you every single day? Just like you, they want to go home too.
And this applies to all retail stores not just Disney. Do your shopping in the allotted time and leave BEFORE closing time to be considerate of the employees and not bc you have to get another tshirt or bag of popcorn just bc you feel entitled to it.

 

[Tarilyn]

And getting in line at closing time is not acceptable. 9:00 is CLOSING TIME! It’s when they are supposed to close and people should not be getting in line anywhere near that time. Your ticket entitles you to shop ALL DAY LONG!

 

[disneygirlsng]

Most of these responses who believe that Disney is just making money are from people who have never worked retail. It’s that thinking that is totally wrong, it’s about the employees who are people too you know.The CMs are not going to kick people out as they are Disney employees, and for those who think it’s ok to walk into a store a few minutes before closing, has no idea what it is to work in a retail store. No idea. Their closing time is when they get to go home after a long day at work. Just like you. But instead here comes someone saying “I’m know right where it is that I need to pick up” or “I’ll be just 5 minutes” and then they stay an hour. Those employees don’t want to stay an extra hour bc you couldn’t do this the ENTIRE day you were at the park, but you had to come at closing time. And it doesn’t mean when the last customer leaves, then they leave. No, then they have to clean the store, count the money, restock, etc. so they are at least another hour there only bc you just wanted to press the limit of shopping at closing time.
It would be like someone coming to your workplace right when you are ready to leave on a Friday, and wants to meet with you, and it lasts over an hour. And do you tell him/her no? Do you turn him/her away? Or do you stay an hour or more later after a long day of work bc someone wants to chit chat with you? It’s the same thing, but for them it happens every day bc of people who can’t see that 9:00 is closing time. So what would you do if it happened to you every single day? Just like you, they want to go home too.
And this applies to all retail stores not just Disney. Do your shopping in the allotted time and leave BEFORE closing time to be considerate of the employees and not bc you have to get another tshirt or bag of popcorn just bc you feel entitled to it.

From what I understand, the CMs hours include the extra hour after closing, so they aren't working extra. They intend to be open that long. Not getting the argument. It's not that they are staying open just because people are going in, they are actually still open.

 

[GPC0321]

From what I understand, the CMs hours include the extra hour after closing, so they aren't working extra. They intend to be open that long. Not getting the argument. It's not that they are staying open just because people are going in, they are actually still open.

Exactly. Disney retail workers at places like MouseGear and the Emporium know darn well that their shift doesn't end at park closing time. And I'd be willing to bet that final hour after official park close is when a lot of money pours into those places. I know *I* am going to probably be at both of them after official park closing next week, spending money like a crazy woman. It's hard-wired into us. We don't want the experience to end, so we try to extend it by buying stuff to mark the occasion. We try to take some of Disney home with us.

Heck, I get off the Magical Express at MCO and immediately go into the Disney store and buy stuff there! I'm just not ready to release the Disney yet to shift back into reality.

Disney knows this. It's exactly what they sell. It's why on the way back to the airport on ME, they're showing videos about planning your next vacation. They understand the psyche of their guests.

 

[yulilin3]

Most of these responses who believe that Disney is just making money are from people who have never worked retail. It’s that thinking that is totally wrong, it’s about the employees who are people too you know.The CMs are not going to kick people out as they are Disney employees, and for those who think it’s ok to walk into a store a few minutes before closing, has no idea what it is to work in a retail store. No idea. Their closing time is when they get to go home after a long day at work. Just like you. But instead here comes someone saying “I’m know right where it is that I need to pick up” or “I’ll be just 5 minutes” and then they stay an hour. Those employees don’t want to stay an extra hour bc you couldn’t do this the ENTIRE day you were at the park, but you had to come at closing time. And it doesn’t mean when the last customer leaves, then they leave. No, then they have to clean the store, count the money, restock, etc. so they are at least another hour there only bc you just wanted to press the limit of shopping at closing time.
It would be like someone coming to your workplace right when you are ready to leave on a Friday, and wants to meet with you, and it lasts over an hour. And do you tell him/her no? Do you turn him/her away? Or do you stay an hour or more later after a long day of work bc someone wants to chit chat with you? It’s the same thing, but for them it happens every day bc of people who can’t see that 9:00 is closing time. So what would you do if it happened to you every single day? Just like you, they want to go home too.
And this applies to all retail stores not just Disney. Do your shopping in the allotted time and leave BEFORE closing time to be considerate of the employees and not bc you have to get another tshirt or bag of popcorn just bc you feel entitled to it.

