MNSSHP...anyone else disappointed?

[HugsForEeyore]

You know every year this thread appears..... I always think that it's amazing that all these folks were at the same party.

The Halloween Party is not my favorite at all and I probably won't go this year. (I don't really get into Halloween. However, last year I had SO much Candy I gave it away to one of the folks I was there with (He was a CM and lived with some other young men, they certainly need a bag of fattening chocolate more then a middle age slightly overweight woman LOL!)

However, I think that a lot of it is what you make of it. I tell people that if you think this is a private party to ride rides, you are going to be disappointed. This year folks seem to be on the "rare character" hunt which is probably going to set someone up for disappointment.


(And I love the Christmas Party, last year was the first time in years I missed that.....)

I fully admit I am one of those "rare character hunt" people! And yes, there's been a few of us dedicated souls here on the DIS! I been going to MNSSHP since 2003. In 2003, 2004, and 2005, I met many new characters at each party, and was not disappointed, as it was the character event of the year. Characters seemed more random at past parties, as you never know who will be out! But I guess this year, the reports are saying it is almost exactly like last year's party, which is a disappointment. The prior parties had new things going on, it seems that this year doesn't. That's where my disappointment stems from, as prior parties did seem to be more unique and creative. But I'll live! I am thinking the rain put a damper on alot of stuff, so we'll see!

 

[dismom]

Was I disapppointed? Yes, a bit. It was our first time, and it was a bit overwhelming, especially in the rain...and not just rain, but LIGHTENING. I kept thinking "if you can hear the thunder, you can be struck by lightening." So...being an overly paranoid parent, I kept ducking back into the judge's tent w/ my 4 yr old dd! It wasn't bad - we did get a LOT of quality time w/ Alice, Tweedle Dee & Dum, and the walrus, because dd was dressed as Alice & we were the King & Queen of hearts (card people, not Disney's version). We also met Prince Phillip - that was new for us. DD was scared to death of the Queen of Hearts...she's watched her say "OFF WITH HER HEAD" one too many times during her movie!

It seemed very crowded. In all actuality, it really probably wasn't. It's just that we had been there since the 9th & it was the lowest crowds we've ever experienced! I think the longest line we ever encountered for ANYTHING was 20 min on Exp. Everest. So, it seemed kinda silly to pay all of this money for our tickets, only to have to deal with waiting in line, for what, CANDY? MEETING CHARACTERS THAT WE'D ALREADY SEEN? How silly! I could have bought BUSHELS of candy for the price we paid.

The parades were great...with or w/out the rain. According to a CM, they delayed the 1st parade because of the lightening. Then it cleared, so they started it. RIGHT after they started it, it began POURING rain. But, again, according to this CM, once they start a parade, they won't stop it, so it went on. It was still great & "Captain Jack Sparrow" actually made eye contact w/ me & did a little bow to me (I was a queen - I'm sure he was after my jeweled crown! ). The 2nd parade was even better...the rain had stopped & we could actually take a few pictures.

Sorry for this long winded commentary. I'll end with this. In spite of all of this, I'm so glad that we went. It was a new experience for us & something exciting to add to our trip. DD loved it, in spite of the rain. Several cast members commented on how great it was that we had coordinating costumes...they were glad to see us "get in the spirit of it." I think that in the future, I'd rather add another night's stay onto our visit!

 

[Tink Mick Koda Miles]

well i am nervous yet excited for this.. I have only been to disney twice so I'm sure i will be one that enjoys it..

Seems like a lot of us are going the 19th of next month so lets give a big GOOD LUCK STAY AWAY RAIN to us lol.. maybe we can come back with some happier reports

 

[Pixiedust34]

We got home last night, and I'll write more about our trip later.

As for MNSSHP, we enjoyed it, but were disappointed with the rain and with the party being a little disorganized early in the evening. At 7:00, some of the candy stations in Fantasyland did not have the candy yet. We rode Pooh and by the time we were done with that, the candy was out.

