Anyone noticed everyone getting bands as MNSSHP?

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I have always thought that this was the way to go, but I realize that I am in the minority, and that this is not a popular opinion. Abuse of party attendees that didn't purchase tickets has been rampant at every MNSSHP we have ever attended, some years worse than others.

I don't buy party tickets. But I will go to MK on a party day. It ends up packed between 4 and 6, so we leave by 3:30. It would be nice if party goers come in later. But I know many party goers actually want in earlier.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Its up to Disney to decide who is suppose to pay for a ticket. Sounds like the night in question Disney decided to let everybody who wanted to attend to do so. Maybe ticket sales weren't high enough, and they wanted to keep people in the park spending at food and merchandise venues. I don't think there's anything in the terms of a ticket sale that prohibit that. You know, one of the things Disney often offers people who've had a bad experience, for one reason or another, is complimentary tickets. If this bothers you, maybe an alternative vacation destination would better suit you.

The OP never stated people were being offered free MNSSHP tickets because they had a "bad experience". He/She stated it appeared they were letting anyone and everyone into the party regardless of whether they purchased a ticket or not. We've been comp'd many things in WDW (popcorn, a free night at BWI, a free VIP tour) so pixie dusting and comping to make up for bad customer service doesn't bother me at all, but, again, that is not what the OP described. I was responding to the OP and why he/she might feel an injustice walking into a party for which they paid hundreds of $$ for and hearing others behind them simply walk in for free. Simply handing out wristbands indiscriminately to non-ticket holders does not sound like deliberate "pixie dusting" or "making up for something bad that happened". If what the OP is describing is actually going on, it sounds more like WDW does not have proper procedures in place to ensure only paid ticket holders are getting in, which is odd to me as they had a great system when we went to MVMCP last year and they typically escort non-ticket holders out of the park during party hours to ensure non-paying guests are not at the party. Is it within Disney's rights to let anyone in they see fit - of course! Is this going to leave a bad taste in the mouth of the paying guest - absolutely! I think that is what we are seeing here with the OP's post. I would simply suggest perhaps putting yourself in the OP's shoes and try to understand why he/she might be upset about spending hundreds of dollars on a party when it looked like they were letting anyone and everyone in for free.

 

[dmband]

Sounds familiar to many night time EMH back when you were suppose to show your room key. Many times people would just walk up and be handed a band, myself included (although I actually had a key), without ever showing if they had a key or not.
Lazy cm is all that really was

 

[focusondisney]

You really aren't getting the point. There is a difference between Disney actively making that decision through say Guest Relations making a guest happy who had a bad experience or to make someones trip more magical. What happened here was not that. I guarantee you there was not a decision made to let anyone and everyone who wanted to go get a band so that profits would go up. They make a ton more off the person paying almost 100 bucks to be there then letting everyone in for free who isn't going to actually spend a ton. This isn't Food and Wine where a large draw of the event is getting in to be able to pay to experience it. MNSSHP and MVMCP is about the parade and other "free" thinks like stage shows, candy, cookies, milk etc which Disney need the majority to be paying to experience or they'll end up not making any profit off the parties.

Would you mind explaining how you *know* this?

Well, for 1 thing, if they wanted to allow anyone & everyone to stay for the party, there would be no need for wrist bands at all. No need to show who belongs in the park after 7, who can access the attractions, restaurants & shops. No need to waste time & money with cast members putting bands on everyone.

 

[mgpan]

That over complicates it. No band= you can enjoy the park until 7 band means you can enjoy the park from the time you are let in the front (currently 4) until party end. It is easier to tell CMs this is the band color for tonight then to tell them 2 different band colors and what each one means and expect them to remember.

Doesn't overcomplicate at all. Use two different styles of bands. If we are worried about people enjoying the party without paying, we should be concerned about early entry enjoying and increasing crowds/waits for daytime non-party hours without paying. Just depends on your perspective and what you're trying to maximize/get for "free".

