private event

[larryz]

Happens every once in awhile. and sorry, but no, they usually don't announce 6 months in advance.They are generally booked later than that.

But IAAPA knew 5 months ago... the link date is Jun 3 2014... WDW could have warned guests farther ahead than this morning...

 

[mom2rtk]

But IAAPA knew 5 months ago... the link date is Jun 3 2014... WDW could have warned guests farther ahead than this morning...

Funny how that works.

 

[Itinkso]

But IAAPA knew 5 months ago... the link date is Jun 3 2014... WDW could have warned guests farther ahead than this morning...

The 7:00 closing had been on the November calendar and was not a last minute or "day of" announcement. There had been many posts on TPAS asking why there was an early closing on the 17th... and the response was always "private event."

IAAPA arranged for a huge number of character performers for the event and the CMs knew of their scheduling well in advance,

 

[Raenstoirm]

I used to plan these type of events for a biotech firm I worked for. We weren't near Disney (so never got to book there ), but we had them planned sometimes years in advance. It was part of our yearly marketing budget, so we had to put it on the books long before the next years budget was made. I can't imagine what disney charges to rent out a whole park, so I assure you it was put on the 2014 budget in 2013 or maybe even 2012. Someone else mentioned that it has been on the WDW calendar as a 7pm closing for some time. Renting a pavilion or ride is one thing and can be spur of the moment, but these large scale events take a lot of planning and an unimaginable amount of logistics to pull off. They did not just spring it on anyone.

 

[HopperFan]

Just heard about this on the radio here (104.1). Yes, there is a HUGE industry convention going on down here in Orlando. HUGE! Why, you may ask? It's because Orlando is currently building some sort of super-high rollercoaster, our own "eye" Ferris Wheel and a number of other attractions, mostly going to be located along or near International Drive. It's gonna be big folks!

It's not here because of the new rollercoaster and other constructions. The IAAPA has held their Annual Attractions Expo here the last five years and I think it is scheduled for Orlando the next five years as well. Orlando is a good match for a convention of this kind.

 

[bumbershoot]

That makes sense! We had a heck of a time getting back to Pop from Ohana last night - I thought MK closed at 7 for MVMCP and planned on transferring there. Rude awakening, a monorail trip, walk to Contemporary, bus to DTD, bus to AoA and walk back to Pop later, we made it... Were super curious about the convention!

So the only thing different is the reason why it was closed at 7. You knew it was closing at 7, though. I wonder what time you went through, since....

They had a bus waiting just for us to take us to POP, because we ate at CRT.

Apparently they had buses there.

The 7:00 closing had been on the November calendar and was not a last minute or "day of" announcement.

Exactly.

I'd be at Guest Services looking for my ticket back if that happened to me and I had plans to tour that night and used a ticket on the day only to get kicked out early.

It was on the calendars.