MNSSHP 2015 - Be Prepared For Chaos

[5Hfan]

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.

We went to the parties last year on the 12th and 14th of Sept. Neither were over crowded at all! We walked out from meeting Mickey with hardly a wait, and sat down right at curbside to watch the early parade in Town Square with no crowds at all. Wandered into the hub on the 14th as the fireworks were starting and had space to sit down (party of 5), and enjoy the fireworks like we never have. Those 2 parties were such great experience last year we are heading down for a single party night. They were that good! And now I am worried we are wasting time and money for what will be a bad experience (and bringing a first timer no less).

 

[JimmyV]

We went to the parties last year on the 12th and 14th of Sept. Neither were over crowded at all! We walked out from meeting Mickey with hardly a wait, and sat down right at curbside to watch the early parade in Town Square with no crowds at all. Wandered into the hub on the 14th as the fireworks were starting and had space to sit down (party of 5), and enjoy the fireworks like we never have. Those 2 parties were such great experience last year we are heading down for a single party night. They were that good! And now I am worried we are wasting time and money for what will be a bad experience (and bringing a first timer no less).

Thanks for the report!

 

[Dentam]

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.

But from what I've been hearing MANY people who did not pay for tickets to the party stayed and enjoyed it anyway. That is just not acceptable and Disney needs to do something about it.

 

[ArwenMarie]

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.

I think closing at 4 or 5 would really be pushing it for regular ticket holders during the day. It would probably make the other party-less days even more crowded.

 

[Dentam]

I think closing at 4 or 5 would really be pushing it for regular ticket holders during the day. It would probably make the other party-less days even more crowded.

There were two days during our trip last week that the MK closed early - granted at 7 not 5, but early - due to the Night of Joy events. There's really just no excuse for charging people a premium for a special event and then letting those who didn't pay a dime take part in said event.

 

[Belle0101]

How does Disney handle closing the parks for special events like Night of Joy?

 

[ArwenMarie]

There were two days during our trip last week that the MK closed early - granted at 7 not 5, but early - due to the Night of Joy events. There's really just no excuse for charging people a premium for a special event and then letting those who didn't pay a dime take part in said event.

I agree, those who didn't pay for a party ticket should be made to leave somehow. I just thinking moving the closing time for day customers to 4 or 5 pm is way too early

 

[wvaspartan]

I agree, those who didn't pay for a party ticket should be made to leave somehow. I just thinking moving the closing time for day customers to 4 or 5 pm is way too early

Not to take a side here since i know if I was a day customer I wouldn't be happy about a place closing at 5 but HHN at Universal closes the Studios at 5pm on HHN nights and they have done that for years.

 

[Dentam]

I agree, those who didn't pay for a party ticket should be made to leave somehow. I just thinking moving the closing time for day customers to 4 or 5 pm is way too early

Well, the AK closed at 5pm most days of our trip last week. If it's advertised in advance then people can plan ahead for the early closings. We just left the MK and hopped to another park on the nights it closed at 7 for Night of Joy. I don't know what their procedure was for those nights, but never heard of people staying who didn't have tickets.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I don't think Disney should consider changing a system that works based on one party.

 

[jhaig]

I don't think Disney should consider changing a system that works based on one party.

With respect, I disagree. When those who pay a premium price for a hard ticket event can't enjoy it because of overcrowding partially because of people who did not pay that are taking part as well, the system doesn't work and needs fixing.

Disney blew it on Tursday night and needs to get their act together. Too many tickets, not enough enforcement of ejecting squatters, not enough candy stations or CM's working them, very few villain meets, just for starters.

 

[crostorfer]

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.

Oh for the love of Pete...............

 

[ArwenMarie]

Not to take a side here since i know if I was a day customer I wouldn't be happy about a place closing at 5 but HHN at Universal closes the Studios at 5pm on HHN nights and they have done that for years.

I think the difference is MK is a true full-day park, morning to night, fireworks, castle show, parades. There is just so much more to do there than the other parks. So losing hours at MK is worse than losing hours at the other Disney parks or even USF. Making it less appealing to go to MK on party days will make the non-party days even more packed. I'm sure there is a reason they picked 7 as the kick out time.

 

[Hadley's Mom]

Way back in the day the park used to "close" at 6 and the party started at 7. Those were the days when it was cheap and not crowded at all! That was back when they had the Princess and Pirates party too.

 

[Dentam]

I think the difference is MK is a true full-day park, morning to night, fireworks, castle show, parades. There is just so much more to do there than the other parks. So losing hours at MK is worse than losing hours at the other Disney parks or even USF. Making it less appealing to go to MK on party days will make the non-party days even more packed. I'm sure there is a reason they picked 7 as the kick out time.

It doesn't seem to me that Disney cares much about crowd levels so I doubt they'd care if other days are busier due to closing the park earlier. Maybe they should just start the party later and keep the closing at 7pm though. I think Night of Joy started at 9pm but I'm not positive about that.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

With respect, I disagree. When those who pay a premium price for a hard ticket event can't enjoy it because of overcrowding partially because of people who did not pay that are taking part as well, the system doesn't work and needs fixing.

Disney blew it on Tursday night and needs to get their act together. Too many tickets, not enough enforcement of ejecting squatters, not enough candy stations or CM's working them, very few villain meets, just for starters.

The "system" I'm referring to is the wristband system rather than closing the park even earlier and then clearing it. That system has worked for years when it was actually enforced. My point is that they have a system that has worked.

The issue of overselling tickets, not offering enough party-exclusive events (like M&Gs) is completely different from clearing the park. I agree that all of that is completely unacceptable and needs to be changed. But the wristband system works when it is enforced and I just can't justify declaring it a failure after one party. That was my point.

 

[leebee]

(I haven't read all 13 pages and it's bedtime... sorry if this has already been asked)

How were the lines for attractions from 4-7, BEFORE the party started?

 

[dawgsgirl]

I have always thought they should have the parties at Hollywood Studios. MK needs to be open later for the full experience. And it is the most visited park. HS could be a great place for a party.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I have always thought they should have the parties at Hollywood Studios. MK needs to be open later for the full experience. And it is the most visited park. HS could be a great place for a party.

They already tried that with a free Villain Night and a hard-ticketed Villain Night at DHS. Both were disasters. Refunds were readily handed out after the ticketed party.

 

[jhaig]

The "system" I'm referring to is the wristband system rather than closing the park even earlier and then clearing it. That system has worked for years when it was actually enforced. My point is that they have a system that has worked.

The issue of overselling tickets, not offering enough party-exclusive events (like M&Gs) is completely different from clearing the park. I agree that all of that is completely unacceptable and needs to be changed. But the wristband system works when it is enforced and I just can't justify declaring it a failure after one party. That was my point.

Gotcha. I think everyone agrees that there is massive room for improvement all around. The CM's were outgunned from the start.