Magic Kingdom to test earlier closing on Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party event nights

[xdan0920]

No, it's the same. Last year was awful too- but this year, there are things that will make it worse- namely- a new show in HEA in addition to Animal Kingdom having Pandora and RoL to soak up people on the party nights. It was going to be brutal, regardless, but to throw in a reduction in hours is just the cherry on the sundae.

Note: I'll actually be there the 2nd week of December- I will tour smartly around it- but the simple fact is, if I want to see HEA- which I do- I will have to pick one of those 2 nights... along with 20k of my closest friends.

Too bad sucker. Got to sell the park twice daily. Need that cashiola.

 

[larryz]

I'd be more outraged if they eliminated the early entry for the parties. No value is being lost here because people still have plenty of time to experience Magic Kingdom. Don't want less time, go a different day. It's not hard, but people just want to moan and gripe.

Why would you be outraged that they eliminate 3 hours of park time that you're not paying for? You're only paying for 7 to midnight.

 

[Grimley1968]

We did not use a regular park ticket on the day we attended MVMCP, and we were able to book FP+ for that same day.

I was replying to someone who wondered if you could do that with legacy FP. You could not do that with legacy FP. You had to have a ticket you entered the park with under legacy FP.

 

[Brad Bishop]

Can you imagine someone leaving the park at 6:05 PM and wanting to pick up a souvenir on the way out and being told they can't because it's past 6 PM? They'd be screaming at a CM that Disney won't take their money!!!

I remember, and this was a few years back, when they stopped that. For the longest time, even back in the 1970s, the park would officially close but you could hang out on Main Street for an extra hour or so and shop. I always that that was kind of neat, even as a kid.

A few years back (I want to say 2012 or 2013) I remember going and when the park closed at, say, 10PM, they had all the entrances blocked to all of the stores (even the Emporium). I think you could get an ice cream on your way out and that was it. I remember that happening for quite a few visits in that year or so and thinking how odd it was.

Yeah, I get it. The park is closed. Still, you have people looking to hand you money... Why not take it? (as you traditionally had)

 

[wdwfan22]

I remember, and this was a few years back, when they stopped that. For the longest time, even back in the 1970s, the park would officially close but you could hang out on Main Street for an extra hour or so and shop. I always that that was kind of neat, even as a kid.

A few years back (I want to say 2012 or 2013) I remember going and when the park closed at, say, 10PM, they had all the entrances blocked to all of the stores (even the Emporium). I think you could get an ice cream on your way out and that was it. I remember that happening for quite a few visits in that year or so and thinking how odd it was.

Yeah, I get it. The park is closed. Still, you have people looking to hand you money... Why not take it? (as you traditionally had)

It's very rare that Main Street Closes with the park. The Emporium, Casey's & Ice Cream Parlor almost always remain open past closing time.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I remember, and this was a few years back, when they stopped that. For the longest time, even back in the 1970s, the park would officially close but you could hang out on Main Street for an extra hour or so and shop. I always that that was kind of neat, even as a kid.

A few years back (I want to say 2012 or 2013) I remember going and when the park closed at, say, 10PM, they had all the entrances blocked to all of the stores (even the Emporium). I think you could get an ice cream on your way out and that was it. I remember that happening for quite a few visits in that year or so and thinking how odd it was.

Yeah, I get it. The park is closed. Still, you have people looking to hand you money... Why not take it? (as you traditionally had)

This reminds me of another logistical reason to separate out the day-ticketers from the night-ticketers by an hour: At 7 PM, the merchandise that is supposed to be exclusive to the party night starts to go on sale. Those without a night ticket would probably try to buy the exclusive merch as it's being put out before 7 PM and then told they can't buy it, then the drama. When they can't go on rides any more at 6 PM... the drama is contained at just the rides and not at all the stores, too.

 

[HauntedPirate]

And yes there are many Guests trying to cheat the system and stay for free. It's out of hand and that's why they are returning to early closing times.

...Instead of just dealing with the problem and telling guests without a wristband that they need to leave and directing them towards the exits. Oh... right, that would make sense. Better to just cut the amount of time for regular guests to 6pm, that will solve everything.

 

[Andrew C]

...Instead of just dealing with the problem and telling guests without a wristband that they need to leave and directing them towards the exits.

Well, they do this anyways....

 

[HauntedPirate]

Well, they do this anyways....

