Attention all MNSSHPers

[FLPrincessMom]

You will be able to start riding the rides/eating at 4 when you enter. There just will be none of the party stuff until 7 (I guess). Last year in Adventure land they started Trick-or-Treating fairly early - around 6:40? I'm assuming that won't be happening until 7 now...

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I am amazed at the totally different responses people seem to be getting from CMs on this issue. Are we to assume that they really don't know what time they'll be closing on MNSSHP nights?

 

[Fairy_Tale_Bride]

Sounds great! Thank you! Thank you!

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't know who exactly you are referring to in the first bolded part, I was passing along the information exactly as I received from the phone call yesterday.

And yes, it is easy for you to say because you won't be the first group that gets to be the guinea pigs. But my family will so if I want to question what will occur, and yes, be concerned, I think I'm entitled to my opinion.

I'm not referring to anyone in particular. My point is this....there are different 'explanations' from Disney being reported here...my discussion with a CM from the 'executive' offices yesterday told me that they had a plan in place to clean out the non-ticket holding people....that everyone was not being herded into one land, and that the park was closing at 7. Someone else is reporting that their conversation, with a similar person, has yielded different info...park closing at 6, we are being herded into one land. That's my point. Obviously we have no idea who is correct...I'm assuming my phone call is pretty close to the mark since the official site for WDW still says the park is closing at 7.
Are you entitled to being concerned? Heck yeah!!! I was being a bit facetious when I said it was easy for me to not be so concerned since I wasn't going until the end of Oct. Of course I would be concerned if I were one of the MNSSHP guinea pigs!!! No doubt about it. I don't care how much money people have....the price of admission to this event is a lot of money. There is no way that those who have not paid the price of admission should be allowed to stay in the parks. My point in my post was that I am trusting Disney to do the right thing. Everyone seems to be in an uproar about how they are going to 'decorate' with people in the park...or how are they going to get all those other guests out so that we can enjoy what we paid for...all valid concerns. The only thing I can do is to trust Disney. I haven't been truly let down by them in the past. I'm sure that if they say they have a plan in place, they do. They really don't want us, here on the DIS, and other internet sites, telling everyone we can find, that Disney allowed a ton of non-paying guests to remain in the park, making it hard for those of us that paid big bucks to enjoy the party. They would rapidly find that fewer and fewer people would be buying those passes!!! Trust me when I tell you that they are more than a little aware of the scope of the DIS. When the young woman that I talked to asked me what internet sites I was talking about, I told her. Her response was...'Oh, the DIS...that one is really big and popular.' Yep..you got it sister!! Not that we are all powerful, but we do have some impact.
So....again, not trying to make anyone's concerns look small...far from it. But, there is only so much I can do about a situation. I can't make Disney change their policy for this year. I can only hope for the best. Hopefully, we'll all be posting about how wonderful the parties were, and how we were so concerned for no reason. Hope springs eternal I guess.

 

[lexmelinda]

Perhaps there is someone new in charge of these type of events or maybe it boils down to more $$$$.

Well, there it is in a nutshell. I, for one, don't believe Disney any complaints from previous party goers about being confined to one land an hour before the parties. I truly feel that someone did the math and figured out what they were losing to close the park for that hour X the number of parties per year. It all boils down to money. With Disney also changing the park hours so late in the game and people getting so many different answers from so, so many different Disney employees......I have NO confidence that Disney has a game plan on this one although I'm sure they'd like us to think that they do. I was really looking forward to MNSSHP but glad I haven't purchased tickets yet. I'll wait and see what comes of the party on 9/15. Good luck, 9/15ers!

 

[mapmakerj]

Well, Eric from Disney Executive Offices called me too! He said basically what he told the other poster. They will remind everyone entering the park that day about the park closing early for the party. He said that they will make several announcements in the late afternoon and at 6pm they will make a "time to head for the gate" announcement for non-party guests and begin sweeping the park from back to front and only those with wristbands will be allowed to stay. He said they are posting extra CM's on all walkways, in shops, attractions and restaurants. And they are also advising all CM's working vendor carts to check for wristbands. He assured me that they have been working on their plans for these changes for a while now and they feel they have a good game plan on how to handle it. He said emphatically that it will be a hard ticketed event and that anyone found without a band will be removed immediately. He also said that if I see someone without a band who might have tried some sneaky way to stay in the parks, that I should feel free to report them to the nearest CM. He said if I have any further concerns or questions I should feel free to call him back. I guess we shall see!

