AP Party Tonight?

[Kyjin]

I realize many people weren't able to register, but is anyone else headed to the party tonight? Very curious as to what Disney has planned.

 

[disneyobsessed808]

Count me as one of the people who wasn't able to register. Still annoyed about that.

 

[figment_jii]

I wasn't able to register (and didn't even know about it), but it was a "private" viewing of Fantasmic to test out the upcoming new system (I asked a CM there and that is what she said they were doing). I saw them setting up a queue and check-in area along the Big Thunder Trail about 3:00 pm today.

 

[SMD]

Some of the old Disney Afternoon characters were out doing meet and greets.

 

[MissEllie]

Bleh- didn't realize they were doing anything tonight.

 

[5forMickey]

but it was a "private" viewing of Fantasmic to test out the upcoming new system (I asked a CM there and that is what she said they were doing). I saw them setting up a queue and check-in area along the Big Thunder Trail about 3:00 pm today.

Oh yeah!!!!! Hopefully someone who was there will come on and give us details.....

 

[amylew]

I went- it was very busy! The did a parade, fantasmic, and had quite a few characters out - launchpad & don karnage, Scrooge & darkwing, Pinocchio, Jiminy & Blue Fairy, Robin Hood gang, country bears, 3 little pigs, Pocahontas, John Smith & Meeko, princesses, villains, and I'm sure I'm forgetting some. I waited in line for the Disney afternoon characters from 8:30 to 10. They switched out every 30 minutes, so it was a crapshoot trying to time it so you saw the other group of characters. They handed out ornaments at the end of the night, which was nice. Not sure that I would do it again, but it was good to know what the event was like.

 

[Kyjin]

I'll post a report when I get home from class this afternoon. But I will say now that the Fantasmic! fastpass trial was a total disaster. (Also Maleficent's head didn't work in the show? Does that ever happen?) More details later.

 

[Disneyland 1951]

​

 

[Kyjin]

Alright, the party!

Checking In
I didn't arrive at the park till 7, but it wasn't that busy to check in and get wristbands. They had set up the ticket booths on the right side as you're walking to the entrances from Downtown Disney. CMs scanned your passport to make sure you were registered, then your received a blue wristband and a guidemap for the event. they were checking wristbands throughout the evening, especially at ride entrances and at all character meet & greets. Whole process took maybe five minutes.

Entertainment
After the usual fireworks the fun began at 8pm! Meet and greets started at 8:30, though at least a few were starting up right at 8pm. There was a "Wintertime Enchantment" thing in the main street area with three acts at 9, 10:15, and 11:30, though I never made it over there so I'm not sure what this was. There was a rock band in Tomorrowland with various showtimes (though I must admit, I found the vocalist to be rather weak compared to other rock bands in that area. Usually I really enjoy the bands!) The Christmas Fantasy Parade occurred at 9:30, and as mentioned, they ran a test of the Fantasmic fastpass system with a 10:30 show.

Fantasmic!
Tickets were distrubited by the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad exit starting at 8pm, limited to the first 5000 guests. You were given one of four different color-coded sections for the show, with the tickets stating to return to claim your spot between 9:30 and 10:15. Finding your color-coded section, however, was the biggest problem. I went over to the Rivers of America just before 10, and it was a mess. CMs didn't know where entrances were for each section, and it seemed like people were being told different things, with lots of circling around. There simply wasn't enough signage or lights to show people where to go, and the roping off system to try to help people into the areas just caused more traffic. It took awhile to find out where I could enter to get to the blue section, which ended up being by the Haunted Mansion. When I got over there, I had the choice of trying to walk over a couple hundred people to get closer to the river, ie passing through one section of people already sitting down to get to another, or heading towards the back without fighting through people. I took the latter, and ended up getting a fairly good spot twenty minutes before the show started. A ton of people were really pissed off however about all the miscommunication. (Lots of cursing about how bad the system was) The CM near my section was nearly in tears with so many people yelling at her. Things seemed to calm down once the show started, but looks like we had technical issues. Maleficent's dragon head never made it on, and the actors had to improvise with that, which made the show a bit awkward. Plus with Mark Twain not running, no characters on the boat either. Pretty disappointing. Really hoping they work the kinks out of the fastpass system soon.

Characters
Hands down, the highlight of the party. There were eight character spots with characters switching out every half hour or so. I didn't get to circle back to all of them to see all the variations but here are the ones I'm sure were out:
1) Pocahontas, Meeko, and John Smith; Clopain and Esmerelda
2) Three Little Pigs and the Big Bag Wolf; Horace and Clarabelle
3) Darkwing Duck and Scrooge; Launchpad and Don Karnage
4) Jiminy, Pinnochio, Gepeto, and Blue Fairy
5) Country Bears
6) Jasmine & Genie
7) Beauty and the Beast; Cinderella and Prince Charming; Fairy Godmother and the Three Mice
8) Stepmother and evil stepsisters; Frollo, Radcliffe, and Jafar
I managed to be walking by the Pocahontas group right at 8 and only waited five minutes for them. Also got pics with the Frollo villain group after a 35 minute wait. (Frollo was amazing! Still in shock I got to see him in the park) Photopass downloads for the night were free; I haven't seen my photos yet since we put them all on my friend's card.

