MNSSHP 2015 - Be Prepared For Chaos

[Lsdolphin]

I went to my first ever MNSSHP last night. I was with a group that included 2 CMs, so they led our group of 5 and we had a great time! I agree with someone else that it seems like some parts of the park would be really crowded and then another part would be empty. We happened across several very short character lines (we waited to meet Jafar for about 15 min, saw lines for Buzz and Lotso that looked quite short)...however, the Dwarfs line and line for Minnie/Daisy/Donald were excessively long. We walked by numerous big rides that showed wait times under 10 mins. We did rides from 5-7 and never had waits (but we did pick rides that weren't listing waits like IASW, Winnie the Pooh, LM, etc.). We all left with a full bag of candy, each, and most candy stops only took as long as it took to walk through the queue at a normal pace. We saw the first parade in Frontierland and only got there about 30 mins ahead of the parade, but had a few front row spots. We came out of Tomorrowland at the end of the castle projection show and stood right beside the control booth (I guess that's what it was?). This wasn't a good spot for the castle show but it was great for fireworks! We made our way to the front of the castle to watch the Hocus Pocus show and we were in the street right in front of the castle. That was probably the only time it felt super crowded. Overall, I really enjoyed my night, but part of that was probably because I didn't have any expectations about how it would go and it helped that I had the 2 CMs who knew how to time things and where the good candy spots typically were, as well.

Oh, and my wristband was on my left. I didn't realize people were being told they needed them on the right. I wear my magic band, bracelets, etc on my left, so that's the arm I gave them and the CM didn't say anything. I didn't have anyone specifically ask me for my band at any point, either.

So out if curiousity, where were the "good" candy spots...I thought they were all the same except the one by Space mountain that gives craisins.

 

[Carirae]

So out if curiousity, where were the "good" candy spots...I thought they were all the same except the one by Space mountain that gives craisins.

Mainly I meant they knew which ones typically had more than one candy stop - the trail behind Barnstormer, Tiki Room, etc. They had an idea about where the Werther's caramels would be (I can't remember where those definitely were...I think they were in Fantasyland). There were a few we stopped at that had been better stops in the past but weren't this time.

 

[lugnut33]

I don't think anyone, including myself, would be complaining if they went on a busy night. That really isn't the issue. The issue is the lack of enforcement of the exit policy for non party goers which made this a disaster. If the announcements were made as in years past to exit, if wrist bands were checked, if squatters were escorted out there wouldn't be a valid argument to be had. I feel that anyone that was there Tuesday has a right to ask for a refund because the party was a disaster due to Disney's inability to keep this an exclusive event. If the park wasn't full of non party goers, you chalk it up as bad timing for a party night.

And this is where I think you are wrong. I believe Dianey is selling more tickets and understaffing the park. That's what led to the problem in my opinion.

 

[kimieko]

And this is where I think you are wrong. I believe Dianey is selling more tickets and understaffing the park. That's what led to the problem in my opinion.

I'm not really sure what I Am wrong about. The 3 issues I listed have been confirmed by multiple party goers. The not checking bands and escorting people out is a result of not having enough staff or lack of staff training. I have no idea if Disney has changed the amount of tickets they sell for parties so I can't comment on that. I was just saying that people have a right to complain because of Disneys lack of enforcement of the rules, not just because it was a busy night.

 

[jpeden]

Yes. But staying the whole time and then deciding to complain once you have left is like cleaning your plate at a restaurant and then complaining the food was bad. It couldn't have been that bad. When you stay for the party, can't be bothered to complain about it at the time, and then complain once you are home, that sounds more like buyer's remorse than a flawed party.

You clearly were not there. First off, we extended our vacation a day to attend this event, so yes we were staying for the whole thing - on top of paying another $69/person for the dessert party (for which I don't want a refund - it was billed as advertised and worth the money).

The issue is the lack of enforcement by Disney regarding guests without party tickets, the almost embarrassing amount of under-staffing that occurred, the selling of party merchandise to non-party patrons, and the fact that they sold the party out to the general public and then STILL gave out a few hundred comp tickets without reducing the ticket availability to the general population.

I was not standing in another line to argue with a CM about how they dropped the ball. Also, I wasn't dealing with it at the resort - it was almost 1:00AM when we got back and my wife and I had a 7 hour drive ahead of us. On top of that, I was not going to take my frustration out on a resort concierege at 1:00AM. The correct channel for these complaints is Guest Communications, which is what I'm doing. Frankly, you don't really have a right to comment on the disaster that was the first party and second guess the multiple and consistent reports if you weren't there.

 

[mesaboy2]

Mainly I meant they knew which ones typically had more than one candy stop - the trail behind Barnstormer, Tiki Room, etc. They had an idea about where the Werther's caramels would be (I can't remember where those definitely were...I think they were in Fantasyland). There were a few we stopped at that had been better stops in the past but weren't this time.

In recent years they have been at Pinocchio's Village Haus next to IASW.

 

[jhaig]

You clearly were not there. First off, we extended our vacation a day to attend this event, so yes we were staying for the whole thing - on top of paying another $69/person for the dessert party (for which I don't want a refund - it was billed as advertised and worth the money).

The issue is the lack of enforcement by Disney regarding guests without party tickets, the almost embarrassing amount of under-staffing that occurred, the selling of party merchandise to non-party patrons, and the fact that they sold the party out to the general public and then STILL gave out a few hundred comp tickets without reducing the ticket availability to the general population.

