Staying After Park Closes

[DrKnow77]

Here's a question I've wondered many times at Disney World. Each Disney World park is so large, it seems that it would be somewhat easy to hide out when the park closes. How do the CMs make sure that each guest has left the parks at closing time?

I wonder what would happen if someone was able to hide out when the parks closed. I'm guessing there are several people at the parks even when it is closed that could escort them out?

Anyone else wonder about this?

 

[rangebob]

Its called third shift. The place is as active with cast memeber all night just as it is during the day. They will find you and get you out of the park. If it is after they call all clear for the busses they will call for security to escort you out of the park and they will need to bring you back to your hotel or vehicle, if you are staying on property.

 

[Simba's Mom]

There was a thread about this not long ago. I remember the family who was found coming from SFR Treehouse after closing. As one who tries to stay in the park for at least 1/2-1 hour after closing I know that in the MK, a security guard stations himself at the upper end of MS to make sure no one returns to the lands. I've often wondered about hiding out in the restroom to see how late I could stay, but I always chicken out. I have been on one of the last buses, the ones that go wherever the few remaining stragglers are going.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I've stayed a few times, usually because of a late dinner in the park. It is a creepy but good feeling walking out of Cindy's castle in the MK to be the only people on Main St USA. Great for a night time solo photo with the castle as the backdrop. Also, after other late nights got to Epcot to walk back to BCV, we actually entered the park after it closed and the Security guard at the gate even called ahead to make sure the Int'l Gateway was still unlocked for us to pass through...as we got to the World Showcase they were clearing the remaining propane out of the Illuminations cannons. It was pretty cool, I had actually read about it here and I thought it was cool to be able to see on of these "behind the scenes" type of things.

 

[kilee]

The other day there was a special on the Travel Channel. It was actually an 1 hour behind the scenes look at Universal Orlando. However, they dealt with the question of guests after the park closes. On the show they were showing footage of a dozen or so security guards doing a full sweep of the place. They looked in the bathrooms and the bushes too. Also, they place just came alive at night with all the maintence workers. I would imagine it is similar at WDW.

 

[din]

Hmmm.... I wonder how many people does it take to clean up MK or EPCOT world showcase???

Just think all the building, restrooms etc....

 

[babslittleones]

One time my DH and I were one of the last ones to ride Splash Mountain. After viewing our picture and a restroom break, we found that we were the very last ones in that area. As a matter of fact, we were the last people in the whole area. We had a security guard actually escort us out of that whole side of the park to main street. He was really nice about it and talked with us the whole way. So yes, they do watch really close for the last people to exit the lands.

 

[Snowlet24]

My job at EPCOT was exactly what you are talking about. It was called park clear. Basically we would do viewing for Illuminations and then we would go over to AA and we would start there. We have radios and we 4 people is all it takes. We have 2 people go towards japan and then 2 go way of italy till they met at world showcase Center. Then we walk to the front of the park. We as cast memebers go to any place that a guest would go during the day so at EPCOT we would find you hiding in the campions bathroom and things like that. Also Basically we wait in an area till we know it is clear of all guest. Sometimes we would get out early sometimes we wouldnt get out of some place till like 11 but the park closed at 9pm. We have security who looks in all the odd places for guests to hide. I am not sure how other parks do it but to me it is the best job to have at EPCOT.. EPCOT during the day is big and at nite its small and I love doing park clear at nite at EPCOT..


Katie
wdwcp 2002-2003

 

[SuzyQue]

They will find you and get you out of the park. If it is after they call all clear for the busses they will call for security to escort you out of the park

OK, fess up, were you one of the ones "escorted"?? ~~

 

[DISNEYDADINOREGON]

In July we went to a e-night. When we were leaving Disney security asked if we could be the closing family. What this is they designate us to be the last official family out of the park and my son got to call the last monorail. We waited for about 1 hour-90 minutes after the park closed. The security people sweep the park and flush the people out of each land. and then eventually down Main St. My son got a picyure taken with the security guard and a special 100 year certificate. It was really special. It was a e-night so it was late one. By the time we got back to the car at TCC and drove back to BWI it was 2:30am. I did get some great pictures of the castle and Main St completely empty.

 

[Mamu]

We never exit with the crowds, after the fireworks or light shows. We find this to stress full, plus there are huge lines waiting at the bus or monorail.

We take our time and check out all the little details you never see during the day. We window shop.

