MNSSHP 2015 - Be Prepared For Chaos

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Can I ask those of you that have attended the MNSSHP thus far......we attended last year and we were sent actual hard tickets. We are coming back in October and are attending the party again. The CM on the phone, whom I purchased the tickets from, said that we would not get actual HARD tickets this year, but they would be linked to our magic bands. When I log into MDE, I can see the party tickets for all 4 of us. My questions is this, have any of you received HARD tickets or is the magic band thing how they are doing it this year? I just don't want to have any issues when we get there. Thanks so much for your help.

We received hard, plastic tickets, and they are also linked to our magic bands

 

[hunthearin]

Went to the party on 9/22 - the crowds were huge until around 9 pm, then we found it to be pretty manageable.

 

[jhaig]

I plan to go back but i've learnt that going earlier doesn't mean getting merchandise so I can go nearer to halloween when I won't roast. I go though cause I like to dress up for halloween, if i went for the other perks i'd probably not return. Oct 1st they were already sold out of things because of how that first party went I had wanted a hocus pocus t-shirt my size was sold out and i was pretty much told tough luck. I wouldn't mind it being sold out because of legitamte sales but the pictures on twitter of non-band people grabbing up tons and then seeing them on ebay is upsetting.

Were these pictures on non-band people from the first party night? I was under the impression that the CM's were doing a better job of booting people without a party band by 7pm.

 

[kydisneyfans]

We attended the party on 10/6 and thought crowds were rather light. Everything we did was walk on, from space to buzz to Peter pan. We did have a 30 minute mine train wait around 6:00. We received a solid bag of candy each, without long waits and without hitting all the stations. I planned this week around 2 free crowd calendars and it has worked perfectly.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We received hard, plastic tickets, and they are also linked to our magic bands

I think I've asked this before, but when we ordered our tickets we selected email delivery. However, our email provider then wiped our email (for some as yet unexplained reason) and we don't have access to those tickets. The party tickets still show as linked to our magic bands so I'm assuming I won't have any problem getting in but wanted to see if anyone else used just a magic band to get their party tickets. Thanks

 

[kittyab]

We were there last night, I can say there were more people there than at the xmas party we attended in 2013. I noticed many rides were shut down. The parade & wishes was awesome though.

I wish they had a special spot for those with scooters, we had a few cranky scooter people encounters last night. We went to watch the fire works and a couple were screaming at me and my DD because we were blocking their view. It was dark and we didn't see them. We moved over but someone else did the same and they yelled at them too.

 

[kittyab]

We had our tickets emailed to us, and I printed them off months ago. No issues. I had a lady complain to me that no one told her where to get her wrist band for the party. I guess she she never thought to ask a CM?

 

[jhaig]

I think I've asked this before, but when we ordered our tickets we selected email delivery. However, our email provider then wiped our email (for some as yet unexplained reason) and we don't have access to those tickets. The party tickets still show as linked to our magic bands so I'm assuming I won't have any problem getting in but wanted to see if anyone else used just a magic band to get their party tickets. Thanks

I believe that as long as your tickets are linked to your band and are on your MDE account you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

Were these pictures on non-band people from the first party night? I was under the impression that the CM's were doing a better job of booting people without a party band by 7pm.

I was referring to first night, they were still behind on merchandise from that when I went.

 

[GatorMama]

I think I've asked this before, but when we ordered our tickets we selected email delivery. However, our email provider then wiped our email (for some as yet unexplained reason) and we don't have access to those tickets. The party tickets still show as linked to our magic bands so I'm assuming I won't have any problem getting in but wanted to see if anyone else used just a magic band to get their party tickets. Thanks

We purchased at the ticket window and were not given hard tickets and got in just fine.

 

[kittyab]

We had dinner at Pesco Bill's and grabbed a spot right in front After the parade we trick & treated till the castle show time.

 

[MataHari22]

The only character we *have* to meet is Captain Jack, but I've heard that he often comes out late? Anyone know how long the line has been, and do you have any tips on the best time to meet him? Thanks!

Last year, I met Captain Jack, after the second parade, with barely any wait. I went on 10/28/14, which was a sold out night.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We had dinner at Pesco Bill's and grabbed a spot right in front After the parade we trick & treated till the castle show time.

Did you have the new menu (fajitas, etc.)? If so, how was it?

 

[kittyab]

Did you have the new menu (fajitas, etc.)? If so, how was it?

