MNSSHP 2015 - Be Prepared For Chaos

[hiroMYhero]

.

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.

Guests, who days after the event complained about the Villain party, received refunds. It was done at Guest Relations, in the resorts, and by phone. Explanations weren't necessary, the refunds were provided.

jhaig has every right to complain and ask to be compensated.

 

[jhaig]

They just need to know how many people had a rotten time because of their mismanagement, compensation or not. Anyone that was there should be able to have their opinion heard and, if Disney sees fit, have their money refunded.

 

[mousehockey37]

.

Guests, who days after the event complained about the Villain party, received refunds. It was done at Guest Relations, in the resorts, and by phone. Explanations weren't necessary, the refunds were provided.

jhaig has every right to complain and ask to be compensated.

Apples to oranges.

The VSS last year was a bait and switch on Disney's part as well as the mingle-less mix and mingle change. They added the event 1 week before the 1st party and it took away villains from the meet and greets, the issues with sweeping for guests and such exists at every party (some fail or succeed more than others).

 

[Dentam]

I'm pretty amazed by the people taking Disney's side on this. I was really looking forward to attending this party in the future but if changes aren't made to ensure that non-paying guests are out of the park once the party starts, I'll be spending my money elsewhere.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Apples to oranges.

The VSS last year was a bait and switch on Disney's part as well as the mingle-less mix and mingle change. They added the event 1 week before the 1st party and it took away villains from the meet and greets, the issues with sweeping for guests and such exists at every party (some fail or succeed more than others).

Villains weren't at the meet and mingle because of the Villain's Soirée which was a ticketed event within a ticketed event.

It doesn't matter which fruit, it's still negative guest experiences based on how Disney ran a hard-ticketed event.

 

[kimieko]

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.

 

[mousehockey37]

Villains weren't at the meet and mingle because of the Villain's Soirée which was a ticketed event within a ticketed event.

It doesn't matter which fruit, it's still negative guest experiences based on how Disney ran a hard-ticketed event.

Villain's did not meet after the stage show. They changed that fairly late. All the villains were in the show, but they took away the ability to meet with them after the shows. The Soiree had no effect on that. Dr. Facilier and Maleficent were the only 2 that were in both I believe...

 

[hiroMYhero]

Villain's did not meet after the stage show. They changed that fairly late. All the villains were in the show, but they took away the ability to meet with them after the shows. The Soiree had no effect on that. Dr. Facilier and Maleficent were the only 2 that were in both I believe...

The Villains party I referenced was the DHS Villain Disaster party. Refunds were readily handed out to anyone who had proof they entered DHS for the party.

 

[mousehockey37]

The Villains party I referenced was the DHS Villain Disaster party. Refunds were readily handed out to anyone who had proof they entered DHS for the party.

I'm referencing the MNSSHP (I don't know where the Villain's Unleashed came from). Refunds were given to those people as well at CS, resorts and over the phone for the first few events due to the sudden changes.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

What are we even talking about anymore...?

Who cares the merits of a refund. The party again in my opinion wasn't a ruiner, but I could understand how some had a bad time,

 

[Dentam]

What are we even talking about anymore...?

I was wondering the same thing!

 

[appleorchard]

This was my fourth party and by far the worst for crowds, CM organization, candy access, whatever. None of our bands were ever checked and I never saw anyone else's checked either. My son and daughter in law, who haven't been to Disney in 13 years, were with me. While I go enough to let it roll off my back for the most part, it had a strong negative impact on their trip. Since we've all been looking forward to this trip for a long time, it left a sour taste that will color their whole Disney "experience." Not earth shattering, definitely a first world problem, but it saddened and disappointed me nonetheless. I was in tears by the time we left, not for myself but because they came away with such a poor impression of Disney in general and the MK in particular.

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

I won't ever purchase a ticket to one of these parties. From the sounds of it, back in the day, the parties used to be a good splurge, but Disney's greed is becoming absurd.

We went to MVMCP in 2005. It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving which I believe back then was the first party of the season. It was wonderful. We had no problems finding great seats for the parade and fireworks, walked on to every ride all night, it was not crowded at all and was definitely worth the money. Ive always wanted to make it down for MNSSHP but I think I would stay away from both now.

