MNSSHP Cancellation policy

[ErinInCT]

Well, we got down to Disney only to discover my kids HATE it! Made the mistake of not going to Fantasyland first and my youngest hated the rides at other parks and now cries during every ride. She also hates fireworks because of the noise. She's not too keen on parades either. I spent an arm and a leg on my MNSSHP tickets JUST so we could ride all the rides we wanted without much of a wait. Is there any way I can cancel them?

 

[suemom2kay]

I'm sure there is a no refund policy. However, I would go to your concierge and explain the situation. They may make some magic happen for you.

I'm sorry your youngest is having a rough time with rides.

Have you tried DHS? They have a lot of streetmosphere performers who are really funny. They just in make up. Hope things get better for you.

 

[focusondisney]

So have you actually gone to Magic Kingdom yet? How old are your kids? I might actually go to MK before I thought about cancelling the party. They might like the MK better. The party has Trick or Treating & dance parties with the characters. So maybe your kids will like that. Maybe you can take a day or a morning to kind of relax at the resort pool & re-charge. Maybe then the kids will be a little more ready to give the parks a chance. Good luck!!

 

[patty57]

Oh no...what an unexpected nightmare! How about a day at the pool to regroup and a restart? Do you have anything like an IPod that she could listen to during fireworks? Not sure how old your kids are...can they be hooked into the princess/fairy thing that little girls seem to love as a new beginning?

 

[soarinup]

That is a nightmare to be sure. For your children not to like WDW is horrible for a Dis-er

 

[tinkerbell_mom]

When we first took our boys at age 4, we were shocked by some of the things that scared them. They were terrified of Spaceship Earth

We also had to kind of "re-plan" that trip as we went. We ended up spending a lot of time in Epcot world showcase. They loved making the masks and just looking around. They also loved the animals at Animal Kingdom. My favorite memory of that trip is the boys giggling and playing in the jumping water fountains at downtown disney and also the cement tiles in Epcot that light up with "pixie dust' at night. They are 11 now and they still point out the pixie dust

I hope you are able to find magic on your trip!

 

[Enter User Name]

We did the same thing with DD in DL a few years ago.
DH thought she was ready for Indy because she was tall enough and had loved the movie! It was her first ride that trip but DH thought since we had been before she was ready for the big rides and insisted on starting with a bang. She told me that night she thought she was going to die. Literally she thought she was going to die. DH thought splash would be a great next ride for our DD, who had been a bit silent but not protesting or crying. The look of pure terror on her face in the photo tells it all.
Having saw the error of our ways we spent the most of the remaining trip on small world, dumbo, Pooh, and the tea cups. By the end of the trip she was a bit braver and we were on many more rides but needless to say we wont make the "start big" mistake again.

 

[Sandi]

That is disappointing. Several years ago, DH, DD (who was then about 8), and I were at WDW and I had MNSSHP tickets. DD ended up ill on the day of the party. She still wanted to try for the party, so we took the boat from WL to MK. By the time we got off the boat, she was just not looking well and we decided to go back. I went to guest services and explained that we really wanted to go, but that DD just wasn't up to it that day. I asked whether we could exchange the tickets for another day while we'd still be there. The CM checked and the only other day the party was going was sold out. He was very kind and said we wouldn't want to go on a sold out night anyway, but that he would refund the tickets under the circumstances. (DD was standing with DH not far away and looked pretty pitiful all dressed up and not feeling well.)

There is a no refund policy, but sometimes they can help you out. It is worth an inquiry.

I agree with others who've suggested getting to MK if you haven't been there you. You noted that you didn't go to Fantasyland first, but did you get to MK at all? That park was definitely DD's favorite when she was little.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Unfortunately, there is a no refund policy in place.

Your best bet is to go to Guest Relations at the parks and explain the situation. I don't think they're going to be able to offer a refund, but they may offer to give you a voucher for the value of the Halloween Party admission which can be used toward future ticketing purchases - but that's STRICTLY a guess.

