What is grad night?

[PavelB]

I just checked the park hours for our trip the last week in April. I noticed that the MK closed really early and then I saw that April 28 and 29 were "grad nights". Is this as bad as it sounds? Should I leave WDW and head to Universal? Any info would really help.
Thanks.

 

[Bouncing4Tigger]

I was there last year and both weekends I was there were grad weekends. Didn't really affect me, just did not plan on MK for late. MK does close early Friday and Saturday, but other parks stay open like regular. I would not stay away from Disney just cause of Grad Nights. Just plan on hopping over to another park if you do MK during the day or just do the other parks those 2 days. Sunday MK is back to regular hours too.

 

[Luv4Disney]

Grad nights are special nights for high school seniors. They close MK early that day and open it from about 9 or 10pm to 5am or so for all the seniors that come. It's fabulous! It's amazing! It's a one of a kind experience! Who else can say that they were in the MK at 4am? However, it doesn't always go over well with those who aren't participating, since they close MK early. But it's definitely special for the seniors who attend. Everyone who attends also has to follow a fairly strict (considering it's a theme park) dress code. It's a really nice event. I've also heard though that the music from it can be heard at WL, Contemporary, throughout the night. So I guess you'll see.

 

[PavelB]

But I'm not sure that it would be so good for us. I've got to think about this. Thanks.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

Universal has their own version of Grad Night so you won't be escaping anything.

MK may be busy those days but the crowds in general aren't that bad. We have been a couple of years and didn't think it was too bad.

 

[ajleone]

We've gone in April the last two years, and I really thought it wouldn't be a problem, kids show up ang go to grad nights no big deal. However in my opinion the amount of teenagers there earlier in the week was much higher and created a much busier WDW than I use to have at the same time with no grad night.Also I saw what I consider to be to many teens just out by themselves causing problems and being rude.My wife's a High school teacher and with her school the students have to plan ahead of time where they are going, and they have to go together with the chaperones. But this didn't seem to be the case with most other schools.

 

[PavelB]

I was also wondering if the noise at night reached to the MK resorts?
This is the week we have off from school so I can't change my dates but maybe I should change resorts? Now I have to find out when Universal's grad night is.

 

[ajleone]

You won't be able to hear it from any of the resorts