Magic Kingdom - why are they closing so early

[Cowboy Steve]

We've seen people try to do this (hiding their wrists). The CM's do a thorough sweep and they WILL ask for you to roll up your sleeves. Anyone without a wristband or party ticket gets found and ushered out.

Having never tried to attend an event like MNSSHP or MVMCP without a ticket I never really paid attention to how non-attendees were addressed. Good to know though!

 

[mousehockey37]

Having never tried to attend an event like MNSSHP or MVMCP without a ticket I never really paid attention to how non-attendees were addressed. Good to know though!

Also be careful about offering information about dodging CM's/stealing an experience of a separate admission... I believe that is against forum policy.

 

[Herdman]

When we were there for MVMCP last November we watched them find a couple without the bands and made them leave. They appeared to not speak much English and didn't really understand they needed a party ticket. They politely left.

 

[mousehockey37]

When we were there for MVMCP last November we watched them find a couple without the bands and made them leave. They appeared to not speak much English and didn't really understand they needed a party ticket. They politely left.

We were at the 2nd party in 2014. We found a spot on the curb on Main St. around 7:30 or so for the 1st parade. We were conversing with another couple who we found was from around our area here at home. As it started to rain, we all stood up. Well, this family with a couple kids comes up behind us and starts to yell at us that we're bad people because we won't give up our curb location. The girl from the other couple kindly (we don't know how) pointed out we had been waiting awhile and there were other spots to sit with curb access. Well, they eventually moved about 10 ft away down the curb. Well, about 8:00ish the CM line comes down Main St checking bands... Guess who didn't have them and was escorted out... Yup, you guessed it, that family.

Also...

If you have a dining reservation close to the start of the party (this is partially why we think they're closing the park at 6 for the Christmas parties) you will be checked for a party ticket and if you don't have one, you'll be given the walk of shame out to the park exit by a CM. So don't think that an ADR will help.

 

[Cowboy Steve]

If you have a dining reservation close to the start of the party (this is partially why we think they're closing the park at 6 for the Christmas parties) you will be checked for a party ticket and if you don't have one, you'll be given the walk of shame out to the park exit by a CM. So don't think that an ADR will help.

Something new for this year, and I didn't catch it until it was too late, is they have a specific listing for ADRs during MVMCP and MNSSHP. Last year, they posted separate dinner hours in June for the TS restaurants on each restaurant's reservation page showing hours during the party. They were tagged as "Special Ticketed Event". That is what I was looking for this year... we were looking for BOG reservations for during MVMCP. Had I scrolled down a little further, I would have seen the new reservation listing specifically for the ticketed events...

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/bog-hours-released-during-mvmcp.914494/#post-7266503

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/d...eys-very-merry-christmas-party-table-service/

 

[mousehockey37]

Something new for this year, and I didn't catch it until it was too late, is they have a specific listing for ADRs during MVMCP and MNSSHP. Last year, they posted separate dinner hours in June for the TS restaurants on each restaurant's reservation page showing hours during the party. They were tagged as "Special Ticketed Event". That is what I was looking for this year... we were looking for BOG reservations for during MVMCP. Had I scrolled down a little further, I would have seen the new reservation listing specifically for the ticketed events...

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/bog-hours-released-during-mvmcp.914494/#post-7266503

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/d...eys-very-merry-christmas-party-table-service/

I see the benefit of trying to do BOG during the party, as only so many people can get into the party, but I still see it as a waste of the party time though. BOG is open outside of the party, the party is only so long and you pay a premium for it. Everyone's got different priorities though.

 

[Cowboy Steve]

I see the benefit of trying to do BOG during the party, as only so many people can get into the party, but I still see it as a waste of the party time though. BOG is open outside of the party, the party is only so long and you pay a premium for it. Everyone's got different priorities though.

That is an excellent point. But, last year we were able to get a 6:30 ADR which minimized the impact on our evening at the party. We spent the entire day in the MK prior to the party. Last year at 180 days out, ALL the BOG dinner reservations were gone for our entire 8 days at WDW. And I was online at 7am EST right on our 180 out. We had never had dinner at BOG, so this was a way for us to sneak in and get a dinner reservation. I would only have done it again this year under the same circumstances - as close to 6pm as possible. Same problem again this year - all the BOG dinner reservations were gone before our 180 days out hit, so thus why I was looking at MVMCP hours. Beauty and the Beast is Disney Fiancé's all time favorite movie (she loves both the original animated and the new live action movie), so it is kind of special for her to eat there. Anything later than 6:30 or 7 and I wouldn't have bothered, as to your point - it is a waste of the party time.

