MK Closing at 6 pm for MVMCP???

[minniemous]

I hope that they do it to try and get rid of the "cheaters", people trying to stay that did not pay for a ticket. We always see a few every party.

Just to see it from the other perspective...

I have been to both Halloween and Christmas parties a couple of times each. I have also not gone to the party but gone to MK on a party days. I have booked dinner around 6:30 on those days simply so we do not waste park time on an early closing night eating and that happens to be the time we generally like to eat our dinner preferably at 7pm. There is absolutely no attempt to cheat and hang out at the party. Our intention is to eat our dinner at a reasonable dinner time and then leave the park which is completely understandable. Dining Reservation CM's have in the past told guests not attending the party they can book reservations up to 7pm and I would say in my experience encouraged it.

I would say it is much more annoying for the non-paying party park guests on party nights. Inevitably as we are leaving the park after eating we are "spotted" by the disney CM's and made to feel like criminals and been escorted to the exit even though that is where we are headed at a good pace. Also received comments from party guests (as we are exiting the park) We are not lingering or trying to hang out. I find it so hard to believe that anyone could get through the night not spotted by CM's. Perhaps people have a system of doing so and I think that is very unfair to paying guests. That being said I think the non-party goers have it much worse. I feel there is nothing wrong with eating dinner and leaving the park directly after.

One year our stroller was parked back near the mermaid ride and we had a BOG dinner reservation. I told the CM at BOG where I checked in that my stroller was over there and I was going to run and get it now. They said no leave it there and get it after dinner and that it will be fine. Oh my goodness the way we were treated when we left BOG and a CM saw us heading that way to get our stroller. A nice CM told a manager of some kind that we had to get our stroller and she gave us such look and told the CM to not leave us and then said what she thought I could not hear...make sure they even have a stroller parked there and take them to the exit. So yes we went and got our stroller and then got escorted to the park exit.

Frankly if they change the time to eat dinner to non-party goers to before 6pm..I will not go on a party night. I do not like eating that early and I really do not want to pay for a day at MK and leave at 7pm and then have to go and eat somewhere else. It is getting harder to plan trips around party nights. We have done them,do not love them and do not want to do one every trip. However if we want to go to MK (of course everyone does) we find ourselves going to the party to avoid the crowds on non-party nights.

On the party nights I have been there...I have not noticed "cheaters" I am not looking for them and I am just there to have fun...the few people who fall between the cracks are of no concern to me. If there were tons of people blatantly cheating then it would be a different story. My guess is they do a fairly good job getting people out and do not have to resort to changing the dining time for non-party goers. They certainly get "us" and we are not trying to cheat!

Is there anyone else here who sees it my way? Have you gone on party nights and had dinner that has ended after the 7pm time? I feel like it would be near impossible to not be spotted. It is tough for people not wanting to go the party. There are so many parties now and on non-party nights MK is so crowded.

Wow sorry that was along post!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Is there anyone else here who sees it my way? Have you gone on party nights and had dinner that has ended after the 7pm time? I feel like it would be near impossible to not be spotted. It is tough for people not wanting to go the party. There are so many parties now and on non-party nights MK is so crowded.

Wow sorry that was along post!

I've had a few dining reservations that ended after the park was closed to day guests. However, we were always escorted out by a CM. This completely eliminated the chance for any angry remarks from other guests or cast members.

If you were not escorted by a CM from the restaurant that was a failing on Disney's part.

 

[Gentry2004]

Just to see it from the other perspective...

I have been to both Halloween and Christmas parties a couple of times each. I have also not gone to the party but gone to MK on a party days. I have booked dinner around 6:30 on those days simply so we do not waste park time on an early closing night eating and that happens to be the time we generally like to eat our dinner preferably at 7pm. There is absolutely no attempt to cheat and hang out at the party. Our intention is to eat our dinner at a reasonable dinner time and then leave the park which is completely understandable. Dining Reservation CM's have in the past told guests not attending the party they can book reservations up to 7pm and I would say in my experience encouraged it.

