MNSSHP 2015 - Be Prepared For Chaos

[Disney Dynamite]

On Sunday, I sent Disney an email about the first party. Someone with Guest Experience Services responded to let me know that my email had been forwarded to her, and she would looked forward to addressing my comments and responding soon. I'm definitely eager to hear what they have to say. At least from other posts it sounds like they're acknowledging there were issues.

 

[jhaig]

Not sure where OP found their information at, but the normal thought on MNSSHP is that the first party and the party on Halloween itself are usually the most crowded. You wouldn't think the first party night would be but they get a great many locals who come for the first party.

The first party on Sept 1st last year was great. Not crowded at all.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I thought I remember some people saying that princes were out with princesses at MVMCP last year, even though they did not meet together for MNSSHP.

Yep. We met Flynn with Rapunzel and Prince Charming with Cinderella at MVMCP last year. Who knows what Disney will do this year, though I'm pretty sure I saw a casting notice for Princes awhile back, and I think I remember a post recently from someone who saw some princes (including Flynn) training in Epcot in the last couple of weeks. So I think that's a pretty good sign they'll be at MVMCP.

 

[lisathomps]

I've been following this thread closely as our party is coming up next week. There seems to be a trend in the "very crowded" vs "it was not that crowded" posts. If you are there for the halloween specific activities (Hocus Pocus, Hallowishes) that pretty much involve Main Street, it's "very crowded." Whereas if you were there to just do the rides, it seems people report that it was not bad nor too crowded.

So I guess it depends on what your plan of attack is. Now we are not going to MNSSHP to ride rides, we will ride Haunted Mansion because well, it's perfect for MNSSHP and it's all themed up and whatnot. But we are there for the rare Meet & Greets, Hocus Pocus, Boo to You parade, Hallowishes, party merch, treats, and trick or treating for candy. I've warned DH that we have to pick what is important to us and have a strategy, but be prepared to throw plans out the window based on reality. We plan on going before 4pm with our PH tickets, do a few things, get our bag and band and line up for Jack & Sally very early. We want to minimize wasting party time. We are then shifting our focus to Main Street activities for several hours until after the fireworks. Then we will go run around doing this and that, trick or treating as we go.

I know we will probably only get to if lucky do 3 meet & greets with our current plan, but we want to do a little of it all. So if a line is too long, we will move on. Our one big is Jack & Sally. We will sacrifice hours before party time, to save actual party time. Crazy that you have to do this, but I guess it's based on what you are willing to do to get to do more.

We too are going next weekend. Everything you said I can concur. Our kids are 3 & 4 and so our early line up will be for Donald and daisy then off to Pooh and friends. It's stressful knowing we may miss a good first parade spot to meet the characters we want to see. Fingers crossed that I am able to squeeze in 2 meet and greets and still enjoy the first parade.

 

[jhaig]

I think they have designed the party so you can't possibly do everything in one night. That's how they get you to buy another ticket for another night

 

[DopeyzGoofy]

If you have a very popular meet and greet you MUST not miss, please don't wait until after 11:15 p.m. to show up for the line... This happened on the 22nd at 7 Dwarfs, there was a couple with a young son who tried to show up around 11:15 p.m. and the line was already 45 minutes wait so they got upset because the line had already been cut off for the night. They claimed "other cast member told her it would only be 30 minutes wait" and couldn't understand why they'd not just let them in the line as it'd not be a big deal one more family or something like that. They argued with the CM for a long time before finally gave up and left. But then close to midnight, they were back making dirty looks to everyone and arguing with CMs more making claims like her son had wait all the day to meet 7 dwarfs blah blah so it was uncomfortable scene and having to see their rude dirty looks at all people who took pictures with 7 dwarfs. Unfortunately for them, they still did not get to get in the line and the meet ended right at midnight so CMs know how to cut the line off promptly. I will never understand this - they wasted most of the last hour of the party just standing and arguing there rather than be disappointed but go and do other fun things to enjoy the party.

 

[939913Noles]

Yep. We met Flynn with Rapunzel and Prince Charming with Cinderella at MVMCP last year. Who knows what Disney will do this year, though I'm pretty sure I saw a casting notice for Princes awhile back, and I think I remember a post recently from someone who saw some princes (including Flynn) training in Epcot in the last couple of weeks. So I think that's a pretty good sign they'll be at MVMCP.

Well that's promising and could make some little girls very happy. Thanks!

 

[VP037388]

When MNSSHP (or MVMCP) is sold out what is the crowd level rating? I have been Christmas Day/NYE to the parks when the crowd level was 10. Would you consider these parties, at capacity, a 10?

 

[siskaren]

When MNSSHP (or MVMCP) is sold out what is the crowd level rating? I have been Christmas Day/NYE to the parks when the crowd level was 10. Would you consider these parties, at capacity, a 10?

No, because they don't sell anywhere near enough tickets to reach capacity. Disney doesn't say how many tickets are sold for the parties, but from what I've read on other threads, it's estimated that they sell 25,000-35,000 tickets for parties. Disney also won't reveal what park capacity is, but I've read estimates of 75,000 to 100,000, so it would be nowhere near a 10. However, since a lot of the things that people attend parties for are centered around Main Street - parade, fireworks, stage shows, etc. - Main Street will often be packed, but ride lines are generally short, even at a sold out party, because most people don't make rides a priority at the parties.

 

[Disney Dynamite]

Did anyone else get a survey from Disney about MNSSHP? I wonder if these are sent out every year or if this is in response to all of the negative feedback.

Edited to add: One of the questions is what do you think about the possibility of offering FP+ during the party. Interesting....

