will you get kicked out of DL without Halloween tickets

[3Minnies1Mickey]

To those that felt their wristbands weren't "checked enough" was it later in the evening (when they'd likely have all the non-ticket holders out), or was the wristband visible or partially visible? Based on WDW and DLR experience, the CMs keep an eye out for them but don't necessarily say "let me see your wristband before I give you a handful of candy".

 

[StephNJer]

We were wearing jackets and long sleeves, so I don't think they were entirely visible. I don't really remember. I do remember having to lift my sleeve up to show them my wristband when they were checked, though. We were AP holders, so we were at the park the entire day, from morning, all the way through the party until about a half hour before the party ended.

 

[isisisme]

We do this every year on Halloween. They check bracelets (even if they do not ask you directly) for every ride, store, food place outside of Main Street. They also have people watching for them between lands. I have seen them escort people out politely that tried to sneak in. After about an hour and a halfish, they relaxed on the checking since they had been pretty on top of it.
2 years ago (the first year at DL), not so good at checking. last year, a bit better.

I cannot remember, but I think when it was at DCA, they closed the park for like an hour and then let people in?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I cannot remember, but I think when it was at DCA, they closed the park for like an hour and then let people in?

You are correct.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I don't mean to sound rude, but every year there are posts on the WDW boards and here asking this question. No disrespect to the OP, but unless you are hoping to cheat the system why would you care?

It's like going to a movie and asking if the theater checks for people sneaking into a second movie.

What type of reaction are you hoping to get? Honest people would be angry. My family goes every year and pays for our party tickets. At $60 a piece that's $420 for us. Of course we could try and think of clever ways to "sneak" a peek at the fireworks or parade, but what example am I setting for my children? Hiding in bathrooms, hiding our wrists, walking along the shadows, etc?

Most of the decorations and all of the overlays can be seen during the day. You are paying for the perks of shorter wait times, candy, fireworks, and a parade. If you can't afford it or it's seems too expensive just go and enjoy the parks during the day.

 

[StephNJer]

I don't mean to sound rude, but every year there are posts on the WDW boards and here asking this question. No disrespect to the OP, but unless you are hoping to cheat the system why would you care?

It's like going to a movie and asking if the theater checks for people sneaking into a second movie.

What type of reaction are you hoping to get? Honest people would be angry. My family goes every year and pays for our party tickets. At $60 a piece that's $420 for us. Of course we could try and think of clever ways to "sneak" a peek at the fireworks or parade, but what example am I setting for my children? Hiding in bathrooms, hiding our wrists, walking along the shadows, etc?

Most of the decorations and all of the overlays can be seen during the day. You are paying for the perks of shorter wait times, candy, fireworks, and a parade. If you can't afford it or it's seems too expensive just go and enjoy the parks during the day.

Thank you. This is exactly how I feel. We saved up for those tickets, my DH took time off work, we drove four hours to get there. We spent a lot of money on the tickets for the Halloween party. The fact that there are dishonest people out there trying to get the same experience as me, when I paid for that experience and they did not, is wrong on all levels. That being said, there are always going to be dishonest people in the world. Which means I expect Disney to make every effort possible to avoid those people getting in free. While it sounds like most nights they did make a big effort to keep those people out, what we saw on the night we were there, there didn't seem to be as big of an effort. But that was just our experience.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

While it sounds like most nights they did make a big effort to keep those people out, what we saw on the night we were there, there didn't seem to be as big of an effort. But that was just our experience.

Unless you specifically saw a lot of non-wristband people in the party, it's hard to say this. The CMs are looking and approaching those that aren't obviously there for the party. For example, you have to have a wristband to get the official treat bags and grab a party map, or tickets to get through the gate with a costume on. Yes, there are those that'll try and skirt the rules, but the CMs see a lot more than you think and can spot the frauds.

Halloweenqueen, I appreciate your post. It's very true and absolutely frustrating to those that pay to go to these events.

