[kizzmitt]

What time do they let the kids in for Grad night in? Is it like the partys where the official time is 7pm but they let you in around 4? I'm wondering because its a grad night on our first day and I just want to get some sort of an idea of what type of crowds to expect.

[kizzmitt]

anyone know?

[Screever]

I worked a few grad nights in my CP two years ago, and from what I can remember, the party doesn't start til 9 pm. I think the park "closes" for other guests and the crazy seniors have the run of the place til 3-4 am. I don't really remember seeing any other guests at that time; just high schoolers and a handful of chaperones. It can get REALLY out of hand sometimes (one night there was an all out BRAWL at Cosmic Rays, its true) so I'm fairly sure they close it to regular guests early. Those crazy seniors..

Anyway I think your family should have nothing to worry about! I hope you have a great trip.

[PrincessJill]

When I went to Grad Nite a couple years ago, we got there at 7. (well actually it was a little after 7, and I was the only one on the bus FREAKING OUT because they were cutting into my Disney time ) We waited in a loooong line of buses, so I assumed no one could get in till 7, but I'm not entirely sure.

[Baloo85]

Originally Posted by PrincessJill

When I went to Grad Nite a couple years ago, we got there at 7. (well actually it was a little after 7, and I was the only one on the bus FREAKING OUT because they were cutting into my Disney time ) We waited in a loooong line of buses, so I assumed no one could get in till 7, but I'm not entirely sure.

excuse me princess...I was sitting right next to you..if anything, we were both freaking out...but hey, we had a great time that nite...we were the only ones to truly appreciate it...hehe

[Screever]

...wouldn't it be funny if I was working the grad nite you two were there? That'd be so cool! What year did ya'll brave the crowds?

[HTHall]

I worked a few Grad Nights in the mid 90's, and went myself in 1996...Parks closed at 6 PM from what I can remember, and re-opened an hour later. Only Grad Nighters are allowed in the parks...and like Screever said, you don't want to be in the parks when they are there anyway. I have never seen a fight (Disney marketdly increases their plain clothes security presence, as does the Orange County Sheriff's Department), but wouldn't doubt that they have occurred.

[PhilliesFan]

I was at Grad Nite back in, gulp, 1981, so my memories are a little faded. Back then it was only the MK. I do recall that they made us females wear a skirt or dress (going on Space Mountain in a dress, yikes!). It was a late night, I don't believe we left the park until 5 AM. Oh to be 18 again, the time of your life...If I only knew now what I didn't know then.

[kizzmitt]

Thanks guys, MK closing at 6 should be fine for us, it will be time for dinner then anyway!

[gingita]

I am really not looking forward to working grad nights. They are already warning and prepping us for them. It should be interesting...ugh.

[HTHall]

Ginger,

What? A night full of H.S. seniors hitting on you? Why on earth would you not like that?

I only had to work 1, and I volunteered for it...the Sheriff's Dept has a LOT of officers working overtime (that Disney pays for) to ensure that it is safe. It might still be a pain in the butt, but I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[joseph3947]

Does anyone have any idea when exactly grad nites are in May? Joe

[PrincessJill]

Originally Posted by Screever

...wouldn't it be funny if I was working the grad nite you two were there? That'd be so cool! What year did ya'll brave the crowds?

haha! That would have been cool!! We went April '04 (on my birthday! )... I see in your signature you worked spring '03, so we were a year late. :(

[Screever]

Awww, sad day, PrincessJill! But actually...I'd have a major guilt trip if you were, cause I only remember enjoying about 20% of those grad nights total. Alot of the seniors didn't seem to be having a fun time when I gave them their food or took their orders! At least half of them had this look on their faces that made me just want to send them home, they were so serious and mopey. Maybe it was just senioitis...

Its sad that they have to get cops in there for grad nites...and close certain rides, even. Jungle Cruise was closed cause kids would be stupid, try to hop boats, and drown or get eaten by a gator...I think HM was closed too cause it would turn into the tunnel-o-love, somehow....same with TTA. I heard crazy stories like "grad niters jumped the Country Bears!" or "a grad niter pulled a knife on Mickey!" but I'm alot less willing to beleive those!

And Joe: Three years ago grad nites were late april and early may, Saturday and Sunday nights...you could always try calling WDW and wheedling it out of them though! They might have changed it.

[Tyffni]

Originally Posted by joseph3947

Does anyone have any idea when exactly grad nites are in May? Joe

I know one weekend of Grad Nites is May 5th (Cinco de Mayo!) and I believe the other is the weekend before.

I attended Grad Nite in 1995 and chaperoned it last year. It was very different in that most of the rides were open (even Haunted Mansion). I did read on a CM site that there were some problems with pot in the PotC last year. When I chaperoned in 2001 or 2002, we had a student OD in MK and have to be rushed to the hospital. I've heard rumors of students visiting the weekend before, burying liquor , and digging it up at Grad Nite (although I've never known anyone who actually did it).

Regarding dress, they now allow ladies to wear pants. As a matter of fact, I think Disney allows jeans now. Our particular high school has a problem with appropriate dress, so we still made the students wear dress clothes.

Disney has a "pre-party" that starts at 7. Other options for the "pre-party" are Pleasure Island and Fort Wilderness. The pre-party is an additional cost to the Grad Nite ticket. The actual Grad Nite starts at 10 I think and goes on until around 4 in the morning. We had everyone back on the bus by 5 and were on the road.

BTW...one of the biggest sellers during Grad Nite??? Slippers!!! Since the students are required to dress up, many of the girls wear high heels and their feet are killing them in no time!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask =)