Don't like the way they run the MNSSH

[fairytalelover]

We bought tickets and went for the first time to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween last October and were very dissapointed in regards to how the cast members just let the people who had not bought tickets stay in the park. We spent a lot of money for the event and expected that only those who paid would be allowed but that was not the case. Now we did notice later on in the night that CMs were checking to see if we had bracelets to get on rides but that did not happen right away and the worse part was the huge crowds trying to watch the stage shows in front of the castle. I looked around and noticed tons of people with no bracelet. I dont understand why Disney doesnt close the park and have all of the people leave then line up to come back in with a bracelet. This is what Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flaggs do for their Halloween events and it works just fine. Needless to say, because of this experience we have decided not to waste the money for MNSSH again. What's the point? Yeah sure, you cant get on the rides later in the night but that's fine with us. We can watch the parade and shows for free like everyone else then can just go to another park later in the evening. It's really a shame. We would be happy to buy tickets if we felt like it was a special deal....

 

[MataHari22]

Sorry that you didn't enjoy your night. I went last year on 10/28, which was a sold out party, I believe, and had a nice time. I guess I never paid attention to whether people had a bracelet or not. Was too busy riding the rides and doing my own thing. It was busier than I thought it'd be, but not bad at all.

 

[baler31]

We had the opposite experience and witnessed many people who had waited to watch the parade be escorted out. We also witnessed CM's checking wristbands for entry into each land. Very rarely did I see anyone without a party wristband.

Sorry, that was your experience but I assure you it is not the norm. We attend 3-4 parties every year and have never seen it as bad as your experience. They should always ask people to leave and escort them to the front.

 

[fairytalelover]

it was so crazy crowded when we went and once we found out that so many people are there without bracelets we were really dissapointed

 

[Missyrose]

You had a very unusual experience because every MNSSHP and MVMCP I've ever been to, the CMs have been lined up to check for wristbands as you crossed into each land and at the entrance to each attraction, restaurant and even the bathrooms.

 

[wdw4rfam]

We bought tickets and went for the first time to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween last October and were very dissapointed in regards to how the cast members just let the people who had not bought tickets stay in the park. We spent a lot of money for the event and expected that only those who paid would be allowed but that was not the case. Now we did notice later on in the night that CMs were checking to see if we had bracelets to get on rides but that did not happen right away and the worse part was the huge crowds trying to watch the stage shows in front of the castle. I looked around and noticed tons of people with no bracelet. I dont understand why Disney doesnt close the park and have all of the people leave then line up to come back in with a bracelet. This is what Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flaggs do for their Halloween events and it works just fine. Needless to say, because of this experience we have decided not to waste the money for MNSSH again. What's the point? Yeah sure, you cant get on the rides later in the night but that's fine with us. We can watch the parade and shows for free like everyone else then can just go to another park later in the evening. It's really a shame. We would be happy to buy tickets if we felt like it was a special deal....

Not true. I was sitting on a bench with my DD waiting for the rest if our party to get off BTMRR because they were sneaking in a last minute ride before we left because we didn't have tickets to the party ( actually had CM ADR at 7:30 so weren't planning on sneaking in either and already did the party the year before)A CM came up and basically started arguing that I had to leave because I had no bracelet. Even after I told him I was waiting for my family, he said I had to leave. I nicely told him he'd have to pick me up and move me, because I wasn't leaving without them. Lucky they didn't take long, but he escorted us all the way to the gate and it was only 7:05. I agree, if the party starts at 7:00, they should not advertise that they are opened until 7:00 to day guests because I would assume that we can ride at 6:45 without feeling like criminals. I had no intention on staying. But my point is I saw many road blocks where you couldn't get down the sidewalk until they checked your bracelet, so they do screen as well as possible. But agree there should be at least an hour gap between. But now halloween party ticket holders can go in at 4:00, so how would they do that.