I would say it is much more annoying for the non-paying party park guests on party nights. Inevitably as we are leaving the park after eating we are "spotted" by the disney CM's and made to feel like criminals and been escorted to the exit even though that is where we are headed at a good pace. Also received comments from party guests (as we are exiting the park) We are not lingering or trying to hang out. I find it so hard to believe that anyone could get through the night not spotted by CM's. Perhaps people have a system of doing so and I think that is very unfair to paying guests. That being said I think the non-party goers have it much worse. I feel there is nothing wrong with eating dinner and leaving the park directly after.

One year our stroller was parked back near the mermaid ride and we had a BOG dinner reservation. I told the CM at BOG where I checked in that my stroller was over there and I was going to run and get it now. They said no leave it there and get it after dinner and that it will be fine. Oh my goodness the way we were treated when we left BOG and a CM saw us heading that way to get our stroller. A nice CM told a manager of some kind that we had to get our stroller and she gave us such look and told the CM to not leave us and then said what she thought I could not hear...make sure they even have a stroller parked there and take them to the exit. So yes we went and got our stroller and then got escorted to the park exit.

Frankly if they change the time to eat dinner to non-party goers to before 6pm..I will not go on a party night. I do not like eating that early and I really do not want to pay for a day at MK and leave at 7pm and then have to go and eat somewhere else. It is getting harder to plan trips around party nights. We have done them,do not love them and do not want to do one every trip. However if we want to go to MK (of course everyone does) we find ourselves going to the party to avoid the crowds on non-party nights.

On the party nights I have been there...I have not noticed "cheaters" I am not looking for them and I am just there to have fun...the few people who fall between the cracks are of no concern to me. If there were tons of people blatantly cheating then it would be a different story. My guess is they do a fairly good job getting people out and do not have to resort to changing the dining time for non-party goers. They certainly get "us" and we are not trying to cheat!

Is there anyone else here who sees it my way? Have you gone on party nights and had dinner that has ended after the 7pm time? I feel like it would be near impossible to not be spotted. It is tough for people not wanting to go the party. There are so many parties now and on non-party nights MK is so crowded.

Wow sorry that was along post!

We have had the same experience after eating dinner on party nights while walking towards the exit. I agree it would be nearly impossible to "cheat" - not that we were trying to, it was past my kids bedtime as it was.

 

[boBQuincy]

We had a dinner reservation for Jungle Navigation at 6:00 on a party night last December. I expected a CM to walk us out of MK and let the rest of our party know to probably expect it (and use the restrooms before we left the restaurant). I was surprised when no one met us at the door. We walked directly to the exit and were never stopped or even noticed by a CM.

We had a 7 Dwarves FP+ for 6:30 on another party night which was changed to a different ride at an earlier time about a month before our trip, making it impossible to get another for 7D. No explanation was given but it sure looked like MK wanted to make sure we would not be there after 7.

I remember when the party guests did not enter at 4:00 and it worked much better, I hope MK returns to that plan. The way parties continue to take more away from the normal guests is getting annoying.

 

[kimieko]

I am hoping they are doing this to clear the park before the official start of the party. It does seem to be more of an issue the past couple of years with guests staying when they shouldn't and guests complaining about the huge crowds. If Disney can eliminate the "lingering guest" they can sell more tickets!

 

[Skallywag Steph]

Just to see it from the other perspective...

I have been to both Halloween and Christmas parties a couple of times each. I have also not gone to the party but gone to MK on a party days. I have booked dinner around 6:30 on those days simply so we do not waste park time on an early closing night eating and that happens to be the time we generally like to eat our dinner preferably at 7pm. There is absolutely no attempt to cheat and hang out at the party. Our intention is to eat our dinner at a reasonable dinner time and then leave the park which is completely understandable. Dining Reservation CM's have in the past told guests not attending the party they can book reservations up to 7pm and I would say in my experience encouraged it.

I would say it is much more annoying for the non-paying party park guests on party nights. Inevitably as we are leaving the park after eating we are "spotted" by the disney CM's and made to feel like criminals and been escorted to the exit even though that is where we are headed at a good pace. Also received comments from party guests (as we are exiting the park) We are not lingering or trying to hang out. I find it so hard to believe that anyone could get through the night not spotted by CM's. Perhaps people have a system of doing so and I think that is very unfair to paying guests. That being said I think the non-party goers have it much worse. I feel there is nothing wrong with eating dinner and leaving the park directly after.

