What's up with the MK train station platform during parades?

[HopperFan]

I have been looking at some info recently for private dining events for our ten year anniversary next year and I saw that the train station was one of the choices. Maybe they are having private parties there. I know that some of the areas of the parks you can rent but it needs to be after park hours. I am not sure if the train station is the same way or not. I know there are some pictures I found online of a wedding at the train station as well.

BLAME THIS FAMILY!

http://blog.touringplans.com/2015/11/26/thanksgiving-magic-kingdom/

 

[capegirl]

BLAME THIS FAMILY!

http://blog.touringplans.com/2015/11/26/thanksgiving-magic-kingdom/

Love this!

Okay this group took a wrong turn. They clearly belong in Plymouth.

 

[HopperFan]

Love this!

Okay this group took a wrong turn. They clearly belong in Plymouth.

And those children will be in therapy.

 

[chilly2336]

We were there last week to watch our son's marching band perform before the afternoon parade. I went to the train station at 1:15 for their 2:30 stepoff time and was able to get in prior to them roping it off. A cast member approached me around 1:45 and asked if I was staying for the parade and I just said I was only there to take pictures of the marching band prior to the parade and then I was leaving. I was told I could stay as long as there weren't any VIP families that wanted the space I was in. Fortunately no VIP's came between then and 2:30 and I was able to get the video of the band marching down Main Street.

While waiting we had a great discussion about the park and I asked many questions about the VIP's because I didn't know specifics. It costs $350/hour for a minimum of 7 hours to have a VIP tour. You may have up to 10 people in your party. Cast Member said there were 60 VIP tours in Magic Kingdom on that particular day. So, at a minimum, a cool $147,000 for WDW just in Magic Kingdom. Brilliant strategy and marketing.

 

[chilly2336]

Cast Member also said that the area blocked off for VIP access would become smaller the closer parade time came based upon the number of VIP families showing up at the station for their priority section. If only a few came the area for the "common folk" would be increased. The entire station is not roped off just the area under the roof section so you can still go up there to watch you just don't have a place in the center.

 

[hoffman1]

So...when do you think they will start putting parking meters next to the rocking chairs around the park?
They can call them Premium Relaxation Stations.

 

[MeridaAnn]

Wait, is the entire train station balcony blocked off, or just the center (covered) area? I thought you could still watch from the two side sections. I was hoping to watch from up there for my birthday at the end of the month...

 

[Robo]

Wait, is the entire train station balcony blocked off, or just the center (covered) area? I thought you could still watch from the two side sections. I was hoping to watch from up there for my birthday at the end of the month...

From the post two posts above yours...

The entire station is not roped off just the area under the roof section so you can still go up there to watch you just don't have a place in the center.

 

[Auntie Sherry]

That is very sad! I can't believe that Disney is ruining the magic little by little. This sucks! I am scared for the future of my happy place.

 

[Lady Hiss]

Another way to make some of us feel 'common'. I understand that Disney needs to bring in lots of $$$$, but wish they'd find other ways to do it. I'm tired of them taking away the stuff that used to be included in the price of a ticket. If they want exclusive seating for VIPs then design new areas just for them and leave the peon areas alone. How can we NOT feel insulted when we're told that areas we used to sit in are now just for 'special' guests?

 

[Dan Murphy]

So...when do you think they will start putting parking meters next to the rocking chairs around the park?
They can call them Premium Relaxation Stations.

That's a whole different topic. Over the years, they have removed many (most) chairs from around all the parks. They do not want people sitting, not spending.

 

[MeridaAnn]

From the post two posts above yours...

Cast Member also said that the area blocked off for VIP access would become smaller the closer parade time came based upon the number of VIP families showing up at the station for their priority section. If only a few came the area for the "common folk" would be increased. The entire station is not roped off just the area under the roof section so you can still go up there to watch you just don't have a place in the center.

Okay, that's what I thought. I never expected to get dead center spots anyway, as I knew there was a very good chance that other guests would beat me there even if it was *all* open. But from the way everyone was reacting, it started sounding like the entire area had been taken away.

I have no problem with Disney offering special packages, which naturally have to include some special perks, as long as they're not taking away *huge* swaths of experiences from everyone else. Having to stand an extra 10 yards to one side is not at all a big deal to me.

Some people value their time / having a "perfect" view enough to pay extra to save a spot are making a valid decision for themselves. That's worth it to some people. And for other people, they'd rather spend extra time saving a spot or taking a second row spot instead of the front. Also a valid choice.

As long as everyone who wants to see the parade can still manage to see it somewhere, with plenty of good spots available if you arrive early (and right now, that's definitely still the case), I think Disney is justified in offering a couple small, prime viewing areas, the same way any other entertainment venue does (box seats at a theater, 50-yd-line seats at a football game, etc.)

There's give and take in every decision we make, not just at Disney. For the parade, you can't get a perfect spot at the last minute for free - you have to decide which of those three you are willing to sacrifice. Previously, there was no choice - you just had to arrive early, and if you were on a tight schedule or you were solo and had to use he restroom or you had another reason you couldn't / didn't want to stay still in one place for an extra hour, there was no other way to get a good view - now there's another option, for those who decide to use their money that way.

Those are my thoughts on it. Anyway, I'm definitely still looking forward to my 2nd floor, slightly off-center, arrived-early-to-save-my-place parade viewing for my birthday.