I had the salad, dh had the burrito. We enjoyed it. My dd's meal was the quesadillas, her portion was really small. Good location, good for adults, dd liked her meal but I had to share mine with her since her plate was so small.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

I ate their new menu when i was there too. The child's quesadillas were quite smaller then i expected.

 

[lisathomps]

MNSSHP Trip report from 10/4 party night

5:30pm: Arrived at MK entrance. Cast member confirmed that our linked party tickets automatically showed up using band at the turnstile. I had a hard copy just in case.
Received our Halloween party band (placed on right wrist).
Received treat bag. (I wish this bag was a good souvenir it was just a cheap promotional bag for the release of the Aladdin movie. Could have at least been Halloween themed IMO)
Walked under train station and followed Main Street down to Pooh and Friends meet and greet. (this was a priority for us)

Main street was crowded with both non-party and party-goers. A lot of people were waiting for the last parade of the day but it got cancelled for a light rain that happened an hour prior so then things started to empty.

5:45pm: Yes, ambitious I know, but we lined up for Pooh. From 5:45pm - 6:40pm we sat at the base of the line while others passed us to meet Pooh and Friends without costumes on. The cast member was SO SWEET!! She knew we were waiting for costumed Pooh and Friends so she let me know around 6:45pm that we could walk up to the front of the line where she put up a rope. (ending the without costume meet and greet). During our wait my husband and I traded off doing things with the kids. We rode tea cups, bought Mickey pretzels and snacks, rode Winnie the Pooh ride, and played in the Pooh tree house. This was more than enough time to kill while we waited.

7:18pm: FINALLY Pooh and friends begins walking over to the meet and greet area but wait....WITHOUT Eeyore!!!! OMG I thought I would cry but I wasn't complaining too much bc I got a great video of my 3 & 4 year old running up to the characters with their costumes on because we were the first in line there was no one else in the video. Really cute.

7:25pm: Walk down to Casey Jr. to line up to meet Minnie, Daisy and Donald. Again, super sweet cast member at the end of the line mentioned if one parents waits in line another may go down the candy trail next to Barnstormer. I asked if we were allowed to come back the same way? She said yes. (see my comments later about this). I was excited to know that we could come back the other way. My kids LOVED the candy trail. It was one of their exciting moments to walk ahead of me to ToT together. We got back to dad and all four of us managed to eat through all the chocolate we were given. (My kids don't really get candy so this was very special.) Sadly, there wasn't much chocolate and after about 15 pieces b/w the 4 of us all we had left were whoppers, over sized lemon heads, smarties and some other lame candy. WHOPPERS really? Does anyone eat those anymore? ha ha (This was candy post 4 trick or treating stations...we hit one a 2nd time on our way back up the trail...CM wasn't happy...sorry.) But I knew we wouldn't' get to do much more ToT after the night was over so I was trying to capitalize on the trail. (See my comments about this at the end)

8:15pm: Minnie, Daisy, Donald take a break but it wasn't long before they came back out. We met them (they were wonderful BTW!) finished our meet and greet about 8:30pm.

8:35pm: Began our walk to Main Street via the path next to Pooh and Friends but cut a hard left after the bridge and headed towards the FP+ viewing areas so the kids could run off all the sugar they just consumed (ha). This is a mistake in retrospect. We thought holding the children up to watch the parade would be great from this area while having them run around safely prior to the parade. (Two other families with little ones were also there doing the same thing) Unfortunately, CM's didn't enforce the "no sitting on the fence" rule. Therefore while we were inside the fenced area looking out onto main street (next to Plaza ice cream looking out towards Casey's) there were party goers sitting up on the top of the fence in front of us. So my husband opted to stand our daughter on top of the trash can. (again not allowed but it wasn't enforced to get her down...yes he held her the whole time). My son was less interested in the parade (except for Mickey and Wreck it Ralph) so I only had to lift him high twice. There was even one guy who was over 6 feet tall and very large and sat on the fence in front of a dad and his 2 year old son. the dad had his son on his shoulders and still the child could not see!). The man kept asking the dad, "can you see?" The dad was passive about it. My thoughts: NO dumb dumb I CANNOT see. You are HUGE and sitting in front of me perched up on a ledge on top of a gate. Now use your brain and GET DOWN. Me and my tiny son have been sitting here for over an hour waiting. (they were there before we got there) OK enough role playing back to my report.

Side note about the parade: There were mini dance party's going on in the street post-headless horseman but we didn't participate since we were in the FP+ area. The street viewing from curb was 3-4 people deep as far as my eyes could see.

