Would you go to MK during grad nights??

[soccer4boys]

HMMM...I can't decide after reading all the posts about grad night. I want to go the end of April with 4 kids, but I can't stand crowds. Should I stick with the beginning of March or the end of April????

 

[daisyduck123]

We've been in Disney during Grad Nites in 2004 & 2005.
It did not seem bad to us.
In 2004 we didn't even learn it was Grad. Nite there until later in our trip.

Just don't go the week before or after Easter. That, I hear, is bad.

 

[liamandcaili]

We didn't think it was that crowded during Grad Nights. The only problem was the first day MK was open after Grad Night, Sunday. It was the only weekend night showing Spectro and Wishes...it was crazy crowded. I heard they even had to shut the park at one point in the afternoon. So if you go during Grad Night time, I would recommend seeing Spectro and Wishes a day other than Sunday, and avoid MK that day.

Have fun!

 

[lclark0621]

We were at Grad Night 2004 & 2005. I did not see or notice any increase in crowds. We were even in the MK on one of the days of Grad Night...We left as the park was officially "closing" & still saw no increase in crowds.

The only time we ever noticed it was Grad Night (besides the MK closing early) was that it took us 5 extra minutes or so to get from Epcot back to the WL because of traffic.

That and, we got an extra showing of fireworks. We had an MK view at the WL, so when they set off the Grad Night fireworks, we could watch them from our room. That was an extra treat for DS.

Other then that there was no difference to us.

 

[Syrreal]

you really will only notice it's grad night because MK closes a little earlier. They reopen for the grads between 10pm and 5 am.

If you are super worried about it, just hit any of the other parks on grad night days and you'll be fine

 

[BraveMom3]

When do they have "Grad Nights" and what exactly is it?

 

[daisyduck123]

When do they have "Grad Nights" and what exactly is it?

Grad. nites are nites when the park closes early & then reopens for graduating high school seniors. The park stays open for them until about 4 a.m.

I believe it is the last Friday & Sat. nites of April & then the 1st Fri. & Sat. nite in May.

It attracts kids from all over. I remember last year, on our drive down to Disney, we stopped at a hotel (Holiday Inn maybe?) in South Carolina on a Friday nite. We ate dinner at the hotel's restaurant. We mentioned we were on our way to Disney & our waiter got very excited. He said he was leaving the next morning on a bus full of his school friends for Grad. nite that Sat. nite.

 

[philaround]

When do they have "Grad Nights" and what exactly is it?

This year Grad Nights are 4/28, 4/29, 5/5, & 5/6.

These are special after hours events for High School seniors. These are school trips, not individual visitors as you would see during spring break. The grads will arrive in bus loads after the park has closed for the day and must remain in the park until 5AM the next morning. The only park they will be in is MK, and only after hours. If you are staying in one of the MK resorts you may hear the music throughout the night and see the special fireworks show otherwise it should not affect your stay, other then MK being more crowded on Sunday 5/1 and Sundy 5/7 since Friday and Saturday of those weekends will have shorter hours for MK. MK will close to the general public at 7PM on Grad Nights, so there will be no Spectromagic parade or Wishes fireworks on those nights.

 

[Hopefully]

I have read that during Grad Nights the monorail hotels may experience noise from late night music etc. We will be at the Poly during the April Grad Nights, and I am wondering if anyone has had this problem.
Does anyone know what time the Grad Night fireworks are?
TIA.

 

[siouxi31]

I just found out that I booked my stay during grad night so I'm glad to hear it's not too much different on the crowd level. If they have the park open until 4/5AM, it may be good to go back to MK the next morning when all the grads are sleeping.

 

[garada3]

Anyone know what time they set off fireworks during a grad night celebration?

Could be fun to watch!

Thanks!

 

[lovethattink]

The MK usually closes at 7pm to the public on grad night.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I have read that during Grad Nights the monorail hotels may experience noise from late night music etc. We will be at the Poly during the April Grad Nights, and I am wondering if anyone has had this problem.
Does anyone know what time the Grad Night fireworks are?
TIA.

We were originally going to be staying at the Poly at this time and I asked this question over on the resorts boards. It didn't seem to affect people too much although they could here the fireworks which I think they said were at midnight.

We had to change to the Beach Club because I couldn't get my travel agents rate at the Poly, otherwise I still would have gone there.

 

[Hopefully]

Scottish-Helen,
Thanks for the information on both the resort and the fireworks. I am hoping their will be minimal noise, or that our little ones sleep through it.
Have a great trip!

 

[Luv2Roam]

If I recall there was a LONG post last year from an unhappy guest who stayed at the Cont during Grad Nights. They posted how loud the music was all through the night, and complained about the midnight fireworks.
We have driven down the side road during Grand Night and had to really strain our ears to hear any music.
I don't know if being up in the air, such as the Cont would make a large difference or not.
But something to consider if it would mean anything to anyone.