Disney Grad Nites to End

[TiggersPooh]

Yay!

 

[Maerj]

This is one of the biggest problems with guests. A one day ticket is a one day ticket. But there are different operating hours for each park on a daily basis. It is YOUR responsibility to check the hours before paying for your ticket. Disney cast members don't question how long you intend to stay at a park, their job is to provide you with a ticket if you pay for one. Cast members will gladly give you park hours if you need to know, aside from that, they are posted in advance at all guest relations, concierge, www.disneyparks.com, www.waltdisneyworld.com, parking toll booths, TIMES GUIDES, guest relations hotline, etc. :drevil:

Well, when its a guest's first or second time a guest may not know to do research in order to find out a park's hours. It was one of our first trips when this happened. We didn't complain, we were kinda suprised by it but didn't confront any CMs or anything. we just found it odd that 6:30ish we were being hearded out. Wasn't a big deal since there was a huge storm that evening then anyway. Had a nice time back at the hotel, thought about all the soaked grads back at the old MK. Yup. anyway, after that experience I made sure to do research in order to have the best possible trip. Never went back during Grad Nights again. Had great times ever since.

 

[Maerj]

Here, here! Well said. Its amazing when guests take it out on the company or cast members because they failed to check the park times and assumed the park would be open late.

Most of the parks in Orlando get the same type of flack, but the truth is that times are openly posted in various locations, from the website you buy your tickets at to the park map you recieve when you enter the park.

There there! They don't tell you when you are booking that these type of things are going on. You generally found out when you get there. I never took anything out on any CMs or the company for the Grad Night experience. I mentioned my personal story as to why I won't miss the Grad Nights and I'm sure there are others out there who would agree.

It looks like it won't matter soon anyway as they are doing away with them.

 

[EvilQueen-T]

sad to see the tradition end....

was at the Grad Night 85 at the MK.....

Midnight Star, Shalamar, Teena Marie, Animotion, Run DMC, Shannon was our band lineup....

LOL i was class of 85 but did grad ngt with my bf in 84 instead...weird al and night ranger god help us! they were both already "old" by that time lol.

 

[EvilQueen-T]

and my kids did grad ngt in 2002 and 2007.

 

[uklad79]

Good. I think these closed park celebrations have no place at Disney. That's what Six Flags is for.

yeah can you go back to 1961 and tell Walt that so they don't happen. To the Delorean captainkidd! :lookaroun

 

[unkadug]

yeah can you go back to 1961 and tell Walt that so they don't happen. To the Delorean captainkidd! :lookaroun

In 1961 kids didn't take shotguns to school.

Times have changed...it's time to change with the times.

 

[uklad79]

In 1961 kids didn't take shotguns to school.

Times have changed...it's time to change with the times.

His point wasn't that times had changed it was that closed parties have no place. Walt had closed parties for companies and all sorts of groups, it's about making money it's a business.
Grad nights are not suitable anymore because the the future generation are idiots that will distroy the earth no doubt with selfishness and stupidity. Then again they are a product of there parents.

 

[MissM]

For those curious, I found this list of musicians who played at Grad Nite from 1972-2008: http://www.tampabay.com/features/humaninterest/article461817.ece

 

[pintraderpayee]

