P & P Party Rant.

[disneyfav4ever]

I always go to the parks the day of the party. When I went to MVMCP on 12/12, I had been in the park since opening, (have an AP,) so I was "entitled" to be there at 4:00 anyway.

It's Disney's policy to allow party guests to arrive starting at 4:00, which I like, because even though I've always had an AP or MYW ticket I wouldn't like to see a mob scene if they had to clear out the park at 7:00, and then have 20,000+ guests enter at once. That would just be insane.

 

[yooperfan]

Try putting yourself in the cm's place. Instead of being able to give a polite warning that the park was closed, they had to hang around for 45 min. Can you imagine having to explain to your boss that no, you couldn't help clear the rest of the park because someone without a pass was not heading for the door when asked. The OP's reasons are not the point here, it was the cm's job to make sure people without passes left the park. After 45 min., I'd be frustrated too. Also, I don't see how Disney makes more money by refusing entrance to the store, they probably lose money. If piles of people were allowed to stay in the shops, it would be impossible to control who should and should not be in the park when the parade starts because everyone is concentrated in a limited area. The sign when we came in to the park the night of the first Pirate party cleary stated ..."closing precisely at 7pm." You can't get much clearer than that.

 

[MouseinMelbourne]

My guess is that if everyone entered at 7:00p for the party (anywhere from 10,000 - 30,000 guests) it would be absolutely insane and take hours to accomplish especially considering that many many day guests wait till park closing time, or even later, to leave (as this thread has obviously established).

This logic is so flawed. Then why don't they start letting people in at 6 am for a 9 am opening? If people want to crowd the turnstiles at 7pm, this is not my problem as a daytime Disney visitor. So what if it takes you until 9 pm to get in? Not my problem, don't clog up the time *I* paid for. Why do so many of you want to get in early for these after-hour events, yet feel indignant when someone stays late and shops?!

Why has no one brought up the fact that they are actually closing the park EARLY for these parties? Any other night, the place closes at 9pm. But since they are trying to get more $$$ thru a late night ticketed party - *I* get kicked out early.

Sorry, I'm with the OP on this one.

1. Any other night you can shop as long as you want after closing.

2. P&P guests should NOT be permitted into the park until 7pm. You'll have a line at entrance? Tough!

3. There is NO reason for the CM to be rude. I don't care if it was 8:45! What if they ate dinner at 7 or later and were exiting the park? A simple, "I'm so sorry, but the park is closed right now. I'll stay here with you until your wife is finished and walk with you to the exit. By the way, where are you from?..." would have left the OP feeling a lot better about the necessary evil of leaving EARLIER than he should have to (based on other nights closings).

We go next week (the 6th thru the 10th) and I am purposely avoiding MK on P&P days. Why bother?

 

[mking624]

This logic is so flawed. Then why don't they start letting people in at 6 am for a 9 am opening? If people want to crowd the turnstiles at 7pm, this is not my problem as a daytime Disney visitor. So what if it takes you until 9 pm to get in? Not my problem, don't clog up the time *I* paid for. Why do so many of you want to get in early for these after-hour events, yet feel indignant when someone stays late and shops?!

Oh come on.
The park doesn't open at 6am because not everyone going to the Magic Kingdom arrives right at 9am. However for the party, you only have a few short hours...and so yes, people WOULD all arrive at the same time if they only allowed entry at 7pm.
Why we do get upset if people stay late? Because they did not pay to stay past the general closing time like we did. And second, most of us who attend hard ticket events HAVE paid for tickets that cover a day ticket anyway. In fact, I even specifically stated that earlier...that Disney wound up getting more of my money for having a day ticket AND the MNSSHP ticket.

Why has no one brought up the fact that they are actually closing the park EARLY for these parties? Any other night, the place closes at 9pm. But since they are trying to get more $$$ thru a late night ticketed party - *I* get kicked out early.

No, you don't get kicked out early. You are asked to leave at the posted closing time. The hours are posted for all to see months in advance. You have the opportunity to learn these hours before you travel. So don't blame us because you chose to visit MK on a day a party was taking place.

