Why does MK close at 4:30pm?

[Chili327]

On January 27th, MK closes at 4:30pm and there is not an After Hours event or anything else that I can find going on. What am I missing?

 

[garada3]

I believe the MK is closing early for a cast member appreciation event. Employees who have reached milestone anniversaries, like 10,15, 20 years etc, are invited. I understand Disney puts on quite the party for them.

Sure beats the service pins my job gave me!

 

[Disneylover99]

It’s for a CM service celebration at the MK that evening.

 

[Chili327]

Oh, well that's very cool then!!
Now I wish I had a theme park view that evening.

 

[CarolynFH]

Oh, well that's very cool then!!
Now I wish I had a theme park view that evening.

Well, there’s always Top of the World lounge….

 

[_19disnA]

Every so often Disney has some special event or a large company may rent out the park for an event for their employees. Disney employee event is another reason as mentioned above.

 

[zanzibar138]

I highly recommend going that day if it works for you - we went on the CM party day earlier this year and it was nice and quiet. Wait times weren't much more than the AH party we went to. The day went fast being so short, and it was kind of weird leaving at 4:30pm, but I would do it again in a heartbeat! We had splurged on a TP view room at the Poly since it was our honeymoon, so we just grabbed some dinner and then went to our room to watch the fireworks, but you could just as easily grab dinner and then watch the fireworks from the beach. Otherwise if you've got park hopper tickets you could head to EPCOT or DHS for the evening.

 

[Chili327]

I highly recommend going that day if it works for you - we went on the CM party day earlier this year and it was nice and quiet. Wait times weren't much more than the AH party we went to. The day went fast being so short, and it was kind of weird leaving at 4:30pm, but I would do it again in a heartbeat! We had splurged on a TP view room at the Poly since it was our honeymoon, so we just grabbed some dinner and then went to our room to watch the fireworks, but you could just as easily grab dinner and then watch the fireworks from the beach. Otherwise if you've got park hopper tickets you could head to EPCOT or DHS for the evening.

Yep, I believe we’re planning on hopping to Epcot that evening.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I believe the MK is closing early for a cast member appreciation event. Employees who have reached milestone anniversaries, like 10,15, 20 years etc, are invited. I understand Disney puts on quite the party for them.

Sure beats the service pins my job gave me!

That is awesome that Disney does that. I wonder if they can bring their families. I should probably read on before posting. lol

 

[LBURBERRY]

Very nice of Disney to celebrate their employees

 

[MICKIMINI]

I wonder what it would cost if we all got together and bought MK for a night LOL? Wouldn't that be fun?

 

[cheryllarsen]

You might have a really good experience with crowds since many people will choose not to buy a ticket on an early close day!

 

[zackiedawg]

Castmembers can bring 1 guest to the Appreciation Day events (I'm not sure if more are allowed at any time, but seemed all were +1). I went to one with my Aunt for her 20th year at Prime Time Cafe (it was at MK). Lots of free food, drinks, short lines on rides, special fireworks show, and lots of fun interaction with costumed CMs that's slightly different from normal park interaction (they can be a little more fun, or sarcastic, because everyone there is an 'insider'). There are usually events for every 5 year milestone - 10, 15, 20, 25, etc years. She had been to a few and would bring her local family living up there - that particular year I happened to be visiting Disney during that event and she invited me along.

I also got to do a few cast member early previews of some of the rides before they let the public do any previews, and of course the wonderful cast member Property Control sales - where you can buy Disney merchandise for ridiculous prices (up to 90% off) - overstock, discontinued items, etc are super cheap.