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

[Disney_Princess83]

I have no desire to go to a Disney "party" though I am interested in some of the food and wine events. I don't quite understand however why whether someone else has crashed the party would have any effect whatsoever on my level of enjoyment. Perhaps I'm missing something but why should what anyone else does affect my enjoyment level unless the amount of crashers make it too crowded I guess.

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.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I've heard that at this point guests without wristbands are not even allowed to use the restrooms after 7, they are guided to the restrooms on Main Street or outside the park.

If they just let people stay and take in the party without paying for it, then why have a hard ticket event in the first place? And they are crowded enough without "stragglers" staying on, taking up parade space and getting in line for rides. and once it got out that you could "crash" the party, everyone would do it.

 

[nighttowll]

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)

This was what we experienced last year with them starting to check before 7. Probably from 6:45 to 7:30, I felt like I was just walking around with my arm in the air because there were so many CMs checking bands every few feet. It really felt like they did a good job of flushing everyone out who didn't belong fairly quickly, and if it means shorter lines for me, I don't mind a little inconvenience while they do it. We also witnessed the CM's keeping people out of the bathrooms who didn't have bands. I think that's a great way to clear the park. You certainly aren't sticking around if you have to go.

 

[Shrimp332]

I understand most of this but as someone who has paid for the park until 7pm. I would be very upset being told I can't do things up until 7pm. Then if my 3 year old couldn't use a bathroom and I am sorry but she might not be able to hold it until we make it to 1 bathroom that is okay to use. Some of this seems ridiculous to me... Any other night you can still purchase items after the park has closed and you are telling me that staying to check out a gift shop is ruining a special event seems overboard to me???

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I understand most of this but as someone who has paid for the park until 7pm. I would be very upset being told I can't do things up until 7pm. Then if my 3 year old couldn't use a bathroom and I am sorry but she might not be able to hold it until we make it to 1 bathroom that is okay to use. Some of this seems ridiculous to me... Any other night you can still purchase items after the park has closed and you are telling me that staying to check out a gift shop is ruining a special event seems overboard to me???

It's AFTER 7 that they are telling you that you can't do things. Not before. If you read the post, it says that before 7 all they did was make announcements. At any rate, if you don't have a party ticket you are supposed to be out of the park at 7.

 

[LilyWDW]

I understand most of this but as someone who has paid for the park until 7pm. I would be very upset being told I can't do things up until 7pm. Then if my 3 year old couldn't use a bathroom and I am sorry but she might not be able to hold it until we make it to 1 bathroom that is okay to use. Some of this seems ridiculous to me... Any other night you can still purchase items after the park has closed and you are telling me that staying to check out a gift shop is ruining a special event seems overboard to me???

Your ticket is for the time that Disney says it is for. If Disney decided to go back to the old way of doing things (hard close the park), then the parks would have to close even earlier and you still wouldn't be allowed to do anything once that time came around. So you would lose more time that way.

 

[nalajms]

It's AFTER 7 that they are telling you that you can't do things. Not before. If you read the post, it says that before 7 all they did was make announcements. At any rate, if you don't have a party ticket you are supposed to be out of the park at 7.

It really doesn't matter if it's a party night or not. We were being "herded" out of Fantasy land at 10:50pm last month, park closed at 11pm. Instead of walking by the side of the castle and through the hub, we opted to go by Tomorrow land. The CM near Speedway was trying to push us towards the Cosmic Ray bridge. I told her "no" and said I wanted to walk through the terrace to avoid the hub. She watched us the whole time making sure we weren't trying to sneak into Buzz or another ride. Technically we still had 10mins right?

 

[glasslipper]

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 !

If you know anyone who works in loss prevention, they can explain to you why crashers ultimately do affect everyone.

 

[CFioren317]

I understand most of this but as someone who has paid for the park until 7pm. I would be very upset being told I can't do things up until 7pm. Then if my 3 year old couldn't use a bathroom and I am sorry but she might not be able to hold it until we make it to 1 bathroom that is okay to use. Some of this seems ridiculous to me... Any other night you can still purchase items after the park has closed and you are telling me that staying to check out a gift shop is ruining a special event seems overboard to me???