1. Any other night you can shop as long as you want after closing.

Well this isn't "any other night"...it's a hard ticket event night. And this is nothing new.

2. P&P guests should NOT be permitted into the park until 7pm. You'll have a line at entrance? Tough!

Tough, Disney allows it.

3. There is NO reason for the CM to be rude. I don't care if it was 8:45! What if they ate dinner at 7 or later and were exiting the park? A simple, "I'm so sorry, but the park is closed right now. I'll stay here with you until your wife is finished and walk with you to the exit. By the way, where are you from?..." would have left the OP feeling a lot better about the necessary evil of leaving EARLIER than he should have to (based on other nights closings).

We don't know if the CM was rude, we're just being told one side of the story...a story that seems very interesting to begin with being that the OP doesn't seem to care that they were breaking enforced rules.

We go next week (the 6th thru the 10th) and I am purposely avoiding MK on P&P days. Why bother?

I'm sure P&P attenders will be happy to hear that.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

You do realize that most of the party people you're complaining about getting in early have other tickets or AP's to do so right?

The lines are most likely not the only reasons for Disney letting party people in at 4 instead of 7. Shopping, eating, things that they most likely would not be doing as much will be going on during these hours. Will there be some rides ridden? Sure... but probably not as many as you think.

We're going on March 8th. We'll have MYW tickets as well as P&P tickets. But if we didn't, we would go in at 4 PM when we're allowed. Why? We want to eat at Tony's before the party. I want to enjoy the 5 hours of partying I paid for and that doesn't include time out for eating a sit down meal. And I'm sure there's a lot of people with this mentality.

If you have a problem with people getting in at 4, which Disney ALLOWS then maybe you need to take it up with Disney. Yes, we are getting upset about someone staying 45 minutes after they were NO LONGER allowed in the park. That would be our right to do so.

 

[lovemesomedisney]

I have been to all hard ticket parties and I'm not sure what other people do but I have always visited another park (usually AK) that day with park hoppers so I have every right to be in the park at 4:00. It is a big cost for a family to go to these parties on top of a paid day at the parks and the low crowds is a big part of why we go.

I think all those complaining about people getting in early there is one solution Disney could do instead. That is to cut short the regular day so instead of those who have not paid for a party ticket being able to stay until 7:00 they could close at 5 or 6 instead to clear people out. Which is better to lose a couple hours of park time during the day or be allowed to stay until 7:00 and clear the park appropriately?

 

[Idroveallnight]

Thank you OP for posting your experience and your frustration.

Thanks everyone for posting your opinions on why it happened.

I, for one, have learned something new here on the boards AGAIN!!!

Been to WDW multiple times. Have given up the commando style years ago so have not been at many park closings over the past 6 years. With young children the last few years, we've had early hours. We have attended a few special ticket events during that time but aside for finding out any discounts and the early admission (have APs anyways) here on the Dis, I don't know all the ins and outs. Since we had kids and no longer do commando style, I really don't do a park strategy anymore (gasp!) - more of a go with the flow tihing - although, I do have to pick a park for which day especially if I want to plan around ADRs.

We aren't park shoppers so we don't spend a lot of time "fighting the crowds" in the stores at park closing. But when we are at park closings we do stroll at a leisurely pace out the door and notice everyone doing that last second shopping with the insane lines.

WITHOUT this thread, I would have NEVER known about the "hard" closing for stores during special event evenings. It might not have dawned on me to even make the connection especially when I see many people in the stores but I would hate to tell someone the wrong information or be faced with unknowingly trying to buy that one item I wanted on our LAST evening before heading home and THEN finding I couldn't do it due to poor pre-planning on my part.

Now that the OP has "vented" his frustrations on his experience and learned about the reasons behind Disney's current policy, hopefully he understands why things happened the way if did and feels better even though he probably feels that the CM and/or WDW could have handled things a bit better.

