Why would MK close at 6pm if not MNSSHP?

[teach22180]

Hi folks,
Oct. 22nd has MK closing at 6, but it is not listed as a Halloween Party night. Would you all know why that is happening? Thanks!

 

[Brett Wyman]

Sometimes the park is rented out for corporate events or to really rich people (think oil barons).

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hi folks,
Oct. 22nd has MK closing at 6, but it is not listed as a Halloween Party night. Would you all know why that is happening? Thanks!

I believe it’s currently unknown what is going on that date, but smells like a corporate event to me. There was some chatter/speculation on this thread from last week, FWIW:

6pm closure at MK on October 22nd, which is not a MNSSHP night. Why?

 

[teach22180]

Sorry GADisneyDad, I did try to look. My bad.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Sorry GADisneyDad, I did try to look. My bad.

No need to apologize or search old posts. That was pages and pages ago! If people didn’t ask questions that have already been asked, the DIS would be a pretty boring place.

 

[nicole88s]

I have to say I am really disappointed in MK's hours that week. There are 4 Halloween parties (Sun, Mon, Thurs, Fri), this new 6 pm closure (Tues), and they took away evening extra magic hours on Wednesday! I am staying at the Polynesian with two teens that week and was looking forward to hopping over to MK in the evenings. I almost wish I didn't spring for the park hopper.

 

[FastPasser.]

or to really rich people (think oil barons).

During my years with the events group only once did a private individual rent out one of the parks. It seldom happens. It's usually a large corporation, a social group or a Disney facilitated event.

The Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo takes place from 10/20 through 10/24 and they usually have private event at one of the parks. Based on the timing, that would be my guess.

 

[Katie Dawn]

That REALLY stinks they're cutting out about her night to see HEA when there are already so few nights available.

 

[cakebaker]

I have to say I am really disappointed in MK's hours that week. There are 4 Halloween parties (Sun, Mon, Thurs, Fri), this new 6 pm closure (Tues), and they took away evening extra magic hours on Wednesday! I am staying at the Polynesian with two teens that week and was looking forward to hopping over to MK in the evenings. I almost wish I didn't spring for the park hopper.

This is exactly why we don’t go during party seasons. We don’t like either of them anymore and the early closings for them along with a packed park on the few non party days makes it tough.

 

[hakepb]

I have to say I am really disappointed in MK's hours that week. There are 4 Halloween parties (Sun, Mon, Thurs, Fri), this new 6 pm closure (Tues), and they took away evening extra magic hours on Wednesday! I am staying at the Polynesian with two teens that week and was looking forward to hopping over to MK in the evenings. I almost wish I didn't spring for the park hopper.

On the plus side, a corporate MK party can mean an different, extra special fireworks show to watch from the beach.

 

[teach22180]

Wow, that's the night I was thinking of trying to watch fireworks from a beach. It's getting trickier for me to find new things to do each trip. That would be so cool if the fireworks were unique, too. I think I have read that they play the firework music on the beach at both the Poly and the GF.

On the plus side, a corporate MK party can mean an different, extra special fireworks show to watch from the beach.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Wow, that's the night I was thinking of trying to watch fireworks from a beach. It's getting trickier for me to find new things to do each trip. That would be so cool if the fireworks were unique, too. I think I have read that they play the firework music on the beach at both the Poly and the GF.

If it is a corporate party, things like fireworks and fireworks audio at the Poly beach could definitely be ‘off-script’ that night, so I’d be a bit cautious in planning. In fact, I probably wouldn’t plan around it at all because it will likely be impossible to even know if there will be a show and when it will be, unless schedule info for whatever corporate party it is comes out in advance.

But yes, for regular nightly fireworks, audio is played at the main Poly beach area and spots around GF.

 

[MimiDee905]

This happened during my September trip last year. MK was showing park hours closing at 6pm, but no party was scheduled that evening. I was watching the calendar daily really up until the week of our trip and nothing was changing. I even posted on here questioning the reasoning, just like the OP. Same type of responses, that it was either reserved for a corporate event or something. We checked on the MDE app that day and MK was suddenly showing normal park hours. It ended up being a normal MK day and we were able to hop over for HEA like normal. Not saying this will be the case for your October date as it seems there may something actually confirmed, but there is a possibility things could change!

 

[cmwade77]

There are a number of possibilities:

• Corporate Event
• An individual or family rented the park out for the evening (This would be expensive, but I have heard of it happening, so if you ever find someone that does this, let them know they can send extra money my way any time they want)
• It could also be for cast member recognition for those that have been there for X number of years - Given the time of the year, this is actually the most likely explanation in my experience.

 

[FastPasser.]

There are a number of possibilities:Corporate Event

Because of the closing time and that it's in Oct, as I posted previously, I still believe it's Gartner. https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/na/symposium-us

An individual or family rented the park out for the evening (This would be expensive, but I have heard of it happening

That is absolutely true. There is one family in particular that are huge Disney fans and spend millions during their stays at WDW.

It could also be for cast member recognition for those that have been there for X number of years - Given the time of the year, this is actually the most likely explanation in my experience.

The CM Service Celebration which is a party for only CMs reaching specific milestone years has been taking place in Nov with the park closing very early. If you know a CM that is reaching their 10th, 15th, 20th year etc and needs someone to go with them, go, you won't believe it. Sorry, my last party was last year.

 

[LandoBlanco]

We saw a similar thing last year, which messed up our planning to see HEA during Halloween season. A couple months before the trip, the posted hours changed to a normal night, so keep an eye on it.

 

[teach22180]

I was planning for a less crowded day, so I'm kind of hoping it stays closed at 6. Of course, if it is open later, I will get to see HEA from the beach. So I guess it's a win-win.

 

[KyleAfterAWhile]

No need to apologize or search old posts. That was pages and pages ago! If people didn’t ask questions that have already been asked, the DIS would be a pretty boring place.

Thank you for recognizing that instead of replying with aggravation and telling people to use the search.

Asking the same questions again can mean newer experiences and newer details.

 

[disney4us2002]

We're there at this time too and I sure hope the hours change before we arrive. So many nights of kiddie parties and nothing late. We're planning to avoid the parks altogether on Saturday, Oct 19 but right now that is our only option for MK night. Disappointing for sure.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I'd be willing to bet it's Gartner that's rented it out that night. As mentioned up thread their symposium runs that week and they always have an in-park event one night.