9pm'ish just before parade was over (lost track of time by this point): walked back to the Monster's dance party in Tomorrowland. This is a DO NOT MISS for any kids under 10. My son who is 3 was getting down with all the Monsters. I have some of the best video that will last a lifetime in fun memories! The CM's in costume were great, especially Needleman who was great with adults! Very fun. A must do. I almost skipped the dance party but was so glad I did. We only spent about 10-15 mins b/c the kids were tired but it was SO worth it. (OK you get it I loved the dance party)

After that I thought we'd get more candy since we literally had NONE so we went to hit the ToT trail towards storybook circus. Yeah, forget it, CM's were NOT having that. "Sorry this is the exit, you have to go around" arg. Honestly I think depending on the CM I could have gotten in. I wasn't happy about it but I "get it" from a crowd control stand point. Also to note, near the dance party was yogurt covered craisins (my son was so excited to get craisins but he HATED the yogurt covered ones) So maybe they should just keep it plain next year. (but hey, who am I?) lol And they had face painting stations also which were empty so no wait with two CM's happy to paint your face.

We started around Tomorrowland speedway toward the tea cups and the kids went nuts for the cars so we did ride the race cars. Up side of being forced that way by the CM blocking the candy trail. We then hit the ToT station next to the race cars and began down the same path along Pooh and friends back towards the castle to head back to Bay lake tower. It was late and the kids were tired.

Luckily the castle projection show and fireworks began! We watched the side view projection show from the bridge located bw the Hub and Merida meet and greet. Then we walked down towards the HUB and found a great spot to sit and watch the fireworks along a wall (the new tree'ed in walled areas in front of the castle to the right and left?) if that makes sense? Anyway, there was so much room my husband laid down to watch them. And like you heard 360 degree firework finale was the best.

We left after that. I really wanted to hit Adventureland and Frontierland for more candy but everyone was tired by that point.

In closing, here are my pro's and con's of the party.

Pros: Characters in costume, short ride lines (will utilize this when the kids are older for sure!), Cast Members friendliness (EVERYONE was so happy and nice, well maybe except that girl who blocked our ToT path..lol)
Cons: little handfuls of candy (CM's should note if they see kids under 5 they should give them more candy b/c they are not going to last as long as adults and bigger kids so this may be their only time to get a good amount of candy. IMO most kids under 5 REALLY care about the candy and could take or leave the characters and rides) ha, crowded Main Street and Hub area. It definitely felt like a Wishes firework night rather than a party lower crowd type night.

Overall Christmas is still our favorite party to attend. However, that's not to say we won't return for another Halloween party BUT we won't go out of our way to attend one. If we happen to be at Disney during that time we will go to the party. But we will always go out of our way to go to Disney and attend during a Christmas party.

BTW- they were handing out dove chocolates at the exits but again, they literally only gave us 6 across two candy bags (they refused to fill my bag). One dad said, oh good, more candy b/c we didn't get a whole lot during the party. CM still only gave his daughter maybe 3??

Monorail was down (we usually walk but son LOVES the monorail so we thought low crowds would be a good time to take it) NOPE. We walked but that's OK luckily we were close.

I wrote this out to help others who are attending upcoming party's. I found reviews to this degree helpful in my planning for our party itinerary. Luckily no rain made this party very manageable.

 

[Disneyliscious]

MNSSHP Trip report from 10/4 party night

5:30pm: Arrived at MK entrance. Cast member confirmed that our linked party tickets automatically showed up using band at the turnstile. I had a hard copy just in case.
Received our Halloween party band (placed on right wrist).
Received treat bag. (I wish this bag was a good souvenir it was just a cheap promotional bag for the release of the Aladdin movie. Could have at least been Halloween themed IMO)
Walked under train station and followed Main Street down to Pooh and Friends meet and greet. (this was a priority for us)

Main street was crowded with both non-party and party-goers. A lot of people were waiting for the last parade of the day but it got cancelled for a light rain that happened an hour prior so then things started to empty.

5:45pm: Yes, ambitious I know, but we lined up for Pooh. From 5:45pm - 6:40pm we sat at the base of the line while others passed us to meet Pooh and Friends without costumes on. The cast member was SO SWEET!! She knew we were waiting for costumed Pooh and Friends so she let me know around 6:45pm that we could walk up to the front of the line where she put up a rope. (ending the without costume meet and greet). During our wait my husband and I traded off doing things with the kids. We rode tea cups, bought Mickey pretzels and snacks, rode Winnie the Pooh ride, and played in the Pooh tree house. This was more than enough time to kill while we waited.