And getting in line at closing time is not acceptable. 9:00 is CLOSING TIME! It’s when they are supposed to close and people should not be getting in line anywhere near that time. Your ticket entitles you to shop ALL DAY LONG!

I understand the point you are making, I worked at plenty of retail stores including a gift shop on I-Drive,
BUT
What you don't know or understand is that Disney schedules all CM according to demand. They know until when they will need everyone, in every area of operations, and schedule accordingly.
So in this case Emporium CM are scheduled until 2 hours AFTER park closing to service guests that get in line before the store closes. Management monitors the line outside and cuts it depending on how much time it'll take to close
So the CM inside the stores are not working "overtime" and they are not waiting on people to leave because they are actually scheduled that way.
Do you want Disney to cut CM hours? cause that's what will happen if they close these stores at closing time, the CM will lose money.
Closing time for MK can be 9pm but closing time for Emporium is 10pm, so someone getting in line at 9:59pm is NOT getting in line at closing time.
Same goes for security and attractions, they know how long it will take people to go through attractions at closing time and schedule CM accordingly.
My DD works at attractions in SWGE, the park closes at 8pm she's scheduled to 9pm. When they first opened the park closed at 10pm and she was scheduled until 12:30am because they knew the time it would take to get people through. When they cleared everyone early the CM are given options to E.R. (early release) some take it, some wait to get their hours
What is not right is security sweeping the park from back to front and a guest refusing to leave, now that's not right

 

[monkeydawn]

I'd usually agree that for most places its very rude to come in right before closing and then dally. I used to work at a restaurant in a college town and Thursday nights were the worst. Some group would always be starting their weekends early and come in just a bit before close, likely having started drinking earlier in the evening. They'd stay late. Those with early Friday classes couldnt work closing because you could never know if you were getting home at 10:30 or 1 am. And the PP was right that you leaving doesnt mean the staff can leave, there are things we just werent allowed to do with customers still in the building.

The flip side of this is that it seems that Disney keeps these front of the park shops open with the expectation that guests will be staying a hour past park close. So I am guessing the scheduling expectations are assigned with that in mind. To them their close time is an hour after park close plus whatever time is built in for closing duties. I still wouldnt dally in the stores too long but I'd have no problem doing one "last sweep" to make sure I have gotten all the souvenirs I wanted.

 

[Wdwfan2016]

The shops are kept open after park close on purpose. Cast members working those locations are scheduled accordingly. All closing cast know they are there past park close. shops are kept open for last minute shopping as well as to help transportation queues out front. This helps with Guest flow.

 

[Kimpossible1]

Most of these responses who believe that Disney is just making money are from people who have never worked retail. It’s that thinking that is totally wrong, it’s about the employees who are people too you know.Those employees don’t want to stay an extra hour bc you couldn’t do this the ENTIRE day you were at the park, but you had to come at closing time. And it doesn’t mean when the last customer leaves, then they leave. No, then they have to clean the store, count the money, restock, etc. so they are at least another hour there only bc you just wanted to press the limit of shopping at closing time.
So what would you do if it happened to you every single day? Just like you, they want to go home too.

The CM's actually stay 3 hours past closing time in the stores.

 

[DavidNYC]

I still find it ridiculous how Disney has to fake closing time because people don't understand what we are closed means. They probably would just have closing time at 10 and then no one would have to wonder if they were going to get thrown out or not. If you know it closes at 10 and you want a snack and you want to shop, then plan to do that an hour before closing time. It would make things far simpler and I don't know why it is necessary for people to push it beyond that stated time of closing. It just seem wrong to me. You don't get to hang around in a bank for an hour or so after they close, and I'll bet that most of you watch the clock waiting for 5 o'clock to make a mad dash to your car. But you go to a theme park and you feel that it is OK to just ignore closing time and continue to drag you butts on the way out. I know that Disney plans for that, but I find that to be a disturbing human trait. I just wish they could set a time, and then everyone would know when it is time to leave.

You act as if this is something Disney was forced to do because of inconsiderate guests. That is so off base as to be comical. The park closing time is meant to be the time the rides and attractions shut down (edit: technically the time past which you can't get on line since those don't shut right at closing either). It was never meant to be the time all shops shut down. They want people to have until park close to enjoy attractions without having to worry about heading back to the front of park to pick something up. By your reasoning the park should just shut down at closing time even if someone has been waiting on the line for 45 minutes but doesn't get to the front until 1 minute after closing. There is nothing ridiculous about Disney's method whatsoever. It's completely logical and beneficial to both patrons and them as a business.