MNSSHP 2015 - Be Prepared For Chaos

[BigMommaMouse]

I believe the sarcasm works better with the photos, not merely copying the text.

Funny you say that, because I read it on you site first. As I was re-reading it, I was picturing the photos in my head.

 

[winterface]

We took the ferry from the parking lot to MK, Going to the party, the boat wasn't too crowded. First floor was full, 2nd floor only a handful of people.

Coming back, we also took the ferry. Boat was full, both first and 2nd floor. I saw tremendous bus lines and crowds, didn't get to see what the monorail situation was but I'm sure it was rough.

I did see the Poly Boat, it looked pretty good. Didn't see any big groups lined up.

Since folks are talking about staff checking wrist bands, I got checked quite a few times, but here is the kicker, I saw people get "caught" many many times, but they don't do anything about it. They just tell them that its a "private" party and then that person or family is free to go wander around.

Took about 30-40min to get a hot dog at Caseys corner, The line was wrapped all the way outside the doors. Gift shops were a mad house, a good tip if you want something and your in a group, only send 1 person into the store and tell them what you want. 1 person can navigate better than bringing in a large group.

 

[V2000]

I am going the 18th also. Here is a prediction: It will be a wonderful night that you will thoroughly enjoy. The crowds will not keep you from having an absolute blast. As for crowds, we should be careful not to judge the whole season of MNSSHP's based on opening night. I have been twice in the past and it was always a great night. Have fun and see you there!

Yeah, I'm going late October now matter what. I expect crowds. Maybe if I go with low expectations I'll be surprised. LOL. It's my first MNSSHP. I have been to the xmas party and enjoyed it so much. I can handle crowds as long as it is not too hot. I've been to Disney on New Years Eve when it's packed shoulder to shoulder and still managed to have a good time.

 

[jhaig]

I do hope they sort out the disaster from Tuesday night before the next party on Friday. Maybe the first party was a perfect storm of how not to run a special event.

But if ridiculous crowds continue, then there is a major problem that screams 'money grab'.

I will be extremely interested to see reviews from the next party on Friday night.....stay tuned.

 

[jhaig]

So people were being checked for party bands and then being allowed to stay anyway? SERIOUSLY? Wow, is there any CM training going on at all? I guess us poor fools that paid for a ticket are just going about it the wrong way.

 

[HyperPippi]

I really hope the CMs get more experienced at handling this and it gets smoothed out before we're there. It's what we're doing the very first night of my oldest son's wish trip. It will be his (and all of our) first experience at MK or at any WDW park. I hope it's not a madhouse. It's already going to be rough keeping everyone together when the oldest is 10 and the youngest is 3.

 

[tmoret]

Normally the first one is always busy with media and such there. Also having a main attraction ride go down doesnt help out either. We will be there next week on Tues. and will see. We love the party and try to go every year and never had any issues.

 

[mesaboy2]

Normally the first one is always busy with media and such there. Also having a main attraction ride go down doesnt help out either. We will be there next week on Tues. and will see. We love the party and try to go every year and never had any issues.

I don't recall the first party selling out before.

 

[Lehuaann]

I believe the sarcasm works better with the photos, not merely copying the text.

I read your reviews earlier via twitter and thoroughly enjoyed them - thank you

I don't recall the first party selling out before.

It seems like I read a post stating that approx 11k of 25k tickets were sold for the first party last year. That is quite a difference...

 

[godders]

I don't recall the first party selling out before.

Was the first party not a sell-out last year? Thought I'd read it selling out in the August (probably wrong though)

7DMT was down plus Pirates is out of commission at the moment and that is a great crowd swallower when it needs to be.

 

[Lehuaann]

The first party of 2014 was not sold-out. I found the post I was referring to - http://www.disboards.com/threads/mnsshp-2014-official-thread.3323704/page-2#post-52215917

DW, DD, and myself attended MNSSHP on first night, 9/1. It was AWESOME! They only sold 11,000 out of 25,000 tickets. So, the park seemed nearly empty at times. We walked right on so many rides and were allowed to stay on and ride again on several of them. We watched the second Boo To You parade that night, and it was spectacular! We unexpectedly ran into another DIS family in their costumes while waiting in line for Winnie the Pooh. Finfan's family were all "Mine!" seagulls from "Finding Nemo". They looked excellent! We were Cinderella in the pink dress the mice made (DW), Alice in Wonderland (DD), and Captain Jack Sparrow (myself). My own personal highlights of the evening were 1). Getting to meet and greet the Disney Captain Jack Sparrow while in my CJS costume, and 2). FINALLY getting the max score on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (dressed as CJS, nonetheless!). I got my ride photo of me as CJS, a photo of my score, the CMs held a "coronation" ceremony of sorts crowning me as a "Galactic Hero", and everyone in the gift store and getting off the ride sang Happy Birthday to me!!!! Couldn't have possibly asked for a better night at MNSSHP or a better 40th birthday trip to WDW!!!!