His post on his experience has probably "helped" lots of people here on the Dis from making the same mistake. Now Disers that will be in the parks on the days of special events will know the current policies of the store closings and can now factor that into their planning so as to NOT break any of those polices.

Nicely put!

 

[rie'smom]

This logic is so flawed. Then why don't they start letting people in at 6 am for a 9 am opening? If people want to crowd the turnstiles at 7pm, this is not my problem as a daytime Disney visitor. So what if it takes you until 9 pm to get in? Not my problem, don't clog up the time *I* paid for. Why do so many of you want to get in early for these after-hour events, yet feel indignant when someone stays late and shops?!

Why has no one brought up the fact that they are actually closing the park EARLY for these parties? Any other night, the place closes at 9pm. But since they are trying to get more $$$ thru a late night ticketed party - *I* get kicked out early.

Sorry, I'm with the OP on this one.

1. Any other night you can shop as long as you want after closing.

2. P&P guests should NOT be permitted into the park until 7pm. You'll have a line at entrance? Tough!

3. There is NO reason for the CM to be rude. I don't care if it was 8:45! What if they ate dinner at 7 or later and were exiting the park? A simple, "I'm so sorry, but the park is closed right now. I'll stay here with you until your wife is finished and walk with you to the exit. By the way, where are you from?..." would have left the OP feeling a lot better about the necessary evil of leaving EARLIER than he should have to (based on other nights closings).

We go next week (the 6th thru the 10th) and I am purposely avoiding MK on P&P days. Why bother?

I sure hope this hard line CM is at the parks when I'm there in May. Maybe he/she can take care of the Heelie problem!BTW,I'm with you too. The ticket says the party starts at 7 but these people are infringing on my time in the parks by arriving at 4. Disney needs to 'catch a grip'.

 

[stargrazer]

So much to respond to...all my comments are in red. I'm not trying to flame you, but I think your tone in this post is kinda rude...

This logic is so flawed. Then why don't they start letting people in at 6 am for a 9 am opening? I'm sure if people paid extra for the benefit in the form of a party, they would If people want to crowd the turnstiles at 7pm, this is not my problem as a daytime Disney visitor. So what if it takes you until 9 pm to get in? Not my problem, don't clog up the time *I* paid for. But on these days, you only paid until 7 PM Why do so many of you want to get in early for these after-hour events, yet feel indignant when someone stays late and shops?!Because part of the reason I go is to shop without as many people and to get special merchandise...and not ALL of us go early...and SOME of us already have day tickets that day and are DOUBLE paid guests.

Why has no one brought up the fact that they are actually closing the park EARLY for these parties? Any other night, the place closes at 9pm. This is not always true, they do have earlier closing times during slow periods on occasion...and that is Disney's call, don't hold it against the party goers, and if 9 to 7 isn't enough for you that day then that isn't the day you should go to MK But since they are trying to get more $$$ thru a late night ticketed party - *I* get kicked out early. And that's the way business works here in the good ol' USA - people are in business to make money, and they will run their business accordingly. You are not getting kicked out if you follow the posted closing time...just like the mall.

Sorry, I'm with the OP on this one.

1. Any other night you can shop as long as you want after closing. Except during parties, what is so hard to understand about that?

2. P&P guests should NOT be permitted into the park until 7pm. You'll have a line at entrance? Tough! I don't necessarily disagree with that...

3. There is NO reason for the CM to be rude. I also agree with you on this point, but we don't know if the CM was rude or if the OP's attitude about the CM was colored by the overall experience I don't care if it was 8:45! What if they ate dinner at 7 or later and were exiting the park? Again, another reason I come to this party is to also have the restaurants to myself, I would hope they don't take day park guest reservations this late A simple, "I'm so sorry, but the park is closed right now. I'll stay here with you until your wife is finished and walk with you to the exit. By the way, where are you from?..." would have left the OP feeling a lot better about the necessary evil of leaving EARLIER than he should have to (based on other nights closings). Probably...but OP had been told on several occasions the park was closed, I'm sure by this time the CM's are getting frustrated at the lack of cooperation

We go next week (the 6th thru the 10th) and I am purposely avoiding MK on P&P days. Why bother? Probably a smart move to get the most out of your day

Anyway, I still hope you have fun...

