MNSSHP 2015 - Be Prepared For Chaos

[Disney Dynamite]

If you contacted guest communications about the Tuesday night party, have you heard back from Disney yet?

I haven't heard back from guest communications, but I'm sure they're getting swamped with complaints about the first party. I'm planning on following up with a call if I don't hear anything by next week. Disney has been doing these parties for years, and they should have been way more prepared than they were. There are no excuses, and as far as I'm concerned, they really dropped the ball on this one. I'll report back once I hear something.

 

[shameless3]

Bedbugs!!!! ICK!!!!

Where did you stay?

Split stay between Pop Century and Saratoga Springs - noticed the bites the morning I was leaving Saratoga (actually noticed them on the Magical Express).

 

[Sitterfam]

I haven't read all 23 pages but we were there for the 1st party night. It was chaotic and a bit of a nightmare. We've been to parties but never to a sold out party. I researched and saw that the first few parties are usually less crowded so that influenced our travel dates. We saw the parade (which is our all time favorite), missed Hallowishes but saw the fireworks sporadically as we were trying to work through the crowd. We did see the Hocus Pocus show kinda and from what we saw it was good. On our way out of the madness, I stopped by Town Hall. I was expecting NOTHING but wanted to give my feedback of overselling and my opinions (not that it matters much). To my surprise, they gave us free tickets to Friday nights party. Fridays party we didn't see the parade or Hocus Pocus again but saw Hallowishes and did the trick or treating. My kids also got to actually dance "sorta" next to a character at the dance party! HA! My kids aren't interested in standing in line anymore to meet characters since we've met most so we didn't even try. I think we're done going to the "special event" nights due to crowds but we appreciated Disney giving us another night.
The crowds all week at the parks were higher than we expected and what we're used to also.

 

[georgina]

So what can we take away from all this so far?

Don't schedule your vacation for a time when the 1st parties are occurring, whether it's MNSSHP or MVMCP and you won't have these problems by the later parties.

Thanks for the great advice! When I scheduled my trip last December I didn't think the first party would be so late in Sept. Disney has made it harder to change your plans, especially when booked with a discount (mine was a BB), so I'm not sure how we can expect to know that far ahead when the party schedule is.

 

[jhaig]

I haven't read all 23 pages but we were there for the 1st party night. It was chaotic and a bit of a nightmare. We've been to parties but never to a sold out party. I researched and saw that the first few parties are usually less crowded so that influenced our travel dates.

My research (as well as that of many Disney experts) also indicated that the first party on a Tuesday night should have been not very busy. Unfortunately, that didn't apply to this season's first party because Disney forgot to remove nonparty goers from the park, leaving it a crowded sweaty mess.

 

[Sitterfam]

My research (as well as that of many Disney experts) also indicated that the first party on a Tuesday night should have been not very busy. Unfortunately, that didn't apply to this season's first party because Disney forgot to remove nonparty goers from the park, leaving it a crowded sweaty mess.

We did see a lot with no party band on. I saw them checking but sadly people would rush right by the "checkers" in droves!

 

[goofyintoronto]

No, I sent them an email on Thursday, September 17 and have not heard back from them. On an unrelated note, I also have a claim in for bedbugs - so it was a fabulous trip for me

Bed bugs? Did you call the "front desk" about that while you were there? Im guessing not, since you said you didnt notice the bites til you got on the ME from saratoga springs. Disney takes bed bugs VERY seriously. I noticed a tiny bug in my bed once at CBR, they sent over a team within 1/2 hour! I was impressed! Turned out to be something else, not at all bed bugs. But it was reassuring knowing they take it serious and jump on the issue right away.

Anyway, about the mnsshp....I hope Disney gets their crap together soon. I'd be miffed if I saw a bunch of freeloaders in the parks...not fair to those who paid a pretty penny to attend.

 

[goofyintoronto]

There is NO excuse for this and I would have demanded a refund. Why should YOU pay for what others got for free.

And it's not like this is a "new" experience. They have been doing these parties for years!

They used to really clear the park. Party tickets were let in at 7 AFTER the park was cleared. If you had a day ticket and a party ticket you were taken to a special area of the park to wait between closing at 7.

But that cost them $$$ so they raised the ticket prices and quit clearing the park. The next year after I saw all the freeloaders at the Christmas Party I went into Guest Relations and LOUDLY complained until I go compensated and then have never returned!

They need to start doing that again! Clearly what theyre doing now is NOT working as freeloaders continue to get away with it.

 

[BigMommaMouse]

No, I sent them an email on Thursday, September 17 and have not heard back from them. On an unrelated note, I also have a claim in for bedbugs - so it was a fabulous trip for me

I saw that on the other thread. So sorry, that it turned out to be a crummy trip for you.

