Trying to avoid DLR Grad Nites in 2012!

[disneydenisel]

So I am planning our June 2012 trip to DLR. I was browsing the web and saw that Disneyland Grad Nites are listed as:

May 11, 18, 25, 31
June 1, 6, 7, 8 12, 13 14, 19, 20, 21, 22

I am so bummed out! I am booked June 15-19. It looks like we avoid it until the last night. So what time will the park close on grad nites? The blurb on the grad nite page http://www.disneyyouth.com/grad-nite-disneyland/overview/ reads:

In 2012, you will have more time, more flexibility and more room for celebrating this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Seniors will have the opportunity to enter Disneyland® or Disney California Adventure® Park at any time during their Grad Nite visit. Seniors will receive a Park Hopper® Ticket allowing them a full day to experience both Disney Parks! In addition, 2012 Grads will now receive a special FASTPASS option to use during their visit and a private showing of Fantasmic! to kick-off the exclusive private party that begins when Disneyland® Park closes.

Does this mean that they will be in the parks all day, or only during their specified hours? Has it always been open to them at both parks? It will be a bummer to have them close BOTH parks early for the grad nites . I am wondering if I should cut our trip short and cancel the 5th night...

 

[HydroGuy]

I looked at this and something does not look right. I cannot believe Disney will offer so many grad nights if they are similar to what has gone on before. In the past the DL park closes at 9PM on grad nights. A number of the dates currently listed are on Friday nights. Would DL close at 9PM on a Friday night in late June? After Cars Land opens? I can't see it happening.

Would DL close early at 9PM on four straight nights June 19-22? I can't see it happening.

In the past grad nights have lasted until 6AM. But the website says they go til 3AM.

Either they are going to reconfigure grad nights where they do not impact park hours and entertainment so much or these dates will shift.

With all that said, until this fleshes out I would still be a little nervous myself to book trips next year during this time. Something appears to be changing from the past.

ETA: Reading it more closely they are talking about grads coming to "regular park hours". I wonder if that is the big shift? Grads during regular hours with a late night privilege? Sort of like evening EMH at WDW?

 

[tinkermomma]

It was a very long time ago, but this is how they used to do it:

We graduated and were then driven town in a tour bus. We could not have taken advantage of a day trip because we were literally getting our diplomas in the afternoon and would have missed it graduation. I love DL and all but would not have skipped out on my own graduation.

It seems to me unless all participating high schools were doing the commencement the day before their scheduled "grad night" that would be a major worry that parks would be at max capacity, but I really doubt it. Disney can't be that crazy.

I would call DLR and ask for more details about how they intend to handle the extra guests, because if they don't have a plan that sounds like a logistical nightmare. Please let us know what find out too

 

[Potterswife]

Our school (in Northern California) always did the Disney grad night before graduation. I'm thinking with all of those dates they might limit the amount of schools they let come each day. The earlier closing is not looking good though.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

There was an announcement about Grad Night changes a month or so ago....


ETA: Here's the Disney Parks Blog about it from June
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...-a-50-year-tradition-coming-in-2012-and-2013/

 

[HydroGuy]

OK, I called on this to get clarification. BTW, here is a link to the grad night website:

http://www.grad-nights.com/gradnightcalifornia.htm

I called their 800 number and "Sue" told me the following:

1. Each grad will get a 1 day parkhopper ticket good for entry any time that day. Thus grads will be mixed in with regular attendees during regular hours.

2. DL will close by 11PM on these nights for regular guests.

3. Grads can stay for the special "party" from 11PM until 3AM

4. There will be a performance of Fantasmic after 11PM only for the grads

5. Only DL park will be open after 11PM

6. In 2013 the same will happen, but only DCA will be open after 11PM and WOC will show

7. The special grad party will alternate between DL and DCA each year

What does this mean for the regular guest? Here is my take:

o Regular guests no longer need to pay attention to early park closures or reduced entertainment or modifed Magic Mornings because of grad nights. So many of the past grad night "gotchas" will no longer be an issue.

o Attendance on grad night party days will have a higher number of high school seniors there during the regular hours.

o I suspect DLR will stagger the grad night attendees with SoCal blockout days. A quick glance at the 2012 grad night schedule and my memory of blockouts this past June, there seems to be staggering to some degree - especially in June.

 

[disneydenisel]

Hi HydroGuy and everyone,

Thanks for calling "Sue!"' I was going to call today, too, so thanks for saving me the call. I guess closing at 11 won't be bad for us on the 19th, but more crowds would be annoying. Well, I wish we all knew when Carsland will be open...that would make planning my trip a lot easier (booking VGC 11 months out).

Thanks for the help!