 

[calgarygary]

If it wasn't earlier, I would have to say that this thread is now starting to get a little nasty. Here are some changes I would like to see to make everybody unhappy:
1. No early entry for hard ticket events unless using a day ticket or park-hopper.
2. Shut the stores down from 7 until 7:30 to vacilitate closing the park
3. Refuse ADR's for those without hard tickets after 5pm
4. Start a reverse rope drop by having CM's start at the far ends of the park and slowly herd the day guests out.

 

[MaeDaisy]

MouseInMelbourne, you have to remember that Disney is a business, and any "magic" they provide to anyone is simply an investment in a potential repeat customer.

How many people do you think would buy tickets to special events if they knew that:

1) They would have to spend 2-3 hours waiting in line to get in

and/or

2) People who did not pay extra to be there would enjoy many of the same privileges, just by sticking around after the "general closing time"

and/or

3) THEY could get many of the same privileges for free just by sticking around after the "general closing time"

?

Sure, Disney does lose out on the revenue they might otherwise have made if they let day-guests stay a little longer. But the revenue brought in by the parties MORE than makes up for that (as evidenced by the fact that they keep having them). They would reduce that revenue if they allowed non-ticket-holders to stay in the parks after the party start time, or if they made party-goers have to waste 2-3 hours of party time just trying to get in.

It is in Disney's best interest to allow party-goers to arrive early AND to ensure that non-party goers are cleared out of the park when the hard-ticket event begins. It may seem unfair, but it's Disney's sandbox so they make the rules.

 

[MouseinMelbourne]

If it wasn't earlier, I would have to say that this thread is now starting to get a little nasty. Here are some changes I would like to see to make everybody unhappy:
1. No early entry for hard ticket events unless using a day ticket or park-hopper.
2. Shut the stores down from 7 until 7:30 to vacilitate closing the park
3. Refuse ADR's for those without hard tickets after 5pm
4. Start a reverse rope drop by having CM's start at the far ends of the park and slowly herd the day guests out.

OK, I'm probably the one who made it nasty. My apologies. I read thru 9 pages of, well, of arrogance and it got to me.

I completely agree with you on #1. If someone has a day ticket AND a P&P ticket, then OF COURSE they get in and do anything they want. That wasn't my gripe. I'm talking about the people with JUST the P&P tickets. I think #2 is a great idea too, but I question #3. Why would you shut down the restaurants for people there until 7 pm? Now they'd really be cutting into the day visitors experience. #4 is an excellent idea as well.

I don't disagree that the OP was in there later than he should have been, but it just seemed like most of the posters wanted to get in there at 4 pm (without additional tickets) and still have the rest of us out at 7pm and they just couldn't see anything wrong with it. My argument is not to allow us to stay in there after 7 pm - it is to make it fair for everyone.

 

[mking624]

**quote removed**
Your post was completely uncalled for. I made the comment I did because the person was passing an opinion on how hard ticket events should be ruun without ever having attended a hard ticket event. It's not always easy to see it from the perspective of those who have been to these events if you haven't actually spent the money to be there. When you have spent the money, it's a lot more clear to see the reasons why we feel the way we do. Perhaps instead of calling me names and ranting about it, you could have actually read my comment in context. There's been a lot of disagreement here, but yours is the first post I've seen get downright childish and nasty.

 

[MouseinMelbourne]

I think all those complaining about people getting in early there is one solution Disney could do instead. That is to cut short the regular day so instead of those who have not paid for a party ticket being able to stay until 7:00 they could close at 5 or 6 instead to clear people out. Which is better to lose a couple hours of park time during the day or be allowed to stay until 7:00 and clear the park appropriately?

