So, tell me... is there still a problem with the party crashers??

[Luckybee]

It's not so much that it affects my enjoyment level. However Disney is offering this as a separate hard ticket event. Therefore Disney should ensure that people who didn't pay for the extra ticket, aren't able to access the party special events. We have attended 7 parties and spent hundreds of dollars (and enjoyed every moment of the parties) We are paying for the special fireworks, parade, characters and various other offerings. If anyone can access those and not pay for the additional ticket, why should we have to pay? I'm happy to pay for the added extras and if people want them, they should be willing to pay the extra fee. If they don't want to or can't, then they shouldn't expect to get the party extras for free.

I don't disagree with anything you're saying regarding people shld have to pay if its a special event and others have to pay for it. I was responding to the post where someone said that if "affected their level of enjoyment".

If I went to the Xmas party as an example, and others snuck in...if it were one or 2 quite frankly I wouldn't give a hoot because it doesn't affect me in any way...but if it were quite a few, which increased the crowds then yes I wouldn't like it. It almost seems as though some are caught up more in monitoring what others are doing when it has no bearing on them at all

I'm just not getting the vigilance that some seem to have towards monitoring this I guess. I mean were there hundreds of people actually crashing or are you only talking about a few?

 

[kmb584]

This is why I would never never never never (* infinity) go to MK on a day where there is a party that night. To me, part of the fun of spending the day at the park is after it "closes" to take a relaxing walk to the front entrance. Funny how on a regular day, the stores don't all hard close at the time the park closes. The lights don't all go out the exact time the park closes.

However, on a day where there is a money grubbing...and let's face it folks, those parties are nothing more than an extra cash grab...party, it basically is saying to you, someone who paid for a full day admission, once 7 pm rolls around, GET OUT!! Do not pass go...do not collect $200...GOOD RIDDANCE!!!

I would never go to MK on a party day, but the problem is that half the month of October(yeah, 16 nights) there are these cash grabs, which affects the planning sometimes in a negative way.

But overall, we love WDW too much to let it affect our good time. We just plan around it. If Disney was into fairness for those who can afford to spend the extra cash, they would close the park at 6 and reopen at 7 for those buying the party tickets. However, not nearly as many people would buy tickets for the party if it were only for 5 hours and they would likely have to lower the price. So they allow party ticket holders 3 extra hours into the park at 4, soaking 3 extra hours from the people who bought day passes and making the park mobbed between 4 and 7, affecting the experience of the last few hours of the people who paid for the park from 9-7. All the while, being extremely vigilant on those without bands.

But to each his/her own. If you have the extra $60 x [# of family members ] laying around in addition to the thousands you likely paid for the trip, then God bless.

Why such bitterness?

Of course these parties are a "cash grab". The Disney execs recognized that guests were willing to pay extra for a hard ticket event and ran with the idea. We choose to spend the $63/ticket for several parties each year because not only do we love the rare meet and greets, fireworks, and parades, we also enjoy being able to walk on almost every single attraction. This cost is in addition to our AP and I consider it to be money well spent.

People without a ticket aren't paying customers and therefore do not get to "pass go". When traveling to WDW during Sep-Dec it's important to know that on many nights MK will close at 7p to those without MNSSHP/MVMCP tickets. It's also almost crucial to note that those are the best days to visit MK. A person can probably accomplish the park twice over because of the low crowd level during regular operating hours. Those without wristbands aren't allowed to linger because there is party-exclusive merchandise being sold, and a lot of folks will spend money on a ticket just to purchase that year's t-shirt or whatever else floats their fancy. CM need to vigilant when it comes to checking wristbands, otherwise it'd be a free for fall and guest services would be overrun with people demanding refunds because while Jane spent money on a ticket, John didn't, and that's not fair.

 

[Kristine316]

As I said I can understand #2 . As for #1 and #3...well all I can say ....omg life is way too short for me to worry about what anyone else is doing but if it floats your boat go for it . I personally could care less what anyone else is doing unless it has some sort of effect on my level of enjoyment. re" 1 ...I would feel badly staying in the park without paying if it was a special event...that would affect me.....re # 3...all I can say is wow !

Well I guess you are a better person than some of us... good for you, it must be wonderful being so Zen.

Obviously when I said it would bother me to no end that party crashers were let in, it doesn't take much to understand why.. think about it.. if there was no crowd control and anyone could stay without paying you would have a MUCH bigger crowd during the party, which in turn would make...

1. Lines at rides longer
2, Spots for parades and fireworks harder to come by
3, Restaurants busier, shops busier
4. Lines at character meet and greets longer

Its not rocket science. Enjoyment for each guest would be diminished the busier it got.. and trust me it wouldn't take long for word to get out that Disney wasn't controlling the crowds well so you would have a ton of crashers staying when they didn't pay.