7:18pm: FINALLY Pooh and friends begins walking over to the meet and greet area but wait....WITHOUT Eeyore!!!! OMG I thought I would cry but I wasn't complaining too much bc I got a great video of my 3 & 4 year old running up to the characters with their costumes on because we were the first in line there was no one else in the video. Really cute.

7:25pm: Walk down to Casey Jr. to line up to meet Minnie, Daisy and Donald. Again, super sweet cast member at the end of the line mentioned if one parents waits in line another may go down the candy trail next to Barnstormer. I asked if we were allowed to come back the same way? She said yes. (see my comments later about this). I was excited to know that we could come back the other way. My kids LOVED the candy trail. It was one of their exciting moments to walk ahead of me to ToT together. We got back to dad and all four of us managed to eat through all the chocolate we were given. (My kids don't really get candy so this was very special.) Sadly, there wasn't much chocolate and after about 15 pieces b/w the 4 of us all we had left were whoppers, over sized lemon heads, smarties and some other lame candy. WHOPPERS really? Does anyone eat those anymore? ha ha (This was candy post 4 trick or treating stations...we hit one a 2nd time on our way back up the trail...CM wasn't happy...sorry.) But I knew we wouldn't' get to do much more ToT after the night was over so I was trying to capitalize on the trail. (See my comments about this at the end)

8:15pm: Minnie, Daisy, Donald take a break but it wasn't long before they came back out. We met them (they were wonderful BTW!) finished our meet and greet about 8:30pm.

8:35pm: Began our walk to Main Street via the path next to Pooh and Friends but cut a hard left after the bridge and headed towards the FP+ viewing areas so the kids could run off all the sugar they just consumed (ha). This is a mistake in retrospect. We thought holding the children up to watch the parade would be great from this area while having them run around safely prior to the parade. (Two other families with little ones were also there doing the same thing) Unfortunately, CM's didn't enforce the "no sitting on the fence" rule. Therefore while we were inside the fenced area looking out onto main street (next to Plaza ice cream looking out towards Casey's) there were party goers sitting up on the top of the fence in front of us. So my husband opted to stand our daughter on top of the trash can. (again not allowed but it wasn't enforced to get her down...yes he held her the whole time). My son was less interested in the parade (except for Mickey and Wreck it Ralph) so I only had to lift him high twice. There was even one guy who was over 6 feet tall and very large and sat on the fence in front of a dad and his 2 year old son. the dad had his son on his shoulders and still the child could not see!). The man kept asking the dad, "can you see?" The dad was passive about it. My thoughts: NO dumb dumb I CANNOT see. You are HUGE and sitting in front of me perched up on a ledge on top of a gate. Now use your brain and GET DOWN. Me and my tiny son have been sitting here for over an hour waiting. (they were there before we got there) OK enough role playing back to my report.

Side note about the parade: There were mini dance party's going on in the street post-headless horseman but we didn't participate since we were in the FP+ area. The street viewing from curb was 3-4 people deep as far as my eyes could see.

9pm'ish just before parade was over (lost track of time by this point): walked back to the Monster's dance party in Tomorrowland. This is a DO NOT MISS for any kids under 10. My son who is 3 was getting down with all the Monsters. I have some of the best video that will last a lifetime in fun memories! The CM's in costume were great, especially Needleman who was great with adults! Very fun. A must do. I almost skipped the dance party but was so glad I did. We only spent about 10-15 mins b/c the kids were tired but it was SO worth it. (OK you get it I loved the dance party)

After that I thought we'd get more candy since we literally had NONE so we went to hit the ToT trail towards storybook circus. Yeah, forget it, CM's were NOT having that. "Sorry this is the exit, you have to go around" arg. Honestly I think depending on the CM I could have gotten in. I wasn't happy about it but I "get it" from a crowd control stand point. Also to note, near the dance party was yogurt covered craisins (my son was so excited to get craisins but he HATED the yogurt covered ones) So maybe they should just keep it plain next year. (but hey, who am I?) lol And they had face painting stations also which were empty so no wait with two CM's happy to paint your face.

We started around Tomorrowland speedway toward the tea cups and the kids went nuts for the cars so we did ride the race cars. Up side of being forced that way by the CM blocking the candy trail. We then hit the ToT station next to the race cars and began down the same path along Pooh and friends back towards the castle to head back to Bay lake tower. It was late and the kids were tired.