Next, we saw some characters and trick or treated down the Toontown Trail. At Stitch's dance party, there were no characters when we were there and that was disappointing. Later we saw Chip & Dale and Suzie & Perla at the Fantasyland party.

We watched the 1st parade in the pouring rain in Frontierland. It was a good parade, though I didn't take any pictures because of the rain. We were soaked. We enjoyed HalloWishes, too. It wasn't raining much then, if at all.

The only Photopass picture I have from the party is the one with Cinderella's Coach. We waited in line to see Snow White and the 7 Dwarves and right when it was our turn, the cm closed the line.

As for the wristbands, I was too busy to notice if people were sneaking in without paying to attend the party. I don't know if the cms checked wristbands or not. The only 2 rides we rode during the party were Pooh right at 7:00 and the Teacups after HalloWishes.

It was fun to see everyone's costumes! Main Street was BEAUTIFUL with all of the buildings in different colors!

Between the 3 of us, we have 1 full bag of candy.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I forgot to add one of the highlights of our MNSSHP experience:

We got to the MK with our MYW tickets before 4:00, so we had plenty of time before the party to do rides and to explore the park. We stopped at the barber shop on Main Street and dd got pixie dust in her hair to go with her Tink costume. She LOVED getting that pixie dust! She talked about it all evening, and looked great with her Tink costume.

The pixie dust was confetti with hairspray so it would stay in her hair. It was a great way for us to kick off our MNSSHP afternoon.

 

[we3disneygo]

we also attended the party on the 15th. we did the face painting in adventureland and was in line before they opened up, we saw Peter Pan and Wendy. it poured rain, we got very little candy....like 3-4 pieces at each stop. the cm's outside the haunted mansion very rude to people as they walked by and they were not in character.....we watched the fireworks, and stayed for the last parade.don't think we'll bother with another one of these. it seemed very unorganized and like the cm's didn't care on way or another and on the way out they had big barrel of snickers bite size which they gave us each 3 pieces! all together the 3 of us ended up with a half a bag of candy.

 

[Izeesmom]

Do they use the Toon town tent if its raining,???? that would make sense..... characters could go in there? We are mainly going for my Dd to see the unusual ones.
We will pray for dry weather on the 12th !

We are going on the 12th too. I do hope the weather is nice

 

[Hope73]

I am so sorry it wasn't all you expected. We are going the 29 and I hope for no rain.

 

[angel's momma]

We waited in line to see Snow White and the 7 Dwarves and right when it was our turn, the cm closed the line.

Sorry that happened to you.

Usually the CM's are good about telling people where the cutoff is going to be, and telling when the character will be back out.

Was it starting to rain?

 

[shyjade]

I'm sorry to hear some of you had a bad time, but a few things to remember (and these are just general opinions I had as reading this thread...none of my statements are directed at any one poster)...

1. It's Florida in September; it rains. A lot. To expect that it won't rain is a sure way to be disappointed; expect the worst, hope for the best! Yes, rain during the party sucks, but let it ruin your night? If you go to Disney during hurricane season (with the benefit of lower rates & crowds, and free dining for many to boot), don't be upset that Mother Nature ruined your night! I'll be going next week and I fully expect that it will rain; I hope it doesn't, but I'm prepared that it might/likely will.

2. You attended the first MNSSHP of the year; why are you surprised the evening's events weren't flawless? I'm sure there are a few "bugs" to work out in the beginning, especially with recent changes to the party's procedures. I'll be attending the 3rd party and expect there will be flaws in the system. Disney or not, it takes trial & error sometimes to work out the bugs.

3. This is a "party", not a "rare character meet & greet", a "trick or treating" event, a "parade" or "fireworks" show...Basing your enjoyment (or lack thereof) of the event based on missing out on seeing certain characters, getting lots of candy, being Bigger and Better than last year, eating a Dole Whip, etc. is rather silly in my opinion. The party is a collection of activities, not a single event. Enjoy the evening as a whole and if you go with expectations of one thing "making" the party for you, expect to be disappointed.

