Magic Kingdom Gift Shop Policy Fail

[Timekeeper]

Ok, then, if she loves Disney, and was understanding (I would assume, based on your story), why is this an issue?

Because (1) the out-of-the-norm policy was not articulated to guests, and (2) have you ever tried parking at Downtown Disney (the alternative suggested by the CM) during the evening during the holidays? You're lucky if you can find a spot even half a mile from World of Disney

 

[Timekeeper]

Yep, it's "clearly articulated", but you left out the relevant "small print"

Hmmm, you mean kinda like how Disney left out the "no shopping after the park's posted closing time" ....... :ROFLOL:

 

[PyroKinesis]

Because (1) the out-of-the-norm policy was not articulated to guests, and (2) have you ever tried parking at Downtown Disney (the alternative suggested by the CM) during the evening during the holidays? You're lucky if you can find a spot even half a mile from World of Disney

Ok, then find me where it is clearly articulated (since you like to use that phraseology a lot) that the policy is for the stores to stay open past closing on normal nights.

The fact is, there isn't.

 

[Monorail Lime]

Clearly articulated. Notice that the sign doesn't say "except for shops".


Magic Kingdom Will Be Closing Promptly at 7:00PM Tonight by milst1, on Flickr

 

[unkadug]

Clearly articulated. Notice that the sign doesn't say "except for shops".


Magic Kingdom Will Be Closing Promptly at 7:00PM Tonight by milst1, on Flickr

I have to admit, that is pretty clearly articulated.

 

[rsoxguy]

I have to admit, that is pretty clearly articulated.

In a scientific, Figment-free manner.

 

[Timekeeper]

Clearly articulated. Notice that the sign doesn't say "except for shops".


Magic Kingdom Will Be Closing Promptly at 7:00PM Tonight by milst1, on Flickr

If that were indeed the case, then wouldn't thousands of day guests be dumped from queues promptly at 7 PM? Or If not, why not? My guess is that Disney doesn't dump guests from queues because there's a reasonable expectation based on general practices across all theme parks that if a guest enters the queue before closing, they get to ride. It's not anything that's posted at the entrance to the attractions, it's just plain reasonable, and we would all expect the same in our ventures to the World. If any of us got in line for Space Mountain at 6:45 PM, with a wait time longer than 15 minutes, we'd be quite surprised if we were directed to the exit instead of into a rocket.

At the end of the day, if the woman who shared her experience with me would have known of the unusual policy that shops were going to be restricted on that evening, she would have obviously made her purchases accordingly. I suppose that's where everyone loses. She doesn't get the items, and Disney doesn't get (more of) her money.

As for our State laws and statutes, and exceptions, and exceptions to exceptions, and so on, I would be happy to rekindle that sort of discussion in an appropriate forum dedicated to legal matters.

And as for the odd pizza example raised earlier, I have no idea what Pizza Hut or any other pizza chain's common practices are. I just know that, when I go to WDW, more than 9 times out of 10, as a common practice, at any of the four parks, I can make a purchase on my way out of the park, even if it is past the park's official closing time. Whether a park closes at X hour, or "promptly" at X hour, neither suggests to me (until now) that I ought to anticipate restricted admission into gift shops. Now I know, and knowing is half the battle.

And I don't think that I'm in the minority as someone who actually prefers to purchase things at the end of the day. Heaven forbid I pick up some collectible Vinylmations and then have their boxes all bent up within the shaky confines of a Space Mountain rocket.

Sigh.

:wave:

 

[pluto77]

Personally, if I were a regular guest, I think I would assume that everything would shut down at closing time. But that's just me. If I really wanted to wait until the last minute, I would ask a cast member when the shops close. There is no harm in asking. I feel like I'm "in the know" because I know that the shops on main street usually stay open 40 minutes after closing. I don't think its posted anywhere that the shops are open after park closing, so why do they need to put a special sign up saying that they will close when the park closes?

I do understand the frustration. But on the other hand, aside from the special merchandise in the stores, they do need to get the people who didn't pay for the event out of there. It sucks, but they can't just let everyone stay in the park. If I paid extra for a special event, I think I would be kind of upset if I saw someone in the park who didn't pay for it.

 

[pluto77]

If that were indeed the case, then wouldn't thousands of day guests be dumped from queues promptly at 7 PM? Or If not, why not? My guess is that Disney doesn't dump guests from queues because there's a reasonable expectation based on general practices across all theme parks that if a guest enters the queue before closing, they get to ride. It's not anything that's posted at the entrance to the attractions, it's just plain reasonable, and we would all expect the same in our ventures to the World. If any of us got in line for Space Mountain at 6:45 PM, with a wait time longer than 15 minutes, we'd be quite surprised if we were directed to the exit instead of into a rocket.

I'm sure they don't dump guests, but they probably restrict guests without a wristband from entering the lines after 7pm. Same with the stores, they probably don't shoe guests out of the stores, but they stop them from entering after the park closes to regular guests.

 

[Timekeeper]

I'm sure they don't dump guests, but they probably restrict guests without a wristband from entering the lines after 7pm. Same with the stores, they probably don't shoe guests out of the stores, but they stop them from entering after the park closes to regular guests.

That's absolutely accurate.

 

[pluto77]

That's absolutely accurate.

I do agree it would be frustrating if the shop looked open and I wasn't being allowed in. And a lot of people probably would react like your friend. Maybe they could just rope off the end of Mainstreet for awhile after the park closes so that only people with a wristband could get past? That way people would have a chance to shop for awhile.

