Anyone going to the member bash tonight?

[vitani88]

I've been planning on going, but I'm honestly trying not to back out... I'm not sure it's going to be worth going to when only part of the park will be open! Any idea if there will be special merch for sale?

 

[graychef]

I'm interested to know how tonight's event went. I plan to be at the September 6 Safari Spectacular at Animal Kingdom. I hope it's enjoyable.

 

[RachaelA]

Kenny the Pirate just posted pictures.

 

[vitani88]

I'm interested to know how tonight's event went. I plan to be at the September 6 Safari Spectacular at Animal Kingdom. I hope it's enjoyable.

Well, I went, and I have to say it wasn't very impressive. I'm not upset that I went or anything, but I kind of expected more from the 25th DVC anniversary party. Cast members started checking wrist bands at 9pm, but the last time I walked by the Mine Train the line was still 40 minutes and I'm not sure if it got much shorter throughout the night. The refreshments were water and lemonade, bags of chips, and chocolate chip and sugar cookies. There were special character meet and greets if you enjoy that sort of thing, and there was a dance party in Tomorrowland. Other than that, there were fireworks at 11:30 but, having already seen Wishes, I ended up leaving just before that. I did have a good time and got to walk onto several rides. I also got my 25th anniversary buttons. Like I said, I just expected more. One thing that surprises me is that there was no merchandise for sale! That seems like a missed opportunity for sure because I know I would've bought something! I'm interested to see how much others enjoyed it.

 

[Mbm1014]

I read that all the items in the ice cream trucks were free and that there were many different characters out and interacting with guests for a long time! I wish I could have been there!!

 

[AllyBri]

We thought t was a lot of fun and the fireworks for the 25th were beyond wonderful.

 

[LBHouse]

Fireworks were fantastic. My kids danced for an hour with Mickey and Minnie. It was great

We had a hard time getting our wrist bands at resort but otherwise it was great

 

[arisdad]

We attended for the entire event. The fireworks were the among the best we have experienced. Only one store was open (emporium). We did not get any ice cream because we did not want to stand in the lines to get it. The cookies were fine. Some of the rides had pretty long wait times and others didn't. The character meet and greets seemed to have lengthy queues. Overall, I am glad we went and appreciate the opportunity. The transportation leaving was running quite efficiently.

 

[Amw1064]

We had a great time. I had gotten fast passes for Space, Thunder, and 7 dwarfs so we did those all before 9 and walked onto Haunted Mansion. Did a few character meets, Robin Hood and friends, Rapunzel & Flynn Rider and Tianna & Naveen also Baymax. Walked onto the carousel, Little Mermaid, Barnstormer, Dumbo, and Buzz. Waited a few for race cars and did space mountain again. Saw the fireworks and did the dance party. Had multiple trips to the free ice cream carts. I think it was a great evening.

 

[kristinebarboza]

Anyway to get the ride photos from the party last night

 

[stitch'sgirl]

If anyone is willing to share their fireworks pictures that would be great. My phone was acting up. I am glad they skimped on the food just to have those spectacular fireworks!

 

[Eyeeore]

BEST FIREWORKS EVER!!!!!

 

[mrsR123]

I surely wish I could have been there. The characters who were out, according to KtP's photos, were fantastic. I wouldn't have turned down free snacks either.

 

[HopperFan]

Just watched fireworks video after being told by folks there (including MK CM) that they were AWESOME! They felt like they had a few finales. I would be fine with seeing these every night and letting Wishes go.

 

[disneynutz]

If the event was truly free to attendees and not paid for with dues, then it sounds like a win.

Bill

 

[RachaelA]

Fireworks looked great! I love love love that they had music from so many movies and that it wasn't just the most popular or classic movies. It was a great range of so many animated movies.

 

[brertoad]

We ate at Columbia Harbor House before the park closed to regular guests. For the life of me I do not know why the lines at Peco's Bills are so LONG, didn't want to wait in line that long to get some grub.

The ice cream lines were only long in some places, people tend to congregate in crowds - if you walked 200 ft more in any direction - chances are you would have stumbled on a new spot with less people. I noticed the ice cream cart right across from Cosmic Ray's had a huge line, while the one over near the dance party had no one there. You just had to look for a cast member who is standing next to an ice cream cart. Got ice cream right next to Haunted Mansion exit, no wait.

The chips and cookie tables by the Carousel were packed right at 9:30 - 10:00, but over by Be Our Guest, not nearly as many.

The character photo ops were cool. I loved seeing King John, Friar Tuck, and Robin Hood. Also Darkwing Duck and Launchpad were over by Dumbo/Circus.

Rode the mine train for the first time ever, walked into line just before midnight and was on in less than 15 mins.

Saw the Cadaver Dans, a ghostly barber shop quartet, for the first time ever, that was worth the trip to me right there.

The fireworks were awesome. I've seen Wishes so many times, I think I know it by heart. This was something completely new.

 

[RedM94]

If the event was truly free to attendees and not paid for with dues, then it sounds like a win.

Bill

Just my opinion and personal thoughts on these events. When I bought direct in 2008, the price was a difficult pill to swallow, even with all of the incentives. However, for reasons of my own, I bought in.

I think these special events are awesome. Having done the Merry Mixer and other events in the past, I look forward to attending the event at the Animal Kingdome latte this year.

From a business standpoint, I look at the current "direct" pricing compared to when I bought in and can't help to think they need to continue to offer incentives like this to continue the sales momentum. I also can see an economic environment where these types of events are only available to those who purchase direct.

I could be totally wrong and way out in left field, but anything is possible.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Wow, those fireworks looked awesome! Wish we could have been there for that!

Our vacations coincide with the Water Park special, as well as an Animal Kingdom night. I'm looking forward to them both!

 

[granmanh603]

Well watched the fireworks video and it looked like any fireworks I have seen there nothing new and the music was music did not look like it even went with the fireworks show. But glad you all had fun. Glad I did not waste time going over. Will these be new fireworks at MK all year or just last night for 25? Maybe you just had to be there.