Christmas party staying after 7 ticketless

[Karin1984]

Why is this a question? If you didn't pay, Leave.

Because the question about the organization of big events is interesting and always results in sharing fun stories and experiences?

 

[Jhaberlein]

We were also at the sold
out MNSSHP on the 30th. Arrived around 4:15 and were never asked to show our wristbands anywhere. Watched the first parade back by Pecos Bills and there was only one CM at a cross walk. She managed the ropes but wasn't checking bands.

I wish there were a better way to ensure only people who have paid are the ones attending, but logistically I have no idea how they'd do that. Do they change band designs? The ones we had were the same ones we saw being given out for another party night.

 

[pinkgirlmommy]

Last year was our first time to go, so we were kind of clueless about the policies, but new that we would have to leave after dinner because of a party. When we were finished with dinner we were escorted out the back and Fantasyland was roped off aroune the Carousel behind the castle, so they escorted us out of the ropes and we didn't know exactly where we were, and I still can't remember exactly because I was so overwhelmed our first trip and that night was kind of a blur (first day at MK)! However, we were walking the direction they sent us and they make us move over to the sides. I think we were in Liberty Square and we were caught in the middle of the parade crowd and watched the parade. We were not trying to stay, it was just the timing I guess, but I did not expect it, but not one person asked us for wristbands which was weird. We watched the parade and found our way to the front and walked straight down Main Street which was crazy! We were not asked once for wristbands which I know now was unusual. I was still surprised they escorted us basically straight over to the parade route without even asking us about bands. We are going to our first MVMCP this year and I am so excited to be there for the whole party!

 

[NS8VN]

I imagine that nobody thinks their have a right to stay without a ticket...

You would be very surprised. The reason your question got the reaction it did is because so many people ask about bypassing the rules, to the point that DIS had to make it a specific rule not to ask. One person fairly recently literally argued that his trying to sneak in to a paid party was totally justified because he was a poor college student and Disney was ripping people off anyway. It wasn't just a "look, don't judge me" argument, he actually felt that it was 100% not wrong of him to do.

There are just enough people that think theft and trespassing make them smart that even asking about it can stir up some (partly justified) anger here.

 

[siskaren]

The well-documented medical condition known as "selective hearing."

Yep - just ask anyone who's ever worked retail.

1. I wish there were a better way to ensure only people who have paid are the ones attending, but logistically I have no idea how they'd do that.

2. Do they change band designs? The ones we had were the same ones we saw being given out for another party night.

1. I don't know - I think asking to see a wrist band that you should only have if you have tickets is pretty efficient. (And if the person is wearing short sleeves, they don't even have to ask.

2. They change the color. I think the chance that a party crasher would have the right color on the right night would be low, and they would've had to have attended a previous party to get one anyway.

 

[Robo]

They change the color. I think the chance that a party crasher would have the right color on the right night would be low, and they would've had to have attended a previous party to get one anyway.

Sadly, that's not necessarily true...

 

[AeroKU]

Well, that's a little over the top.

But man, that dinner must have been pretty long to still be going on during the parade.

Our ressie was for 6:30, but we didn't get seated until well after 7. We were a party of 9, so it was probably 8:30-8:45 before we were done.

 

[MickeyNola]

Is it just me or does this conversation feel different then a night that has extra magic hours? If someone staying off property stayed in the parks for the additional 2 extra magic hours, I don't know this for a fact, but I don't think they'd be asked to leave or escorted out of the park if someone watched a show or rode an attraction or anything like that. I certainly don't think other guestswould care or get worked up about it. Again, haven't seen this happen so I don't know. With the parties I understand it's different, people with tickets paid for the additional access & special experiences (parades/ shows/ characters/ etc) so it's not apples to apples, but I understand how somebody could think, oh, what's the harm in me standing here for another 30 minutes or whatever while the party event is going on, I can do the same thing when there are extra magic hours. I realize I might get slammed for this, but it seems like sometimes, especially when dealing with crowds, that some people get so worked up about some perceived slight or offence that someone has done to them that they ruin their own experience that they spent their limited vacation time and hard earned money to enjoy.

 

[mom2rtk]

Is it just me or does this conversation feel different then a night that has extra magic hours? If someone staying off property stayed in the parks for the additional 2 extra magic hours, I don't know this for a fact, but I don't think they'd be asked to leave or escorted out of the park if someone watched a show or rode an attraction or anything like that. I certainly don't think other guestswould care or get worked up about it. Again, haven't seen this happen so I don't know. With the parties I understand it's different, people with tickets paid for the additional access & special experiences (parades/ shows/ characters/ etc) so it's not apples to apples, but I understand how somebody could think, oh, what's the harm in me standing here for another 30 minutes or whatever while the party event is going on, I can do the same thing when there are extra magic hours. I realize I might get slammed for this, but it seems like sometimes, especially when dealing with crowds, that some people get so worked up about some perceived slight or offence that someone has done to them that they ruin their own experience that they spent their limited vacation time and hard earned money to enjoy.

It is different. That's because the policy is different.

A big piece of the value of a party ticket is the fireworks, parade and shows. None of that happens during EMH. Most people won't bother to stick around knowing they can't get on rides and there's nothing else to even do.