I think it is more of a schedule-type issue. Here is a copy of the e-mail sent to me since I am chaperone to a very small group attending Grad Nite 2011.
Grad Nite Update at Walt Disney World
For many years, we’ve been thrilled to host exclusive high school graduation celebrations at Walt Disney World known as Grad Nite. And I know your school has been part of the tradition - it’s become a rite of passage for seniors. That’s why today we wanted to share an important update; we will no longer be hosting Disney Grad Nite at the Walt Disney World Resort after this year’s event. With more leisure guests visiting in the springtime, it has become challenging to schedule special events during April and May. Instead, graduates will have new opportunities to celebrate with us in the parks at more flexible and convenient times.
We’ve recently seen more and more students visiting Walt Disney World as part of a broader senior class trip. And activities such as youth sports competitions, performing arts programs, including workshops, performances and festivals, and educational programs now give teens chances to experience Walt Disney World virtually any time of the year. Through special pricing, we’ll be offering students the flexibility to visit and celebrate their achievements here at the parks when they want to. In Florida, school groups can continue the tradition with a special one-day, one-park ticket for $55 valid anytime of the year. Also, Disney Youth Programs can arrange customized experiences.
Disney Grad Nite 2011 at Walt Disney World will be held as planned for this year. Please let your Disney Grad Nite Sales Team know if you have any questions.
Thank you for your continued support of Disney Youth Programs.

Some have suggested that Grad Nite is being discontinued because it is not a big money maker. I disagree. The students I saw were spending LOTS of money on food and merchandise in addition to the $55 dollar event ticket (more if they got the meal voucher). If they were losing money, it seems like they would discontinue the DL Grad Nite, too.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

Yes, in fact, they welcome the business next year. Universal doesn't see a end to it anytime soon. They are already sold out on April 15 and 30 along with the pre-parties also. They call it Grad Bash.

I shudder to think how those hooligans will sully WWoHP. Thankfully, it wasn't open yet for last year's Grad Bash...this will be the first year it is open. They better have security there in droves.

If they were losing money, it seems like they would discontinue the DL Grad Nite, too.

Disneyland started the Grad Nite tradition anyway. It seems only right that they continue it.

 

[ShookieJones]

I wish last year was the last year...

for grad nites.........What did I just say? :hammer:

What i'm trying to say is:
I'm catching 2 grad nites on my up coming May trip,
and losing the MK for 2 nights arrrghh! Especially when we were planning on taking a couple of days at Uni. Wahhhh! LOL..

I'm sure that this suxx for the local grads, I've seen some of the music line ups and I know my teenage daughter would flip if she could spend an evening at the MK and check out some good music while she was there... me..I'm just a bitter old fogey....hahaha

 

[Mickey is King]

not to down on anyone but I am sooooo glad this is coming to an end.

I have survived many vacations at WDW through grad night and when they are there all week. I know the teens are just having a good time, but when it's at the expense of everyone else around you, it's just not cool.

My biggest problem with it was not so much in the parks , but they trahed our hotel on more than one evening, so much so that SEVERAL guests went to the front desk to complain, they broke signs, and ran up and down the hotel corridors all night playing tag..........finally security came and escorted them back to their rooms. This was not just one event from one year we went, this has happened mamy times over the years. I'm sure not every teen acts this way on grad night(s) , it only takes a few bad apples to sour the batch though.

 

[pax_65]

I'm glad it is ending also. We often travel to WDW in May, and have already seen the MK closed for 3 nights of an 8-day trip. You can deal with it, sure, but it's an inconvenience... especially considering the crowds from MK end up at the other parks on those nights.

GOOD JOB!

 

[menamechris]

For those curious, I found this list of musicians who played at Grad Nite from 1972-2008: http://www.tampabay.com/features/humaninterest/article461817.ece

Now it makes sense why I couldn't remember who performed at my Gard Nite. I was 2001. WHOOO?? If anything that shows how lame the concerts got as the years went by.....

 

[Oddysey]

Now it makes sense why I couldn't remember who performed at my Gard Nite. I was 2001. WHOOO?? If anything that shows how lame the concerts got as the years went by.....

I was there in 2001 also. The only act I remembered was DJ Scribble. He was set up in front of the castle, and attracted the largest crowd. The line up was pretty lame compared to the years before 2001.

 

[JEANYLASER]

Now it makes sense why I couldn't remember who performed at my Grad Nite. I was 2001. WHOOO?? If anything that shows how lame the concerts got as the years went by.....

me too! Oh! I spelled correctly for you is spelled Grad nite not Gard Night!