How Disney Ruined Grad Nite

> First, they took away the little things. For instance, when I went to
> Grad Nite way back in the '90s, Disney had custom ticket stock just
> for that event. It made the ticket a collector's item, with a Mickey
> graduation cap. They don't do that anymore, though, instead using
> ordinary stock like you'd get at any ordinary visit to the parks.

That's a bummer. I still have my ticket from Grad Nite in 1984.

> Then they screwed up the Blast-Off Parties. These are events that
> occur a few hours prior to Grad Nite, and previously were available in
> three locations: Fort Wilderness, the Magic Kingdom, and Pleasure
> Island.

Wha? When did they start Blast-Off Parties?

I had to Google to find out who played at my Grad Nite. Night Ranger, Dazz
Band, Exile, Dwight Twilley, and Weird Al Yankovic. No wonder all I
remember is going on rides.

> This year, Grad Nite has been moved out of the MK completely and will
> be held at Studios.

What?! Grad Nite not at MK??

-- Alpha

"ParrotHeadFL" <parrothead@wdwblues.com> wrote in message
news:095fafcc-aad4-4e8a-9f72-910e4c7625b6@y21g2000hsf..com...

> I just don't get it.

I'm guessing that the jacket-and-tie dress code that was in place for me in
'77 is long since gone. Can't imagine contemporary kids going along with
that. (We didn't much care for it either, but the only other option we were
given was not to attend.)

N via D

On Aug 10, 11:42 pm, "CEO Boom"
<thisisabadaddresssodontus...@boom.com> wrote:
> "ParrotHeadFL" <parroth...@wdwblues.com> wrote in message
>
> Sometimes, declining interest is measured NOT by who shows up but by how
> long the waiting list is for the next couple of years.
>
> Boom



Schools can only book Grad Nite a year in advance, though. At each
year's GN, you fill out paperwork signifying your intent for the next
year (e.g., whether you plan to attend, and about how many students
you expect to bring).

> Apologies to all for the tone - I sometimes get tired of reading all the
> Disney bashing. Times are tough, budgets are tight, and Disney makes lots of
> mistakes. Gone are the days when the decision makers are held to high
> standards.
>
> WDW is still the most magical place in the known universe, IMHO
>
> Boom
> (and I still love RADP)

Thanks Boom.
No problem. I agree on 5 points...
* I sometimes get tired of reading (and hearing) all the Disney
bashing
* Times are tough (and they're likely to get tougher) & Disney makes
mistakes (afterall, it's a huge organization)
* Gone are the days when decision makers are held to high standards
(heck, the days when anyone is held to high standards are slipping
past quicklly)
* WDW is still the most magical place in the known universe (and the
cleanest and the safest IMHO)
* I still love RADP

Blossom

I had always heard the Night of Joy horror stories, too--including
from CMs. My wife and I attended one for the first time last year, and
went both nights. I didn't see what the fuss was about. The atmosphere
was much calmer than at Grad Nite.


I'm not sure what qualifies as "Disney-bashing." Does constructive
criticism? Because that's all I'm offering. I've got quite a few Grad
Nites under my belt, and I've learned over the years what the kids
like and don't like. And based on that experience, I strongly believe
that the DHS event will be less enjoyable to them.

This could be a conscious decision on Disney's part. Perhaps they know
perfectly well that fewer schools will attend (which would be why they
figure they can fit them into a smaller park). I definitely don't
understand the economics behind Grad Nite. It seems to me that if the
cost of the performers is a significant expense, it would be better to
spread that cost out among more guests (e.g., among 35,000 kids paying
$50 each at the MK instead of 10,000 kids paying $50 each at DHS). If
the issue is that ticket prices don't generate enough revenue, then
prices can be raised. But if you're going to charge premium prices,
you have to offer a premium park--which DHS isn't.

I for one am glad they moved Grad Nights to a park other than MK.
Many moons ago when my kids were youngsters, our evening in the MK was
less than magical thanks to unruly Grad Night attendees. We were
stuck in the Haunted Mansion for 20 minutes in the dark with a 5 and 7-
year-old because some lovely cherubs decided to roam the HM and see
things up close and personal. Crowds of kids were storming the park
as if they owned it and were totally unsupervised, uncouth, and very
discourteous. Leave the MK to the little kids. HN2CW.

Peppermint Patty says:

> I for one am glad they moved Grad Nights to a park other than MK.
> Many moons ago when my kids were youngsters, our evening in the MK was
> less than magical thanks to unruly Grad Night attendees. We were
> stuck in the Haunted Mansion for 20 minutes in the dark with a 5 and 7-
> year-old because some lovely cherubs decided to roam the HM and see
> things up close and personal. Crowds of kids were storming the park
> as if they owned it and were totally unsupervised, uncouth, and very
> discourteous.

? When I went to Grad Nite, it was just the Grad Nite ticket holders in
MK. We weren't allowed in until Grad Nite started, a couple of hours after
MK had closed to other guests. Don't they do it that way any more?

-- Alpha