Pushed out at park close

[I take the Ferry]

We were at MK on Saturday 9/6 at closing time. Wishes were at park close, 10:00. Something odd happened.

We like to hang out for a while and let the crowds push and shove their way to their cars before we leave the park.

On Saturday, we were sitting on the bridge from the hub to tomorrowland after the fireworks. By 10:30, a cast member told us that we needed to head to the park exit. We said "OK" and then found a bench in the hub. Several minutes later, the "kiss goodnight" happened... and we continued to sit & people watch. Then another cast member walked up to us and told us that we needed to find our way to the park exit. So we went to the Emporium. While we were in the shops, the doors were closed and locked. Cast members were standing by what few doors were open, letting people out, but absolutely nobody back in. This was around 11:00.

We're at WDW... well, a lot. And this is the first time at any park that I've been told to exit the park. It wasn't even an hour after park close that night. I've been in MK MUCH later than 1 hour after closing before, and never been asked to "head towards the exit," and never seen them close the emporium doors, either!

So, if there are any CMs out there that can shed some light on the normal time-table of closing schedule, and what situations would cause the schedule to be hastened, that would be cool.

K, Slater!
I take the Ferry!

[mcjaco]

I would think it's more about them wanting to go home. And before ayone says, but it's Disney and we paid a lot to be there, please understand that CM's want to go home and rest too. Then there's the whole, third shift maintenance that needs to come in too. The earlier they can get in and fix the "magic" the better.

We've never been "forced" out, but they do politely nudge you on your way.

[I take the Ferry]

...and before ayone says, but it's Disney and we paid a lot to be there...

Hey, closing time is closing time. If they wanted to shut every door on every store right at closing time, I'd be fine with that. I'm always amazed that they keep all the fancy, decorative lights on so late after park close. That's got to be expensive.

I'm not complaining about not being able to stay later. I'm just wondering what would make the schedule different from night to night.

[BMan62]

The schedule probably isn't any different, but the managers are being pushed to lessen the number of hours employees put in after official closing time. Just look at all the cutbacks... this would go hand in hand with that. It's a wonder that they don't start from the back of the park(s) and march everyone out right at closing time - much like 'rope drop' at park opening.

And for those thinking I'm complaining...I'm not. I'm just stating a monetary reason for hastening people out of the park at closing time. I truly love WDW and try to take advantage of every minute I am there (which will be in less than 7 days!!!)

[mcjaco]

I'm not complaining about not being able to stay later. I'm just wondering what would make the schedule different from night to night.

I wasn't saying you were.

I just know someone out there will bring that argument up.

Perhaps it's not night to night, but all the time now?

My wife and I were the last reservation for Cinderella's one evening a few years back. We finished up dinner and headed out. There wasn't a general public person to be seen anywhere. While we didn't take our sweet time getting out, we did wander a bit and take pictures. No one bothered us, just smiled.

It's one of our best memories. I have a picture of Mickey and Minnie holding hands and skipping out through the front entrance of the castle (from the rear of the castle), and no one around.

[Mackflava99]

In June i was at Epcot after closing and at the world Showcase near mexico- i was able to walk the entire showcase as things were closing and i took my time soaking it in ( it was my last night) and i ended up leaving the park from the exit near the Beach Club (in England) a good 35 minutes after closing-
No one gave me a problem, at all-
But i can see if i was walking the other way and away from the exit-
Either way the CMs were nice and noone asked me to leave.

[Imagineer1981]

The schedule probably isn't any different, but the managers are being pushed to lessen the number of hours employees put in after official closing time. Just look at all the cutbacks... this would go hand in hand with that. It's a wonder that they don't start from the back of the park(s) and march everyone out right at closing time - much like 'rope drop' at park opening.

And for those thinking I'm complaining...I'm not. I'm just stating a monetary reason for hastening people out of the park at closing time. I truly love WDW and try to take advantage of every minute I am there (which will be in less than 7 days!!!)