 

[TLSnell1981]

We attended this week and had a great experience. The wait time for rides was short and the candy lines moved quickly (and the candy is GOOD this year)!

 

[jpeden]

Did anyone else get a survey from Disney about MNSSHP? I wonder if these are sent out every year or if this is in response to all of the negative feedback.

Edited to add: One of the questions is what do you think about the possibility of offering FP+ during the party. Interesting....

I got this survey. Mine auto populated the date I went (15th of September). If anyone else got one that DID NOT go on the 15th of September I'd be interested to know. I wonder if the survey is specific to that date or not.

I'm hoping I can get in touch with the Disney Rep that left me voicemail tomorrow. He was off today and yesterday but said he would be back to work on Saturday. I tried to call him back Wednesday but couldn't reach him.

 

[jhaig]

I got this survey. Mine auto populated the date I went (15th of September). If anyone else got one that DID NOT go on the 15th of September I'd be interested to know. I wonder if the survey is specific to that date or not.

I'm hoping I can get in touch with the Disney Rep that left me voicemail tomorrow. He was off today and yesterday but said he would be back to work on Saturday. I tried to call him back Wednesday but couldn't reach him.

I would love to do one of those surveys myself....

 

[lisathomps]

I think they have designed the party so you can't possibly do everything in one night. That's how they get you to buy another ticket for another night

Sure. Just take my credit card and have fun.

 

[mummabear]

If you have a very popular meet and greet you MUST not miss, please don't wait until after 11:15 p.m. to show up for the line... This happened on the 22nd at 7 Dwarfs, there was a couple with a young son who tried to show up around 11:15 p.m. and the line was already 45 minutes wait so they got upset because the line had already been cut off for the night. They claimed "other cast member told her it would only be 30 minutes wait" and couldn't understand why they'd not just let them in the line as it'd not be a big deal one more family or something like that. They argued with the CM for a long time before finally gave up and left. But then close to midnight, they were back making dirty looks to everyone and arguing with CMs more making claims like her son had wait all the day to meet 7 dwarfs blah blah so it was uncomfortable scene and having to see their rude dirty looks at all people who took pictures with 7 dwarfs. Unfortunately for them, they still did not get to get in the line and the meet ended right at midnight so CMs know how to cut the line off promptly. I will never understand this - they wasted most of the last hour of the party just standing and arguing there rather than be disappointed but go and do other fun things to enjoy the party.

TBH I dont understand why they cut off M&G's so early, with the rides you can enter a line 5 minutes before closing and still get to ride. I think they should have a sign advising if the M&G line will close earlier than the party ends.

Did anyone else get a survey from Disney about MNSSHP? I wonder if these are sent out every year or if this is in response to all of the negative feedback.

Edited to add: One of the questions is what do you think about the possibility of offering FP+ during the party. Interesting....

Yes please. I really wish they were treating the longer M&G like the did Anna and Elsa by providing a return time instead of people standing in line for 2+ hours.

 

[jhaig]

How are the crowds, lines, and CM's ejecting non-party goers tonight?

 

[Plaid Princess]

Yes, some ride times were pretty good (5 min for Space Mtn at 930pm and 10 min for Big Thunder). However, I noticed that the mine train was not running around 9 PM. As I walked by the back entrance, a cast member was escorting people off of the ride. Character lines were HUGE, many spilling out of the ropes, and parade viewing was difficult as the crowd in many places were 6-7 people deep. Candy lines for the first two hours were at least 100 people long. Example: at 730 pm the candy station at COP wound around the ride's walkway and stretched all the way past where the Monsters Dance party was taking place. Quite the time commitment for a handful of Tootsie Rolls. I didn't bother waiting for the second parade because we got out of there just before the fireworks started.

How is this different from every other party night? This sounds pretty typical; every time I've been to a party, special event lines are long, and ride lines are short. Doesn't matter if it's September or November.

 

[SureAsLiz]

How are the crowds, lines, and CM's ejecting non-party goers tonight?

No issues with non-party guests.

Weather was miserable and it rained most of the evening. Because of this, character sets were moved, shortened, or cancelled for lightning. When they were out, the lines were long. Everything up to Hallowishes was delayed (and I think the first stage show was cancelled), the last stage show was shortened. But the second parade went off without any problems. I was able to find a spot in Liberty Square 20 minutes before it started standing behind a sitting family (which is my preferred parade spot). I walked through the hub a few times and didn't find it too crowded at all. Obviously the stage show was busy, but that should be expected since it's a special offering at a special event. ToT lines weren't long at all (even if they look long, they move really quickly). The rides that were able to run in the weather had really long lines - space was at 50 when I went by about 10:30.

Because of the weather, it is hard to compare last night to another party night. The lightning really messed with everything.

 

[crostorfer]

TBH I dont understand why they cut off M&G's so early, with the rides you can enter a line 5 minutes before closing and still get to ride. I think they should have a sign advising if the M&G line will close earlier than the party ends.



Yes please. I really wish they were treating the longer M&G like the did Anna and Elsa by providing a return time instead of people standing in line for 2+ hours.

Is it because the character CM's are union and guaranteed to be off by midnight? I think they cut off the lines when they estimate that there are enough people in line that they will be totally done by the stroke of 12.

 

[crostorfer]

Did anyone else get a survey from Disney about MNSSHP? I wonder if these are sent out every year or if this is in response to all of the negative feedback.

Edited to add: One of the questions is what do you think about the possibility of offering FP+ during the party. Interesting....

I think that would guarantee that every party would sell out. I think that is a TERRIBLE idea.