MNSSHP ? About MK hrs...

[minnie mum]

What are normal operating hours? I am an auditor, so maybe I see things differently, but every other day the park is open until at least 9pm so I'm not sure how you can imply that normal operating hours are something other than 9-9 in fact 9-10 is just as frequent.

How many hours early could Disney close their park before you felt like you have been cheated? For me, it is finding out that for half of my trip, the park I was most looking forward to visiting, will be closing 25% earlier. I feel cheated, but hopefully it won't spoil my trip. I'll pay the extra $$ and hopefully forget about it between now and September.

If you take the trouble to look more closely at all of the park hours for all of the parks every day of the year, you will find that with the exception of Epcot, normal operating hours vary considerably. Not just from month to month but even from day to day. Disney's operating hours are what they say they are. They are posted 6 months in advance. If you find the hours available to you during one period to be too short, then it is up to you to select dates that will provide you with the number of park hours each day which are suitable for you.

Disney is not cheating you at all. You are suffering from the very common affliction of unreasonable expectations. No one is forcing you to purchase tickets for a separately ticketed event. If you choose to keep your current dates, you have the option to go to the MK on other days of that current week when they will be open till a later hour. And since you are complaining about how much you are already spending (and really, looking at your numbers, , I'm not impressed) I can assume you're staying on site and are also eligibile for EMH hours (which will be on a non-party night). By your reasoning, perhaps guests who stay off site should complain that Disney is cheating them because they can't take advantage of EMH hours??

 

[smidgy]

I'm a bartender. getting the guests without party tickets to leave the park makes me think of last call and closing time at the bar.

there's always that guy who insists that the bar closes at 2 AM, so I HAVE to sell him a drink at 1:55. (like I really think it's a good idea for someone to slam a drink in 5 minutes!)

 

[khaoskat]

What are normal operating hours? I am an auditor, so maybe I see things differently, but every other day the park is open until at least 9pm so I'm not sure how you can imply that normal operating hours are something other than 9-9 in fact 9-10 is just as frequent.

How many hours early could Disney close their park before you felt like you have been cheated? For me, it is finding out that for half of my trip, the park I was most looking forward to visiting, will be closing 25% earlier. I feel cheated, but hopefully it won't spoil my trip. I'll pay the extra $$ and hopefully forget about it between now and September.

Disney set's their parks normal operating hours on a day by day basis. So, while on at least 2 days of the week, Disney has set those hours to be from 9 am to 7 pm, rather than 9 am to 9 pm, it is their choice. Maybe those days they are closing early are days that are hard to get employees in on..or maybe they are MNSSHP...they still set their operating hours on a daily basis.

Prime Example of how things change on a daily basis...their Water Parks one is currently closed for rennovations and the other closed for this weekend because it is too cold. So, if you were there and had planned on swimming any time this weekend, would you feel the same way as you do right now about MK closing at 7 pm...

And, shortening their day by 2 hours does not equate to 25% reduction in their hours...it is less than 17% reduction...additionally if it is 3 hours it is 23%. If you consider it in the whole for the week...assuming 9 am to 10 pm daily... and 3 days of MNSSHP, it equates to less than 10% reduction in park operating hours for a Sunday - Saturday Stay.

From what I am seeing, it is more than a handful of candy, it looks totally cool, and while I don't really want to drop out over $300 for tickets for our family to go, I will. Why, because I think my kids would really enjoy it. My kids love Cedar Fair's Halloween events...the characters in costume, going trick or treating, etc....this is 100X better than Cedar Fairs stuff...

 

[Lurch]

If you take the trouble to look more closely at all of the park hours for all of the parks every day of the year, you will find that with the exception of Epcot, normal operating hours vary considerably. Not just from month to month but even from day to day. Disney's operating hours are what they say they are. They are posted 6 months in advance. If you find the hours available to you during one period to be too short, then it is up to you to select dates that will provide you with the number of park hours each day which are suitable for you.

Disney is not cheating you at all. You are suffering from the very common affliction of unreasonable expectations. No one is forcing you to purchase tickets for a separately ticketed event. If you choose to keep your current dates, you have the option to go to the MK on other days of that current week when they will be open till a later hour. And since you are complaining about how much you are already spending (and really, looking at your numbers, , I'm not impressed) I can assume you're staying on site and are also eligibile for EMH hours (which will be on a non-party night). By your reasoning, perhaps guests who stay off site should complain that Disney is cheating them because they can't take advantage of EMH hours??

