MNSSHP 2015 - Be Prepared For Chaos

[mousehockey37]

Just sent Disney an email about the first party. This is what I told them (I would like to point out that before this night it had been an excellent trip with LOADS of pixie dust including a free BOG breakfast and a few free Anniversary desserts so there absolutely no issues except for the party):

Good Evening,

I just returned from a great five night trip to Walt Disney World. I was hoping that attending my first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party would have been the highlight of the trip. Unfortunately, it was not.

My wife and I had five day park-hoppers along with our party tickets and we arrived at the Magic Kingdom around 2:00PM this past Tuesday. Crowds were low and we were having a great time. As time got closer to the party, crowds picked up, but we (as most people did) expected them to dissipate as the party started. Unfortunately, they did not.

In the five hours we were at Magic Kingdom during the actual party, we were only able to meet two sets of Characters, and ride three rides due to the insane crowd levels. While I understand this party sold out the day of, it did not help that Cast Members did not enforce the party exit policies. Cast Members were NOT making guests leave that did not have wrist bands for the party, and it appeared as though Disney woefully understaffed this event as there were many cast members who looked dazed and confused at best due to the crowds. While I understand the party sold out day-of, it is impossible to believe that Disney was not aware that the party was close to selling out, and that there was not an alternative staffing plan in place in case the party was busier than anticipated. Combined with the large number of comp tickets given to bloggers and media, it made for an extremely crowded and uncomfortable event. On top of this, no announcements were made (that I heard) saying the park was closing due to the party, and that all guests without tickets would need to leave.

The fact that Disney did nothing to work to remove guests who did not pay for the party is extremely frustrating to myself and many other paying patrons. It is not fair that between the two of us, my wife and I paid $136.00 for a pair of tickets and $138.00 for two seats at the Dessert Party (so a total of $274.00 plus tax) when so many people were simply allowed to stay in the park and nothing was done about it. In fact, had it not been for the Dessert Party, I have no doubt we would not have been able to find adequate viewing spaces for the parade and fireworks. It took us almost thirty minutes to get from Frontierland to Tomorrowland to check-in for the Dessert Party.

To be completely honest, I feel deceived by Disney, as this event was billed as a limited, hard-ticket event. In reality, people were allowed to do as they please, with only those of us who actually followed the rules and paid for the party being punished. This has severely affected my view of not only special ticketed events, but of the Disney company as a whole. To charge guests for what is supposed to be a "limited hard-ticket experience" and then to not enforce the rules by allowing any park patrons who refuse to leave to stay at the party not only devalues the experience for those of us who spent our hard-earned money on the admission to the party, but shows a lack of disrespect to the patrons who did pay. Why should we continue to pay the exorbitant prices that the Walt Disney Company charges, when we know if we just argue enough with cast members and work to skirt the rules, Disney will concede and allow people to break the rules? It is a shame that those of us following and playing by the rules are punished under the system Disney has of non-enforcement.

To conclude this email, I am asking for a refund of the cost of my party tickets, as what was promised by Disney was in no way what was delivered.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you regarding my above comments.

I've emailed them for a refund too. Curious to see what will come of it. The reports from tonight are making me really sad though. Wish we could have gone a different night and enjoyed it more.

Anything dealing with asking for refunds of hard ticket events like this, should be done either over the phone or in person before you leave the party. Last year's debacle with the VSS and the early MNSSHP goers led to very long lines at City Hall and lots of refunds being given. Emailing is a noble concept, but I would kick it to a different level and actually communicate with someone verbally.

Also, these are the risks that you take when you go to the 1st event of anything. There will always be "bugs" that creep in and it takes an event or 2 to figure it out. I suppose the lateness of the starting of the parties this year isn't helping any either.

Tonight's 2nd party may not have sold out, but Universal's HHN and the F&W Fest kicked off tonight as well (I believe). So there were other draws in the area to pull people away.

ETA: As far as rides and character M&G's, you have to ultimately have a plan in place. The lines for the rare characters get EXTREMELY long in a short amount of time and if you don't opt for the dessert party package, you have to make plans on setting aside time to "camp out" for your viewing spot. It's just part of the party unfortunately and you are somewhat forced to prioritize what you want to do, even though the party is 5 hours long.