 

[mking624]

I'm not referring to anyone in particular. My point is this....there are different 'explanations' from Disney being reported here...my discussion with a CM from the 'executive' offices yesterday told me that they had a plan in place to clean out the non-ticket holding people....that everyone was not being herded into one land, and that the park was closing at 7. Someone else is reporting that their conversation, with a similar person, has yielded different info...park closing at 6, we are being herded into one land. That's my point. Obviously we have no idea who is correct...I'm assuming my phone call is pretty close to the mark since the official site for WDW still says the park is closing at 7.
Are you entitled to being concerned? Heck yeah!!! I was being a bit facetious when I said it was easy for me to not be so concerned since I wasn't going until the end of Oct. Of course I would be concerned if I were one of the MNSSHP guinea pigs!!! No doubt about it. I don't care how much money people have....the price of admission to this event is a lot of money. There is no way that those who have not paid the price of admission should be allowed to stay in the parks. My point in my post was that I am trusting Disney to do the right thing. Everyone seems to be in an uproar about how they are going to 'decorate' with people in the park...or how are they going to get all those other guests out so that we can enjoy what we paid for...all valid concerns. The only thing I can do is to trust Disney. I haven't been truly let down by them in the past. I'm sure that if they say they have a plan in place, they do. They really don't want us, here on the DIS, and other internet sites, telling everyone we can find, that Disney allowed a ton of non-paying guests to remain in the park, making it hard for those of us that paid big bucks to enjoy the party. They would rapidly find that fewer and fewer people would be buying those passes!!! Trust me when I tell you that they are more than a little aware of the scope of the DIS. When the young woman that I talked to asked me what internet sites I was talking about, I told her. Her response was...'Oh, the DIS...that one is really big and popular.' Yep..you got it sister!! Not that we are all powerful, but we do have some impact.
So....again, not trying to make anyone's concerns look small...far from it. But, there is only so much I can do about a situation. I can't make Disney change their policy for this year. I can only hope for the best. Hopefully, we'll all be posting about how wonderful the parties were, and how we were so concerned for no reason. Hope springs eternal I guess.

You pointed out a key thing...we're getting different explanations from Disney. That alone is causing concern because we don't know who to believe. CMs are saying a 6pm closing time and they're "shocked" that others are saying 7pm, some are saying "7pm" and are "shocked" that others are saying 6pm. That right there makes me doubt this supposed plan of theirs. If they can't even get their employees on the same page about what time the park closes, how the heck am I supposed to trust their word about this "great plan" that supposedly have in place?

Do they perhaps have a "plan" in place? Maybe. Will it be effective? Hmm..it'll be interesting to watch it play out. Day guests leaving, decorating the park, and starting the party all at the same time doesn't give much leeway in terms of effectiveness. And now we're being told that festivities won't start until all the day guests leave. Think about how long it can take for a park to empty at closing...about an hour or so. It'll be upsetting if we have to wait that long for festivities to start if the party hours began right at 7pm.

It IS a lot easier for you to trust them because you'll be well into October when you go. I'm going September 15th...the first party. I get the "joy" of being a guinea pig and watching all the mishaps. You'll get the luxury of being so far into October that it's likely they'll have worked out any kinks by that point. Yes, MUCH easier for you to trust their "plan" when you're in a more cushioned timeframe.

That said, these concerns are the reason why we have this thread in the first place...and why we're emailing them. We love Disney, but part of our trust also means we contact them when something bothers us with the hopes that they care enough about their guests to do the right thing. People are tentatively trusting them right now...but the trust will either be strengthened or broken once the first party attendees come back and report just how effective this "plan" is.

 

[madge]

That those with wristbands were going to be ushered to one set area, while CMs/security cleaned out the park of day guests. She said there would be some form of entertainment for the ticket holders, and then the party would begin. She also stated quite firmly that there would be no 'party' type entertainment on Main St. until the day guests were all out.

My next questions was "So during the time that CMs will be policing the crowds for those without wristbands, the rides in all the different areas of the park will be open?" and he said emphatically "yes, along with all the food/beverage locations."

those two statements don't exactly mesh in my head. maybe, in reality they will, but I can't see how it's going to work. ANd I really am skeptical that the day guest will start clearing the parks almost an hour before closing.

I had a thought about making announcements over the PA system. I'm guessing they'll be making them in some sort of festive way, like they do before wishes begins. I had always understood that they don't make announcements in the parks (for specific people) unless something really bad happened. Basically, you don't want to hear them calling for you at one of the parks.

 

[jenjersnap]

Well, Eric from Disney Executive Offices called me too! He said basically what he told the other poster. They will remind everyone entering the park that day about the park closing early for the party. He said that they will make several announcements in the late afternoon and at 6pm they will make a "time to head for the gate" announcement for non-party guests and begin sweeping the park from back to front and only those with wristbands will be allowed to stay. He said they are posting extra CM's on all walkways, in shops, attractions and restaurants. And they are also advising all CM's working vendor carts to check for wristbands. He assured me that they have been working on their plans for these changes for a while now and they feel they have a good game plan on how to handle it. He said emphatically that it will be a hard ticketed event and that anyone found without a band will be removed immediately. He also said that if I see someone without a band who might have tried some sneaky way to stay in the parks, that I should feel free to report them to the nearest CM. He said if I have any further concerns or questions I should feel free to call him back. I guess we shall see!

