The Halloween/Christmas parties throw off attendance levels for 1/3rd of the year now

[Tom Morrow]

Now that these parties are four or five days a week and run from early August through early January, that's nearly FIVE months, (edit: actually late December, so four months, or 1/3rd of the year) where the crowd distribution is thrown off because of them. Any day that Magic Kingdom has a party in the evening means Magic Kingdom itself will be relatively calm during the day, but the other three parks have inflated crowds because of everyone choosing NOT to go to MK that day because of the early close. Then, the opposite - if Magic Kingdom does not have a party that evening, the park is slammed because everyone chose that day for MK due to it actually being open late. You basically can not have an enjoyable evening at Magic Kingdom from August through January without forking over extra cash.

It's kind of crazy the extent that they make Magic Kingdom by FAR the biggest headache out of all seven major Orlando theme parks to visit, making it dead last for me for how frequently I visit as a local.

 

[NickMaio]

Now that these parties are four or five days a week and run from early August through early January, that's FIVE months, almost half of the year, where the crowd distribution is thrown off because of them. Any day that Magic Kingdom has a party in the evening means Magic Kingdom itself will be relatively calm during the day, but the other three parks have inflated crowds because of everyone choosing NOT to go to MK that day because of the early close. Then, the opposite - if Magic Kingdom does not have a party that evening, the park is slammed because everyone chose that day for MK due to it actually being open late. You basically can not have an enjoyable evening at Magic Kingdom from August through January without forking over extra cash.

It's kind of crazy the extent that they make Magic Kingdom by FAR the biggest headache out of all seven major Orlando theme parks to visit, making it dead last for me for how frequently I visit as a local.

Yup...
In August.....August we were there for 7 days. 5 of the days had an even or party going on.
It's starting to get a little silly for those of us that do not attend these parties.

 

[Moka]

The way that they throw the closing times around too drives me nuts. One day 6PM, one day 9PM, one day 11PM, one day 10PM. The parties at different times make it so inconsistent.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

To clarify the parties do not run through early January.
Its 4 months not 5 months of parties.

Also consider that EPCOT now has The Festival of the Arts, The International Flower & Garden Festival, The International Food & Wine Festival, and The Festival of the Holidays so lets not get all up in arms about just MK being "ruined" for "5 months" out of the year.

Personally I don't mind parties and festivals and don't think they really make or break crowd levels.

As I say to anyone that has some serious issues with the way Disney does things is if you really don't get enjoyment anymore than find a new destination.

 

[Tom Morrow]

To clarify the parties do not run through early January.
Its 4 months not 5 months of parties.

I could have sworn they did run through January before, but still. That's 1/3rd of the year.

Also consider that EPCOT now has The Festival of the Arts, The International Flower & Garden Festival, The International Food & Wine Festival, and The Festival of the Holidays so lets not get all up in arms about just MK being "ruined" for "5 months" out of the year.

All of these events are included with general admission and do not force the park to close early or prevent you from entering or enjoying them in the evening without forking over extra cash. You missed the point entirely.

Personally I don't mind parties and festivals and don't think they really make or break crowd levels.

Actually, they do. You can see it in the wait time data and any Cast Member who pays attention will tell you the same.

As I say to anyone that has some serious issues with the way Disney does things is if you really don't get enjoyment anymore than find a new destination.

"If you don't like it then leave" is the dumbest knee-jerk response to criticism possible. If I'm a fan of something, I'm not going to give up because I don't like one thing.

 

[jloucks]

Now that these parties are four or five days a week and run from early August through early January, that's FIVE months, almost half of the year, where the crowd distribution is thrown off because of them. Any day that Magic Kingdom has a party in the evening means Magic Kingdom itself will be relatively calm during the day, but the other three parks have inflated crowds because of everyone choosing NOT to go to MK that day because of the early close. Then, the opposite - if Magic Kingdom does not have a party that evening, the park is slammed because everyone chose that day for MK due to it actually being open late. You basically can not have an enjoyable evening at Magic Kingdom from August through January without forking over extra cash.

It's kind of crazy the extent that they make Magic Kingdom by FAR the biggest headache out of all seven major Orlando theme parks to visit, making it dead last for me for how frequently I visit as a local.

I have never noticed....because I have always gone to the $$$money$$$ party.

Makin' it rain the Disney Benjamins

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Actually, they do. You can see it in the wait time data and any Cast Member who pays attention will tell you the same.


"If you don't like it then leave" is the dumbest knee-jerk response to criticism possible.

Data or not it has not effected my ability to go on attractions wiht minimal waits.

And its dumb in your opinion but complaining yet still going is dumb in mine.

 

[Yert3]

I hate parties and holiday overlays in general. Decorating Main Street and the castle is fine, but just leave it at that. I haven’t seen the original mansion in California since 08 because I’m usually only able to get out there during this time of year. So annoying.

 

[phillip9698]

I actually have enjoyable evenings in MK by spending less money. The party tickets are less than a regular admission ticket to the MK. Me and the wife grab two party tickets and we can ride just about everything in just a few hours since everyone else is focused on character M&Gs. We see a good parade and a fireworks show, then get back to riding rides. We only take pics if there is no line. Usually there isnt a like for Tiana, the witch from Snow White, Buzz, Jafar, etc..