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.

 

[over50visits]

My family and I take a Disney vacation about every other year

But the last time we went to the MVMCP was in 2007 and there was a real issue with guests staying for the party that did not pay for the extra ticket
I saw guests without the wrist bands, getting on rides, and ignoring the cast members when they asked them to see their bands
and then laughing about how they got away with it.

It was very irritating, which I'm sure a lot of you have seen firsthand also
Please tell me it's gotten better. Do they clear out the park to get ready for the party, and then let only ticketed guests in?
I know they did it this way in the past

We are going back this Nov and we've already ordered our party tickets
Thanks in advance !

I hope they just add the event to your MDE so your MB will be your admission, not a separate wristband.

Then, it could be easier this year for the CM to enforce it. Since many guests will wear MBs, and Disney can track you individually in the parks, the computers can locate guests who have not left and don't have tickets, and direct CMs to them. Also they wouldn't need to check bands on rides, just use the MB touch station for entry. There still will be some without MBs, but this should help a lot.

Now that we're individually tagged and tracked in the parks, it will be harder to be where we shouldn't be, preventing nonpaying guests from being at a ticketed event. Another advantage of the new MB system.

 

[butterfly71076]

I understand most of this but as someone who has paid for the park until 7pm. I would be very upset being told I can't do things up until 7pm. Then if my 3 year old couldn't use a bathroom and I am sorry but she might not be able to hold it until we make it to 1 bathroom that is okay to use. Some of this seems ridiculous to me... Any other night you can still purchase items after the park has closed and you are telling me that staying to check out a gift shop is ruining a special event seems overboard to me???

The reason they don't let you purchase items after 7pm on party days is they offer special merchandise available for party guests to purchase only.

I agree with not being able to use the restroom. It is a bit ridiculous.

 

[The Hub]

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 above is correct, in terms of the procedures we use for Land Clear.

However, it isn't as strict as most guests will see and many of those you see without wristbands on their own are Magic Kingdom Cast Members. There are many different stages with Land Clear. For example, there can be three rows of Cast Members, each blocking either a headliner, entrance to new land or a heavily trafficked area. There will then be a Cast Member outside of each entrance to the Quick Service Restaurant. Once the row of Cast Members gets passed the ones clearing the QSR, they will then join the other Cast Members. As each group gets to the same centralized area, they then start walking together towards the Hub. While doing Land Clear, our leaders ask us to only make sure one family member has a wristband. If we can't see anyone else in the group, we shouldn't ask.

On our schedules, Land Clear is usually one hour (with CPs sometimes being a little longer.) After that hour, FT/PT Cast Members will usually be done for the day and College Program will enter the rotations. Around 45 minutes after 7PM (give or take a few minutes), we usually have our announcement or word of mouth communication that our land is clear of all day guests. From then, many CP Cast Members don't check. Fantasyland has been more careful recently, mostly because of New Fantasyland/Enchanted Forest.

A lot of FT/PT Cast Members who work in Magic Kingdom will hang out in the break rooms until the land is clear, then change into a long sleeved shirt. They then can tell a CM they can't find their trick or treat bag and will receive a replacement. It happens most parties and they last throughout the night, as long as they stay away from Main St. They typically watch the parades over in Frontierland. Many Cast Members, while working, will even stuff their pockets with candy.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I understand most of this but as someone who has paid for the park until 7pm. I would be very upset being told I can't do things up until 7pm. Then if my 3 year old couldn't use a bathroom and I am sorry but she might not be able to hold it until we make it to 1 bathroom that is okay to use. Some of this seems ridiculous to me... Any other night you can still purchase items after the park has closed and you are telling me that staying to check out a gift shop is ruining a special event seems overboard to me???

It's not ruining it for others, however guests have paid extra money to be at the party. It's not fair to allow guests to remain in the park if they don't have a ticket. Also, it's very easy for guests (I'm not suggesting you would do this) to hang out in a gift shop, wasting time, go to bathroom and back into a gift shop and somehow end up seeing the parade or fireworks. People are paying extra for these party specific events, it's not fair for just anyone to see them. Otherwise, why should I pay extra for them of I could just hang out and see them anyway.