On our grandsons first trip we rode POC 5 times in a row, in our own boat. This was his favorite ride.

We exit the park about a hour after the fireworks, there are no crowds at the bus stop and we get to sit, instead of standing.

 

[goofy4tink]

This may sound strange but, I wish they had some kind of tour after hours in the parks. It always amazes me how clean and fresh everything is, every day. I would love to see how it is accomplished. We have always been among the throng of people leaving the parks at closing. In Aug., we will be lingering awhile.

 

[Gone Disney]

If we are in a park at closing time we usually wait around for a while so we don't get caught up in the large crowd that is leaving. On one occasion (10-31-02 Halloween MNSSHP) we were sitting at Caseys corner just resting and taking in the views. It was probably 1- 1/2 hours or so after park closing when a security guard walked up to us. I was thinking we were in trouble. But he asked if our youngest wanted to call the last monorail. It was probably the highlight of a great evening.

Unfortunately our picture didn't turn out at all. But we have the certificate and a great memory.

As for trying to stay after the all call. I'm usually way too tired to hide from anyone and I'd be more comfortable sleeping at the resort room rather than the bath"room".

Gone Disney

 

[Simba's Mom]

Snowlet24, if you ever get tired of your job let me know! Sounds wonderful!

 

[BbearRosenfeld]

When my family and I went back in May 2000, the kids had decided on a late dinner in Cindy's castle and by the time we got out no one was in the park, so we took some awesome photos in front of the castle all lit up! It was me and my two sisters, and my sister's friend that was a current cast member there. My sister and that friend were roommates while doing the college program a year earlier and had both worked at WDW. So I was taking photos while all three of them were building a cheerleading pyramid in front of the castle! It was pretty cool.

On a different subject, I do remember during this same trip, my sister taking me to the "hidden" cafeteria in MGM where she used to work in the college program. We were over by the animation tour waiting in line and we were thirsty and she still had her ID card (up to date), so she said, come with me and act like you have seen this place before and know what it looks like. She took me on a path that I would had never seen if she hadn't pointed it out to me, it's amazing how well that hide that stuff. We went into the cafeteria and I couldn't believe my eyes, there was a Peter Pan and Cinderella all dressed up and having lunch and one of them was on the phone. It was crazy. My sister got our drinks at a cheap cast member discount and said, "stop staring or they will know you don't belong!" It was pretty cool.
On the same trip we all as a family got to go behind the scenes at Epcot when they had a store for cast members. I can't remember how we got there, but it was behind test track, because I remember seeing all the construction for building that ride next to the building. They had all this broken or returned merchandise that they let cast members buy at a cheaper price, and a little room with a TV that cast members went to to relax, like a lounge, it was pretty cool place!

Luckily my sister still keeps in touch with all five roommates and fellow castmembers, since two of them still work there and we see them everytime we go. Unfortunately since one of them worked in the Hunchback show, she's now doing a different character.

 

[BbearRosenfeld]

Correction, this was a trip in May '97, not 2000. Thanks.

 

[pennylynn]

My sister and brother-in-law, for some reason, were on the monorail after Epcot had already closed and she said that the night crew was already there cleaning. She said that there were so many lights on that it looked like daylight and there were lots of people there cleaning everything. That's also the time when they restock all the restaurants and gift shops so it's pretty busy. I think they would probably find anyone no matter where they tried to hide.

 

[kevind65]

we have been in the parks pretty late on several occasions. maintenance and cleaning crews begin pretty well immediately after closing time. we saw some guys riding on these miniature street cleaner type things(kinda like a ride on lawn mower)so that is one way they can cover lots of ground. I think it would be pretty tough to hide out without being detected. There are just too many workers in the parks at night. I'd be too scared to even try I think.

 

[daves2kids]

Interesting question!! When we were in MK in 2000, we pulled out of the cattle call and went & got icecream at that little terrace area at the end of Main St. We were watching the security people at all the entrances to each land. Hubby and son were discussing how far he could get if he just took off running. Son thought he could get pretty far before being tackled/surrounded. Hubby didn't think son stood a chance. Never actually followed up on this "dare", obviously, but you reminded me of that conversation. We had a good laugh at the time imagining the possibilities.

Sue

 

[sueg]

We were in MGM late one night- I think were were the last diners at Prime Time. I have a great picture of me standing w/ DS in a stroller. Park is empty & the lighting is so cool. DS is now in HS & this is still one of my favorite WDW pictures.