there are 3 Grad Nights during our stay...

[krismom]

so should I switch from Pop? I'm sure the all - Stars will be packed as well.....

 

[n2mm]

Grad nights do not really affect the resorts. This is just an event that Disney does for the local area grads. We have stayed at the vaue resorts alot in the spring and it's never been a problem. However there are often school groups at the value resorts in the Spring, they are usually end of school trips. It's never been a problem.

 

[miller2470]

What nights are grad nights?

 

[eeyoreiscool]

I wouldn't worry about switching. Most groups will take busses to the park for the night and leave when it is over. Since they get charter busses, the kids can sleep on the ride. There are a few groups that come in from out of state but I don't think they would cause any more noise/disruption than any other group that might be there at the time.

 

[Aliceacc]

Grad nights do not really affect the resorts. This is just an event that Disney does for the local area grads.

I'm not sure I agree there. My school goes every year, as does the school where my husband teaches, and we're on Long Island.

But, from what I understand, the kids spend very little time in the resort. It's all about the parks.

So while my Seniors may very well be in your resort, they may very well prove to be great neighbors, since they're rarely there.

 

[maciemouse]

I disagree too. I went to Grad night when I was a senior and that was in 1992. We did go by bus and we did spend the night. They closed the park at 7:00 and all the grads stayed until like 4 am. It was packed. In fact, we only rode 3 rides all night. (Just letting you know how many seniors attend the event) We did go to Disney last May during grad weekend. The only place we ran into groups was at DTD and at Blizzard Beach. We stayed at POFQ and did not see any at the resort.

 

[n2mm]

I'm not sure I agree there. My school goes every year, as does the school where my husband teaches, and we're on Long Island.

But, from what I understand, the kids spend very little time in the resort. It's all about the parks.

So while my Seniors may very well be in your resort, they may very well prove to be great neighbors, since they're rarely there.

Well, like I said, they were never a problem. We stayed at the value resorts (both All Stars and Pop for 15 years in a row for two weeks -- late April into the first week of May and have to say I never heard a word or saw them at the pools). From my town here I know none of the schools have ever gone to WDW grad nights and I would've never even known it existed had I not been a frequent traveler to WDW. It is still pretty well known to the local areas and local states, you can always tell a grad night by all of the charter buses parked at DtD.

 

[HopperFan]

Our school as well as neighboring Georgia schools are going. They charter bus down straight to MK, do Grad Night, get back on the bus and drive straight back home. No resort stay.

 

[Mom loves Disney]

When are the dates for Grad nights? We are planning on going from May31-June7. Thanks.

 

[Rustyflwr3]

Disney Grad Nite 2008 dates are:
April 18th
April 19th
April 25th
April 26th

I disagree with the statement that Grad Nite does not affect the resorts much! It greatly affects them, especially this year!

I would not switch away from Pop Century as groups typically do not book there! The resorts to stay away from are the All Stars and Coronado Springs! The groups that do stay at the resorts usually stay between Friday and Sunday, spending most of their days at Grad Nite and at the parks!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

I went to Grad Night in the 70's & my daughter went 2 years ago and they don't stay overnight. Straight over on the bus and straight back to the school. They normally go on chartered busses so the kids can sleep coming back. Since MK is actually closed on specific nights during a couple of months prior to graduation the general public at WDW normally doesn't have much contact with them. There are strict guidelines for the grads to adhere to, also.

 

[n2mm]

I disagree with the statement that Grad Nite does not affect the resorts much! It greatly affects them, especially this year!
I would not switch away from Pop Century as groups typically do not book there! The resorts to stay away from are the All Stars and Coronado Springs! The groups that do stay at the resorts usually stay between Friday and Sunday, spending most of their days at Grad Nite and at the parks!

Please share with us the types of things you encountered this year while you were staying at a resort with the kids in for grad nights. We would love to hear a first hand experience. Tks.

 

[Tink415]

We stayed in a Fort Wilderness cabin one year during grad nights. We received an info sheet informing us of the event. We could hear music from the MK late, but it wasn't so loud that sleep was impossible. I didn't notice anything else out of the ordinary at FW or any of the parks.

 

[ddawg]

Does anyone know what days the Magic Kingdom will close early, or is it all 4 nights?