 

[JIMINYCR]

Sure I know theyve become popular and are a moneymaker for Disney...and adding more dates gives more guests availability that ordinarily cant visit WDW in Oct or Dec. so its extended outside of those specific months..... but there should be a limit. The holidays are the holidays for those months. And guests are being penalized by having their available park times taken away. Lets get real Disney.

 

[TheGuyThatMakesSwords]

This is wonderful - lower crowds .

 

[KaliSplash]

And the Halloween Party in August didn't start this year until 8/16. So the parties are not quite as long as suggessted

 

[Tom Morrow]

And the Halloween Party in August didn't start this year until 8/16. So the parties are not quite as long as suggessted

8/16 through late December is still four months... 1/3rd of the year.

This is wonderful - lower crowds .

Actually, the party nights are often slammed.. The only benefit from them is that Magic Kingdom is typically not crowded on days with a party. But then the park closes at 6:00, condensing the crowds into a shorter time frame and removing the ability to enjoy the park at night without forking over almost the price of another one day ticket.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

So...go during the day on party days?

 

[Tom Morrow]

So...go during the day on party days?

But here's the thing. Magic Kingdom during the day is a massive headache. Magic Kingdom at night, when there aren't parties happening, and it isn't peak season, is euphoric.

You're also ignoring that the parties inflate the crowd levels at the other three parks, five days a week, for 1/3rd of the year, so I am impacted whether I go to MK or not.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

But here's the thing. Magic Kingdom during the day is a massive headache. Magic Kingdom at night, when there aren't parties happening, and it isn't peak season, is euphoric.

You're also ignoring that the parties inflate the crowd levels at the other three parks, five days a week, for 1/3rd of the year, so I am impacted whether I go to MK or not.

Average is 4 out of 7 days not 5.

 

[dreamfinder912]

I think Disney strikes a nice balance with spacing the parties out. A guest coming in for the weekend still has a weekend day available to go to MK without a party. That family here for the weekend can still see MK at night with their regular admission. Events like HHN however are multiple days in a row. From September to November you barely ever have an opportunity to see Diagon Alley at night. They don't even have the option of just enduring slightly higher crowds, it just isn't available at all.

That being said, I always thought it was a bit unfair that the Christmas party ends the week before Christmas so everyone can do Christmas at Disney...the parade doesn't change, the fireworks changed only minimally (no perimeters) the castle show didn't change. All this to allow the masses into MK for the holiday. But the same thing isn't done for Halloween. The final week of October should be all Halloween the same way that week of Christmas is all Christmas.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

But here's the thing. Magic Kingdom during the day is a massive headache. Magic Kingdom at night, when there aren't parties happening, and it isn't peak season, is euphoric.

You're also ignoring that the parties inflate the crowd levels at the other three parks, five days a week, for 1/3rd of the year, so I am impacted whether I go to MK or not.

Hey, I have never been to one of the parties, and I think Halloween before Labor Day is particularly silly.

But you’re choosing to be difficult and I’m not. That’s the only difference.

I went in August. I looked at the schedule and planned accordingly. I believe we did two MK morning/afternoon days on party days. As was mentioned, the park is slower on those days. No headache, massive or otherwise.

Yes, I love MK at night. We had two great, slow nights there in May - one was EMH, one just a regular night. We didn’t go daytime that trip.

We do different things that work on different trips. It keeps things fresh.

The only thing that hampered a good time in August was some rain. If you choose to have a good time and make good selections of what to do, then you enjoy yourself.

Adapt.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Hey, I have never been to one of the parties, and I think Halloween before Labor Day is particularly silly.

But you’re choosing to be difficult and I’m not. That’s the only difference.

I went in August. I looked at the schedule and planned accordingly. I believe we did two MK morning/afternoon days on party days. As was mentioned, the park is slower on those days. No headache, massive or otherwise.

Yes, I love MK at night. We had two great, slow nights there in May - one was EMH, one just a regular night. We didn’t go daytime that trip.

We do different things that work on different trips. It keeps things fresh.

The only thing that hampered a good time in August was some rain. If you choose to have a good time and make good selections of what to do, then you enjoy yourself.

Adapt.

Besides OP is local so they have more flexibility than someone that has to get vacation time, book flights, book rooms and make sure everything works in those specific dates. If OP wants to be picky they can be so no reason to come on here complaining about it.

 

[thomas998]

I actually have enjoyable evenings in MK by spending less money. The party tickets are less than a regular admission ticket to the MK. Me and the wife grab two party tickets and we can ride just about everything in just a few hours since everyone else is focused on character M&Gs. We see a good parade and a fireworks show, then get back to riding rides. We only take pics if there is no line. Usually there isnt a like for Tiana, the witch from Snow White, Buzz, Jafar, etc..

Maybe the party tickets are less than a regular ticket early on or if you are getting an AP discount but they are current 115 a pop which I believe is more than a regular ticket now. I remember long ago when they were much less but I think the party tickets have been increasing faster than the regular tickets recently.