 

[Jkpark]

So interesting the different experiences people have had. We have done the party at DL the last two years. This past year I remember getting annoyed at how often I had to show my bracelet (with little kids who I had to help show theirs too). Kind of slowed down our normal movement. And I agree with the other posts: DL is crowded at Halloween time and much of what we are paying for is a fun atmosphere and shorter lines (free candy doesn't hurt). Now if they would bring in the Boo to You parade from WDW, we would be back year after year.

 

[AustinTink]

I am extremely disappointed about this post. The RIDES are not exclusive to the party. The experiences including the parade, trick or treating, fireworks, and special meet and greets ARE exclusive to the party. People don't pay to go in and ride the rides they can do all day, every day, from mid September to late October.

Yes, but when we paid for our Halloween ticket at WDW last year, one of the best perks is getting to ride all the rides you want with virtually no lines. I wouldn't have paid the money if I had to stand in line behind people who had just decided to stay past the party start time without wristbands.

We rode so many rides with no one else in line many times it was awesome, and kid of spooky on the dark rides! The Halloween experience is great but no lines was even better for us.

 

[emilym27]

What dates are the halloween party and toting?

 

[AustinTink]

This is really interesting....we've been to the WDW Halloween Party a few times and they are much stricter about remaining in the parks after the party has started. I think it was last year you couldn't even get a dining reservation after about 6pm unless you had party tickets. Beginning before 7 the CM's start to sweep the park from back to front, checking for wrist bands at walkways, checking bathrooms (many reports of people trying to hide their families in the restrooms to wait for the parade) and stores, etc. and ushering people out of the park. I don't know if it is true, but I've heard that they won't even let you exit the park 'on stage' after the party starts, but use the alternate crowd exit by taking you through the parking lot behind Main Street.

This was our experience as well at WDW. I swear they had all the non-partygoers exited by 7:30. It was impressive.

Like so many have said, it really is a lot of money to spend for the Halloween party. For us it was once in a lifetime. So, I was appreciative of the effort on the part of the cm's to keep things fair.

 

[chrissiecutie]

I don't mean to sound rude, but every year there are posts on the WDW boards and here asking this question. No disrespect to the OP, but unless you are hoping to cheat the system why would you care?

It's like going to a movie and asking if the theater checks for people sneaking into a second movie.

What type of reaction are you hoping to get? Honest people would be angry. My family goes every year and pays for our party tickets. At $60 a piece that's $420 for us. Of course we could try and think of clever ways to "sneak" a peek at the fireworks or parade, but what example am I setting for my children? Hiding in bathrooms, hiding our wrists, walking along the shadows, etc?

Most of the decorations and all of the overlays can be seen during the day. You are paying for the perks of shorter wait times, candy, fireworks, and a parade. If you can't afford it or it's seems too expensive just go and enjoy the parks during the day.

Yes! I agree...but perhaps the OP was asking because they were curious how CM's handle those trying to sneak in?? That's really why I was asking the questions that I asked. Besides the fact that I would be setting the WORST example for DS...Karma sure does have a way of coming back to get you. And I prefer to be on it's good side.

And Malcon10- thx for the info on the checkpoints. You're the first one to describe this and it's really very good to know that Disney has thought of this. I for one feel confident that it seems like Disney is doing it's best to keep those non-paying party goers OUT.

 

[GrandBob]

What dates are the halloween party and toting?

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/mickeys-halloween-party/

 

[laurasvwee]

I don't mean to sound rude, but every year there are posts on the WDW boards and here asking this question. No disrespect to the OP, but unless you are hoping to cheat the system why would you care?

It's like going to a movie and asking if the theater checks for people sneaking into a second movie.

What type of reaction are you hoping to get? Honest people would be angry. My family goes every year and pays for our party tickets. At $60 a piece that's $420 for us. Of course we could try and think of clever ways to "sneak" a peek at the fireworks or parade, but what example am I setting for my children? Hiding in bathrooms, hiding our wrists, walking along the shadows, etc?

Most of the decorations and all of the overlays can be seen during the day. You are paying for the perks of shorter wait times, candy, fireworks, and a parade. If you can't afford it or it's seems too expensive just go and enjoy the parks during the day.