Here's our experience last year: Once the party started last year, we met Captain Jack (3rd people in line, he was our priority... we were in line for him at 6:30), then tried to find the Cadaver Dans but they weren't out yet, so we went to Main St. and found a spot on the curb and waited the hour or so until the 1st parade. After the parade, we moved with the masses towards the Hub and found a spot for Hallowishes. Saw the fireworks and spent probably about 20 minutes then getting to the Haunted Mansion. Rode that, came out to see the 2nd parade in Frontierland. Following the 2nd parade, we went back through Fantasyland, got something to eat at Cosmic Rays and on our way out, we got in the "20 minute" (actually 45) line to see Mickey. At 12:10 we wound up coming out of the Mickey M&G and that was our party. We saw 2 parades, fireworks, met 2 characters. We didn't go Trick or Treating and we watched/heard the Villain's Mix N Mingle from our spot on Main St. That's it. There's just simply not enough time to get to everything.

So your limited amount of activity during the night sounds just about on par with what most can get done, depending on how you plan it out.

 

[lugnut33]

Would you think stealing something that costs $80 is ok? You don't think that is a big deal, and if you were in a store paying for this $80 item you would be okay with the store doing nothing to stop other people just walking out without paying for that same item?



Great idea. I can understand why those without park tickets want to use all of their park hours and why shouldnt they. The trick is for Disney to time things so they are not getting into an hour long line 5 minutes before they are meant to be out of the park, and certainly doing something about them watching any parades,fireworks etc.

First, I was referring to the crowded conditions not being entirely caused by the stragglers. I'm not saying wrist bands shouldn't be checked, just that some people are blowing this out of proportion. And I could turn the tables and say you are stealing from the day guests by being in there before 7. Heck, some often nose guests have paid over $100 to be there.

 

[mummabear]

And I could turn the tables and say you are stealing from the day guests by being in there before 7

Nope, not even close. Their admission is valid for any day for the normal operating hours. They are choosing to use it on a day where the normal operating hours finish at 7pm. No one is taking anything from them. If they choose to stay on without purchasing a ticket for the specially ticketed event it is no different (although easier from a practical standpoint of how to do it) than me trying to sneak in at 9am having only purchased my party ticket, doing either one is theft of services.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

First, I was referring to the crowded conditions not being entirely caused by the stragglers. I'm not saying wrist bands shouldn't be checked, just that some people are blowing this out of proportion. And I could turn the tables and say you are stealing from the day guests by being in there before 7. Heck, some often nose guests have paid over $100 to be there.

How are you stealing when Disney lets you in...? In what definition in any logical conversation could that be considered stealing?

 

[LMP❤️Disney]

I remember reading it was crazy packed last year also. I'm glad we are skipping it in early October.

 

[jhaig]

So in general, what went right on Friday night to make it better than the disaster on Tuesday? Better enforcement of bands? Actually making announcements that there was a party at 7pm? More CM's?

I just can't understand why Tuesday was so awful. I mean, they KNEW there was a party right????The management wasn't prepared for it?

 

[jhaig]

Anything dealing with asking for refunds of hard ticket events like this, should be done either over the phone or in person before you leave the party. Last year's debacle with the VSS and the early MNSSHP goers led to very long lines at City Hall and lots of refunds being given. Emailing is a noble concept, but I would kick it to a different level .

Just like you, we had a plan. We have always had a plan when we come to a hard ticketed event like this. We got in line for Jack and Sally around 5pm and got to meet them early as we were third in line. After that, we got to meet exactly one other character. ONE. We managed to make it through four candy lines. We gave up on the parade since the crowd was almost ten deep in spots. We left before the fireworks because we literally could not move in some spots.

Should we have complained right then? Probably, but after the rotten night we already had, I was absolutely without a doubt NOT standing in another line that night just to complain. Believe me, I plan to kick it to another level this morning when I get in touch with Guest Relations and tell them how badly they dropped the ball on this first party.

 

[Jennasis]

They have a fixed amount of tickets they sell. I don't know the number off the top of my head, but there is a cap to the number of tickets sold for the hard ticket parties.



I discussed this last year. It's a concept but not one Disney will go for. That hour is tons of $$$ lost. Also, until 6:59 guests can and are able to get in line for rides, regular meet and greets, make ADR's, etc. The park is advertised as open until 7pm. So if you pay the admission price to get in that day to the MK, you have every right to be there until 7pm.