 

[georgina]

I saw bands being checked while I was waiting in line to meet Pooh & friends at 7:00. People were being turned away from Fantasyland but I wasn't able to see where they went from there. I decided not to wait in line for any other characters, the line for Jack and Sally being 2 hours.

I don't think anyone should not go because of the first party issues. We went to MVMCP last year in med-December and had a great time. I enjoyed watching other people interact with Cruella.

 

[georgina]

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.

The Celebrate the Magic show at 9:45 before the fireworks is great. I went into the hub area during the end of the 9:20 Hocus Pocus Castle show Tuesday night and there were plenty of spots to stand to see the Celebrate the Magic and Fireworks. It was really packed by the stage area and I couldn't see any of the show there, but your plan would be fine for the fireworks. I remembered from previous trips that the fireworks are somewhat obstructed if you are too close to the castle. I found a spot in Frontierland for the second parade about 25 minutes before it started (rode BTMRR between the fireworks and parade). The Cadaver Dans were singing too. Any later and it would have been hard to find a spot to see the parade well.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

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.

I wasn't at the party this week, but I was at the Villains nightmare at DHS last year. Yes, I stayed for pretty much the whole thing. Yes, it really was that bad. And it wasn't buyer's remorse. It was definitely a flawed party (to put it nicely!)

We did stick around, hoping to get to do more, hoping things would get better and they never did. Crowds were like nothing I've ever seen. Lines were way too long for everything. Exclusive merchandise sold out early (to non-party goers). Impossible to get the special treats they were supposed to have. Character lines shut down at the beginning of the night. Etc., etc., etc.

Yes, we enjoyed the Oogie Boogie show and a couple other things. But overall had a really bad time--just stuck it out trying to make the best of it.

When I got home from vacation (a week later), I sent Disney an email explaining in detail the complaints I had. Explained what we did enjoy, but made it clear what we didn't. We did not ask for a refund, just stated that as much as we enjoy our vacations and will be back, we won't be attending any other hard ticket events if this is what they're like.

THEY called ME and OFFERED a full refund of our four tickets. So obviously, they don't think the refunds need to be done the night of the event!

 

[Carirae]

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.

 

[AGoofykindagirl]

I wasn't at the party this week, but I was at the Villains nightmare at DHS last year. Yes, I stayed for pretty much the whole thing. Yes, it really was that bad. And it wasn't buyer's remorse. It was definitely a flawed party (to put it nicely!)

We did stick around, hoping to get to do more, hoping things would get better and they never did. Crowds were like nothing I've ever seen. Lines were way too long for everything. Exclusive merchandise sold out early (to non-party goers). Impossible to get the special treats they were supposed to have. Character lines shut down at the beginning of the night. Etc., etc., etc.

Yes, we enjoyed the Oogie Boogie show and a couple other things. But overall had a really bad time--just stuck it out trying to make the best of it.

When I got home from vacation (a week later), I sent Disney an email explaining in detail the complaints I had. Explained what we did enjoy, but made it clear what we didn't. We did not ask for a refund, just stated that as much as we enjoy our vacations and will be back, we won't be attending any other hard ticket events if this is what they're like.

THEY called ME and OFFERED a full refund of our four tickets. So obviously, they don't think the refunds need to be done the night of the event!

Same for us- over 2 hours in line for the merchandise (& we're out of some items an hour before the party because they started selling at 3:30 & couldn't get lanyards for that party until 5, so you know they were not checking who bought). I emailed them on Tuesday (line at GS was very long) because the only thing we could actually do was Fantasmic. Did not have to ask for refund either. But I think I am more frustrated that the same sort of thing happened to us this past Tuesday. We have tickets for Oct 20, but if it is the same, I will voice my displeasure ASAP! And I won't plan for any further "special events".

 

[jhaig]

I was wondering the same thing!

I think it was about the well-oiled machinery that pulled off a flawless opening Halloween party. Or something like that.

 

[Dentam]

I think it was about the well-oiled machinery that pulled off a flawless opening Halloween party. Or something like that.

These boards have been cracking me up lately. So many people seem to believe Disney can do no wrong. If I were the company execs I'd be high fiving all around.