Aug 24th MNSSHP is Also Crowded

[OhhBother]

Where did you call to express your opinion?

I NEVER really complain about anything Disney and I actually find it funny how much these boards can get so overly grumpy. Like a prior poster said, no matter what, we have fun and that is true.

We have fun just being together and as a large family, even waiting in line can be fun. But this is the first year since 2012 that our party of 9 which ALWAYS planned our costumes months in advance and had a blast coordinating them, is not going. Last year no one even had the courtesy to let my 2 year old through to see the parade. It was so deep the kids just ate candy, in the shadow of 4 or 5 deep rows of gigantic adults, and saw nothing unless one of us rotated holding kids on our shoulders. I was so disappointed that I just couldn't rationalize shelling out the 1k for the party this year for everyone, especially since 2 of the kids just turned 10.

My complaint is that our last experience was so crowded that I have to sacrifice not going this year. What is the point if you can't even see the parade?

I respectfully disagree with one part of your post. Those "gigantic adults" got there earlier than you did and had just as much right as your children to see the parade. My DH and I are adults without kids. We stake out our spots as needed to ensure we can see the parade with an unobstructed view. We don't, then, give up those spots to children whose parents didn't arrive in time to get a spot. And, inevitably, we deal with the under-the-breath comments about how we should move so the children can see. Nope. Not happening. A child's happiness is a parent's responsibility, not mine.

 

[ohdanalee]

So you wanted "4 or 5 deep rows of gigantic adults" to allow your two year old to sit in front of them while you wouldn't be able to see your child? Typically the first row or two of parade watchers are already sitting along the rope fence so where would your child have gone? Just seems to be an uncomfortable situation all around. You should feel you get value when buying these expensive hard tickets (or any ticket for that matter) but don't take it out on other people who paid the same price as you to watch the parade and got a spot before you...
I hope you are able to go again in the future and all have a great time.

agreed. I wouldn't want a stranger's kid next to me, especially a toddler, with no parent in sight, especially if I had the foresight to stake out a parade spot ahead of time to be up front.

 

[jvalic33]

So you wanted "4 or 5 deep rows of gigantic adults" to allow your two year old to sit in front of them while you wouldn't be able to see your child? Typically the first row or two of parade watchers are already sitting along the rope fence so where would your child have gone? Just seems to be an uncomfortable situation all around. You should feel you get value when buying these expensive hard tickets (or any ticket for that matter) but don't take it out on other people who paid the same price as you to watch the parade and got a spot before you...
I hope you are able to go again in the future and all have a great time.

It wasn't initially that bad, first people were sitting down so we were okay, but then we got stuck behind some unusually pushy people (a large group of such) that just kept adding and adding to the mix. I'll give it that it was an odd situation, but they were very aggressive and I'm originally from NYC. I would have let my 2 year old go with my 10 year old 4 rows in front of me because my husband is massive and could still see her through the bodies, but it was just not even an option as parade time grew closer and somehow when they put up the ropes more people crowded together.

Whether you want to believe me or not, I have never been more than a row or two out for the parade and that was not even an option last year and we got there pretty early.

 

[OhhBother]

It wasn't initially that bad, first people were sitting down so we were okay, but then we got stuck behind some unusually pushy people (a large group of such) that just kept adding and adding to the mix. I'll give it that it was an odd situation, but they were very aggressive and I'm originally from NYC. I would have let my 2 year old go with my 10 year old 4 rows in front of me because my husband is massive and could still see her through the bodies, but it was just not even an option as parade time grew closer and somehow when they put up the ropes more people crowded together.

Whether you want to believe me or not, I have never been more than a row or two out for the parade and that was not even an option last year and we got there pretty early.

If you choose to go back at some point in the future and something like that happens, I'd recommend trying to find a different spot. I usually have better luck in Frontierland and Liberty Square. It's a more laid-back vibe of parade watchers than on Main Street (typically). However, we also sometimes watch the second parade in the flagpole area and generally find a spot pretty easily. The point being - it's a long parade route. If crowds are such that you can move from one location to another, I'd do that rather than staying around obnoxious people. The people right around you can have a big impact on your parade-viewing experience for sure!

 

[jvalic33]

If you choose to go back at some point in the future and something like that happens, I'd recommend trying to find a different spot. I usually have better luck in Frontierland and Liberty Square. It's a more laid-back vibe of parade watchers than on Main Street (typically). However, we also sometimes watch the second parade in the flagpole area and generally find a spot pretty easily. The point being - it's a long parade route. If crowds are such that you can move from one location to another, I'd do that rather than staying around obnoxious people. The people right around you can have a big impact on your parade-viewing experience for sure!

