MKTokyo
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2018
The checkout incident must have been for another reason. We have done it many times - started shopping before the park closed for the party & left afterwards. We either had already been or were going to the party on another day, but the CMs had no way of knowing that. They did make a point of saying, each time, that if you leave the store before you're done shopping, you won't be able to come back inside, so make sure to finish shopping before you leave. Realistically, they are not going to have people abandon a pile of would-be purchases.YES^
Been doing parties yearly sometimes more than once since 2006. The standard should be no non-party guests in the parks by 7 pm, with current 6 pm close, except for those finishing up meals. They are supposed to be escorted out of the park other than Tony's.
Yes, there should be CMs at the doors and by 7 pm no one without a band should be allowed in the store let alone make a purchase. I have seen many folks turned away from stores and I've them in the store refused checkout because they had no band. I've seen them refused ride entry, refused buying food at counter service, refused forward motion in the parks and even refused entry into bathrooms. At our party last month they were enforcing it. This is how it should work. The park closes at 6 pm. Unless you have an ADR that is okay with for non-ticketed guest ... you are expected to be out of the park by 7 pm. And I have seen guests who were trying to stay escorted out.
I totally agree with hiroMYhero - be leaving by 6 pm and have a relaxing meal at one of the hotels or Disney Springs. It's just not worth the hassle of trying to deal with the crowds coming in and closure of most the park to non-ticketed guests. If you get there at rope drop with three booked FP+ and roll that 4th you can get plenty done. It is not unusual for us to roll and end up with a dozen FP+ each day at MK.
I agree with everything else, though I personally have not witnessed even half as many of them!
The CMs are very kind when they do explain about the party, though. It's not done in a rude manner & people are not summarily marched out. That would be unpleasant to see. I'm sure some guests are nasty about it, but the CMs never are.