Small panic attack

[pschro1]

So DL just announced that on the two nights we were going to spend in DCA in June there will now be a "Grad Night Reunion" after dark party. I cannot justify the cost of the party tickets for my family. What am I running into if I want to spend the afternoon/evening in DCA on the night of a party? How do the crowds get (understanding that the gates open for party guests at 5pm). Does WOC play on those nights? We do have a hopper so we will most likely hop over to DL at 8pm, but our hope was to spend some evenings in DCA to do radiator springs and WOC at night. We do have a park reservation for DCA on the non-party day between the two, but I would prefer not to have to cram all the "E-Ticket" attractions/events into one day.

Help quell my panic.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

So DL just announced that on the two nights we were going to spend in DCA in June there will now be a "Grad Night Reunion" after dark party. I cannot justify the cost of the party tickets for my family. What am I running into if I want to spend the afternoon/evening in DCA on the night of a party? How do the crowds get (understanding that the gates open for party guests at 5pm). Does WOC play on those nights? We do have a hopper so we will most likely hop over to DL at 8pm, but our hope was to spend some evenings in DCA to do radiator springs and WOC at night. We do have a park reservation for DCA on the non-party day between the two, but I would prefer not to have to cram all the "E-Ticket" attractions/events into one day.

Help quell my panic.

I honestly think it’s kind of unfair for Disney to do these events that kick regular guests out early, ESPECIALLY in the high summer season. And to announce them so late after people have booked flights and hotels and secured park reservations.

If it were me I would probably change my dates if I could. The mix in timeframe will be so crowded at DCA and DL we become so crowded as guests hop over since they are being kicked out of DCA.

 

[Pluto468]

Oh man. It drives me crazy when they drop these unexpected events. People plan so far in advance, it really makes a difference for their trip. Anyway....

I don't see how they can do World Of Color if it's a closed event. Oh... I did see that June 23rd was blocked out for the dessert party. This must be why.

It's hard to tell what crowds will be like, but it does say that event ticket holders can come into the park at 5:00. I'd guess that the rest of the day and afternoon will be pretty normal. Luckily you have hoppers, so you can enjoy Disneyland Maybe you could watch the electrical parade or Fantasmic.

It doesn't seem like a very interesting After-Dark event. Maybe for people who did Grad Nites as kids...?

"unique cafeteria-inspired food" ok lol.

 

[mdmost]

It will start to get crowded around 5pm as that's the early entry time for the people who bought only that ticket. The event starts at 8pm so they'll usher you out around then. Not sure about WOC but I'd imagine they'll start it at 8pm and then move you out after that. I'd switch to DL for those days.

 

[pschro1]

Unfortunately changing days is not an option. I guess we will just have to hope we can get a decent spot for WOC between the two days. I guess we are going to have to "go with the flow."

 

[RobertaMomof2]

What dates are these? We are going in June and havent heard anything yet!

 

[Pluto468]

What dates are these? We are going in June and havent heard anything yet!

June 23, 28 and 30, 2022

 

[BadPinkTink]

I just saw this too. I have Disneyland Main park reservation for June 28 so thats fine. June 30 I have a reservation for DCA which Im fine with too. I had planned to do rope drop and not leave around 6pm anyway , so I'm fine with that. I just need to really plan my ADR now, as with increased crowds those days, the ADR will go fast. I glad now I pre booked Genie+ for all my days, looks like I will need it.

 

[midnight star]

What dates are these? We are going in June and havent heard anything yet!

June 23, 28 and 30, 2022

Here is the parks blog post too
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ever-disneyland-after-dark-grad-nite-reunion/

 

[mdmost]

Unfortunately changing days is not an option. I guess we will just have to hope we can get a decent spot for WOC between the two days. I guess we are going to have to "go with the flow."

Can you change parks? Put your CA reservation to days without the event?

 

[pschro1]

Can you change parks? Put your CA reservation to days without the event?

We are considering that now.

 

[Pluto468]

Can you change parks? Put your CA reservation to days without the event?

nevermind

 

[gelatoni fan]

I'd take it a step further and say it is unethical of Disney to force guests to make reservations in advance and then bait and switch them by having shorter than expected hours on days they reserved. If they want guests to start making reservations 120 days out, they need to have their entertainment, maintenance and private events schedule set for those 120 days.

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

I totally agree. Opening up reservations at 120 days is really questionable if they aren't posting hours. On the flip side, it is highly likely they use reservation numbers to help inform their hours and schedules, so a bit of a catch-22 there.

Disneyworld seems to do a better job of getting their schedules out, especially when it comes to table service.

 

[pschro1]

Thank you all. I talked with my wife last night. Will this is a tad frustrating and does put a wrinkle into our plans. We always tend to be as flexible as possible when it comes to our Disney trips. I think we will just stay as long as we can in DCA and then make our way of to DL. We have Genie + so I think we will just take full advantage of that.

 

[JohnR5101]

I totally agree. Opening up reservations at 120 days is really questionable if they aren't posting hours. On the flip side, it is highly likely they use reservation numbers to help inform their hours and schedules, so a bit of a catch-22 there.

Reservation levels probably only can be used to adjust very short term staffing levels. Since they could always book up as many reservations as they will allow, then they should just plan for that level of attendance. I don't think they really can plan very much from the demand they see 120 days out. It may be more like 1 week out before their schedules are firm.

The other annoying thing is having to choose which park you start in if you have a hopper. Seriously, what difference does it make if you can go wherever you want at 1:00. If all the hoppers decide to go to one park, then it will still be totally unbalanced. But I think what really happens is that people will make the adjustment themselves. If one park seem overcrowded, then people will choose to hop over and it restores balance. So, why make me choose my starting park? I don't see what advantage it gives them.

Of course I could be totally wrong (its happened. if you use the res system to balance out the crowds for each park in the morning, then the hoppers will all tend to go to the other park in the afternoon, thus maintaining balance. But all this planning and restrictions takes away a bit of the magic.

 

[duckboyone]

June 28 and 30 just happen to be the TWO AND ONLY days we have DCA reservations...

 

[Wesley815]

After Hour events should actually be AFTER HOURS (normal park closing time) I agree it's not fair, but sadly not sure if Disney cares since special ticket events sell out most of the time.

 

[Matrixleos]

After Hour events should actually be AFTER HOURS (normal park closing time) I agree it's not fair, but sadly not sure if Disney cares since special ticket events sell out most of the time.

I agree, if the park is normally scheduled to close at 10pm, then have the After Hours event from 10pm to 2am.

 

[Matrixleos]

Thank you all. I talked with my wife last night. Will this is a tad frustrating and does put a wrinkle into our plans. We always tend to be as flexible as possible when it comes to our Disney trips. I think we will just stay as long as we can in DCA and then make our way of to DL. We have Genie + so I think we will just take full advantage of that.

That's the key for me on any Disney vacation we go on. Have a plan but be flexible as much as possible to go with the ebb and flow of that given park day.