 

[mgpan]

If they did that there would have to be a hard shut down of MK at about 5pm every party day. I imagine the boards would implode if that happened for every MNSSHP and MVMCP.

So what? I'm already paying full price for a reduced operating day, and many times as party crowds arrive at 4, by shortly after 5 crowds have greatly increased anyway.

Additionally, when I attend for the day which normally starts at 9, they don't open at 6 a.m. to help alleviate the rope drop crowds. And they especially don't open 3 hours early for day guests with all attractions open/operating when they get there.

 

[Wdwfan2016]

You should have went straight into City Hall when you saw this occur. About a year ago we had the same experience as people were not being checked and they were giving wrist bands out like candy. People were joking that they got free tickets. We went to City Hall to let them know that a better system was needed. They ended up refunding our Halloween tickets, and no we didn't ask for a refund.

 

[Pluto80]

So, an update for you all. we arrived for the party at about 4.15 and it was very different. There were different gates for party and non party guests to go through. Areas were roped off for just party guests. Someone in front of us did not have a party ticket and was directed to the other area.

Was so pleased to see this! Faith restored

 

[maxiesmom]

So what? I'm already paying full price for a reduced operating day, and many times as party crowds arrive at 4, by shortly after 5 crowds have greatly increased anyway.

Additionally, when I attend for the day which normally starts at 9, they don't open at 6 a.m. to help alleviate the rope drop crowds. And they especially don't open 3 hours early for day guests with all attractions open/operating when they get there.

No they don't because park hours are up to Disney and nothing is every guaranteed. If you are not happy with the hours you can either A: Not go or B: Go and try and enjoy yourself. But realize that those extended hours you seem to covet are given when the parks are crazy busy, so there is still a trade off. Disney will never have extended park hours when the parks are quiet.

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

They were doing a good job on the 25th. My sister & I had our MB scanned twice prior to receiving our wristbands.

We saw several people going up to the CMs who had the wristbands prior to getting their MBs scanned. After they were, several were turned away & told to purchase tickets at the window for the event.

It was very secure & I believe the CMs did a wonderful job keeping the MNSSHP party goers apart from the non party goers.

 

[Iowamomof4]

You should have went straight into City Hall when you saw this occur. About a year ago we had the same experience as people were not being checked and they were giving wrist bands out like candy. People were joking that they got free tickets. We went to City Hall to let them know that a better system was needed. They ended up refunding our Halloween tickets, and no we didn't ask for a refund.

Thank you for sharing your experience! Ever since I started reading this thread, I wondered what we should do if we see something similar on our party night in December. Your solution sounds like the best one.

Also glad to see the procedure was more secure on a subsequent evening.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

So, an update for you all. we arrived for the party at about 4.15 and it was very different. There were different gates for party and non party guests to go through. Areas were roped off for just party guests. Someone in front of us did not have a party ticket and was directed to the other area.

Was so pleased to see this! Faith restored

Good! That's exactly how they did it at MVMCP last year and I thought it worked well. Glad to hear you had a better experience.

 

[Claudia1]

We thought the same thing on 10/18. It was packed but the CMs said is was only 3/4 sold. The hub and Main Street for the fireworks was shoulder-to-shoulder, more packed than a sold out party. We entred the far right turnstiles and was told we didn't need our bands scanned since the ticket was noted upon entry but others could have easily slipped in because it was crowded.

 

[Babs1975]

Very glad to hear tonight's party procedures at the gate were soundly in place. I wonder if they got many complaints and looked into it and tightened things up. I hope they did! On another related topic...does anyone know how many people is a sold out party night? I've wondered this since we attended the Christmas party on a sold out night 2 years ago. Just curious...

 

[Iowamomof4]

Very glad to hear tonight's party procedures at the gate were soundly in place. I wonder if they got many complaints and looked into it and tightened things up. I hope they did! On another related topic...does anyone know how many people is a sold out party night? I've wondered this since we attended the Christmas party on a sold out night 2 years ago. Just curious...

Disney doesn't disclose that information. Some have tried to guess, but no one knows for sure.