Park too packed to leave?

[Unofficial627]

Has anyone ever experienced such incredible gridlock that they had to escort you a separate way out of the park? Last summer, during a parade in the MK, we were trying to leave. UGH!! Plus, we had a stroller. It was to the point where, if you weren't stopped, you were slowing shuffling. The CMs ended up opening up a "back road" where we got to see the other side of Main Street... kind of takes away from the luster of it. After that though, exiting was fine. Has any else ever experienced something like that? What's your story?

 

[Chuck S]

Depending on crowds and the number of shows, they have several different exit points for Fantasmic. MK will sometimes use backstage exits when trying to empty the park in a hurry to prepare for special private or ticketed events.

 

[seashoreCM]

You experienced gridlock on Main Street because it was during the parade when you tried to walk through. This will happen on moderately well attended days too.

The clothing stores on the right side of Main St. (as you exit) are interconnected so you can cut through that way.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[georgina]

taking the train to the main street station is another way to get out when the crowds on main street are bad

 

[laceemouse]

We have been exited out the back way at both MGM and the MK. We only go to WDW when school is out now so it is usually crowded for us. I agree, seeing dumpsters kind of takes away from the magic but it beats total gridlock. We have also done the trek through inter-connecting stores on Main Street. This can sometimes get crowded too, but it is a nice ending to see all the merchandise on your way out, and the AC feels good too!!

 

[jds]

I WISH we'd been shown an alternative exit the day we got stuck at MK the week before Easter a few years ago. They were filming the Easter parade that afternoon and apparently something went wrong, so the whole parade kept slowing down/stopping. People got fed up waiting and tried to leave, causing total gridlock.

I'm not normally claustrophobic, but I got VERY uncomfortable in that crowd! Fortunately DD was sitting in a rented (big) MK stroller, so she didn't freak out, but I almost did! Just had to take lots of deep breaths...

 

[JulesMom]

Trying to get out of MK during a parade is NOT fun!

 

[wdwguide]

I wish they could find a way to install Disneyland Paris-style "arcades", i.e. covered and themed walkways running parallel to Main Street but on the other side of the shops.

 

[married2grumpy]

Getting out of MK could get ugly. On our recent visit someone had knocked down one of the green metal guard rails heading towards the resort bus stations. It was dark and hard to see so people kept stumbling over it. I went over to a Disney employee to let them know what happened before someone got seriously injured. It was a dangerous situation.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Experienced the same thing last Christmas..... Christmas day.... at MK..... during a parade. LOL Well we were naive and didn't know a thing about WDW back then! Totally unprepared and our first day at WDW.
I also am not one to get claustrophobic ever, but I almost did that day. Talk about crowded..... unable to move with family of 5 including stroller LOL