You have to remember that CMs are only scheduled for so long. Most CMs who get closing shifts are scheduled 1 hour to the most I have heard of is 2 tops after park close. Their jobs are to close down the attractions and stores and "gently nudge" the guests out. If they go over the time they are scheduled, its not like they just punch a time card later, they need to scan their IDs by a certain amount of time. If they are late they can get in trouble and have to have managers go in and make corrections and make sure they get paid for the extra time, so its a whole ordeal (or at least it was when I worked there). Plus if you dealt with guest (and lets face it sometimes we as guests aren't the nicest or the most polite) all day long, you'd want to go home too!

[TheRustyScupper]

Hey, closing time is closing time.

1) Yep.
2) Everyone knew the closing was at 10:00pm.
3) Why try to stretch beyond what was paid for?
4) One should leave when the closing occurs.
5) CM's want to go home.
6) How many others would want someone to hold up their leaving work?
7) And it isn't once, as this can happen every night.

NOTE: I frequently criticize WDW, but I do not hesitate to place criticism where it is due. In this case, I side with WDW. Why should guests be able extend their time and be rude to CM's who want to get home?

[Mrs Bus Driver]

I believe WDW's website states that stores will remain open 1 hour after closing. Hopefully a CM will come along and clear this up as I would like to know if there have been any changes. Anyway it does say that in the unofficial guide book.

[big blue and hairy]

Why should guests be able extend their time and be rude to CM's who want to get home?

Whos said anything about being rude?

From Mrs. Bus Driver I believe WDW's website states that stores will remain open 1 hour after closing. Hopefully a CM will come along and clear this up as I would like to know if there have been any changes. Anyway it does say that in the unofficial guide book.

If that is the case, then that is the schedule, which certainly makes it a valid question, not a rude one.

[Daisy'sMom]

If the park closes at 10:00, what is so unreasonable about closing the doors at the Emporium at 11:00? What I find surprising is that there is a discussion about it at all. An hour after closing and there still are hangers on?

[BMan62]

You have to remember that CMs are only scheduled for so long. Most CMs who get closing shifts are scheduled 1 hour to the most I have heard of is 2 tops after park close. Their jobs are to close down the attractions and stores and "gently nudge" the guests out. If they go over the time they are scheduled, its not like they just punch a time card later, they need to scan their IDs by a certain amount of time. If they are late they can get in trouble and have to have managers go in and make corrections and make sure they get paid for the extra time, so its a whole ordeal (or at least it was when I worked there). Plus if you dealt with guest (and lets face it sometimes we as guests aren't the nicest or the most polite) all day long, you'd want to go home too!

I understand your point completely. I just didn't know that there was a set time limit past park closing that CM's are limited to. This even makes the case stronger for ushering out patrons as soon as official park hours end.

Believe me, I have been in jobs where I was closing a store/restaurant and have had to suffer my share of belligerent patrons. I feel for all the CM's at closing time.

[Mousemates]

I believe WDW's website states that stores will remain open 1 hour after closing. Hopefully a CM will come along and clear this up as I would like to know if there have been any changes. Anyway it does say that in the unofficial guide book.

Not a cast member, but I couldn't find anything on the Disney website that said anything about shops staying open past closure...so I'm guessing its one of those things they just kind of do on a discretionary basis...if lots of folks are in the stores and actually buying, maybe you stay open a bit longer....and if your near the front gate, you likely would be even more prone to do so.

As for the being hurried out, I think the key thing that singled the original poster out for "exit encouragement " was that they were sitting. If they were up and about and kind of casually meandering towards the gate, they probably would have not ever been "reminded." We've been in the park many times right at closing, and never been "reminded," but we've also always been at least marginally headed towards the exit.

[Jasper]

This is really nothing new. I remember having similar things happen back as early as the 1970's during what we all hear like to believe was Disney's "golden age" of customer service. We have also had it happen several times since then at all of the parks. And before anyone asks, I don't remember how long after park close these things happened.

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

I would think it's more about them wanting to go home. And before ayone says, but it's Disney and we paid a lot to be there, please understand that CM's want to go home and rest too. Then there's the whole, third shift maintenance that needs to come in too. The earlier they can get in and fix the "magic" the better.