 

[nighttowll]

I mean were there hundreds of people actually crashing or are you only talking about a few?

From what I've read, yes. In past years, Disney wasn't really policing the event at all or not very well. Tons of people were staying behind and creating long lines for rides and other entertainment when they hadn't paid. There were lots of complaints with people threatening not to go to the parties anymore at all if they weren't going to enforce that you needed a ticket. It was becoming a very big issue. Hence, the crowd clearing that happened last year to try to combat this. I don't think anyone is complaining about a random person here or there who straggles for a little while. It was that the party crashing had gotten out of hand.

 

[Kristine316]

I don't disagree with anything you're saying regarding people shld have to pay if its a special event and others have to pay for it. I was responding to the post where someone said that if "affected their level of enjoyment".

If I went to the Xmas party as an example, and others snuck in...if it were one or 2 quite frankly I wouldn't give a hoot because it doesn't affect me in any way...but if it were quite a few, which increased the crowds then yes I wouldn't like it. It almost seems as though some are caught up more in monitoring what others are doing when it has no bearing on them at all

I'm just not getting the vigilance that some seem to have towards monitoring this I guess. I mean were there hundreds of people actually crashing or are you only talking about a few?

Wow.. is all I can say. You responded to my post and was basically implying in this reply that I am "caught up in what others are doing". GMAB... I replied to why it would affect my enjoyment because it WOULD AFFECT THE CROWD LEVEL.. it isn't that difficult to get. If Disney did nothing to control the party crowds and didn't check for wrist bands, it would more than likely affect crowds because many people would try to stay as long as they could whether they paid or not.

You are coming off way more judgmental than you are trying to imply I am, by simply jumping to the conclusion that I am worried about others and should mind my own business. For me it is ALL about crowd levels because the busier it is the more difficult it would be to enjoy the party.

 

[CFioren317]

Why such bitterness?

Of course these parties are a "cash grab". The Disney execs recognized that guests were willing to pay extra for a hard ticket event and ran with the idea. We choose to spend the $63/ticket for several parties each year because not only do we love the rare meet and greets, fireworks, and parades, we also enjoy being able to walk on almost every single attraction. This cost is in addition to our AP and I consider it to be money well spent.

People without a ticket aren't paying customers and therefore do not get to "pass go". When traveling to WDW during Sep-Dec it's important to know that on many nights MK will close at 7p to those without MNSSHP/MVMCP tickets. It's also almost crucial to note that those are the best days to visit MK. A person can probably accomplish the park twice over because of the low crowd level during regular operating hours. Those without wristbands aren't allowed to linger because there is party-exclusive merchandise being sold, and a lot of folks will spend money on a ticket just to purchase that year's t-shirt or whatever else floats their fancy. CM need to vigilant when it comes to checking wristbands, otherwise it'd be a free for fall and guest services would be overrun with people demanding refunds because while Jane spent money on a ticket, John didn't, and that's not fair.

Not bitter at all. Just explaining the bitter facts. If that sounds bitter, then there's not much I can do about that. And BTW, if I enter the park at 9am and the park "closes" to me at 7pm, then I am a paying customer until 7pm whether it bothers the party people or not. And from 4-7, the party people would be invading my time in the park as much as me invading their time after 7pm.

Which is why I avoid MK altogether on party days, as I said at least twice in my post. I guess I wouldn't understand it either if I had APs. It's all good.

 

[LBIJim]

Last year (we were at 7 parties between Halloween and Christmas) the CM's were very strict about enforcing this. Just a few things we noticed.

From 6pm, announcements were made through the park that the Magic Kingdom would be closing at 7pm to day guests. This announcement was made several times up to 7pm. At 7pm, an announcement was made that the party had commenced and those without tickets needed to head for the exit.

CM's were placed around the Hub. Once it was 6:45pm, no one was allowed past the Hub from Main St if they didn't have wrist bands.

CM's were placed at the entrance of each land, checking bands from 7pm. No band, you were asked to leave.

CM's were checking for bands as people started to line up for the parade. No band, you were asked to leave or escorted out.

CM's were checking for bands just before Hallo/Holiday Wishes. No band, you were asked to leave.

CM's were places at the entrance of the main gift shops and counter service. No band, you weren't allowed in. At 6:45pm, CM's were telling people inside the stores that if they didn't have a party ticket, they needed to complete transactions from 7pm otherwise they weren't allowed to put them through. After 7pm, no one with a ticket was served. You couldn't buy party merchandise without a ticket (some stores had it out before 7pm)

CM's were escorting people out of the park after their ADR's if they didn't have a party band. We saw this from BOG, Crystal Palace and CRT.

CM's were placed at each bathroom after 7pm. If you didn't have a band, you weren't allowed in. You could access one bathroom without a band, which was on Main St near Guest Services. After this, you were escorted out of the park.