We have done Frontierland before and like it much better. We got kinda stuck this time, we were crossing over from Tomorrow land over to Frontierland, and it was earlier, the same time I would normally stake out my spot in Frontierland, and because of how much more crowded it was, we decided to just stay where we were in the center of the parade in front of the castle and were actually cornered in there as it was packed. I felt like I was on the subway in NYC during rush hour. It was pretty crazy and I just didn't plan accordingly based on prior party experiences being less crowded.

Also, the prior year, I tried a spot other than Frontierland and it was a little worse than 2016 as well, but last year I was really caught off guard.

Also, it's not about taking care of my child, my husband wouldn't hesitate to move behind another individual, even a grown up, who was shorter to give them a better view, but I guess that's just who he is/we are.

 

[Chelley00]

Also, it's not about taking care of my child, my husband wouldn't hesitate to move behind another individual, even a grown up, who was shorter to give them a better view, but I guess that's just who he is/we are.

I usually try to not comment on stuff like this, but this last sentence makes me upset.

I have one of those annoying "invisible illnesses" that causes all kinds of health issues you may not see. I sit as much as I can when we are Disney in between attractions because I get exhausted easily. So if I am seated for a parade, I'm not about to give up my seat to someone who didn't plan as far ahead as we do. We find a seat for parades way more than 30 minutes out. I've heard the mumbles. I've had people flat out call me rude because I refuse to move. I've had people physically shove their kids in front of me.

These are the same people who get peeved when I don't give up my seat on a bus. And who would probably complain if I finally give up and rent an ECV because I don't look sick and people will think I'm just being lazy and complain about what an inconvenience I am.

Please just remember that many people are seated for a reason and not just because they are rude or self absorbed. But I paid just as much to be there as you did, and I plan accordingly for my seat at the parade or my spot for fireworks.

I guess that's just who I am. Well, it's who I have to be..

 

[DisneyWishes14]

When you say ridiculously long, what does that mean? Did you wait in any of them? Just curious as to how long the actual wait was compared to the appearance.

Yes, we did the trick or treat lines very soon after they opened in Frontierland near Splash, Tom Sawyer Island raft area and Country Bears. We then walked through Adventureland to do PoTC but the line was all the way out the building almost to the Tiki Room. Since it had gotten bad reviews, we passed. Headed to Liberty Square and the line for candy at Hall of Presidents was out the door and winding and winding toward the snack area next door. Many people were commenting that they couldn’t believe that was a candy line. The line at Carousel of Progress was out the door, down the ramp and onto the walkway. Yes, compared to what we experienced at the first party last year, the lines were much, much longer.

During the party, I spoke to a woman who was also at the August 17 party and she said she thought Aug. 24 felt just as crowded as Aug. 17.

One observation I had as I waited while DS rode Splash right before the party started, is, at least at Splash, they limited the loading capacity on that ride. I assumed to cut down on staff needed to run that ride. That would, obviously, make wait times longer. Wait times were definitely longer than what we experienced at the first party last year.

We still enjoyed ourselves. We are mainly there for the parade and fireworks and did the terrace dessert party and that was fantastic. We also got plenty of candy in the lines we went through. I would still go again. It just was certainly more crowded than any other party I’ve gone to and I’ve been to two sold out parties in years past.

I think people just need to be prepared - it’s a night of waiting in lines: candy, characters, merchandise, rides - then waiting for shows and parades.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

We've always enjoyed the MNSSHP/MVMCP that we've gone to. Unfortunately the crowds do seem to grow every year. I don't expect the crowds to be what they were in the recession era. But they've gotten to the point that I just don't see the value that I once did. We went to a mid-week October party last year and it was a zoo. 20 minutes for candy, rides at close to normal times, and wall to wall people for parades. We left around 10pm mostly because we weren't having fun. I know everyone's perception is different on what's crowded or not, but we've done probably close to 10 parties in the last 10 years and the last few just don't compare to the first 6 or 7 we did.

 

[OneinThree]

I usually try to comment on stuff like this, but this last sentence makes me upset.

I have one of those annoying "invisible illnesses" that causes all kinds of health issues you may not see. I sit as much as I can when we are Disney in between attractions because I get exhausted easily. So if I am seated for a parade, I'm not about to give up my seat to someone who didn't plan as far ahead as we do. We find a seat for parades way more than 30 minutes out. I've heard the mumbles. I've had people flat out call me rude because I refuse to move. I've had people physically shove their kids in front of me.