 

[Timekeeper]

So you are admitting that no matter what evidence people post, no matter what people say, you will continue to be stubborn in your ways, and ignore the facts on the ground and the truth of the matter?

So the point of starting this thread then... was to troll? Excellent. No need to waste your time here.

There are facts, and there are opinions. The fact of the matter is, restricting access to gift shops after closing time is extremely rare, and if you look at the schedules for 4 theme parks, 365 days a year, then you'll see that well over 90% of the time, guests are entitled to shop after the posted closing time without subsequent hard ticket events that restrict gift shop entrance. Because that practice is so extremely common, it may (and in fact has) surprised guests when there is suddenly a restriction in place. Those are the facts, or "evidence" as you suggest.

There are also opinions, such as that guests should just "know" to inquire with CMs about gift shop access, or guests should always expect gift shops to close with the park closing time (despite the facts above). And that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

And I would thank you to refrain from presuming to state another person's intention with posting for discussion an issue that was clearly shared by more than one individual relating to a company that prides itself in guest service. Such liberties are best reserved for the Private Message feature :zipit:

 

[haveyoumetmark]

It doesn't matter if they put out exclusive merchandise, or if the posted park hours are until 7PM. Fact is that Disney did something they don't usually do without warning and it inconvenienced their guests. It may not necessarily be a big deal or worth some of the cattiness from some people in this thread, but Timekeeper is most certainly right in his stance.

 

[tworkman08]

Actually, yes. If this strict "closing time" logic were applied, then hundreds of guests would be kicked out of queues at this "closing time" because the attractions would be, well, closed. And who knows what would happen to the guests still on the rides...

Actually the exact same policy is applied to the shops on party nights as attractions on any other night, If you are in the shop, eating at a restaurant, or in line for a ride, you are allowed to finish said activity then it is expected that you leave. All the entrances to these places close to day guests promptly at 7.

The only way the policy could be more clearly articulated is if the sign read "THE MAGIC KINGDOM WILL CLOSE PROMPTLY AT 7PM TO ALL GUESTS WHO DO NOT HAVE A TICKET TO STAY FOR MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY. IT IS EXPECTED THAT YOU LEAVE AT 7 UNLESS YOU ARE ALREADY IN LINE, EATING OR SHOPPING IN WHICH CASE YOU MAY FINISH AND THEN LEAVE, HAVE A MAGICAL DAY!"

Also, there is always going to be things new or casual guests who are not Disney fanatics are going to assume is allowed, but really isn't. Ask a monorail pilot how often people ask to sit in the front cab, that ended 2.5 years ago, and it still gets asked. Its just something you learn by being there.

 

[zooey]

This is the most insane message board ever.

 

[ProfSlim]

The CM was "in the right" and your colleague/friend should not have "reasonably assumed" anything after clearly posted closing times. If shopping was such an important part of the visit it seems more precise planning should have been invovled on your colleague's part.

 

[G00fyDad]

There are facts, and there are opinions. The fact of the matter is, restricting access to gift shops after closing time is extremely rare, and if you look at the schedules for 4 theme parks, 365 days a year, then you'll see that well over 90% of the time, guests are entitled to shop after the posted closing time without subsequent hard ticket events that restrict gift shop entrance.

You're right. The CMs all got together and said "Okay, we normally allow guests to shop after hours, but not tonight. Tonight and only tonight, we're gonna do something different. We're going to restrict access to the shops at 7pm, no exceptions and that includes the lady walking up to us right now." and that's what happened to your friend. :wave:

The CM was "in the right" and your colleague/friend should not have "reasonably assumed" anything after clearly posted closing times. If shopping was such an important part of the visit it seems more precise planning should have been invovled on your colleague's part.

Amen. :sohappy: Shop earlier and then have it sent to the front of the park or to the room.

 

[Susan Savia]

Why wait until the park is 'closed' to do shopping? Besides the shops are probably at their most crowded that last hour before closing. The CM's were correct in redirecting her to another place to make her purchases.

 

[Howdy]

If that were indeed the case, then wouldn't thousands of day guests be dumped from queues promptly at 7 PM? Or If not, why not? My guess is that Disney doesn't dump guests from queues because there's a reasonable expectation based on general practices across all theme parks that if a guest enters the queue before closing, they get to ride. It's not anything that's posted at the entrance to the attractions, it's just plain reasonable, and we would all expect the same in our ventures to the World. If any of us got in line for Space Mountain at 6:45 PM, with a wait time longer than 15 minutes, we'd be quite surprised if we were directed to the exit instead of into a rocket.

Your comparison of "shopping vs. being queued up" is apples to oranges. The park allows guests already in the queue to remain, but closes the queue at the posted park closing time. Had your friend already been inside of the store at 7 on this particular night, I'm sure that the CMs would have allowed her to finish her shopping and then seen to it that she left.

 

[s8film40]

I have always felt that the parties create a little bit of an unfair situation for the regular day guests. It is definitely a little silly and certainly very bad business sense for them to follow this hard close so strictly when it comes to people making purchases. While yes it is true that after 7PM it is a special event and after that time a regular day guest has not paid for that event and is no longer entitled to stay in the park, the same could be said for the party guest prior to 7PM. The party guests are however allowed in several hours before the official start time. So not only is the regular day guest being "kicked out" of the park earlier than the time the park would have otherwise closed, but the wait times and crowds go up as party guests begin to filter in.

The simple solution is of course just avoid the park on days that they schedule these parties or at least make plans to spend the second half of the day at another park.