I have told my DD8 what to expect at the party (and at Disney in general) but I have also made it very clear that not everything might work out the way we hope it will; "must do" rides & attractions might be out of service, it could rain the whole time, she might not get to see her favorite characters. I have taught her that things might not go perfectly, but regardless we will have a great time no matter what happens and not let unexpected hiccups along the way ruin our vacation.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm sorry to hear some of you had a bad time, but a few things to remember (and these are just general opinions I had as reading this thread...none of my statements are directed at any one poster)...

1. It's Florida in September; it rains. A lot. To expect that it won't rain is a sure way to be disappointed; expect the worst, hope for the best! Yes, rain during the party sucks, but let it ruin your night? If you go to Disney during hurricane season (with the benefit of lower rates & crowds, and free dining for many to boot), don't be upset that Mother Nature ruined your night!

2. You attended the first MNSSHP of the year; why are you surprised the evening's events weren't flawless? I'm sure there are a few "bugs" to work out in the beginning, especially with recent changes to the party's procedures. I'll be attending the 3rd party and expect there will be flaws in the system. Disney or not, it takes trial & error sometimes to work out the bugs.

3. This is a "party", not a "rare character meet & greet", a "trick or treating" event, a "parade" or "fireworks" show...Basing your enjoyment (or lack thereof) of the event based on missing out on seeing certain characters, getting lots of candy, being Bigger and Better than last year, eating a Dole Whip, etc. is rather silly in my opinion. The party is a collection of activities, not a single event. Enjoy the evening as a whole and if you go with expectations of one thing "making" the party for you, expect to be disappointed.

This is exactly what I was thinking!!

September is one of the most rainy months in Florida. Its also hurricane season as well.

This was the FIRST party of the year and its also the earliest party ever. Not surprised by things being a bit different or not quite right.

I can't wait to go to our 4th MNSSHP this Oct 26!

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

I'm sorry to hear some of you had a bad time, but a few things to remember (and these are just general opinions I had as reading this thread...none of my statements are directed at any one poster)...

1. It's Florida in September; it rains. A lot. To expect that it won't rain is a sure way to be disappointed; expect the worst, hope for the best! Yes, rain during the party sucks, but let it ruin your night? If you go to Disney during hurricane season (with the benefit of lower rates & crowds, and free dining for many to boot), don't be upset that Mother Nature ruined your night!

2. You attended the first MNSSHP of the year; why are you surprised the evening's events weren't flawless? I'm sure there are a few "bugs" to work out in the beginning, especially with recent changes to the party's procedures. I'll be attending the 3rd party and expect there will be flaws in the system. Disney or not, it takes trial & error sometimes to work out the bugs.

3. This is a "party", not a "rare character meet & greet", a "trick or treating" event, a "parade" or "fireworks" show...Basing your enjoyment (or lack thereof) of the event based on missing out on seeing certain characters, getting lots of candy, being Bigger and Better than last year, eating a Dole Whip, etc. is rather silly in my opinion. The party is a collection of activities, not a single event. Enjoy the evening as a whole and if you go with expectations of one thing "making" the party for you, expect to be disappointed.

ITA! MNSSHP is about the event as a whole, not any particular event. It is the atmosphere of the MK with everyone dressed up and some of the villians out. It is a different parade and fireworks show along with trick or treating in the park. If any aspect is looked at as justification for the ticket price, it won't measure up. Nobody is going to get enough candy to justify the price. Tell people who don't know about MNSSHP that your family got to trick or treat in the MK, ride attractions, watch a halloween parade with characters, watch a halloween fireworks show in front of the castle, meet villians and do things like face painting and dance parties and see what they think. The ticket price doesn't seem so bad when it's looked at as a "whole."


Rachel

 

[mommykds]

The only thing I am dissapointed about MNSSHP is that we are not able to go this year!!!! We had a blast at the 2005 party!