These are the same people who get peeved when I don't give up my seat on a bus. And who would probably complain if I finally give up and rent an ECV because I don't look sick and people will think I'm just being lazy and complain about what an inconvenience I am.

Please just remember that many people are seated for a reason and not just because they are rude or self absorbed. But I paid just as much to be there as you did, and I plan accordingly for my seat at the parade or my spot for fireworks.

I guess that's just who I am. Well, it's who I have to be..

Really, what everyone should walk away with here is that anyone and everyone who pays for admission to a special event should be able to enjoy these things without being put in the position you describe.

 

[Hisgirl]

I've only been to two of the Halloween parties, 2016 and 2015 and we were shoulder to shoulder both times. I think that is just now the norm at disney unless you just happen to hit a bizarre freaky down time....which rarely happens anymore.

 

[ohdanalee]

Just putting this out there... we have no idea of the actual crowd levels unless Disney were to release numbers. Everything is anecdata and perception. My idea of "crowded" is in front of the castle during Happily Ever After in early July which is wall to wall people. Someone else's might be waiting longer than 20 minutes for a ride. I'm not going to the Halloween party until September 14th and will reserve judgement until then.

 

[beaprn]

Encapsulates the problem here. Just unaccebtable, particularly given the price tag.

Apparently not unacceptable to enough people because we are apparently in the minority ! I love Disney don’t get me wrong but not to the point of paying them to be miserable in a crowded event, not get to do much and saying I am having a grand time. If I enjoy this type of experience I can go shopping on Black Friday or Xmas eve for free LOL!

 

[OneinThree]

Just putting this out there... we have no idea of the actual crowd levels unless Disney were to release numbers. Everything is anecdata and perception. My idea of "crowded" is in front of the castle during Happily Ever After in early July which is wall to wall people. Someone else's might be waiting longer than 20 minutes for a ride. I'm not going to the Halloween party until September 14th and will reserve judgement until then.

There are people who visit constantly, in many cases for a living. They're typically in a position to know. Some of these also may have access to the very data you suggest is unavailable. We might just find out tomorrow.

 

[bwang123]

I think there are 2 different things going on.
1. More people are going to parties.
2. The capacity has been increased.

I’m only considering point 1- I don’t think the problem for most people is that sold out parties are crowded, I think most are disappointed that even the less than sold out nights are also crowded.
I don’t think that’s because capacity was increased (supported by the fact that only a few parties were sold out in years past), I think that it’s because more people are going.

I also think more people are going because they’ve heard it’s not the crowded- quite a paradox Disney has created.

I looked back at a site who tracks this and found that more than half of the parties sold out in 2013 and 2014.

 

[AntimonyER]

I have a feeling the lowest attendance party of the year to go to will be the Oct 5th date. $119 per ticket (when the night before is $30 less) MIGHT finally be enough to noticeable affect attendance.

 

[brockash]

It wasn't initially that bad, first people were sitting down so we were okay, but then we got stuck behind some unusually pushy people (a large group of such) that just kept adding and adding to the mix. I'll give it that it was an odd situation, but they were very aggressive and I'm originally from NYC. I would have let my 2 year old go with my 10 year old 4 rows in front of me because my husband is massive and could still see her through the bodies, but it was just not even an option as parade time grew closer and somehow when they put up the ropes more people crowded together.

Whether you want to believe me or not, I have never been more than a row or two out for the parade and that was not even an option last year and we got there pretty early.

So you wanted to push your kids rows in front of you and in front of others who were there before you??? Interesting feelings of entitlement... those ppl prioritized their night and missed out on certain things so they could have a good view of the parade...you didn't.

I agree that the parties have gotten more and more crowded and it's definitely an issue of a company being greedy, but there's no way I'd ever feel it'd be ok for my kids to try to squeeze in in front of others.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

I'm sitting here reading all these comments and just shaking my head. The way I see it, if you want to give up your spot for a child then that's great! If you don't want to give up your spot then that's okay too. Your ticket, your viewing spot, your vacation. No one should tell anyone else how to do Disney. Period. We are the ones that let kids in front of us to watch the parade with our kids. We always receive a warm "Thank you" from the parents. That's us. That's our choice. IF you choose not to do this then that's your choice and neither me or you is better than each other.

 

[hereforthechurros]

So not difficult to understand, but let's try this (1:43) :

Was there a follow up to this? I looked on Youtube but didn’t see it.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Was there a follow up to this? I looked on Youtube but didn’t see it.

The Unplugged broadcast was cancelled. In its place, there’s a 15 page discussion thread regarding the first MNSSHP here on TPAS.

 

[mckenk]

6:25 - What Pete says about about letting children in front of you.