Right, but some here are saying guests are trying to "cheat the system" and it is "out of hand". Their words, not mine. If Disney would take a stand and have security escort out some of those unwilling to leave, so that the rest realize they aren't going to get away with it, the problem would go away.

 

[Andrew C]

Right, but some here are saying guests are trying to "cheat the system" and it is "out of hand". Their words, not mine. If Disney would take a stand and have security escort out some of those unwilling to leave, so that the rest realize they aren't going to get away with it, the problem would go away.

yeah, gotcha...I mean, I can only speak to what I have seen, which is a bunch of party guests trying to get in while CM's are trying get the regular guests out. I am thinking a buffer could help this a bit.

 

[Kman101]

yeah, gotcha...I mean, I can only speak to what I have seen, which is a bunch of party guests trying to get in while CM's are trying get the regular guests out. I am thinking a buffer could help this a bit.

I think that's exactly the reason for this. But the company is horrible for doing this. How dare they cut it back an hour. They're cheap and awful! (the last part was sarcasm LOL)

 

[Lets Respect]

If you're going during party season, just fork over the cash for the party tickets.

That's all you can do.

I'm glad to hear they cut out FPs for the party tickets. That should help availability for the day customers

 

[wdwfan22]

...Instead of just dealing with the problem and telling guests without a wristband that they need to leave and directing them towards the exits. Oh... right, that would make sense. Better to just cut the amount of time for regular guests to 6pm, that will solve everything.

They have tried that and it doesn't work. Also Front Line Cast Members don't need to be placed in situations were they are going to face abuse because of ignorant guests who feel they are entitled to stay for free. Years ago the park did close at 6 pm on party nights and all was fine. Don't like it then don't visit on that date.

 

[Grimley1968]

They have tried that and it doesn't work. Also Front Line Cast Members don't need to be placed in situations were they are going to face abuse because of ignorant guests who feel they are entitled to stay for free. Years ago the park did close at 6 pm on party nights and all was fine. Don't like it then don't visit on that date.

I think the bolded is a bit dismissive of those who go when MVMCP is offered and might not have a chance at other times of year to go. If that is the only time of year one can go and there are 3 or 4 MVMCP's every week during December, with inflated crowds on the remaining days of the week because of this, it can be a little difficult to "not visit on that date." This is especially true with the advanced planning needed to fit in ADR's and even get FP's for some of the more popular attractions.

 

[JohnD]

Sounds right to me. The party for which you're buying a ticket starts at 7:00. The 4:00 entry is a "bonus" early access type situation. The party ticket doesn't entitle you to anything in the 4 to 7 window.

MDE treated it like a day ticket. You could make FP+ choices before 4pm. Not that you could use them, of course. Guess the option for 4-7 FP+ is now gone for party ticket only guests.

 

[wdwfan22]

I think the bolded is a bit dismissive of those who go when MVMCP is offered and might not have a chance at other times of year to go. If that is the only time of year one can go and there are 3 or 4 MVMCP's every week during December, with inflated crowds on the remaining days of the week because of this, it can be a little difficult to "not visit on that date." This is especially true with the advanced planning needed to fit in ADR's and even get FP's for some of the more popular attractions.

There are still 8 hours available during the day on a party night to visit Magic Kingdom and all attractions can easily be experienced during that time frame.

 

[HauntedPirate]

There are still 8 hours available during the day on a party night to visit Magic Kingdom and all attractions can easily be experienced during that time frame.

Quoting for posterity.

 

[xdan0920]

ignorant guests who feel they are entitled to stay for free.

Can you direct me to the free tickets please? I would very much like to pay nothing.

 

[andysol]

There are still 8 hours available during the day on a party night to visit Magic Kingdom and all attractions can easily be experienced during that time frame.

Such as seeing Main Street Lit up at night, Cinderella's castle lit up and the projection and fireworks shows, for example.

Great points... great points...

 

[Oogieboogie]

Because they allow you to enter the park at 4:00pm. That gives me extra park time and is cheaper than a one day ticket. If they did away with this, I would certainly reconsider attending the parties.

But isn't that what people are giving day guests a hard time for? Trying to get "extra park time?" I'm torn because I'll be a day guest during a party day and going to a party on a different day. I think the EMH for party guest is a good thing but I don't think it was offered because of the day guests cheating the system. I have a feeling there will be a compromise for party goers too. Not sure it's going to be clear for a while though.