Other Things
As far as I could tell all rides were running minus Toon Town with minimal waits. I had a 10 minute wait on Jingle Cruise and Indy, but skipped the others to walk around and see characters. The park didn't seem that crowded; unsure of how many people were able to attend. Most counter service places were closed, but some carts were open. At the end of the evening, all guests got a Disneyland ornament, either red or green.

Overall I really enjoyed the party; tons of fun! Really hoping they continue to do these parties next year and that more people from the board will be able to attend!

 

[wdwfan22]

Alright, the party!

Checking In
I didn't arrive at the park till 7, but it wasn't that busy to check in and get wristbands. They had set up the ticket booths on the right side as you're walking to the entrances from Downtown Disney. CMs scanned your passport to make sure you were registered, then your received a blue wristband and a guidemap for the event. they were checking wristbands throughout the evening, especially at ride entrances and at all character meet & greets. Whole process took maybe five minutes.

Entertainment
After the usual fireworks the fun began at 8pm! Meet and greets started at 8:30, though at least a few were starting up right at 8pm. There was a "Wintertime Enchantment" thing in the main street area with three acts at 9, 10:15, and 11:30, though I never made it over there so I'm not sure what this was. There was a rock band in Tomorrowland with various showtimes (though I must admit, I found the vocalist to be rather weak compared to other rock bands in that area. Usually I really enjoy the bands!) The Christmas Fantasy Parade occurred at 9:30, and as mentioned, they ran a test of the Fantasmic fastpass system with a 10:30 show.

Fantasmic!
Tickets were distrubited by the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad exit starting at 8pm, limited to the first 5000 guests. You were given one of four different color-coded sections for the show, with the tickets stating to return to claim your spot between 9:30 and 10:15. Finding your color-coded section, however, was the biggest problem. I went over to the Rivers of America just before 10, and it was a mess. CMs didn't know where entrances were for each section, and it seemed like people were being told different things, with lots of circling around. There simply wasn't enough signage or lights to show people where to go, and the roping off system to try to help people into the areas just caused more traffic. It took awhile to find out where I could enter to get to the blue section, which ended up being by the Haunted Mansion. When I got over there, I had the choice of trying to walk over a couple hundred people to get closer to the river, ie passing through one section of people already sitting down to get to another, or heading towards the back without fighting through people. I took the latter, and ended up getting a fairly good spot twenty minutes before the show started. A ton of people were really pissed off however about all the miscommunication. (Lots of cursing about how bad the system was) The CM near my section was nearly in tears with so many people yelling at her. Things seemed to calm down once the show started, but looks like we had technical issues. Maleficent's dragon head never made it on, and the actors had to improvise with that, which made the show a bit awkward. Plus with Mark Twain not running, no characters on the boat either. Pretty disappointing. Really hoping they work the kinks out of the fastpass system soon.

Characters
Hands down, the highlight of the party. There were eight character spots with characters switching out every half hour or so. I didn't get to circle back to all of them to see all the variations but here are the ones I'm sure were out:
1) Pocahontas, Meeko, and John Smith; Clopain and Esmerelda
2) Three Little Pigs and the Big Bag Wolf; Horace and Clarabelle
3) Darkwing Duck and Scrooge; Launchpad and Don Karnage
4) Jiminy, Pinnochio, Gepeto, and Blue Fairy
5) Country Bears
6) Jasmine & Genie
7) Beauty and the Beast; Cinderella and Prince Charming; Fairy Godmother and the Three Mice
8) Stepmother and evil stepsisters; Frollo, Radcliffe, and Jafar
I managed to be walking by the Pocahontas group right at 8 and only waited five minutes for them. Also got pics with the Frollo villain group after a 35 minute wait. (Frollo was amazing! Still in shock I got to see him in the park) Photopass downloads for the night were free; I haven't seen my photos yet since we put them all on my friend's card.

Other Things
As far as I could tell all rides were running minus Toon Town with minimal waits. I had a 10 minute wait on Jingle Cruise and Indy, but skipped the others to walk around and see characters. The park didn't seem that crowded; unsure of how many people were able to attend. Most counter service places were closed, but some carts were open. At the end of the evening, all guests got a Disneyland ornament, either red or green.

Overall I really enjoyed the party; tons of fun! Really hoping they continue to do these parties next year and that more people from the board will be able to attend!

Thanks so much for the report. Sounds like a mostly amazing night. I LOVE the picture of Darkwing. He has always been my son's fav Disney character, and I didn't know he was ever out. Although I know this was a special event, it still has me hopeful he might get to meet him one day.

Not looking forward to this Fantasmic setup. I get why they are doing it, I'm just not sure with the real estate they have that a fastpass system will work and accomplish what they want, i.e., not having people wait around the river for so long. I just wish they would put back the dessert party so I can have a seat and not fight that crowd.

 

[mjlum]

Thank you for the detailed report. I love the details of the event. We almost changed our trip dates but decided it wasn't doable on such short notice, so it's great to hear from others!