Thanks for the snarky response, but I wasn't trying to impress you with the amount of money I spent, only that Disney is already charging a premium price (and $4,000 for park tickets and a hotel for a week for two people is indeed A premium price). I was really trying to understand why people are just fine with the large up charge just to get what they have already paid for (park admission for a full day, parade, and characters).

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I can actually understand why people feel the way they do about the parks closing early. Many people have mentioned that 7pm is technically the park closing time, which is accurate. However without Wishes or a night time parade, the park doesn't close with the usual evening entertainment it has. Also, when the park closes usually, you are given at least one hour to shop on your way out, which doesn't occur on party days.

Yes, obviously things like fireworks and parades can be cancelled or being refurbished but they are different circumstances. 1-2 nights is one thing but as the holidays get closer 3-4 nights per week is quite a few evenings when you're only there on vacation for 7-10 days.

I'm not saying WDW shouldn't have the parties, we are attending at least two -three of each this year. However I can really understand why casual visitors could be annoyed too.

Disney set's their parks normal operating hours on a day by day basis. So, while on at least 2 days of the week, Disney has set those hours to be from 9 am to 7 pm, rather than 9 am to 9 pm, it is their choice. Maybe those days they are closing early are days that are hard to get employees in on..or maybe they are MNSSHP...they still set their operating hours on a daily basis.

Prime Example of how things change on a daily basis...their Water Parks one is currently closed for rennovations and the other closed for this weekend because it is too cold. So, if you were there and had planned on swimming any time this weekend, would you feel the same way as you do right now about MK closing at 7 pm...

And, shortening their day by 2 hours does not equate to 25% reduction in their hours...it is less than 17% reduction...additionally if it is 3 hours it is 23%. If you consider it in the whole for the week...assuming 9 am to 10 pm daily... and 3 days of MNSSHP, it equates to less than 10% reduction in park operating hours for a Sunday - Saturday Stay.

From what I am seeing, it is more than a handful of candy, it looks totally cool, and while I don't really want to drop out over $300 for tickets for our family to go, I will. Why, because I think my kids would really enjoy it. My kids love Cedar Fair's Halloween events...the characters in costume, going trick or treating, etc....this is 100X better than Cedar Fairs stuff...

 

[Lurch]

Disney set's their parks normal operating hours on a day by day basis. So, while on at least 2 days of the week, Disney has set those hours to be from 9 am to 7 pm, rather than 9 am to 9 pm, it is their choice. Maybe those days they are closing early are days that are hard to get employees in on..or maybe they are MNSSHP...they still set their operating hours on a daily basis.

Prime Example of how things change on a daily basis...their Water Parks one is currently closed for rennovations and the other closed for this weekend because it is too cold. So, if you were there and had planned on swimming any time this weekend, would you feel the same way as you do right now about MK closing at 7 pm...

And, shortening their day by 2 hours does not equate to 25% reduction in their hours...it is less than 17% reduction...additionally if it is 3 hours it is 23%. If you consider it in the whole for the week...assuming 9 am to 10 pm daily... and 3 days of MNSSHP, it equates to less than 10% reduction in park operating hours for a Sunday - Saturday Stay.

From what I am seeing, it is more than a handful of candy, it looks totally cool, and while I don't really want to drop out over $300 for tickets for our family to go, I will. Why, because I think my kids would really enjoy it. My kids love Cedar Fair's Halloween events...the characters in costume, going trick or treating, etc....this is 100X better than Cedar Fairs stuff...

I am hoping it is worth the money as well and will also buy the extra tickets for one night since I planned 3 full days in the park. My wife has been trying to get me to disney for 25 years, but I refused. She convinced me to spend a 1/2 day at the parks while attending a conference in the area and I must say I was impressed (thus the full week in September). We have Hershey Park very close and like your Cedar Fairs analogy, it was much better. I guess I will just have to trust that Disney will earn the extra money by doing something special.

If I paid for water park tickets and they were not open, I would simply demand a refund.