One year our stroller was parked back near the mermaid ride and we had a BOG dinner reservation. I told the CM at BOG where I checked in that my stroller was over there and I was going to run and get it now. They said no leave it there and get it after dinner and that it will be fine. Oh my goodness the way we were treated when we left BOG and a CM saw us heading that way to get our stroller. A nice CM told a manager of some kind that we had to get our stroller and she gave us such look and told the CM to not leave us and then said what she thought I could not hear...make sure they even have a stroller parked there and take them to the exit. So yes we went and got our stroller and then got escorted to the park exit.

Frankly if they change the time to eat dinner to non-party goers to before 6pm..I will not go on a party night. I do not like eating that early and I really do not want to pay for a day at MK and leave at 7pm and then have to go and eat somewhere else. It is getting harder to plan trips around party nights. We have done them,do not love them and do not want to do one every trip. However if we want to go to MK (of course everyone does) we find ourselves going to the party to avoid the crowds on non-party nights.

On the party nights I have been there...I have not noticed "cheaters" I am not looking for them and I am just there to have fun...the few people who fall between the cracks are of no concern to me. If there were tons of people blatantly cheating then it would be a different story. My guess is they do a fairly good job getting people out and do not have to resort to changing the dining time for non-party goers. They certainly get "us" and we are not trying to cheat!

Is there anyone else here who sees it my way? Have you gone on party nights and had dinner that has ended after the 7pm time? I feel like it would be near impossible to not be spotted. It is tough for people not wanting to go the party. There are so many parties now and on non-party nights MK is so crowded.

Wow sorry that was along post!

I totally get it. I'm paying for a party and trying to get the most out of MK on another day. I can see how it would be annoying for non paying guests to catch some of the party for free. I also feel it's not fair for party goers to get 3 free hours of non party time when non party people are trying to get last minute ride time. I'm not sure how else this can be done though to please everyone.

 

[HopperFan]

I have been to both Halloween and Christmas parties a couple of times each. I have also not gone to the party but gone to MK on a party days. I have booked dinner around 6:30 on those days simply so we do not waste park time on an early closing night eating and that happens to be the time we generally like to eat our dinner preferably at 7pm. There is absolutely no attempt to cheat and hang out at the party. Our intention is to eat our dinner at a reasonable dinner time and then leave the park which is completely understandable. Dining Reservation CM's have in the past told guests not attending the party they can book reservations up to 7pm and I would say in my experience encouraged it.

Last couple years they changed it so that most the restaurants have two dinner hours, one for day guests and one for party guests with a gap of time in between. Those restaurants usually didn't take a reservation after 6:15-6:20 for non-party guests in hopes that the pace will have you out around 7:15 pm. From 7-7:30 they are actively moving day guests forward. They even moved the parade later, no doubt there were folks managing to hang on in the park that long. (I looked at a MNSSHP date and every table service in the park other than Diamond Horseshoe shows a 6 pm closing this year and interesting no party dining times, yet).

The last two years here, on blogs and Disney sites there were more complaints than I had ever seen about guests staying who had not paid. I myself saw people and I don't even hang on Main Street at all, I see them in back trying to mingle until parade. ADR times were changed, FP+ times were changed, parade start time changed .... all points to there was an ongoing problem last couple years.

CMs have a great system and work hard. Not sure why the last couple years have resulted in more issues? Maybe less CMs, maybe more tickets sold ... I just know the complaints are way up.

So I guess my point is for every family like yours that is just trying to maximize time and eat, then head straight out there were probably four groups trying to stay late and see parade. And sadly that means you get the glares and comments from folks even though you are trying to work your way out.

 

[MyHappyPlace17]

I have no interest in the parties, so I don't pay for them. But also, I am an honest person so I would never try to stay to take advantage of any benefits due paying party guests only, although no doubt there are people who do and Disney should make every effort to prevent that. However, I also feel the same is fair for party guests entering the park during day guest hours. Day guests should be able to enjoy the park during their designated hours and party guests should not be allowed into the park before the official start of the party hours. Fairness for all.

