# How do theme parks and other large venues make sure that all people are out of the park at the end of the day? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 19, 2022, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847 "2022-09-19T18:20:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/1 "2022-09-19T18:20:25Z")
I saw a commercial on TV advertising that people who stay at Disney properties get to enter the parks thirty minutes earlier than off-property guests. As I saw the ad, I thought that I would actually prefer the extra time to be at the end of the day rather than the beginning. This led me to think that the logistics of kicking out the “regular” patrons while keeping the “extra-time” patrons would be nigh to impossible. But, that led my wandering mind to wonder, “how do they get everyone out at the end of the day?” The guest population at a theme park like Magic Kingdom is equivalent to that of a small city. Then, they’ve got to evacuate that city every single day. The park is complicated with lots and lots of places to hide. How do they get everyone out? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/2 "2022-09-19T19:11:30Z")
Even with things like turnstile counters, I’m guessing the answer is “they can’t”. They probably just need to make sure there are enough security guards patrolling the park while it’s closed to prevent any injury to the property or the stragglers. The guards probably know all the usual hiding places. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/3 "2022-09-19T19:15:51Z")
I was at Disneyland once when they closed at 2 AM, and starting about 1:30 AM, there was a sweep done by security guards nudging us toward the entrance/exit gates. It would have been relatively easy to hide someplace like on Tom Sawyer’s island, but what do you do once they turn the lights off and lock the gates? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/4 "2022-09-19T19:18:11Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > but what do you do once they turn the lights off and lock the gates Places that large never turn off the lights and lock the gates. Even after guests have left, the park is still teaming with security, maintenance, cleaning, restocking, etc staff coming and going all through the night. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/5 "2022-09-19T19:18:30Z")
They don’t. But, after closing the demon things Walt made his blood pact with rise up and devour whole - even the bones- any human not wearing a protective talisman. No bodies are ever found. Nothing can ever be proven and security guards are VERY careful never to lose their badges. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/6 "2022-09-19T19:24:28Z")
People have done it, there are videos of it on YouTube. I think the risk:reward ratio keeps at least some would-be overnighters out. Get caught, and you’re going to be banned from the parks for life and possibly see the inside of an Orange County Jail cell. Is that worth getting a half-hour jump on the crowds the next morning? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/7 "2022-09-19T19:38:13Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I was at Disneyland once when they closed at 2 AM, and starting about 1:30 AM, there was a sweep done by security guards nudging us toward the entrance/exit gates. It would have been relatively easy to hide someplace like on Tom Sawyer’s island, but what do you do once they turn the lights off and lock the gates? They do sweep Tom Sawyers island , which closes at dusk. Kids hide there. However we were at WDW, and they first closed the attractions, then the restaurants, then the stores. We were allowed to wander around after for some time, watching the bunnies come out in the Canadian area of EPCOT, and no one ushered us out. I dunno how long before someone would ask us to leave. It is remarkably lovely and peaceful there at that time. In DL itself, as > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > …the park is still teaming with security, maintenance, cleaning, restocking, etc staff coming and going all through the night. said- there are CM there all nite long, and if they see you, you will be ushered out. If you are hiding and trying to avoid security, they may take more steps. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/8 "2022-09-19T19:41:26Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > They do sweep Tom Sawyers island , which closes at dusk. Kids hide there. I believe a drowning of one of those stowaways is on the lengthy list of Disneyland casualties. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/9 "2022-09-19T19:44:56Z")
I think that Robot Chicken [covered it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjTtumHAcxs&ab_channel=AdultSwimUK). ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/10 "2022-09-19T19:47:24Z")
Thanks, I’m currently watching Outer Limits. I’ll give the video a watch when it’s over. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/11 "2022-09-19T21:32:06Z")
I was at a private party at a big zoo (no specifics) having a fabulous time. There was good food, cool animals, fun people, and liquor. When we were still there after we should have left, management sent a cute little train from the kiddie zoo to take its to the parking lot and our bus. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/12 "2022-09-19T22:22:19Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > but what do you do once they turn the lights off and lock the gates? I’m sure there will be some employees there between closing tonight and opening tomorrow and they never actually turn out the lights - but let’s say I manage to hide somewhere (and I’m sure people have)? What would be the point? It’s not like the rides are running - about all I could do is see how long I could successfully hide and that doesn’t seem like much funs. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/13 "2022-09-19T22:39:06Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > What would be the point? You could enjoy the park for another day without paying for it. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/14 "2022-09-19T23:18:46Z")
I was once at Knott’s Berry Farm when they were closing up late, but an hour before official closing they started to close different parts of the park in “sections” and then had security guards or janitorial personnel going through the closed off sections and getting people to go to the open sections, rinse and repeat. ---
**Author:** ![anny\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/15 "2022-09-20T17:24:57Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > As I saw the ad, I thought that I would actually prefer the extra time to be at the end of the day rather than the beginning. This led me to think that the logistics of kicking out the “regular” patrons while keeping the “extra-time” patrons would be nigh to impossible. (A bit of a hijack I know, but OP did sort of ask.) We donate to a local zoo in a program they call Share the Care. Once a year they have a special event for the people who donate through the program. One of the bennies of the special event is staying in the zoo for an hour or two after the zoo closes. The package of materials they send for the event includes adhesive stickers for each member of your party to adhere to their shirt. After closing, zoo employees roam the property and look for groups not wearing the sticker; those folks are politely requested to leave. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/16 "2022-09-20T17:42:41Z")
According to Disneyland, there are about 1,500 third shift workers after the park closes. > **[Magic: A 24 Hour Operation](https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/02/magic-a-24-hour-operation/)** > > Some of you may think that when the gates of the Disneyland Resort close, the park goes dark and silent. Not true. Making magic is a 24-hour operation. There are about 1,500 cast members who work the overnight or “Third Shift.” Some have ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/17 "2022-09-20T17:46:02Z")
> [@Disinfectus](#): > > [https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/02/magic-a-24-hour-operation/](https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/02/magic-a-24-hour-operation/) See they admit that it’s blood magik right there! ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/18 "2022-09-20T20:27:35Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > But, after closing the demon things Walt made his blood pact with rise up and devour whole - even the bones- any human not wearing a protective talisman. No bodies are ever found. And all to the tune of “It’s a Small World”. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/19 "2022-09-20T20:32:09Z")
Truly, a greater evil was never perpetrated on this earth. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847/20 "2022-09-20T21:28:40Z")
I think I’ve read a story with that plot. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-theme-parks-and-other-large-venues-make-sure-that-all-people-are-out-of-the-park-at-the-end-of-the-day/971847.md?page=2)