How can they list their official closing time as 7 p.m. and start sweeping people out at 6 p.m.? Can't day visitors just say, "Um, no, I am not leaving right now because your signage states that MK is open until 7 p.m."? Talk about false advertising! If I were not attending the party, I would be furious at being kicked out an hour earlier than I anticipated.

Sorry, but I truly feel that most CMs have been instructed to say whatever they think will make the person they are speaking with at that moment satisfied. I believe they have a plan and they know it's not going to be popular, i.e, they are closing at 7 pm and planning to make day visitors leave at 7 p.m., but it's in their best interest to keep info obscure and confusing because they hope, in the end, party goers won't have many complaints. I think we've made them acutely aware that they can't fumble these early parties. Well, that is my theory of the day at any rate, but I, of course, know nothing for sure.

 

[goofy4tink]

I truly do feel badly for those of you going early on! I thnk we all owe you guys a debt of gratitude for being the first ones down to try out the 'new plan' that's supposedly in place!
I just can't imagine Disney sweeping the parks starting at 6:00....if I were a day guest, that would really tick me off. Now, perhaps they are planning on something like this....over the PA system...."Hi there MK guests...please be aware that the MK will be closing promptly at 7:00 this evening for the halloween party. If you do not have your party wristband on, you will not be allowed to ride the rides or to make purchases. Please be ready to leave the park at 7:00. No one will be allowed to remain in the MK without a wristband. No wristband? We do have some tickets for tonights festivities still available. Please head to Guest Services to purchase your tickets for tonights party. Happy Halloween!!!"

Or something along those lines. If people are told that they have to leave, rather than be able to hop into a line, at 7:00, perhaps it will work. Just a thought.

 

[Amyrlin]

I had a telephone call yesterday. I was told that they close the park to non guests t 7 pm and will NOT be making any announcements to ask people to leave. The woman who called said that they would be closing each area in turn, starting at 6 pm and clearing them and then only letting guests with the wrist bands back into those areas. She did not seem to be able to say what was happening about Main Street.

She also claimed that this is what they had done the last few years, clearing one area at a time. I said I would keep an open mind to see how it went. She gave me her name and direct number for if I am unhappy.

 

[bazzanoid]

I don't have tickets for it, but i completely agree with all of the comments here - they should clear us non-event folk out of the park before it starts - i can agree with a 6pm park close to non-ticket holders completely, and wholeheartedly support it.

thinking back, it may be a recent change that prompted the new 7pm close for regular guests - i posted a few weeks back about a change in MK hours, extending from 6 to 7pm on a few nights as i was checking my itineraries - now i look at it, the changed nights are all the nights MNSSHP is scheduled for....

what the heck are Disney playing at?!?!?!!?

Oh, btw, have fun everyone! :

 

[ReallyFunMom]

I don't have tickets for it, but i completely agree with all of the comments here - they should clear us non-event folk out of the park before it starts - i can agree with a 6pm park close to non-ticket holders completely, and wholeheartedly support it.

thinking back, it may be a recent change that prompted the new 7pm close for regular guests - i posted a few weeks back about a change in MK hours, extending from 6 to 7pm on a few nights as i was checking my itineraries - now i look at it, the changed nights are all the nights MNSSHP is scheduled for....

what the heck are Disney playing at?!?!?!!?

Oh, btw, have fun everyone! :

Just a guess, but maybe they feel that DDP guests often want to eat between 6 & 7 on their TS credits so want to allow them dining time. This would be especially true in Sept when free dining has some complaining they can't get into restaurants, etc. I'm not mentioning MNSSP to the kids anymore. We planned on going but did not buy tickets. If the initial reports come back full of free loaders and extra crowds, we'll skip it. There's probably some other nice stuff we can do with that money.

 

[shyjade]

Well, Eric from Disney Executive Offices called me too! He said basically what he told the other poster. They will remind everyone entering the park that day about the park closing early for the party. He said that they will make several announcements in the late afternoon and at 6pm they will make a "time to head for the gate" announcement for non-party guests and begin sweeping the park from back to front and only those with wristbands will be allowed to stay. He said they are posting extra CM's on all walkways, in shops, attractions and restaurants. And they are also advising all CM's working vendor carts to check for wristbands. He assured me that they have been working on their plans for these changes for a while now and they feel they have a good game plan on how to handle it. He said emphatically that it will be a hard ticketed event and that anyone found without a band will be removed immediately. He also said that if I see someone without a band who might have tried some sneaky way to stay in the parks, that I should feel free to report them to the nearest CM. He said if I have any further concerns or questions I should feel free to call him back. I guess we shall see!

