Don't like the way they run the MNSSH

[Lynzer4]

When I went last year I was told when they put our wrist bands on to make sure it wasn't covered up so CMs could see it while in the park. They were looking but since the band was clearly visible they didn't really make a big show that they were checking.

Their are always going to be poeple that try to break the rules but you can't let them ruin your fun. We had a great time at the party and I can't wait to take my nephew this year!

 

[Postal68]

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....

Okay

 

[Chuckers]

When I went last year I was told when they put our wrist bands on to make sure it wasn't covered up so CMs could see it while in the park. They were looking but since the band was clearly visible they didn't really make a big show that they were checking.

This may be why I was never checked.. my friend and I clearly had our bands visible both nights.

 

[pooh4evr]

I agree with the OP, we had an awful time. Very crowded, lots of people without the wristbands watching the parades and fireworks. We tried the 2nd parade because I have always read it was less crowded- whoa not true for us. It was a sold out night too. Never again!

 

[minnie mum]

I must say that our experience was nothing like the OPs. I remember having my bracelet checked frequently, and many guests being escorted from the park in the first hour or so. But frankly, I was too busy enjoying myself to pay much attention to the presence or absense of bracelets on everybody else. However I do agree that the parties are too crowded. I wish (and I realize that this is Di$ney, so its futile) that they would limit ticket sales to a more manageable number of party guests.

 

[SPOERLX3]

You could have gone the night we were there....everything got rained out. Horrible storms moved in about 7:15. Heavy, flooding rains and horrible lightning. No parades, no outside character meet n greets, no outside trick or treating and everyone was miserable soaking wet. It was flooding so hard they shut everything down the party was canceled at 9:15. We waded in mid calf water to get to the buses Thank goodness Disney made it right. I figured that I was just out the money but as we were leaving they were telling everyone to take their party hard tickets to guest services or the concierge at their resort before the end of their trip. When I came back to guest services, I was offered a replacement date for our current trip. But since this was the last party during our trip time frame they offered us MNNSHP or MVMCP tickets for this year. I was so excited since we had planned a trip this year in November. MVMCP here we come!!!

 

[Tink415]

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.

First few years Disney used to line up party goers, clear out the park and then let party goers in the park. Talk about long lines! It works much better to have staggered arrival for party goers. I think they way they do it is fine!

 

[DebbieB]

First few years Disney used to line up party goers, clear out the park and then let party goers in the park. Talk about long lines! It works much better to have staggered arrival for party goers. I think they way they do it is fine!

That was even before bag checks. It would be impossible now to have everyone wait until 7:00 to get in and have to process everyone through bag check.

 

[MataHari22]

You could have gone the night we were there....everything got rained out. Horrible storms moved in about 7:15. Heavy, flooding rains and horrible lightning. No parades, no outside character meet n greets, no outside trick or treating and everyone was miserable soaking wet. It was flooding so hard they shut everything down the party was canceled at 9:15. We waded in mid calf water to get to the buses Thank goodness Disney made it right. I figured that I was just out the money but as we were leaving they were telling everyone to take their party hard tickets to guest services or the concierge at their resort before the end of their trip. When I came back to guest services, I was offered a replacement date for our current trip. But since this was the last party during our trip time frame they offered us MNNSHP or MVMCP tickets for this year. I was so excited since we had planned a trip this year in November. MVMCP here we come!!!

Ugh, that's a nightmare.

Hope you have fun at MVMCP! I'll be going to my first MVMCP in November.

 

[mousehockey37]

I was at the 2nd party last year. The amount of people being walked out was mind-boggling. I understand that the park is open until 7. It is clearly marked on everything and they make announcements starting around 6 throughout the park that the party starts in an hour (or less) and if you don't have a ticket, to start finding your way out. Some people try to be sneaky about staying during the party and book ADR's for 6:30-6:50 and then get to be in the party atmosphere, even though, I'm pretty sure that when they check in for their meal, they get told they're being met and escorted out (if anyone has experience with this, please, by all means, tell us how that went!).

Also, the day guests aren't stupid. Well, maybe. It's well known that for the parties that certain hard to meet characters are out, and day guests will jump in the lines for these M&G's. Some actually get away with being able to meet the character(s), others don't. Those experiences are for party only guests, not the general day crowd.