I don't know if you directed this at me but you are WAY off base. Never once did I say that I was trying to sneak in any where for free or trying to get something for free and yes I can afford the tickets. My question was( I do believe other people understood it) I wanted to know what happens to the regular ticket holders when the park changes over to the party. I asked because we where there in 2002 and 2008 and it seamed to be different this time. Next time you say that you don't mean to be you rude you should try it

 

[ducky_love]

From my experience DL will let non ticket holders stay until the very last minute where WDW starts winding down early. However, DL does a MUCH better job checking wristbands and getting people out of the park. We were pleasantly surprised when we attended the party last year. CMs actually had ropes they were using to block walkways and you had to show a wristband or leave. At WDW I've not seen those road blocks. Just CMs with signs asking nicely for those without wristbands to leave. It was cold so it was a pain to keep uncovering my wristband but it was very nice that they didn't let people stay all night. They even had CMs come by and look at wristbands while we were waiting for the fireworks. The crowds are just too huge to do that at WDW.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

We went to one of the party's last year and they were doing a good job of checking wristbands. My son and I had ours checked no less than 10 times through the night, we mostly stuck to the rides.

We also went in 2010, one of the last parties before Halloween. They were not as fastidious as last year, I think we were checked twice. First time was after the fireworks when we went to Adventurland.

 

[rosie2283]

We did the Halloween Party last year and yes they definitely were checking wristbands very diligently. There are 5 in our family and my son's wristband kept slipping under his hoodie sleeve (we didn't dress up but had character hoodies on). This happened numerous times throughout the night and even though DS(8) was always with me, DH, DD(5) and other DS(12), they were forever checking for his wristband. So even though it may not look like they are checking, they are.

We arrived at the party around 5 and it was fairly busy, more so than when we had saw it previously but it seemed as soon as 7pm hit, the crowd dwindled. We were there for the 2nd Friday party and it was not a sellout. It was a fantastic time and a great way to end off our holiday!

 

[iKristin]

I've done the Halloween party for years and they really are monitoring more than people think. I've never once seen someone that didn't have a bracelet once the party was actually going on; so I am guessing there are very few, if any left over. Most people, when told that the park is closing to normal guests are honest and leave. There are very VERY few people that are so dishonest that they stay in the park, especially when there's a sign before they even go in that tells them the park closes early to park guests. It's sad that so many people think that everyone at the park is this dishonest. A lot of the people leave willingly with no issues.

 

[ZanderMan]

We will be at DL on 2 of the Halloween Party days but don't plan on buying tickets for the Halloween Party. Do you have to leave DL when the party starts?

Yes! Last year they asked me at the end of main after we just walked in for my wristband, then again in Adventureland and again in a treat line. To me they checked everyone and checked really good.

 

[MissMichigan]

I also went last year and had my wristband checked a lot, especially when getting on rides. The person I went with's costume had long sleeves, and he almost wanted to change because he had to keep pulling up his sleeve to show his.

I know a lot of people complain about being "kicked out" for the party, but I think it's great. I understand having to leave a little early can be frustrating, especially if you have little ones that don't understand. But really, it would be next to impossible to be caught off guard by this to the point of it really messing up your day. It's all over the website, message boards, etc. There are signs all over the park that day. No one can really say they "didn't know" they were going to have to leave. Not to mention, Disney has tickets available day of in the park too.

If you're paying THAT much to attend a private party/meet special characters/have shorter waits for rides, etc you expect it to actually BE private and be as advertised. It was so cool to get to run around the park with it so empty, at night...gave it a more adventurous feel. I think Disney would get a lot more complaints from partygoers if non-ticket holders slipped through than they do from people that have to leave a little earlier.

ETA- last year I saw a few CM's dealing with non ticket holders trying to stay. One was a family of 4 that was really raising hell, as the poor CM tried very politely to explain they could either go up to GS and buy tickets to stay, or move over to DCA. They simply weren't having it because they "bought tickets for DL and that's where they were going to be". Don't know how that ended. The other two I saw the CM turned the people around at a walkway or character meet and told them they needed to buy a ticket or leave. I didn't see anyone physically escorted to the gates, but i'm sure it happens (especially in instances like the family I saw where they try to fight it)