 

[mesaboy2]

So I guess my point is for every family like yours that is just trying to maximize time and eat, then head straight out there were probably four groups trying to stay late and see parade. And sadly that means you get the glares and comments from folks even though you are trying to work your way out.

While I might disagree with your ratio, I agree with your overall point.

My earlier post took issue with the automatic assumption that anyone who scheduled a late reservation was necessarily a scofflaw. Call me naive, but I think most people are better than that.

 

[kimieko]

I have no interest in the parties, so I don't pay for them. But also, I am an honest person so I would never try to stay to take advantage of any benefits due paying party guests only, although no doubt there are people who do and Disney should make every effort to prevent that. However, I also feel the same is fair for party guests entering the park during day guest hours. Day guests should be able to enjoy the park during their designated hours and party guests should not be allowed into the park before the official start of the party hours. Fairness for all.

If a guest enters the park before 4 they will need to use a Day form their regular park tickets. The party ticket isn't valid until 4 pm.

 

[HopperFan]

While I might disagree with your ratio, I agree with your overall point.

My earlier post took issue with the automatic assumption that anyone who scheduled a late reservation was necessarily a scofflaw. Call me naive, but I think most people are better than that.

I also think most who book an ADR do so with good intentions, but the problem is some don't, I've even seen posts on DIS where folks have prided themselves on timing their exit to watch parts of the parade when dining could be gotten at 6:55 and the parade ran earlier. Disney has fixed those two points.

But what happens is that those folks trying to stay in (and you see plenty arguing with CMs that they shouldn't have to leave or those that sit quietly in darker spots, jump in line at 7DMT at last minute or even mix in the more crowded places on parade route) make everyone look guilty, which is sad. As my DS's friend says "this is why we can't have nice things" ... the few can ruin it for everyone.

 

[tinawv]

Someone with a four-day ticket is paying $87 dollars for that day. Taking an hour off that day is a big takeaway IMO

I know people enjoy the parties and I don't fault anyone for that, but this is all about them trying to double-ticket the MK and they would do it every day of the year if they could.

Also, the person paying for the day is not getting a full day so their ticket should be prorated accordingly. If they changed the time to 6:00 pm in the dining reservation system why do they need to say the park is closing at 6:00 if they are allowing people to stay until 7:00 pm. My guess is non party guess will be required to leave at 6:00 pm also. We shall see.

 

[Sprockie]

I have no interest in the parties, so I don't pay for them. But also, I am an honest person so I would never try to stay to take advantage of any benefits due paying party guests only, although no doubt there are people who do and Disney should make every effort to prevent that. However, I also feel the same is fair for party guests entering the park during day guest hours. Day guests should be able to enjoy the park during their designated hours and party guests should not be allowed into the park before the official start of the party hours. Fairness for all.

I agree wholeheartedly. The day guests should be allowed to enjoy their day without being bombarded at 4pm by party guests. To be fair, the day ticket guests should not overlap with the party ticket guests. If the park gets so crowded by party guests at 4 that they can't enjoy things without being overcrowded, that's just not fair to the day ticket guests.

 

[kwdw]

I, too, wish they didn't let the party guests in so early. I've been both = a regular day customer and a party guest = and I know the rules and what to expect. I personally think the experience of the day guest - who paid to be there until their set closing time - is the one who suffers more with the system of allowing both in the park at once. You feel like a criminal as a day guest as the witching hour approaches - and that's wrong. I don't like being ordered around by CM's and directed "this way" not "that way." As long as I am out the gate at the witching hour - I should have a right to be wherever I want in the park.

 

[minniemous]

I, too, wish they didn't let the party guests in so early. I've been both = a regular day customer and a party guest = and I know the rules and what to expect. I personally think the experience of the day guest - who paid to be there until their set closing time - is the one who suffers more with the system of allowing both in the park at once. You feel like a criminal as a day guest as the witching hour approaches - and that's wrong. I don't like being ordered around by CM's and directed "this way" not "that way." As long as I am out the gate at the witching hour - I should have a right to be wherever I want in the park.

This is my point exactly. I feel the non-party goers are in a worse spot. I know it is understandable that people would be upset by the people taking advantage and trying to hang on to view something others have paid for but it is really getting tough to go to MK if you are going on a trip during party times of year.