Eliminating people without tickets will always be tough. Late ADR's (which again, a regular guest is entitled to make one for 6:50/6:55pm) will always happen. People try and cheat the system, it's just the way people are. We had folks around us last year that tried to pull the "we didn't know" card and were promptly escorted out.

As far as party offerings, we had our wristbands at 4pm last year and we were able to get our POTC Kingdom card and I got my pumpkin box pin set at 4:30pm. They checked our bands to make sure that we were party guests before we were given anything though. BTW, a CM in the Emporium actually directed me back to Frontierland to get my pin set, so it's not like I just wandered in, I asked and was told where to go... 2.5 hours before the party started.

I'm not sure what that has to do with anything? I'm suggesting there be a one hour gap between the park close and the party start so there will be far fewer "stragglers" hanging around for that first parade or any dance parties or even just clogging up the streets. I assume anyone who gets to purchase party merch or get that SotMK card need to show their wristband to do so as it has been in the past regardless of what time it is....no change there.

 

[mousehockey37]

I'm not sure what that has to do with anything? I'm suggesting there be a one hour gap between the park close and the party start so there will be far fewer "stragglers" hanging around for that first parade or any dance parties or even just clogging up the streets. I assume anyone who gets to purchase party merch or get that SotMK card need to show their wristband to do so as it has been in the past regardless of what time it is....no change there.

There won't be a gap. Disney doesn't want to lose that revenue that is generated in that hour. Simple as that.

 

[leebee]

IIRC... I thought Disney used to close MK at 6pm on party nights, clear the park, and open at 7pm for party goers. I swear that's what happened when we went to our first MNSSHP, but that would have been in 2002, I think. I know they have changed this now, but that's how it used to be.

It really does annoy me that folks without party wristbands get to stay in MK during the party. Even if they don't go on the rides and can't buy the party-specific merchandise (which we don't usually purchase), they can see the parade and fireworks, which are a lot of what people are paying for when they attend these events. It makes me wonder if we should skip paying for tickets to MVMCP, just go to MK that day, and lie low until we can see the parade and fireworks**. It seems that this is what many are doing at MNSSHP, and Disney apparently doesn't seem to mind.

**ETA: I wouldn't really do this, but sometimes it's VERY frustrating to play by the rules and then see the cheaters benefiting from things I've worked/paid/waited for!

 

[mousehockey37]

IIRC... I thought Disney used to close MK at 6pm on party nights, clear the park, and open at 7pm for party goers. I swear that's what happened when we went to our first MNSSHP, but that would have been in 2002, I think.

It really does annoy me that folks without party wristbands get to stay in MK during the party. Even if they don't go on the rides and can't buy the party-specific merchandise (which we don't usually purchase), they can see the parade and fireworks, which are a lot of what people are paying for when they attend these events. It makes me wonder if we should skip paying for tickets to MVMCP, just go to MK that day, and lie low until we can see the parade and fireworks. It seems that this is what many are doing at MNSSHP, and Disney apparently doesn't seem to mind.

No. They don't close the park. Last year starting at 5:30 or 6pm, they had announcements blasting through the MK saying that the park was closing at 7 and if you didn't have a MNSSHP wristband to start finding your way out.

They do actively sweep for people that aren't paying party guests. Sadly, not all the squatters will be caught. Most times at the restaurants, they'll know if you're a party guest or not and they will have a CM there at the end of your meal to escort you out. We saw people that tried to go in the shops on Main St at 7 to avoid leaving and they shut all the doors and you had to show your party band to get into the Emporium and such.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you found the crowds so terrible you couldn't enjoy the party, you should have gone to Guests Services, asked for a refund, and left. Not stay, enjoyed the party, leave and then complain it was too crowded. Sounds a bit ridiculous.

 

[jhaig]

If you found the crowds so terrible you couldn't enjoy the party, you should have gone to Guests Services, asked for a refund, and left. Not stay, enjoyed the party, leave and then complain it was too crowded. Sounds a bit ridiculous.

And stand in yet another sweaty crowded line just to complain about it? Not a chance. I've e-mailed guest relations already, and we'll see what happens. Refund or not, they need to know how their paying guests feel about how poorly that party was handled.