I'm with all the other posters, however, that it may not be worth it to write it off just yet. There really is more to the Magic Kingdom than just the rides. It's a BEAUTIFUL place during the party, and she may really enjoy the special theatrical lighting up and down Main Street, and the trick or treating.

It sounds like your daughter also has noise issues? My daughter has the same issues. I would talk up something like Small World and take her on that to show that not all rides are bad. My daughter is easy though. She's NUTSO competitive. All I have to do is pick up my walking pace a little and tell her I'm going to beat her to Small World. She'll start laughing and giggling and telling me I won't. She gets in line and usually forgets what her issue was.

Good luck!

 

[bumbershoot]

Earplugs! More than enough sleep! Good solid real foods (forget the Uncrustables, they are absolute junk, dump the chocolate milks and juices, just go with real foods) on a regular basis!

If anything stands a chance at salvaging things, it's the above. Did I mention earplugs?

If DLR is anything like WDW for me to go from, Disney is a LOUD, overwhelming place. It's amazing what simple earplugs can do for a kid.

 

[dizcraze1]

We have gone 2 years in a row and have rode almost everything. My kids are 12 and 9. However, my stepD, the 9 yr old, is scared of EVERYTHING. We rode every ride the first year and she was scared. Understandable. But last year we rode all the same rides, and before EVERY ride, unless it was Dumbo or Small World, she bawled and acted completely ridiculous while in line up to the ride and even on it. My DH had to sit out many a ride because she was in hysterics the whole trip. Needless to say, it was extremely frustrating to the rest of us. So I sort of understand how you feel. Just spend a lot of time at shows, visiting characters (if she likes that), and just relaxing. It is a vacation so try to make the most you can out of the situation. MNSSHP is fun with the parade, trick or treating, and special characters. You could skip the rides and fireworks. There is so much to do...it's hard to fit it all in anyway. Good luck and hopefully some pixie dust blows your way.

 

[Bets19]

So sorry to hear this. I agree with the others, go to guest relations and explain your situation. I have friends whose daughter has an awful time with noise. She wears the foam ear plugs and it makes a huge difference in her experience. And definately try the other parks.
Good Luck!

 

[WDSearcher]

Well, we got down to Disney only to discover my kids HATE it! Made the mistake of not going to Fantasyland first and my youngest hated the rides at other parks and now cries during every ride. She also hates fireworks because of the noise. She's not too keen on parades either. I spent an arm and a leg on my MNSSHP tickets JUST so we could ride all the rides we wanted without much of a wait. Is there any way I can cancel them?

Do your kids really HATE it, or are they just not responding the way you hoped they would? Is there anything at all they're enjoying? (Pools, parades, characters, animals, flowers, games, etc) WDW is more than rides and fireworks.

As for the Halloween party ... I get that riding the rides is the 'hook', but there's a lot more there. The trick-or-treating alone is worth the price for some. If your daughter likes the characters, this is also a great time to meet them. But the tickets are non-refundable ... it likely says that on them somewhere.

However, if you truly believe that the Halloween Party will be a bust, you can talk to Guest Relations. Just explain the situation and let them know that you know it's not THEIR fault, but is there anything they can do anyway ...? You never know ...

 

[Sugar Jones]

My kids were like that the first night arrived as well. I was devestated. However they were just really overwhelmed. As the week went on they adjusted and we ended up having an awesome vacation.

I hope they are doing better today, and I wouldn't give on the MNSSHP. Go at right at 4:00pm when you can get in and have an early night if that would make it easier on them.