They do already close the park early for non-partygoers. While Disney can close the park any time they wish, and often do close "early" during the slow season, on no other night for the entire month does MK close at 7pm than on the P&P nights. So, you see, they are already closing early.

 

[rie'smom]

If it wasn't earlier, I would have to say that this thread is now starting to get a little nasty. Here are some changes I would like to see to make everybody unhappy:
1. No early entry for hard ticket events unless using a day ticket or park-hopper.
2. Shut the stores down from 7 until 7:30 to facilitate closing the park
3. Refuse ADR's for those without hard tickets after 5pm
4. Start a reverse rope drop by having CM's start at the far ends of the park and slowly herd the day guests out.

This sounds like a plan.

 

[CanadianGuy]

And those hours are posted on the internet MONTHS in advance for you to choose to travel then -- or ignore it.

The choice is yours.

Personally, I'm very upset at the tone of this thread and some of the posts in it. Good gosh people, it's a vacation destination. Not a religion or politics.

J

 

[mking624]

If it wasn't earlier, I would have to say that this thread is now starting to get a little nasty. Here are some changes I would like to see to make everybody unhappy:
1. No early entry for hard ticket events unless using a day ticket or park-hopper.
2. Shut the stores down from 7 until 7:30 to vacilitate closing the park
3. Refuse ADR's for those without hard tickets after 5pm
4. Start a reverse rope drop by having CM's start at the far ends of the park and slowly herd the day guests out.

I can't say I agree entirely with this plan (i.e. #1), but I do think it's a good plan in general. I especially love #2...so I bolded it.
Too bad we're not running the show, eh?

 

[calgarygary]

OK, I'm probably the one who made it nasty. My apologies. I read thru 9 pages of, well, of arrogance and it got to me.

I completely agree with you on #1. If someone has a day ticket AND a P&P ticket, then OF COURSE they get in and do anything they want. That wasn't my gripe. I'm talking about the people with JUST the P&P tickets. I think #2 is a great idea too, but I question #3. Why would you shut down the restaurants for people there until 7 pm? Now they'd really be cutting into the day visitors experience. #4 is an excellent idea as well.

I don't disagree that the OP was in there later than he should have been, but it just seemed like most of the posters wanted to get in there at 4 pm (without additional tickets) and still have the rest of us out at 7pm and they just couldn't see anything wrong with it. My argument is not to allow us to stay in there after 7 pm - it is to make it fair for everyone.

Good apology, maybe others will take note. As far as point 1, of course it is unfair that Disney has a duel standard. You can come in early without a ticket but can not stay late without a ticket. And of course (at least according to many of the posters of this thread) if you can see the unfairness of it - you must never have attended a hard ticket event. I agree with you that the type of logic that if you don't agree with me then you are wrong is by definition - arrogant. Point 2 will never happen because Disney is after all a business and that loss of sales would filter to the bottom line. I am sure that someone has done a cost/benefit analysis regarding the current situation and has decided that the current mess where both hard ticket holders and regular day guests have complaints, maximizes the sales. I included point 3 as a method to insure that diners were finished at park closing, similar to what is already being done at regular park closing, after all I know I can't get an ADR on July 4th at 1:00 am.

 

[MaeDaisy]

"Good gosh people, it's a vacation destination. Not a religion or politics."

True, CanadianGuy, but what's that third thing one never discusses in polite company, because it can so quickly turn impolite....?


... Oh yeah: $$MONEY$$ And that's what this is about.

OP: "I spent good money to go to Disney World!"
Party-goers: "I spent MORE money to go to this party!"
Disney: "Wow, look at all this money!"

 

[MouseinMelbourne]

"Good gosh people, it's a vacation destination. Not a religion or politics."

True, CanadianGuy, but what's that third thing one never discusses in polite company, because it can so quickly turn impolite....?


... Oh yeah: $$MONEY$$ And that's what this is about.

OP: "I spent good money to go to Disney World!"
Party-goers: "I spent MORE money to go to this party!"
Disney: "Wow, look at all this money!"

This is the best post yet! (And most accurate!!) LOL!