 

[mousehockey37]

Just like you, we had a plan. We have always had a plan when we come to a hard ticketed event like this. We got in line for Jack and Sally around 5pm and got to meet them early as we were third in line. After that, we got to meet exactly one other character. ONE. We managed to make it through four candy lines. We gave up on the parade since the crowd was almost ten deep in spots. We left before the fireworks because we literally could not move in some spots.

Should we have complained right then? Probably, but after the rotten night we already had, I was absolutely without a doubt NOT standing in another line that night just to complain. Believe me, I plan to kick it to another level this morning when I get in touch with Guest Relations and tell them how badly they dropped the ball on this first party.

Sadly, it sounds like you got done about what you can get done at a party there. The hard thing to remember is that even though they only sell so many tickets for the event, people aren't there to ride the rides. The attention is focused on a small amount of rare characters, a special parade (that runs 2x in the event) and a special set of fireworks, as well as the trick or treating (all shoved into 5 hours). So you're taking all those people out of the stand-by lines for rides and putting them basically in the walking paths of the park.

So in general, what went right on Friday night to make it better than the disaster on Tuesday? Better enforcement of bands? Actually making announcements that there was a party at 7pm? More CM's?

I just can't understand why Tuesday was so awful. I mean, they KNEW there was a party right????The management wasn't prepared for it?

It was also the 1st party. The parties started late this year, like almost 2 weeks late. I agree that everything in place when it's a recurring annual event that you have everything ready to go, but it just isn't the case. There are very few options for fixing this. Letting Disney know (which you are doing) via feedback and just going to a later party at a different time of year.

 

[lomillerin]

This may be naive but doesn't every one stand along Main Street and the hub for fireworks. Why do you need to secure a viewing spot hours early if it is up in the sky. I understand that for a parade.
I am not asking this sarcastically. We are going on Oct 13 and I was planning on finding a spot to stand about 30 minutes before fireworks and then going over by Splash mountain to watch the parade. Would this work? We are not planning to meet any characters or get candy. We just want to ride with less lines and watch the fireworks and parade.

 

[MataHari22]

This may be naive but doesn't every one stand along Main Street and the hub for fireworks. Why do you need to secure a viewing spot hours early if it is up in the sky. I understand that for a parade.
I am not asking this sarcastically. We are going on Oct 12 and I was planning on finding a spot to stand about 30 minutes before fireworks and then going over by Splash mountain to watch the parade. Would this work? We are not planning to meet any characters or get candy. We just want to ride with less lines and watch the fireworks and parade.

People go early, because of that exact reason, everyone is pouring into the same area of the park and it gets packed. So packed, it's hard to navigate and try and find a spot out of the walkways that the cast members are trying to keep clear. Especially if your coming in "late" to the area. It gets shoulder to shoulder packed.... Now, I've not been this year yet, with the redesigned hub mostly open with the new FP+ areas in use, so I don't know if that makes for less chaos for Wishes or not.

 

[crostorfer]

This may be naive but doesn't every one stand along Main Street and the hub for fireworks. Why do you need to secure a viewing spot hours early if it is up in the sky. I understand that for a parade.
I am not asking this sarcastically. We are going on Oct 12 and I was planning on finding a spot to stand about 30 minutes before fireworks and then going over by Splash mountain to watch the parade. Would this work? We are not planning to meet any characters or get candy. We just want to ride with less lines and watch the fireworks and parade.

Is that Columbus Day? You may need to come up with a set touring plan, it will likely sell out and the park will be much more crowded than you anticipate. Frontierland may be 5-6 people deep for the 2nd parade.

Hallowishes is meant to be viewed in a panoramic manner in order to see the full show. Some viewing locations are much better than others, although you can technically see them from most angles in the park. Some vantage points have trees and buildings that obstruct your view, and you can miss the peripherals if you stand off to the side. That is why people lock down fireworks spots hours early, those are people that want to see the full show in all it's glory.

 

[crostorfer]

Double post

 

[lomillerin]

We are going on the 13th not 12th. Typo. That is the day after Columbus Day.

 

[Jennasis]

There won't be a gap. Disney doesn't want to lose that revenue that is generated in that hour. Simple as that.

What they should do and what they actually do aren't the same, clearly. We all know why they do what they do ($$).