 

[wendyt_ca]

We love MNSSHP and have done it the past 3 years in a row and going again this Oct for the 4th time. It is well worth the price of admission and it is actually the reason we plan a trip in oct. I have been to both the Christmas party and the Halloween party and prefer MNSSHP (even though I'm not really that into Halloween in general but love Christmas). It's not just getting a handful of candy. I do love dressing up and being able to walk around the park trick or treating, it is the only time it is acceptable for an adult and is actually very fun (and we filled the bag they give you going in). There is also a lot of characters around the park dressed in Halloween costumes. We enjoy getting a couple of these. There are several shows around the park which are only at the party. The parade is unique to the Halloween party (it's pretty much the only parade my husband enjoys of all the Disney parades other than the Christmas parade). And then there is Hallowishes! This is there special Halloween wishes completely different than regular wishes and WAY better! It is without a doubt their best fireworks show and just stunning!

One of your main concerns was if it was worth it and I didn't notice that answered so thought I would try to shed some light. Ride wait times during the party are also much shorter. What I would recommend though if you don't get a park hopper, go to a different park during the day and then around 5-5:30 they generally let MNSSHP ticket holders into MK so then head over there. You will get the most value for your money that way.

I always recommend the party to anyone going this time of year. So I do recommend it. I am
Sure you will enjoy it. If you don't then it's your preference as most do, but you are spending a lot of time and money on your trip so just be positive and work with it. You know about the party now and know to check. So either go or don't go. And if you don't, schedule MK on a night the party isn't scheduled Enjoy your trip and try not to worry about things outside if your control and just do what is within your control to make it work for you and your family just my thoughts.

 

[Allison]

What are normal operating hours? I am an auditor, so maybe I see things differently, but every other day the park is open until at least 9pm so I'm not sure how you can imply that normal operating hours are something other than 9-9 in fact 9-10 is just as frequent.

.

Normal operating hours are the hours Disney posts that the park is open. It can vary day to day.

 

[Lizzim]

If I paid for water park tickets and they were not open, I would simply demand a refund.

I am reasonably sure that in accordance with the T&Cs of the ticket sale Disney would be within their rights to refuse your demand for a refund.

They might refund you out of goodwill but I wouldn't expect it....

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I am reasonably sure that in accordance with the T&Cs of the ticket sale Disney would be within their rights to refuse your demand for a refund.

They might refund you out of goodwill but I wouldn't expect it....

We are AP holders but I would feel very frustrated if I bought a 10 day ticket and I couldn't access either of the water parks our entire trip.

 

[alc571]

And before you have a fit. Those party days are golden for getting things done. Since many view it as you do, they choose to visit the MK on the 3 or 4 non-party days each week, leaving party days in the MK with much lighter traffic.

I agree. The two days we spent at MK last October were party days. Touring Plans gave the crowds a 1.2/10 and they were. We didn't use a fast pass all day long, and the longest we waited was for Poohs ride and it was maybe 20 mins. They were great days to go to the park.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I agree. The two days we spent at MK last October were party days. Touring Plans gave the crowds a 1.2/10 and they were. We didn't use a fast pass all day long, and the longest we waited was for Poohs ride and it was maybe 20 mins. They were great days to go to the park.

They are good days to get things done. Our first day for our upcoming trip is a party night. We won't be purchasing a ticket to the party (we are going 2 other nights) so hoping to get a few things done in the afternoon before a Chef Mickey reservation for dinner.

 

[Lizzim]

We are AP holders but I would feel very frustrated if I bought a 10 day ticket and I couldn't access either of the water parks our entire trip.

I don't disagree but I am sure that happens very rarely and Disney would most likely make allowances.....but demanding a refund wouldn't be the way to go

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I don't disagree but I am sure that happens very rarely and Disney would most likely make allowances.....but demanding a refund wouldn't be the way to go

No, I wouldn't go in there ranting and raving. But I don't think that's necessarily what the OP meant. However I would ask for a refund if the water parks were closed our entire trip

 

[Kbendig]

Pardon the delayed response, I have been on a cruise for the last week.

In looking at the park calendar normal MK closing time is either 9 or 10 pm for September. It seems to me that they are indeed shutting down early and charging extra for the time I have paid for and should be entitled to.

