Hello, everyone. This is my first post on the DLP boards, but I was so ticked off by what I experienced tonight, a so-called "Halloween" party, that I had to do some research on the boards to see if anyone else was upset with DLP's
MNSSHP.
First, a bit of background about me and what I expected from tonight. I am a WDW cm and have been with the Company since 1998. While I am seasonal now and am attending law school in southern California (DL passholder), I used to work full-time at the Magic Kingdom, where I worked plenty of WDW's MNSSHPs. I remember distinctly one time back in 2003 or 2004 when my manager showed me some photos from DLP's Halloween decorations of the time, including a large Grim Reaper pulling the Mark Twain or Molly Brown (not sure which one). I knew then that I would someday see DLP during Halloween.
Flash forward to now, I am studying international law in London for the fall semester and became a DLP passholder. This week is our mid-term break, so I spent a few days at DLP to finally realize my dream of seeing a DLP Halloween. When I stepped into the park on Wednesday, I was a bit disappointed by the sparse decorations. Sure, there were pumpkins in Town Square, Central Plaza, and the Royal Castle Stage. But, I could not believe that that was it! I did not know that this year was a change from previous years, and I am especially shocked that supposedly DLP was seeking inspiration from DL. When I am studying back in California, I go to DL about once a week, especially during HalloweenTime and the Christmas season. DL has pumpkins out the wazoo all over Main Street. DL's Frontierland is also heavily decorated. I saw nothing at all reminiscent of DL in DLP.
But, I told myself it would be different during the MNSSHP. I mean, surely DLP would put on a good hard-ticket event like the stateside parks, right? What I discovered were a couple of lame shows, such as Huey, Duey, and Louie teaching some witch the chicken dance, and no new decor beyond a couple of "fog" machines (more like heavy-duty misters, and on a really cold night!). Also, I got absolutely no candy all night long, except for the package of Haribo gummies I bought from the vending machine at the RER station while feeling sorry for myself! Unlike the numerous treat stations that are a huge part of the stateside versions of MNSSHP, the only candy at DLP was given out either after a show or at a character meet location. At the shows, the dancers handing out the candy ran out very quickly, leaving 90% of the audience empty-handed. As for the character handlers with the candy at the meet locations, they seemed to only want to give candy to children, for they passed over me all four times I held out my hand. It was after the fourth time that I gave up and left the park, realizing that I had done all of the attractions I cared to do (it was my third of four days, and I had been in the park since the morning) and that the party had nothing left to offer me.
Whoever is in charge of DLP's MNSSHP must go attend one at WDW to see what a good party looks like, complete with parade, headless horseman, fireworks, treat stations, dance parties, and character trails. Then, they can talk with some of us who also remember the days when palm readers, snake charmers, fire-eaters, and other sideshow performers appeared throughout the park. And, whoever is in charge of DLP's Halloween decorations needs to actually go to DL and get some real inspiration. Or, DLP could simply go back to what it used to do, for those pictures I remember looked amazing. Sure hope I am not similarly disappointed when I return in a few weeks for a DLP Christmas.