 

[JimmyV]

Normally the first one is always busy with media and such there.

A common misconception. The better comparison would be to see what the crowd was like at past parties closest in time to 9/15 for that year. I don't think "first" had as much to do with this year's crowd as the date did.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Was the first party not a sell-out last year? Thought I'd read it selling out in the August (probably wrong though)

7DMT was down plus Pirates is out of commission at the moment and that is a great crowd swallower when it needs to be.

I was there. The crowds were not huge because two rides were unavailable. Please believe me when I'm saying the crowds were horrendous. I've been to about ten mnsshp over the years, including several sold out parties. This Tuesdays party was ridiculous.

 

[shameless3]

So people were being checked for party bands and then being allowed to stay anyway? SERIOUSLY? Wow, is there any CM training going on at all? I guess us poor fools that paid for a ticket are just going about it the wrong way.

I just replied on the official post a few minutes ago and am reposting my response here as well...

1. Last year at a sold out MVMCP the cast members linked arms and we're stretched out across a walkway. You had to show a wristband to proceed further, they then slowly moved forward to they he where they met cast doing the same thing from tomorrowland, etc. This process basically forced non-party guests to the entrance where they had to exit. Even the stores and restrooms had someone near by to check bands. Im sure some got through, but nowhere near the amount last night. I was expecting the same process at thisnparty. Perhaps the cast was a new crew of college cast and had no idea what to do. I know it must be intimidating to be on your own in this sea of people trying to herd out the non-ticket guests.

 

[GOOFY D]

This was exactly my experience at MVMCP last November. It was PACKED and not enjoyable. Wait times for rides were longer then they were in the afternoon! Even at 10pm, ride lines were over 30min for all the major rides! Lines for characters were insane and it was 6-8 people deep for the parade so it was impossible to see anything at all. Like you, I will never again purchase a ticket for one of these parties. Everyone says they limit the tickets they sell, well it sounds like they're selling double the "limited" tickets they used to sell. I'm glad I checked it off my Disney bucket list, but never again!!

I agree. We went to MVMCP last November as well. It was our 4th or 5th MVMCP. They have gotten progressively more crowded each time. The first one we went to was magical and something my daughter still talks about. It truly was a special event with characters roaming around and we have video of her dancing with characters in Toon Town with very few people around. Now, it has become a very crowded event, almost to the point of not being enjoyable. Disney clearly has increased the tickets sold in order to cash in on these events.

 

[godders]

I was there. The crowds were not huge because two rides were unavailable. Please believe me when I'm saying the crowds were horrendous. I've been to about ten mnsshp over the years, including several sold out parties. This Tuesdays party was ridiculous.

I was there too but as I've said before for me personally it wasn't unmanageable.

I was simply making the point that had those rides been working (especially after POTCs long refurb), it could have perhaps helped a little with the crowds.

 

[afyoung]

Am I the only one who thinks it would be a great idea if they setup a viewing screen behind the Castle or maybe even simulcast this show to the Tomorrowland screen where the dance party is? Might alleviate some of the crowd in the Hub / Main Street area.[/
I watched it last night on youtube. My kids don't care to see it, my husband for sure doesn't want to see it. I think I am good now with the video, and will use that time to do something else the night we go. I like the idea of making it available elsewhwere though- there are plenty of places that would work.. Also, I kind of got the whole Villains Tonight (from DCL) feeling from it anyway.

 

[afyoung]

That's true. We were checked a couple times early on, but CM's looked overwhelmed and some were just looking at each other. Overheard one of them on her radio saying in a frantic tone "I just don't know what to do". That in itself may not mean much, but clearly MK was unprepared for this night.

This is what will cause them to stop letting the party attendees in at 4, and the day park visitors out at 7. This could lead to them closing the park at 4 or 5, and not letting anyone else in until 7 for the parties.

 

[Dentam]

This is what will cause them to stop letting the party attendees in at 4, and the day park visitors out at 7. This could lead to them closing the park at 4 or 5, and not letting anyone else in until 7 for the parties.

Not sure why on earth this isn't already being done now.

 

[afyoung]

Not sure why on earth this isn't already being done now.

I think it is money....get to the parks early (4pm) and have dinner before the party gets started= family of 4 spends about $50 on dinner x every family of 4 that has entered at 4pm. Stay until 7 and enjoy some last minute rides, grab a special Halloween party souvenir and a meal before the party gets started= family of 4 spends $80 on meal and special souvenirs before they leave at 7pm. Results? Mickey buys a new convertible and a beach house in Bora Bora, DISboarders complain about the crowds and Disney's greed then rush over to the website to order tickets for Christmas party. All of this of course spoken with slight sarcasm.