7pm is a "hard close" for Magic Kingdom on party nights. That means everything is closed for day guests at 7pm. The shops aren't always open after park close either. On nights that have a 2am-3am close, everything is closed when the park closes. Most other days it's a soft close so stores ect remain open. Previously, Magic Kingdom would close even earlier. They would herd everyone out, then reopen to party ticket holders.

These dates are released months in advance so people can plan around it. We were there during Oct and Nov last year and avoided MK when we didn't have party tickets. There are 3 other parks to visit.

 

[2Tiggies]

We have not done the christmas party but have done 7 MNSSHP's The first year I don't recall if our bands were checked or not during the party but I do recall them being checked throughout the evening in 2011. I clearly remember 2012 (we did 3 parties that season) and twice I had gloves on, which were part of my Cruella costume and eventually removed them because of the constant requests to see my band I I got tired of constantly rolling them down and putting them back again. I have also seen people being escorted down Main Street by CM's having been given the option to purchase a ticket or told otherwise the park is officially closed to non party guests.

I think they do the best they can under the circumstances.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I have no desire to go to a Disney "party" though I am interested in some of the food and wine events. I don't quite understand however why whether someone else has crashed the party would have any effect whatsoever on my level of enjoyment. Perhaps I'm missing something but why should what anyone else does affect my enjoyment level unless the amount of crashers make it too crowded I guess.

The problem is it wouldn't be one person doing this. That would affect the people who paid to be there. Also, why should someone who didn't pay be allowed to be there? Simple enough concept...no band, no party.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

This thread reminds me of Indiana Jones. "No ticket!"

 

[2Tiggies]

Now that we're individually tagged and tracked in the parks, it will be harder to be where we shouldn't be, preventing nonpaying guests from being at a ticketed event. Another advantage of the new MB system.

What would be really cool would be a special event specific slider for your MB that turns on to glow when your party ticket is successfully scanned on entering and deactivates forever once you leave the park.

Of course off site party goers often won't have a MB so there needs to be something else (consistent) as an alternative. It would be fun though

 

[OfTheWind]

I have no desire to go to a Disney "party" though I am interested in some of the food and wine events. I don't quite understand however why whether someone else has crashed the party would have any effect whatsoever on my level of enjoyment. Perhaps I'm missing something but why should what anyone else does affect my enjoyment level unless the amount of crashers make it too crowded I guess.

Because if a few thousand people think just like you do it will affect the party attendance? Not to mention they would basically be stealing since they didn't pay to be there.

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 Disney cares and that pleases me.

Ummm, yeah. It's really not that serious. #2 is a good point but it would have to be widespread. If #3 is true then you should feel good about yourself and #1 shouldn't matter since being a rule follower you could never stay in the park without paying.

It is that serious if you're paying $70 per person and someone who didn't is still hanging around, hiding out in bathrooms.

I understand most of this but as someone who has paid for the park until 7pm. I would be very upset being told I can't do things up until 7pm. Then if my 3 year old couldn't use a bathroom and I am sorry but she might not be able to hold it until we make it to 1 bathroom that is okay to use. Some of this seems ridiculous to me... Any other night you can still purchase items after the park has closed and you are telling me that staying to check out a gift shop is ruining a special event seems overboard to me???

As someone said, party dates are released months in advance. If you know you'll be at MK during a party, go to the bathroom at 6:30.

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.

God has blessed us and I can't wait to attend MVMCP.

 

[LilyWDW]

BTW... the days of the party are some of the best days to spend in MK. It is a lot less busy because so many people won't go since they have to leave by 7PM. But I get more done on those days then on days the park is open later. Now, I do plan a night to go back for the fireworks, but that is easy enough to do.

 

[boltfan]

At our last party, you couldn't get on any rides from 7-9 without showing your bracelet, couldn't make any purchases in the stores, or do any meet & greets without showing the bracelet. I know in '04, '06 and '08, they weren't quite so vigilant, but it's much better now.