Eric called me yesterday too and basically said the same thing; that non ticket holders would not be allowed to ride the attractions, trick-or-treat, shop, purchase food/drinks, or enjoy the parade and fireworks. He said there would be a LOT of CM's positioned throughout the park who would be gathering up the non ticket holders and making them leave the park.

Anyone else thinking about bringing the CM's number along to MNSSHP in case things don't go as they promised? NOT that I expect "Eric" will be working on a Friday night, but if things don't go as planned doesn't he deserve a phone call (or several hundred) that night...not after we all return from our vacations?! No flames, just thinking aloud....

 

[diselderm]

Well I got a reply this morning to the email I posted a few pages back. Look how helpful my response was:

"Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

I can tell you how it was handled last year. Guest with tickets for
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party are all given a wrist band to
wear. They will be asked to go to a specific area(that has been cleared
of guest, usually an entire land area) until the other park guest have
been cleared(escorted)from the park.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact
us."

Perhaps I'm not sending to the correct place.

 

[macraven]

Eric called me yesterday too and basically said the same thing; that non ticket holders would not be allowed to ride the attractions, trick-or-treat, shop, purchase food/drinks, or enjoy the parade and fireworks. He said there would be a LOT of CM's positioned throughout the park who would be gathering up the non ticket holders and making them leave the park.

Anyone else thinking about bringing the CM's number along to MNSSHP in case things don't go as they promised? NOT that I expect "Eric" will be working on a Friday night, but if things don't go as planned doesn't he deserve a phone call (or several hundred) that night...not after we all return from our vacations?! No flames, just thinking aloud....

post the phone number................

 

[schlepsnort]

Ooo I like that idea of putting these Execs on my cell phone and calling from the party counting off all the non ticket holders in the park enjoying the 'private' parade and fireworks.

I got the Exec email today requesting my # to discuss this further. Funny, I had put our ressie # and PHONE NUMBER in our emails...So if they REALLY wanted to contact me then they already have my info.
I'm debating if it's worth talking to this woman.

I really hope this works out for the best and I still plan to go and enjoy it with my kids but believe you me this is definitely affecting the way I'll be spending my money at WDW in the future!

 

[shyjade]

Eric called me at my work number since it was listed in my signature at the bottom of my email, even though all other correspondence with Disney has had my home number listed. So it appears they are just responding off the emails and not pulling up our actual ressies when calling.

 

[allysmom1218]

I just got off the phone with a representative from WDW executive offices. She said that they would allow people to enter the park early for dinner reservations. She suggested that you have your ADR # with you incase there is a problem. She also said that they would make announcments asking all non party goers to head towards the exists before the party starts. She said they would have several CM stations that will be watching for non party goers and that they would be excourted out of the park. I have FAITH that WDW CM will do the right thing to make sure that the party is handled correctly. All I want to do is to take my DD to the party and have a good time. I have 14 days before we leave and now I just want to get everything ready and just wait to enjoy myself I hope everyone on the DIS BOARD would just allow WDW to handle the situation. I do believe that all of our Emails probrably DID make a difference, maybe it's time now to put the matter to rest. You can FLAME me if you want to, but I just want to quit worrying about this and just enjoy my upcoming trip considering that my Dh and myself have had to budget and plan for this trip. I do love WDW and I think everyone one this board does too.

 

[goofy4tink]

I just got off the phone with a representative from WDW executive offices. She said that they would allow people to enter the park early for dinner reservations. She suggested that you have your ADR # with you incase there is a problem. She also said that they would make announcments asking all non party goers to head towards the exists before the party starts. She said they would have several CM stations that will be watching for non party goers and that they would be excourted out of the park. I have FAITH that WDW CM will do the right thing to make sure that the party is handled correctly. All I want to do is to take my DD to the party and have a good time. I have 14 days before we leave and now I just want to get everything ready and just wait to enjoy myself I hope everyone on the DIS BOARD would just allow WDW to handle the situation. I do believe that all of our Emails probrably DID make a difference, maybe it's time now to put the matter to rest. You can FLAME me if you want to, but I just want to quit worrying about this and just enjoy my upcoming trip considering that my Dh and myself have had to budget and plan for this trip. I do love WDW and I think everyone one this board does too.

Hope you have a terrific trip!!! I'm sure this is all going to 'shake out' just fine. I'm with you....there's nothing more I can do, so I will just have to wait until I get there. So, here's hoping your trip is the best one possible and many magical things happen for you and your family!!!