CM's were checking bands at all rides. You weren't allowed to line up or ride without a band.

CM's were checking character lines from 6:45pm for anyone without a band. We saw someone was asked to leave the Merida line at MNSSHP at 6:50pm as she didn't come out until after 7pm.

They were very strict about it (as they should be)

The rest of the procedures are fine, but no CM at the Hub is going to stop me from heading wherever I please at 645pm. Even if it's to the farthest reaches of the park. And yep, if I want to I'll get in Space Mountain's standby line at 659pm even if it's a 40 minute wait.

 

[Planogirl]

We went to a MVMCP last year and I don't see how they monitor the party goers. Most areas were super packed plus it was chilly so everyone had on coats. We didn't care, we had a great time!

 

[Disney_Princess83]

The rest of the procedures are fine, but no CM at the Hub is going to stop me from heading wherever I please at 645pm. Even if it's to the farthest reaches of the park. And yep, if I want to I'll get in Space Mountain's standby line at 659pm even if it's a 40 minute wait.

I'm only saying what happened at the parties we were at. You're allowed to get in line for rides until 6:59pm (not characters as many are party specific - someone was asked to leave the Merida line as she came out after 7pm) In our experience, the CM's created a line to stop people without wristbands from going past them.

 

[Luckybee]

Wow.. is all I can say. You responded to my post and was basically implying in this reply that I am "caught up in what others are doing". GMAB... I replied to why it would affect my enjoyment because it WOULD AFFECT THE CROWD LEVEL.. it isn't that difficult to get. If Disney did nothing to control the party crowds and didn't check for wrist bands, it would more than likely affect crowds because many people would try to stay as long as they could whether they paid or not.

You are coming off way more judgmental than you are trying to imply I am, by simply jumping to the conclusion that I am worried about others and should mind my own business. For me it is ALL about crowd levels because the busier it is the more difficult it would be to enjoy the party.

You said " It would irritate me to no end if I knew people were cheating the system and staying for a party they didn't pay for. It lessens the enjoyment of those who did pay when others try to cheat the system like that. "

This certainly didnt indicate it was "ALL about the crowd levels". At least not to me. Perhaps I was wrong. Wouldnt be the first time, or the last. I got the impression that it bothered you if others were cheating the system. Guess I was mistaken.

 

[china mom]

Count me in as one who is bothered when the cheaters get away with it. Yes, it does take from my enjoyment.

I am not one who's enjoyment is affected by others spending their entire vacation staring at their electronics - to each his own. It does not affect me. l I am not bothered by those who make parental decision that don't jive with mine. To each his own.

But to have someone steal (and this is stealing - taking something you have not paid for) right in front of me and then brag about it (as in one scenario)... yes that bothers me and will affect my enjoyment.

I have had the experience of observing someone shoplift. Yes, I intervened and yes, it bothered me when they got away. It negatively affected my shopping experience. Was it my business? Did it have anything to do with me? Doesn't matter. It bothered me.

If I pay extra for the party and someone else steals admission to the same party, it would affect my enjoyment. It would not totally ruin the party for me but in that moment, I would be annoyed.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I, too, am a hard core rule follower. I am almost OCD about things like this, and being on time, and cleaning up after myself - you get the picture. But I do not even think about how others behave (my children aside). I learned a long time ago that others don't care what I think. I was helping no one - certainly not myself.

People sneak into theaters without paying. People drop their garbage on the ground instead of placing it in a receptacle. People line jump. People do all sorts of things that are either against posted rules, contrary to societal norms, or totally illegal.

Be aware. Let someone know if you see something dangerous. But if it isn't dangerous, the best thing that you can do for yourself and others is to learn to let it go. You are not going to shame these people into behaving better. They know that what they are doing is wrong. The only one who suffers when you walk around harboring ill feeling toward others (for any reason) is you.

When in WDW, I let WDW decide how to handle these things. If someone throws their garbage on the ground and I see it, I swing by and pick it up. If someone line jumps past me, I smile and say hello. If someone were to try and ride past 7pm on a party night, I wouldn't even notice unless I heard a CM say something to them. I am certainly not wasting any time or energy scanning other guests for wrist bands. That is not what I go to WDW for - and I don't need that kind of clutter in my mind when I am trying to have a good time with my family.

If "monitoring" others adds to your enjoyment, by all means keep it up. But if it is adding additional stress to your life, stop.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

The rest of the procedures are fine, but no CM at the Hub is going to stop me from heading wherever I please at 645pm. Even if it's to the farthest reaches of the park. And yep, if I want to I'll get in Space Mountain's standby line at 659pm even if it's a 40 minute wait.