I was not standing in another line to argue with a CM about how they dropped the ball. Also, I wasn't dealing with it at the resort - it was almost 1:00AM when we got back and my wife and I had a 7 hour drive ahead of us. On top of that, I was not going to take my frustration out on a resort concierege at 1:00AM. The correct channel for these complaints is Guest Communications, which is what I'm doing. Frankly, you don't really have a right to comment on the disaster that was the first party and second guess the multiple and consistent reports if you weren't there.

Nailed it right there...

 

[Aurora0427]

You clearly were not there. First off, we extended our vacation a day to attend this event, so yes we were staying for the whole thing - on top of paying another $69/person for the dessert party (for which I don't want a refund - it was billed as advertised and worth the money).

The issue is the lack of enforcement by Disney regarding guests without party tickets, the almost embarrassing amount of under-staffing that occurred, the selling of party merchandise to non-party patrons, and the fact that they sold the party out to the general public and then STILL gave out a few hundred comp tickets without reducing the ticket availability to the general population.

I was not standing in another line to argue with a CM about how they dropped the ball. Also, I wasn't dealing with it at the resort - it was almost 1:00AM when we got back and my wife and I had a 7 hour drive ahead of us. On top of that, I was not going to take my frustration out on a resort concierege at 1:00AM. The correct channel for these complaints is Guest Communications, which is what I'm doing. Frankly, you don't really have a right to comment on the disaster that was the first party and second guess the multiple and consistent reports if you weren't there.

Absolutely. Kind of hard to believe someone that wasn't even at the party would argue with you and accuse you of having buyers remorse. We would've stayed the entire time too, because we paid a lot of money for the tickets.

 

[JimmyV]

But staying the whole time and then deciding to complain once you have left is like cleaning your plate at a restaurant and then complaining the food was bad. It couldn't have been that bad.

That's a terrible analogy. Assuming that the food isn't out-and-out spoiled, you might very well eat your entire meal even if it is not up to the standard that you believe you should have gotten for the money you paid. And if the manager came over and asked how your meal was, you could tell him all the things that you thought could have been done better. If you don't eat your meal and instead ask for your money back, (which admittedly, is an option), all you are left with is your money back in your pocket, but you are still hungry and the dinner hour is closing on you. If you have an immediate alternative right in front of you, you might do that. But say that you are in a place where all the nearby restaurants are filled and you would have a 90 minute wait as a walk-in. Are you going to demand your money back and go hungry, or eat the meal that is in front of you even though you don't think that the steak on your plate is worth the $40 that you are paying for it? This is the situation with the party. You could try to squeeze as much fun out of it as you can even though you think that you have been greatly overcharged for what you are receiving....or you can wait in line for a refund while your family sits on a bench...(do they still have benches?), and then go back to your resort and sulk with no alternative entertainment available to you that night?

 

[jhaig]

Absolutely. Kind of hard to believe someone that wasn't even at the party would argue with you and accuse you of having buyers remorse. We would've stayed the entire time too, because we paid a lot of money for the tickets.

We would have stayed longer as well, but it was wall to wall people and just not enjoyable at all.

 

[Disneylover99]

I'm wondering if anyone who has emailed Disney with their concerns about the first party have heard back.

 

[jhaig]

I'm wondering if anyone who has emailed Disney with their concerns about the first party have heard back.

I emailed guest communications yesterday. Hope to hear from them soon. Their automated response said they should get back to me in three days.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I'm wondering if anyone who has emailed Disney with their concerns about the first party have heard back.

I just had a call. I posted a brief summary on the mnsshp official thread.

Just to clear it up, the disney phone rep said that disney was well aware of how bad they dropped the ball on clearing the parks for the first party.

So that should end that particular argument.

 

[SonicGuy]

We had the same experience at the Christmas party last year. It was our LAST of these. Was way too stressful for what it cost us to go.

 

[jpeden]

I expect I'll hear back from Disney tomorrow or Tuesday. I'll report back to this thread as soon as I've received a response. I'll be calling on Wednesday if I don't hear back by then.

 

[goofygal531]

So, where is the Craisins candy spot?

Last year, I got the most delicious Greek Yogurt covered dried cranberries.

Is the Werther's candy spot still near Pinocchio's?

 

[mandy200587]

So, where is the Craisins candy spot?

Last year, I got the most delicious Greek Yogurt covered dried cranberries.

Is the Werther's candy spot still near Pinocchio's?

Craisins near space mountain

Werthers next to little mermaid

 

[goofygal531]

Thank you!

 

[lisathomps]

Going with a candy location question: where are the "trail" trick or treat lines. Meaning where there are several candy stations in a row. I'll have my 3 & 4 year old so getting the most we can get in one run is more efficient for us. I know people said near barnstormer could be one (but where exactly? near the stroller parking b/w barnstormer and dumbo?) and people said maybe near the race cars (where? along the wall from race cars toward dumbo?) Thanks for any specifics on the lines and location for the start of the lines.

 

[mesaboy2]

Going with a candy location question: where are the "trail" trick or treat lines. Meaning where there are several candy stations in a row. I'll have my 3 & 4 year old so getting the most we can get in one run is more efficient for us. I know people said near barnstormer could be one (but where exactly? near the stroller parking b/w barnstormer and dumbo?) and people said maybe near the race cars (where? along the wall from race cars toward dumbo?) Thanks for any specifics on the lines and location for the start of the lines.

The trail you are describing starts at Barnstormer, passes on the back side of the Speedway (between it and the railroad), and exits by Space Mountain. That is the only trail I've heard of this year, the one at Splash is apparently no longer there.