I'm in for nearly $4,000 for my trip, I am honestly shocked that Disney would try to squeeze a few hundred dollars more out of me for basically a handful of candy. Maybe I am missing something, but I am genuinely surprised people are not upset about what appears to be a hard ticket scam Disney is putting on. Shouldn't the park ticket I already paid for include a parade and character interaction?

There are no normal park hours for Disney. During high demand times it is open much later, during low times it closes earlier. I seem to remember MK closing at 7 when we went in January, maybe it was 8, but it was their regular hours because that's just when they closed.

There is an afternoon parade and character interactions all day every day (weather permitting) so you do get both of those. Just not in the dark.

We went to MNSSHP for the first time in October and I have to say we were impressed. My husband had reservations about spending so much for a park we could already get in, but by the end even he said it was a great deal. For us, we didn't go to another park that day so we went at 4 and did some rides. Once 7 came we met some characters, did almost every ride with no wait, did trick or treating, saw the parade, and really just had a great time.

As for the handful or candy, well the first thought is that it's not even close to a handful. Maybe at a time. We didn't go to all stations, we gave some to Mousekeeping, and we still have candy from that night in the house. I don't think that trick or treating should be the only reason to go though. But it was a fun bonus, and honestly it was a huge deal for us in the end when we came home to a hurricane and Halloween was cancelled. But, I don't expect that to be a real selling point!

I would be furious if I went to the park not knowing there was a party that night, never looked at the calendar to see when it closed, and then was told at 7 to get out. But that is not what is happening, so I guess I am confused at why it would upset someone so much. The party is NOT for everyone, some people would enjoy going and others would think it's a waste of money. If you feel that spending more money would not be worth it then don't go to the party. But, there are plenty of people who do think it's worth it and pay for the extras. From opening until close every person is allowed 100% of what Disney has to offer in the park. You are not missing a thing by not going to the party at night.

I don't feel scammed at all. Disney told me what would occur months in advance and I went with the expectations that they would give me what they said.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks for the snarky response, but I wasn't trying to impress you with the amount of money I spent, only that Disney is already charging a premium price (and $4,000 for park tickets and a hotel for a week for two people is indeed A premium price). I was really trying to understand why people are just fine with the large up charge just to get what they have already paid for (park admission for a full day, parade, and characters).

I think the bolded above is where your argument is flawed.

1. Park admission for a "full day". You are suggesting that park hours should be fixed, or ticket prices should be prorated at a basic per-hour charge to account for different operating hours. MNSSHP certainly makes park hours shorter than the days around it, but in general the length of park days varies anyway. Park hours are shorter during offseason than they are during peak season. Does that mean I should pay less when I go offseason? I don't think so--my benefit is lower crowds.

2. Parade. The Halloween parade at MNSSHP is exclusive to the party. It is in my opinion a better parade than any other WDW offers, and I know I am not alone in that opinion. I pay a premium to see it. Its normal park day equivalent, MSEP, is not offered on all normal days either. Should I pay less for a park ticket those days? I don't think so.

3. Characters. The characters offered at MNSSHP are variations of the same characters offered during the day, or completely new characters such as unusual villains. For character hunters like me, the opportunity to see them is another attractive exclusive feature and I am willing to pay more to see them.

Other exclusives offered during the party are the fireworks, atmosphere, merchandise, and yes, candy. You seem to think it is only about candy. If that were the case, no one would go at the price point offered.

 

[mamabright]

We are goin I'm October. I'm planning on attending MNSSHP one night and am super excited. My question is if we do a late lunch/early dinner at a TS place will it be ok if we are already in costume?? I'm hoping to do a character meal like Crystal Palace or 1900 PF.

 

[mesaboy2]

We are goin I'm October. I'm planning on attending MNSSHP one night and am super excited. My question is if we do a late lunch/early dinner at a TS place will it be ok if we are already in costume?? I'm hoping to do a character meal like Crystal Palace or 1900 PF.

Yes, you should have no problems.

 

[mom2rtk]

The park might stay open until 9 or 10 on non party nights. But that doesn't mean that in the absence of the party it would be open until 9 or 10 every night. I believe they add hours on non-party nights to compensate for those shorter days.

Parties were devised as a way to generate revenue during lower crowd seasons. It worked. If people didn't turn out in large enough numbers, they wouldn't do the parties. Which is why the Pirate and Princess Parties are no more.

 

[ALD85]

Another probably silly question...are their rides open during the party?