I've wondered why they couldn't shut down the park and open it back up, but as people say, Disney likes making money, and if the park is closed, then people aren't buying things, even thought there are 3 other parks and all the resorts and such on Disney property. I know I had a case of food poisoning one night at Kona and somehow got to the MK and as I survived Wishes, I made a bathroom tour on our way out. By the last bathroom past the teacups, we had CM's and managers herding us out (luckily my gf was explaining why she was waiting and they were ok with that). I say this to show that Disney CAN do this when needed and clear the park, but for the parties, they always find a way to let people slide or let people evade them and they are found later, much later.

Like the OP, I remember seeing guests being walked out before the first parade and even towards Hallowishes... That's totally unacceptable when it's an event that is a separate admission. EMH you can walk around whether you are a resort guest or not, you just can't ride any rides if you don't have the privilege. The party days should require something more than just the wristband and the punishment more strict should you be caught (paying for the party and still being shown out).

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Man I've had the opposite experience IMO they were the bracket nazis checking every time I explored or went to a ride or in line...YES I HAVE ONE!

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm pretty sure that when they check in for their meal, they get told they're being met and escorted out (if anyone has experience with this, please, by all means, tell us how that went!).

There have been countless threads/discussions about how stringent the CMs are about walking people to the exit after such ADRs. It's not being sneaky; it's like with all other timing stuff at Disney. If you're there at a time you're allowed to be there, you can do it. If you're in line just before park close, you can ride. They don't kick you out. So, if you have an ADR 20 minutes before the park closes *to you*, you can still have the ADR. And then *leave*.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

I found too they checked a lot, the 2 rides I went on they checked before they let me on (I was wearing long sleeves so my bracelet wasnt visable). I was checked at one trick or treat line, and randomly while watching the parade. It sounds like your night there really sucked though, when i went to mvcmp it felt the same way but it was obviously overbooked because i saw tons of bands on the people, maybe the same thing happened your night.

 

[Jen731]

Hmmm, well this makes me concerned being a non-ticket holder hoping to hit MK on two party nights. Am I going to be uncomfortable going on rides or walking around during that 6-7 pm time? We had hoped to stay til closing but if we are going to be made to feel like we are trespassing after 6, I will definitely rethink our plan.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

They make announcements at about 15 mins til 7 about park closing for special event, they dont start checking til after 7pm in my experience.

 

[Saimaeve]

We were checked often. It wasn't always obvious, but they definitely were keeping an eye on things. For some reason I had a hoodie on (I don't remember it raining that bad but it must have rained some) and they stopped me several times to check. There was one time I couldn't find it on my wrist because it had gotten tangled in my sleeve and there were 2 CMs waiting for me to show it.

Some people layer it with their magic band so at first glance you don't see it

I saw several people escorted out and several others checked. But I was having too much fun myself to stop and check everyone around me to make sure they weren't stealing fun and had a wristband on.

 

[Planogirl]

It was chilly the last time we went to MVMCP so pretty much everyone had jackets or sweatshirts on. I don't remember being checked anywhere besides at a few of the rides.

 

[jo-jo]

Hmmm, well this makes me concerned being a non-ticket holder hoping to hit MK on two party nights. Am I going to be uncomfortable going on rides or walking around during that 6-7 pm time? We had hoped to stay til closing but if we are going to be made to feel like we are trespassing after 6, I will definitely rethink our plan.

This is from a Christmas party, but same rules.....We didn't have party tickets, but rode right up to 7. I think we got off Buzz about 7:05 or so, but definitely after party time. We started heading toward the exit. We didn't have any issues, but another guest who may have been being escorted, tried to stop and take pictures of the stage show and an CM said "no stopping".

 

[larandtra1990]

Anytime we have gone, they checked bands consistently. At the entrance to different lands, at the ride entrances. They are pretty diligent about it.

 

[NJlauren]

Hmmm, well this makes me concerned being a non-ticket holder hoping to hit MK on two party nights. Am I going to be uncomfortable going on rides or walking around during that 6-7 pm time? We had hoped to stay til closing but if we are going to be made to feel like we are trespassing after 6, I will definitely rethink our plan.

We went to MK on a MNSSH (is that right? The Halloween party) but didn't have tickets. We started heading for the exit at 645. To be honest we didn't even think anything of it. No one was rude as we walked out, or anything like that. Granted we didn't try to push the limits but I didn't feel unwelcome at all.