Main Street can be crazy packed during a hard ticket party. If others stick around, that makes it even harder. And if you think about it, party guests who go off to meet characters or do rides then come over to Main Street to watch the fireworks and parade should have priority for finding a spot. If someone hasn't paid, all they CAN do is sit on a curb and wait for the shows to start. Sort of like the girls up in the train station that night. They had the best seats because they couldn't be off doing other things. I was very happy to have a CM come up and do wristband check. We had spent over $200 for the 3 of us to be there for 5 hours that night. We should not have been standing behind people sitting in nice seats who hadn't paid a cent.

 

[MickeyNola]

Yes that makes sense to me. Haven't been to any of these party nights so really couldn't say how crowded it gets or how people react. We've enjoyed watching some videos of the shows and fireworks, just wonder if either Halloween or the Holidays are a good time for us to go as a family. Disney is expensive as it is, and then to add the additional charge on top would be tough for us to justify for a family of four. We typically visit in April/ May before school gets out and it gets too hot/ crowded.

 

[Ensusieasm]

28 parties and I have NEVER seen a single guest actually escorted from the park. Pointed to the exit and asked to leave, yes, many times, but escorted to the gate and watching them leave, no.

I have only been to two Christmas Parties and while waiting near the hub for a parade I have seen security called twice for guests who actually start screaming when asked by a cast member to exit the park. They were escorted out.

 

[JoanneAZ]

I wish there were a better way to ensure only people who have paid are the ones attending, but logistically I have no idea how they'd do that.

Back when the Mickey's Halloween Party was in California Adventure they literally closed the park before the event. They made everyone leave then reopened at party time and only those with tickets were allowed in. Worked great!

 

[Jhaberlein]

1. I don't know - I think asking to see a wrist band that you should only have if you have tickets is pretty efficient. (And if the person is wearing short sleeves, they don't even have to ask.

I just assume there are going to be non-paying people at the after hours parties because, while checking wristbands is somewhat efficient, there are clearly many ways around it. It's logistically easier to prevent non-paying guest from attending early morning events that take place before the park opens. Are they 100% failproof.... no... but logistically keeping people from entering the park is going to be easier than getting people to leave the park.

It is different. That's because the policy is different.

A big piece of the value of a party ticket is the fireworks, parade and shows. None of that happens during EMH. Most people won't bother to stick around knowing they can't get on rides and there's nothing else to even do.

Main Street can be crazy packed during a hard ticket party. If others stick around, that makes it even harder. And if you think about it, party guests who go off to meet characters or do rides then come over to Main Street to watch the fireworks and parade should have priority for finding a spot. If someone hasn't paid, all they CAN do is sit on a curb and wait for the shows to start. Sort of like the girls up in the train station that night. They had the best seats because they couldn't be off doing other things. I was very happy to have a CM come up and do wristband check. We had spent over $200 for the 3 of us to be there for 5 hours that night. We should not have been standing behind people sitting in nice seats who hadn't paid a cent.

Agree. 100%

Yes that makes sense to me. Haven't been to any of these party nights so really couldn't say how crowded it gets or how people react. We've enjoyed watching some videos of the shows and fireworks, just wonder if either Halloween or the Holidays are a good time for us to go as a family. Disney is expensive as it is, and then to add the additional charge on top would be tough for us to justify for a family of four. We typically visit in April/ May before school gets out and it gets too hot/ crowded.

DH and I did MNSSHP without kids (honey-versary trip) and it's a must do for our family next time we go. Fireworks, parade, and shows that are only at the party are phenomenal. We will purchase less days for our park tickets, and purchase party tickets for one night and arrive at 4pm. Still a major expense but doable. The cost for our family (it will be close to $500 for one night) is what makes me wish there were a more efficient way to ensure it was just party-goers. Or, maybe I could get (100% kidding here) a refund for my tickets for any person without a wristband I brought to the attention of a CM.

 

[Ensusieasm]

I bet the CMs have some great stories about party nights and sneaky guests!

I feel bad for the CM's on Party nights. Its very unDisneylike to have to ask people to leave, while others can stay. Its a strange situation. But I know it has to be done, even though it can cause a lot of hard feelings.

 

[Jhaberlein]

Back when the Mickey's Halloween Party was in California Adventure they literally closed the park before the event. They made everyone leave then reopened at party time and only those with tickets were allowed in. Worked great!

That's what I was thinking would be best, but wasn't sure if it would be possible!

 

[seshat0120]

...it's not apples to apples, but I understand how somebody could think, oh, what's the harm in me standing here for another 30 minutes or whatever while the party event is going on, I can do the same thing when there are extra magic hours.

As I mentioned before, there are very explicit PA announcements that state that if you don't have a ticket for the party, you have to leave at 7:00. As I recall, there's also a board outside the entrance when you come in that also says that after 7:00 it's a special ticketed event. To think you stay beyond 7:00 without the ticket is willfully ignoring the information that Disney is giving.

 

[Disbug]

Perhaps the announcement should be, "For those guests that have not paid for tonight's special event, your Magic Bands will be charged full-price at 7:30 PM if you are not outside the exit turnstiles." I'll bet the offenders would beat it out of the park, lickety-split!

 

[Ensusieasm]

Perhaps the announcement should be, "For those guests that have not paid for tonight's special event, your Magic Bands will be charged full-price at 7:30 PM if you are not outside the exit turnstiles." I'll bet the offenders would beat it out of the park, lickety-split!

Love this idea! Wish it would work!

 

[hiroMYhero]

The OP's question was answered on page 1 of this thread.

Because "naive" experiences leading to watching the Party parade without a ticket and hypothetical situations do not assist in planning, closing.