 

[ErinInCT]

You all are sooooo great!! We did end up going to MNSSHP. My older dd went on BTMRR and loved it! And then did Splash Mtn. I was so proud of her. The little one was still not happy. We did not get to see a parade or the fireworks. But we went to see the princesses during the fireworks and there was NO LINE so we chatted with Cinderella and Prince Charming, Snow White and The Prince (yes, we discovered he has no name and is not charming, lol) and Aurora and Prince Philip. They were all very fun and funny and we had a TON of time with them b/c seriously, NO ONE was there! My 6 yr old went on Peter Pan and Pooh a bunch of times and was ok during Snow White. I think those are the only rides she went on. I am so bummed that BOTH times I've been to Disney IASW has been closed! I was also bummed that there were NO LINES, NONE, for all rides and we couldn't do any of the fun ones cuz DD complained so much. "Don't you love me mom? Don't you want me to enjoy my vacation?" How did a 6 yr old get to be such a manipulator!

I desperately wanted to see the parade and fireworks. I did have ear muffs for dd (tip from a DIS'er) but even that did not help.

On the plane ride home I asked dd6 what her favorite thing was and she said pressing the button on the elevator. LOL It's not true, she loved the slide at BW's pool, she loved pin trading, characters and EPCOT WS kidcots. She actually loved Soarin'! She loved the shows on the boardwalk and was picked twice to help the performers. So, next time, if there is to be a next time, we'll hang out more at the hotel and maybe only go to EPCOT.

Or, better yet, DH and I will go alone!! That was we can do just a regular hotel room and not rent points for a 2 bd DVC unit! And get free dining!

Oh, to top it all off...got a call the last night (after MNSSHP) from our pet sitter/neighbor and one of our cats died. She was 15 but was perfectly healthy (indoor cat her whole life) so I have no idea what happened. Thank God I have a friend who is a vet who ran over and got her so we didn't have to see her. She said it looked like she passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Not one of our better vacations!

 

[bumbershoot]

we couldn't do any of the fun ones cuz DD complained so much. "Don't you love me mom? Don't you want me to enjoy my vacation?" How did a 6 yr old get to be such a manipulator!

FWIW, I think it's a phase. My boy, also 6, is starting to do the overly dramatic, only for emotional effect, stuff too. I won't take it...we're very open to talking things through, we're not dictatorial, etc, in general, but that stuff is getting nipped right in the bud. He even knows the word "manipulation" b/c I've described it to him and called him on it. He's still trying it, but soon he'll totally realize it does not work.

Of course, he didn't start it right in the middle of a Disney trip, either! That's a hard place to start to deal with it! Much different than during a shopping trip when I won't buy candy or whatever.

But I just want to let you know that I think it's a phase for 6 year olds, and don't be too disturbed by it. But try to not change what you're doing because of it, either! I'm sorry you didn't go on any of the rides YOU wanted to ride, that couldn't have been fun (especially since the adults are the ones paying for it, unless your kids are models or actors or something LOL). Sounds like there will be other trips.

And don't be surprised if she changes her favorite "ride" in a few months...you might also bring up the question of "why were you acting like that" in a week or so...might find out interesting things...

 

[maddiesmom0116]

Oh, to top it all off...got a call the last night (after MNSSHP) from our pet sitter/neighbor and one of our cats died. She was 15 but was perfectly healthy (indoor cat her whole life) so I have no idea what happened. Thank God I have a friend who is a vet who ran over and got her so we didn't have to see her. She said it looked like she passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Not one of our better vacations!

I am so sorry about your pet, we lost a dog while at WDW a few years ago. The person we had watching him (my ex DH) had a gas leak while at work and came home and all his pets died and our DD4's dog he was watching.
I hope you waited to tell your kids until you were on your way home, exDH told our daughter on the phone before telling me, it was a horrible way to spend the rest of our vacation.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Our DS8 hated WDW when he was 5. After the 3rd day of our vacation, I was ready to come home. He was driving us insane. 2 months later he was diagnosed with ADHD. Looking back on it, our trip was overstimulating for him.

We shall see how he does this trip. He is on medication. He is already saying that he doesn't want to go! I am planning on more down time at the resort for him. My 16 and 14 year old can go off by themselves.