We have been "gently" reminded of park closure time when on our way to our last MK ride of the day, but we have never been told that we could not get into a queue before 7pm. I have never been told that I must head toward the park exit at 6:45 - just reminded of the park close time. If this is happening now it would probably make me pretty upset. I suspect that I would just ignore the CM and continue toward my planned last ride of the day.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I actually understand why they don't let people use the restrooms. It would be easy for people to hide in there and wait for the parade and fireworks, which are 2 big perks of the party. And there are unscrupulous people who would do that.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I actually understand why they don't let people use the restrooms. It would be easy for people to hide in there and wait for the parade and fireworks, which are 2 big perks of the party. And there are unscrupulous people who would do that.

If they are willing to wait for 2+ hours in a smelly bathroom to watch a parade or fireworks, let them have at it.

 

[Jennasis]

I've noticed crashers before, but I usually just make a mental note of what awful, unscrupulous and dishonest people they are...and then merrily go about enjoying the party I paid for.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I've noticed crashers before, but I usually just make a mental note of what awful, unscrupulous and dishonest people they are...and then merrily go about enjoying the party I paid for.

I don't look for them but I'm always secretly pleased when I see CM's have caught people out (especially the group standing near us at 9:15pm waiting for the fireworks) I agree with earlier posts, it's "stealing." They didn't pay to be there, it's not right that people try and take advantage of the system.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

At last year's MVMCP I felt the CMs were very efficient, it is something that has always bugged me too. Even if they couldn't get on rides they could still watch the parade and fireworks, but, Disney has probably had enough feedback from guests that they are cracking down on it

 

[maryj11]

The last party I went to (2012), our bands were checked about 15 times between 7 and 7:30. Not just at candy stations, rides, and characters but just as we were walking there were TONS of CMs just walking around saying "wrist bands". I felt like I might as well walk around with my arm up continually. But I appreciated the effort.

Same thing when we went, we just started holding up our arm every time we were around a CM

 

[OfTheWind]

Why such bitterness?

Of course these parties are a "cash grab". The Disney execs recognized that guests were willing to pay extra for a hard ticket event and ran with the idea. We choose to spend the $63/ticket for several parties each year because not only do we love the rare meet and greets, fireworks, and parades, we also enjoy being able to walk on almost every single attraction. This cost is in addition to our AP and I consider it to be money well spent.

People without a ticket aren't paying customers and therefore do not get to "pass go". When traveling to WDW during Sep-Dec it's important to know that on many nights MK will close at 7p to those without MNSSHP/MVMCP tickets. It's also almost crucial to note that those are the best days to visit MK. A person can probably accomplish the park twice over because of the low crowd level during regular operating hours. Those without wristbands aren't allowed to linger because there is party-exclusive merchandise being sold, and a lot of folks will spend money on a ticket just to purchase that year's t-shirt or whatever else floats their fancy. CM need to vigilant when it comes to checking wristbands, otherwise it'd be a free for fall and guest services would be overrun with people demanding refunds because while Jane spent money on a ticket, John didn't, and that's not fair.

Well I guess you are a better person than some of us... good for you, it must be wonderful being so Zen.

Obviously when I said it would bother me to no end that party crashers were let in, it doesn't take much to understand why.. think about it.. if there was no crowd control and anyone could stay without paying you would have a MUCH bigger crowd during the party, which in turn would make...

1. Lines at rides longer
2, Spots for parades and fireworks harder to come by
3, Restaurants busier, shops busier
4. Lines at character meet and greets longer

Its not rocket science. Enjoyment for each guest would be diminished the busier it got.. and trust me it wouldn't take long for word to get out that Disney wasn't controlling the crowds well so you would have a ton of crashers staying when they didn't pay.

It truly isn't rocket science, and some people are pretending they really are that dense. If you didn't pay for something you aren't entitled to it you shouldn't be surprised when those who did pay for it are upset.

Wow.. is all I can say. You responded to my post and was basically implying in this reply that I am "caught up in what others are doing". GMAB... I replied to why it would affect my enjoyment because it WOULD AFFECT THE CROWD LEVEL.. it isn't that difficult to get. If Disney did nothing to control the party crowds and didn't check for wrist bands, it would more than likely affect crowds because many people would try to stay as long as they could whether they paid or not.

You are coming off way more judgmental than you are trying to imply I am, by simply jumping to the conclusion that I am worried about others and should mind my own business. For me it is ALL about crowd levels because the busier it is the more difficult it would be to enjoy the party.

The rest of the procedures are fine, but no CM at the Hub is going to stop me from heading wherever I please at 645pm. Even if it's to the farthest reaches of the park. And yep, if I want to I'll get in Space Mountain's standby line at 659pm even if it's a 40 minute wait.

But why would you purposely stand in a 40 minute ride 1 minute before you're supposed to be past the gates? Do you get a rush from only slightly breaking the rules?