 

[gcoxua]

I will say that I was not disappointed. I went for the Parade and Fireworks only. Not the candy or the Characters. I think both of these are some of the best Disney has to offer. I didn't enjoy the rain but my group and I went to Cosmic Rays for dinner and when we walked out it was over. Was it flawless...no. Was it worth the price of admission...I think so. I especially loved the new float for Goofy's Candy Company. As for candy, I was with a bunch of adults and we had more candy than we could ever eat and we never trick-or-treated. All of it came from the CM's on the parade route. Will I go again? Most Defnitely.

 

[wisbucky]

After reading all these posts I am curious if there was a free photo that Disney would send in the mail to you as other years.

 

[mking624]

After reading all these posts I am curious if there was a free photo that Disney would send in the mail to you as other years.

No, there is no free photo. They are offering 50% off a 5x7 pic if you utilize photopass that night.

 

[mking624]

I'm sorry to hear some of you had a bad time, but a few things to remember (and these are just general opinions I had as reading this thread...none of my statements are directed at any one poster)...

1. It's Florida in September; it rains. A lot. To expect that it won't rain is a sure way to be disappointed; expect the worst, hope for the best! Yes, rain during the party sucks, but let it ruin your night? If you go to Disney during hurricane season (with the benefit of lower rates & crowds, and free dining for many to boot), don't be upset that Mother Nature ruined your night! I'll be going next week and I fully expect that it will rain; I hope it doesn't, but I'm prepared that it might/likely will.

2. You attended the first MNSSHP of the year; why are you surprised the evening's events weren't flawless? I'm sure there are a few "bugs" to work out in the beginning, especially with recent changes to the party's procedures. I'll be attending the 3rd party and expect there will be flaws in the system. Disney or not, it takes trial & error sometimes to work out the bugs.

3. This is a "party", not a "rare character meet & greet", a "trick or treating" event, a "parade" or "fireworks" show...Basing your enjoyment (or lack thereof) of the event based on missing out on seeing certain characters, getting lots of candy, being Bigger and Better than last year, eating a Dole Whip, etc. is rather silly in my opinion. The party is a collection of activities, not a single event. Enjoy the evening as a whole and if you go with expectations of one thing "making" the party for you, expect to be disappointed.

I have told my DD8 what to expect at the party (and at Disney in general) but I have also made it very clear that not everything might work out the way we hope it will; "must do" rides & attractions might be out of service, it could rain the whole time, she might not get to see her favorite characters. I have taught her that things might not go perfectly, but regardless we will have a great time no matter what happens and not let unexpected hiccups along the way ruin our vacation.

EXCELLENT post!!

 

[kittythepoohbear]

This was my first MNSSHP and I loved it. Even with the rain, we managed to have a great time. We got a great spot for the 1st parade right in front of the Diamond Horseshoe about 10 minutes before it started, ate dinner at Peco's Bill with a great peanut butter brownie, got lots of candy, went on about a dozen rides with absolutely no wait, and got great pics with lots of characters. I am sure a lot of it was repeated, but with it being my first time that had little affect on me. I can imagine it would get a bit dull for repeat party goers though. Our only disappointment was how quickly the night progressed. We would have stayed longer if we could have, especially once the rain stopped.
BTW Sunny, I think I saw you as we were leaving at midnight. In fact, I am pretty sure it was your husband that my aunt took a picture of and your cute little Yoda that I saw. Great costumes!

 

[dd316]

Were any of the characters at least dressed in Halloween costumes? When we were last there 4 years ago we saw Eeyore as a Mummy, Piglet as a Flower, and Tigger as a Skeleton over by Ariel's Grotto. Any other characters we saw looked normal.

Other than that I wasn't impressed with MNSSHP. The lines were longer than during regular park hours and it was actually the most crowded time of our entire week's vacation. We're heading back to Disneyworld in a few weeks but we're not doing MNSSHP - been there, done that.

 

[sunny_]

BTW Sunny, I think I saw you as we were leaving at midnight. In fact, I am pretty sure it was your husband that my aunt took a picture of and your cute little Yoda that I saw. Great costumes!

Thanks! That probably was us. We stayed late and people were getting pictures of Vader all night long. lol.

I see you are from Wilkes-Barre. We are from PA too - about 40 minutes south of pittsburgh!