 

[ELSA711]

Sorry that you didn't enjoy your night. I went last year on 10/28, which was a sold out party, I believe, and had a nice time. I guess I never paid attention to whether people had a bracelet or not. Was too busy riding the rides and doing my own thing. It was busier than I thought it'd be, but not bad at all.

I went that night too and they were definitely checking
Almost too much if u ask me

 

[texasroni75]

OP, what time of day were you talking about? If it was between 4pm and 7pm, then non-party visitors overlap with party ticket-holders. Regular guests don't have to leave the park until 7pm on party days.

 

[kiford]

We saw the same thing at MVMCP. I seem to recall a CM getting everyone waiting for the parade to wave their arms making it seem to the kids like they were just being friendly but they were obviously checking for wristbands as I could see them looking more closely at a couple of people to ensure that they had them.

 

[Lehuaann]

I went that night too and they were definitely checking
Almost too much if u ask me

We were also there on 10/28 and they were cracking down big time. The "crashers" I saw looked completely caught off guard and clueless...

 

[MataHari22]

I went that night too and they were definitely checking
Almost too much if u ask me

I really wasn't paying attention to them checking. I saw them stop and ask only a few people, and that's just because they were right around me that I even noticed. Did they ask to see your bands a lot? I only got stopped once, when I put on a sweater and I had my band covered by accident.

 

[POOHsie]

They checked me a lot before the parade started. At least 3 different CMs checked. They checked at the bathrooms next to City Hall (near the main gate). If you didn't have a party band, you didn't get to "go."

 

[mrsclark]

We went to two MNSSHPs last year and as soon as the clock struck seven, CMs were out in force everywhere checking for wrist bands and very clearly turning people towards the exits who did not have them.

 

[Chuckers]

Interesting.. because I went two nights last year.. a Thursday and a Friday (Thursday was AP night so it was EXTREMELY crowded.) I don't remember EVER having my wristband checked. But I never thought about non paying party guests being there either.

 

[senadler]

It has also been our experience that they have been checking for wristbands. I'm sure it takes them a while to get everyone out of the park, but I have definitely seen them advising people they needed to exit the park unless they have party tickets.

 

[nkereina]

Agreeing with the others... we've been to MNSSHP and MVMCP and both times we've seen plenty of CMs ushering people out and checking wristbands. Inevitably, I'm sure there are some shady people who manage to stay the whole night without being caught but it would be very few and far between.

That being said, Universal's system with Halloween Horror Nights seems to work well. The park closes at 6pm and people are somewhat aggressively ushered out. Those in the park that have tickets to that night's event are held in an area at the front of the park. Around 7pm when the park has cleared out, the people being held at the front are allowed back in and the gates open to those with tickets for the night. I suspect Disney doesn't adopt the same practice because they don't want to lose out on that revenue for 30-45 minutes. Plus, Universal almost has to do this because many of the scenes and houses aren't appropriate for children.

 

[Turn the Page]

At the risk of getting points and banned I just have to ask.....

Op, is there any part of your trip that DID go well?

 

[disneypofq05]

I went that night too and they were definitely checking
Almost too much if u ask me

I felt the same way. I had a long sleeve shirt on as part of my costume and can't tell you how many times I was asked to lift up my sleeve. I tried to leave the sleeve up but it kept falling down. They checked when we entered every land and while we were sitting on the curb waiting for the parade. I saw CMs asking people all night to see there bracelets and by 8:00-8:30 I hardly saw many people without them. We saw many people being escorted out while we were waiting for the parade to begin.

 

[BigHeroKen]

When we were there last October I frequently encountered CM's checking for wrist bands and escorting people to the front after the 7PM start time. If they were to kick everyone out then line everyone for the party up, they'd waste a lot of time. I think the way they do it is fine.

 

[bucky1023]

same here. Last party we went to CMs check when crossing into every land. I got tired of them asking to see bands so just pulled my long sleeved shirt under the band so they could see it or i could just wave. I have been in the past and feel like they have been cracking down more and more each year.