Luckily the castle projection show and fireworks began! We watched the side view projection show from the bridge located bw the Hub and Merida meet and greet. Then we walked down towards the HUB and found a great spot to sit and watch the fireworks along a wall (the new tree'ed in walled areas in front of the castle to the right and left?) if that makes sense? Anyway, there was so much room my husband laid down to watch them. And like you heard 360 degree firework finale was the best.

We left after that. I really wanted to hit Adventureland and Frontierland for more candy but everyone was tired by that point.

In closing, here are my pro's and con's of the party.

Pros: Characters in costume, short ride lines (will utilize this when the kids are older for sure!), Cast Members friendliness (EVERYONE was so happy and nice, well maybe except that girl who blocked our ToT path..lol)
Cons: little handfuls of candy (CM's should note if they see kids under 5 they should give them more candy b/c they are not going to last as long as adults and bigger kids so this may be their only time to get a good amount of candy. IMO most kids under 5 REALLY care about the candy and could take or leave the characters and rides) ha, crowded Main Street and Hub area. It definitely felt like a Wishes firework night rather than a party lower crowd type night.

Overall Christmas is still our favorite party to attend. However, that's not to say we won't return for another Halloween party BUT we won't go out of our way to attend one. If we happen to be at Disney during that time we will go to the party. But we will always go out of our way to go to Disney and attend during a Christmas party.

BTW- they were handing out dove chocolates at the exits but again, they literally only gave us 6 across two candy bags (they refused to fill my bag). One dad said, oh good, more candy b/c we didn't get a whole lot during the party. CM still only gave his daughter maybe 3??

Monorail was down (we usually walk but son LOVES the monorail so we thought low crowds would be a good time to take it) NOPE. We walked but that's OK luckily we were close.

I wrote this out to help others who are attending upcoming party's. I found reviews to this degree helpful in my planning for our party itinerary. Luckily no rain made this party very manageable.

This is a very thorough write up and I appreciated reading it. One thing that stuck out to me though was your use of berating words about the tall guy sitting on the fence. Was that necessary? He wasnt even blocking your view.

You even said he was there before you arrived. He planned ahead, staked out his spot, and he doesnt owe anyones children his spot because they arrived later.

I will never understand why people stand behind those who are really tall anyway. Seriously? Move to somewhere where you have a better view. A persons height is no more a reason to give up a spot than a childs age is for getting one.

 

[lisathomps]

This is a very thorough write up and I appreciated reading it. One thing that stuck out to me though was your use of berating words about the tall guy sitting on the fence. Was that necessary? He wasnt even blocking your view.

You even said he was there before you arrived. He planned ahead, staked out his spot, and he doesnt owe anyones children his spot because they arrived later.

I will never understand why people stand behind those who are really tall anyway. Seriously? Move to somewhere where you have a better view. A persons height is no more a reason to give up a spot than a childs age is for getting one.

Maybe I was misunderstood. The dad and child were there before I arrived. There was no one on the fence at this time. As the parade near it's execution time the tall guy sat in front of the dad and child. He continuously asked the dad if he was in his way but the dad did not respond or he did but very little. (did not hear the whole thing). Honestly it was awkward, but I wasn't paying too much attention because like you said it didn't block me or my family's view. It was just something I noticed as we were having fun!

 

[minniemous]

We received hard, plastic tickets, and they are also linked to our magic bands

I received a hard ticket in the mail. I then linked them to my MDE....I am also going to the Christmas party and they sent us hard tickets..so that is strange that you were told they were not doing it this year.

Oh Sorry quoted the wrong post LOL.

 

[mickey1968]

Maybe I was misunderstood. The dad and child were there before I arrived. There was no one on the fence at this time. As the parade near it's execution time the tall guy sat in front of the dad and child. He continuously asked the dad if he was in his way but the dad did not respond or he did but very little. (did not hear the whole thing). Honestly it was awkward, but I wasn't paying too much attention because like you said it didn't block me or my family's view. It was just something I noticed as we were having fun!

If I am understanding correctly, I think the FP+ area you were in is really intended for viewing the fireworks, not the parade. I think the parade viewing area is in the Town Square area, previously was the center of the Hub. I have read that it is not a great spot for the parade (tall guy or no tall guy!) because people are able to line the sidewalk between the area and the parade.

BTW, Pooh and Friends are on my list too this year. I have been to several MNSSHP and MVMCP and not managed to get a pic with them! They always seem to take a break or have been cut off for the night when I get over there.