 

[mousehockey37]

That is an excellent point. But, last year we were able to get a 6:30 ADR which minimized the impact on our evening at the party. We spent the entire day in the MK prior to the party. Last year at 180 days out, ALL the BOG dinner reservations were gone for our entire 8 days at WDW. And I was online at 7am EST right on our 180 out. We had never had dinner at BOG, so this was a way for us to sneak in and get a dinner reservation. I would only have done it again this year under the same circumstances - as close to 6pm as possible. Same problem again this year - all the BOG dinner reservations were gone before out 180 days out hit, so thus why I was looking at MVMCP hours. Beauty and the Beast is Disney Fiancé's all time favorite movie (she loves both the original animated and the new live action movie), so it is kind of special for her to eat there. Anything later than 6:30 or 7 and I wouldn't have bothered, as to your point - it is a waste of the party time.

Well, as is the customary response here, always keep checking daily. As your trip gets closer, people will finalize their schedules and you may be able to snag a ressie closer to your trip.

 

[Cowboy Steve]

Well, as is the customary response here, always keep checking daily. As your trip gets closer, people will finalize their schedules and you may be able to snag a ressie closer to your trip.

Yupper. Couple times a week I check, but as I was able to get an ADR at Tony's for 6pm we are covered. I have given that customary response several times myself - it is always good advice

 

[Greg H]

Yupper. Couple times a week I check, but as I was able to get an ADR at Tony's for 6pm we are covered. I have given that customary response several times myself - it is always good advice

Sorry to hear that you did not have luck getting this ADR. Have you signed up for Touring Plans reservation finder? It worked well for us last year. It helped us secure several really difficult ADRs, including a pre-park opening BOG breakfast on our first park day.

 

[jaklgreen]

We've seen people try to do this (hiding their wrists). The CM's do a thorough sweep and they WILL ask for you to roll up your sleeves. Anyone without a wristband or party ticket gets found and ushered out.

This has been my experience going to past parties. The cast members form a barrier at choke points and have everyone show them their wrist bands before they can pass. If you are walking around you might encounter a few of those check points for the first 1/2 hour or so. They do an amazing job of getting people out that should not be in there.

 

[Cowboy Steve]

Sorry to hear that you did not have luck getting this ADR. Have you signed up for Touring Plans reservation finder? It worked well for us last year. It helped us secure several really difficult ADRs, including a pre-park opening BOG breakfast on our first park day.

Thanks for the tip - I'm giving it a shot!

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

It is common knowledge that party guests are allowed in at 4pm and can even make fastpasses with their party ticket between 4pm and 6pm. It used to be 7pm. A little research and some planning on your part would have really come in handy. Party dates and times are posted months in advance. The responsibility really falls on you.

I really don't think "it's common knowledge" for the majority of visitors to WDW. If a party time is listed as 7pm, theni it is taken for granted that it starts at 7. It is listed that way. It is not common knowledge to check further to see if there is early opening. Especially for those not new to WDW. Many people don't know everything about WDW, even experienced people. So condescending remarks are not appreciated.

 

[mousehockey37]

This has been my experience going to past parties. The cast members form a barrier at choke points and have everyone show them their wrist bands before they can pass. If you are walking around you might encounter a few of those check points for the first 1/2 hour or so. They do an amazing job of getting people out that should not be in there.

Yup. The one of the neater things they do is when they close all the doors on Main St. to the shops. To get in, you have to show your party band because they don't want non-party guests buying limited edition party only merchandise.

 

[AndrewsJ]

Not if you're a newbie. You wouldn't expect to be turfed out of a park you've already paid for.

I still say a little research goes a long way but it's much easier just to complain after the fact.

 

[AndrewsJ]

I really don't think "it's common knowledge" for the majority of visitors to WDW. If a party time is listed as 7pm, theni it is taken for granted that it starts at 7. It is listed that way. It is not common knowledge to check further to see if there is early opening. Especially for those not new to WDW. Many people don't know everything about WDW, even experienced people. So condescending remarks are not appreciated.

I wasn't even a little bit condescending. Just honest. If it isn't common knowledge that party guests are allowed to enter at 4 pm then where did all of that hoard of people that ruined your day come from? You think they just took a chance and tried their luck at entering the park early? No they did a little research. But like I said it's a lot easier just to complain after the fact.

 

[LAKid53]

Sorry what do these parties mean? Open to all guests after 6pm?

No. You have to purchase a separate ticket - runs at least $70.

 

[LAKid53]

If I'm already in the park how do they get me to leave. I understand I can't do the rides but I can walk around watch the parades fireworks etc

The CMs are on the lookout for guests without a wrist band. They will politely ask you to leave.

 

[LAKid53]

Those attending the party have a wrist band specific to the event. Anyone without a wristband is politely asked to leave the park. If you are low key and keep your wrists covered (like with a hoodie) you can probably sneak around as long as you like but like you said - you wouldn't be able to do any rides or in the case of MVMCP, partake in the cookies and hot chocolate!

Or purchase any of the party specific merchandise in the shops - the CMs are going to want to see that wrist band.

 

[LAKid53]

Having never tried to attend an event like MNSSHP or MVMCP without a ticket I never really paid attention to how non-attendees were addressed. Good to know though!

And they make a couple of announcements before park closing to let guests without party tickets know that MK will be closing at 7 or 6 pm.