We've never been "forced" out, but they do politely nudge you on your way.

Actually, it doesn't make a difference as far as getting to go home. You need to realize that if the park closes at 11, Emporium CM's are usually there until 2am.

We continue to allow the Guests to shop for one hour, then we start sectioning off the store to get them out. It's always been done like that. In all fairness, you had all day to shop. Why wait until the last minute? If you don't want to carry your bags, we offer a free service of package pick-up. Everything will be waiting for you at the front entrance up to 1 1/2 hours after closing. Once we get to a certain point, yes, we stop letting people in the stores because we need to get them out, not us. We have to stay and clean, organize, restock, have closing meetings. If you leave at 11:01 or 11:50, I still have to leave around 2:15 so it doesn't make any difference.

There is no scanning of ID's or anything of that sort. If we leave later than our scheduled time, they simply extend our shift. People are leaving and coming at all hours of the days. People start their shifts at 3 or 4 in the morning. It is a literal 24-hour operation.

[Imagineer1981]

Actually, it doesn't make a difference as far as getting to go home. You need to realize that if the park closes at 11, Emporium CM's are usually there until 2am.

We continue to allow the Guests to shop for one hour, then we start sectioning off the store to get them out. It's always been done like that. In all fairness, you had all day to shop. Why wait until the last minute? If you don't want to carry your bags, we offer a free service of package pick-up. Everything will be waiting for you at the front entrance up to 1 1/2 hours after closing. Once we get to a certain point, yes, we stop letting people in the stores because we need to get them out, not us. We have to stay and clean, organize, restock, have closing meetings. If you leave at 11:01 or 11:50, I still have to leave around 2:15 so it doesn't make any difference.

There is no scanning of ID's or anything of that sort. If we leave later than our scheduled time, they simply extend our shift. People are leaving and coming at all hours of the days. People start their shifts at 3 or 4 in the morning. It is a literal 24-hour operation.

You nailed it better than me as always! I just remember that we had to clock out when we were supposed to be scheduled off otherwise a manager had to extend us.

[CaptainDisney]

Jessica, as always, a wonderful reply.

Just an interesting note. Security CMs methodically check EVERYWHERE in the park following closing, and they start from the back and come to the entrance/exit. At the MK, the last people out of the park are personally escorted to the bus/boat/monorail in order to "clear the park." Transportation runs until the park is clear of Guests, so until everyone is gone.

During busy times, this is usually two hours after official park close. I remember a frigid mid-December night when it was about 45 minutes

It is always fun to tell people, "Hey, you closed the Magic Kingdom tonight! Congratulations!" On the monorail, it must be a sight to see. The CMs all grab their stuff and hop on the train with you, because that is the last one for the evening.

[Jasper]

If you don't want to carry your bags, we offer a free service of package pick-up. Everything will be waiting for you at the front entrance up to 1 1/2 hours after closing.

OK, I know this is off topic but a couple of years ago we left the Magic Kingdom late in the evening and forgot to pick up a package that was being held for us. Fortunately we had not gotten too far away before we remembered and went back to get it but I know it had to be close to 90 minutes after park closing before we picked them up.

I was so embarrassed that I didn't ask a question that I wanted to at that time. If we have something held at the front entrance and go off without it and it is too late to come back that night for it what happens? What if it is a couple of days later when we remember it? Just curious.

[Aurora]

Jessica, is it possible they were doing something out of the ordinary that night? Like, rehearsing for MNSSHP or something?

[JPL]

Technically the only portion of the park that is open an hour past closing time is Main Street so they will ask you to leave any other areas of the park. This is when they start cleaning and daily maintenance for the next day. They need to clear people out of these areas as soon as possible. I know on they do stretch the hours on occaision when it is very crowded and profitable for them to do so. I literally had the door of the Confectionary closed and locked as I was trying to enter one night. The poor CM felt so bad and couldn't apologize enough and of course I played it up a bit with sad face and saying all I wanted was a cookie