I used to go October/ November which was nice with the decorations switching over. I went to the party and sometimes not. So many parties it was really getting tough to plan park days. Now in order for my family to join my cousin's family I am going in late August (also do not have to take daughter out if school)...guess what...PARTIES NOW!

If you go to MK on a party day but do not want to go the party you get a decent day in the park up until 4pm then everything proceeds to get crowded and you have to stress about getting your dining over with so you are not perceived as a scoundrel. Also you are now out of a park at 7pm and if you do not have park hopper.....you either go to downtown Disney or back to your hotel. If you do have park hopper you are running to another park that is now crowded with more guests.

If you go to MK on a non-party night crowds I find crowds to be very high and I think others would agree. I literally choose to go to the party because otherwise my one MK day on a certain trip would have been a 7pm closing.

It makes much more sense to make party people come in when non-party people are out. Why should party guests get 3 more hours of non-party peoples park time? Think about it there are complaints that non-party guests linger 1/2 hour to see a parade? They have paid to attend a party and should to be entitled to bog up rides and restaurants for non-party people for 3 hours! Make no mistake...the party guests come pouring in at 4pm.....well before 7pm. I have been often on both sides and I find in much more annoying as a non-party goer.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

It makes much more sense to make party people come in when non-party people are out. Why should party guests get 3 more hours of non-party peoples park time? Think about it there are complaints that non-party guests linger 1/2 hour to see a parade? They have paid to attend a party and should to be entitled to bog up rides and restaurants for non-party people for 3 hours! Make no mistake...the party guests come pouring in at 4pm.....well before 7pm. I have been often on both sides and I find in much more annoying as a non-party goer.

I agree with what you and others have said about non-party guests getting the short end of the stick. It absolutely stinks to pay full price for a day ticket and be forced to leave by 7pm. However, if they ever decide to change it and not allow party guests to enter at 4pm, they will lose a TON of sales. No way I (and I assume the vast majority of others) would spend that kind of money on a party ticket for 5 hours in the park. A huge part of the value is entering at 4pm and doing rides and dinner prior to the official party starting. I realize there is no perfect solution and I'll be interested to see what they do with this new 6pm closing time. I also hope they make some sort of announcement in advance, since I'll be attending the second party of the year

 

[sharonabe]

So what are the odds that the 6 pm closing is a heads up that they are NOT going to let MVMCP party goers in at 4 pm? Technically, Disney doesn't have to let them in at 4 pm as ALL the verbiage says 7 pm. Perhaps they are going to clear the park before letting the party people in. Let's just hope that IF that is there plan, they put out some kind of notice that the party ticket really is for 7 pm and not 4 pm.

 

[DaisyJ]

If a guest enters the park before 4 they will need to use a Day form their regular park tickets. The party ticket isn't valid until 4 pm.

The ticket shouldn't be valid until the party starts, ie 7pm.

 

[minniemous]

So what are the odds that the 6 pm closing is a heads up that they are NOT going to let MVMCP party goers in at 4 pm? Technically, Disney doesn't have to let them in at 4 pm as ALL the verbiage says 7 pm. Perhaps they are going to clear the park before letting the party people in. Let's just hope that IF that is there plan, they put out some kind of notice that the party ticket really is for 7 pm and not 4 pm.

My inclination is to say that would be a good thing..yes non-party people drop another hour but would gain more quality park time. I do not think Disney is too concerned with slighting the non-party people. Lets face it once you purchase more than a few days of park tickets the price per day goes down dramatically and selling party tickets really increase park revenues for MK. My guess is if anything it will be a another blow to the non-party guests and they will just lose another hour either having to leave earlier or not be able to dine later if there is any significance at all to this new information.

I have an idea if you are selling tickets for a party that starts as 7pm then have people come in and 6:00pm not 4m. Sounds more fair to me.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I have an idea if you are selling tickets for a party that starts as 7pm then have people come in and 6:00pm not 4m. Sounds more fair to me.

I don't disagree...but if this is the plan I hope they announce it sooner rather than later. I'm sure this will impact a lot of people's decisions as to whether or not to buy party tickets.