 

[Fastpassminus]

See I thought it was " crowded" but not insane crowded. I had reasonable expectations though. 1) ride a few rides 2) see Boo to You 3) See Hallowishes 4) Get some candy.

From 5-12 I got to ride Teacups, Dumbo, barnstormer. have dinner at CHH, ride Splash and BTMMR, 2 ToT stations, get an awesome spot in Frontierland for the parade ( less than 10 minutes before the horseman ) and then go on Space Mountain ( 2x) , See Castle show, See Hallowishes, go on TTA and Buzz and do the same ToT line 5 x in a row with no wait. We also stopped for some ice cream bars and shopping on the way out. It was INCREDIBLE Now I didn't care about characters so if I had I might have subbed them for some / all rides, but I really enjoyed the party even " sold out". I had been in 2009 when it was DEAD and I did the exact same amount of " stuff".

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

They need to start doing that again! Clearly what theyre doing now is NOT working as freeloaders continue to get away with it.

They won't. Greed wins over guest experience almost every time. Clearing the park cost money, not letting you in at 4 with a ticket meant you didn't spend as much, making people leave meant they didn't spend as much. They can't pass up a buck to help improve the guest experience anymore.

 

[glohoffman]

Ok I must be in the minority here. I haven't read the whole thread so maybe I am missing something that happened to some guests. We went to the first party and loved it .This was our first party so I admit I have nothing to compare to but we got a ton done and also had our bands checked multiple times . We met Jack and Sally, cruella, and tinkerbell ,rode splash twice as a walk on, saw the castle show twice, had front row parade seats near Casey's (waited an hour for those tho) and saw the horseman lift his pumpkin perfectly! and saw the fireworks as well .We did two candy stops that looked crazy busy but moved fast .I knew to stay away from mainstreet when I didn't need to be there, so maybe I didn't experience the chaos as first hand .Yes it was busy but I thought that's how they all were lol. The weather was perfect too...not too hot at all.Anyone want to compare the chaos to a park level? maybe I can get an idea what Everyone was experiencing. I def saw main street was crowded, but navigated it fine .

 

[Spoiledraf]

Recent posts about Sunday's party paint a much prettier picture. Hopefully tomorrow's (Tuesday) party will be sparse in crowds and allow for lots of rides. And treats!

 

[asianway]

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!

Contrary to what some uneducated posters said, that is exactly how it worked in 2002. And there was so much gridlock getting into the park all at 7, they changed to the current mix-in process.

 

[First timer]

I remember going to the Princess & Pirates party, my daughter was about 5 yrs old at the time - so 2005 or 2006.... it was such a great party. Entering the park and it was not crowded at all and very controlled. Based on this experience, we purchased tickets last year mid November for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and it was AWFUL! So crowded - they did not clear the park of those who did not purchase tickets to the party. It was so mobbed that several people passed out in the crowds. People were angry and there was pushing and shoving. Put my DH in a very bad mood. My daughter and I did our best to enjoy but never again will we participate in one of these events. As a matter of fact - after that experience and during that trip we did not go back to MK.

 

[mousehockey37]

Thanks for the great advice! When I scheduled my trip last December I didn't think the first party would be so late in Sept. Disney has made it harder to change your plans, especially when booked with a discount (mine was a BB), so I'm not sure how we can expect to know that far ahead when the party schedule is.

Doesn't take much to realize that they won't have a Halloween Party before Labor Day. They had it on Labor Day last year, but to each their own on how they plan.

 

[jhaig]

I know I've been ripping my party experience on Tuesday night, but it wasn't all bad. Our meet with Jack and Sally was great, and at least the candy was brand-name stuff.

Other than that, mostly horrendous.

 

[jhaig]

Funny how it takes just one bad experience to ruin something for good. We will not attend another Halloween or Christmas party the Disney has to offer.

 

[LCoulter]

I sent an email to Disney on Thursday, voicing my concern about purchasing MNSSHP tickets for mid-October and then hearing about all the guests that were without wristbands and watching the parade.

I just received a call from Disney. The CM said that they were a bit disorganized that evening but they did do a sweep after 8pm. I thanked her for calling because it was nice that they took the time to call someone that wasn't even actually at the party.

It sounds like the next party went smoother so hopefully the rest of the parties are better patrolled.

DH is now teasing me that I am on Disney speed dial.

 

[dawgsgirl]

Back in 2005 or 2006 we went to a Christmas party that was packed and had many people there without wristbands. I had a nice long talk with Disney complaining about it. Well, the next year they added a bunch of parties. I am always reminded to be careful what you complain about!