MNSSHP...Kind of Freaking Out

[HopperFan]

So this is my family's first trip to Disney, and I don't have any idea how this works. I thought MNSSHP started later in September, but as I was double checking park hours for our trip coming up next weekend, I saw that MNSHHP hours have been added and it is starting on our last day in the parks (9/02). We have MK planned for that day and are saving fireworks and everything for that night. With breakfast ADR's early in the week I don't want to keep the kids up until 10 on our first nights there. If MNSSHP is going on does that mean we won't be able to stay at MK past 7pm??? After a years worth of planning, and checking and double checking park times I'm really frustrated! Maybe It's my fault for not realizing that MNSHHP started so early in September. At this point with Fp+ and ADR's all booked and planned out, I don't know how to rearrange our schedule if things have to change. Can someone calm me down?

........instead of the DW website for park hours because A) it appeared accurate and was updated often. Everytime I heard that times were changing (usually from people on this board, like when they extended AK hours or put out the new EMM hours) they were updated right away on that calendar. B) it said it was from the Walt Disney Company, and C) I hate how slowly the Disney website runs on my sucky internet. On this calendar they had MK closing at 11pm everytime I checked it, INCLUDING when I made my FP reservations, and did not have MNSHHP listed at all. I did not check on MNSHHP dates specifically because I didn't realize they would start so early. I'm sorry I offended some of you for freaking out at Disney, but I was super frustrated finding out 6 days from my trip, and I did not realize that these hours had been posted so far in advance because I did not see them. So please stop making me feel worse by piling on all the responses after responses pointing out how I should have seen this. I am a Disney newbie, and as you all know it takes a billion hours of planning for this trip, and I missed something, or made a mistake in the resources that I used.

As others have said you will not be permitted to stay past 7 pm and will be gently guided in the direction of the front gate. What I didn't see mentioned and not sure what your situation is but if you have an ADR during party time (and this could be as early as @6:30 depending on restaurant) you will not be permitted to dine without party tickets and charged the $10 no show fee per person. So if you have an ADR, change it.

You say you booked FP+ and ADRs .... well FP+ are not used during the parties so I will assume you have none then. You can most certainly use your FP+ during the day. As I said above change your ADR. One option for dining is to book something at Polynesian or Contemporary or use their QS or not even eat and watch fireworks from there as they both have places you can watch with music. We actually enjoy the fireworks from the ferry boat dock. If you really want to see MSEP then you would have to switch one of your nights. Fall is the time of year where Hoppers are most valuable.

I have no idea what you were looking at for hours. Disney posts hours 6 mos out and at that point the party dates had already been announced. Those dates would state 7 pm and that would have never changed. Anytime you see MK with 7 pm that is a sure sign there is a ticketed event or private party and hours will not change. You would not be able to book FP+ during party hours.

No one is offended or being defensive. I think what they are trying to say is that these dates and hours were set back in March, at the time you could book ADRs and long before you could book FP+ so there is no reason for you to specifically check party dates. The times as of March were posted correctly. It sounds like you were looking at a non-Disney website and some of them are good about posting accurate hours/changes and some are not.

There are often changes, and that folks have to adjust their plans - like MSEP now leaving. The best way to have a great trip is know you have to be flexible, sometimes make changes and just go with the flow. I've had a couple trips where my DS got sick and we spent days in the room, scrambling ADRs, missing lots of things ...... I've been at parties that virtually got rained out ............ I've gone when parks all closed early and then they tell us pools were all closing at dusk leaving us with nothing to do. Always good to have Plan B because there is always something that can happen. Plan B can sometimes be just as fun as Plan A was if you let it.

Have a great trip!


https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/03/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-spooks-walt-disney-world-guests-29-nights-this-fall/

 

[tinkeryarn]

Guest services at City Hall maybe can help, or the front desk if you are staying at at Disney Resort. I was there last week, and we had to a family situation come up, and we had to swap 2 days around, including dinner reservations. The front desk combined with City hall in Magic kingdom really helped us out to change everything.
Good luck, you'll have a great time.

 

[Wenny]

OP, you're all good! It's amazing how much skilled planning you've put into your first trip. You are so far ahead of the average Disney planner it isn't funny! I'm floored.

So, this one itinerary item is a bit of a miss. I know how amazing it would have been to close out your Disney vac with MK fireworks. I'm really mad you won't get to do that, quite honestly.

So, options are as others have said... Book MNSSHP, move MK fireworks to another night, or do fireworks somewhere else your last night. Or, hang at the resort pool. All good options. Me, I'd book MNSSHP. It's such a great party. We've done it twice.

But, do what feels right and don't stress. This won't be the first hiccup in your plans. Rule #1 is to roll with it. Make a good plan but don't forget to plan for new plans. If that makes any sense.

 

[wilkeliza]

One option for being able to see awesome fireworks is go to the 4th floor observation deck at the Contemporary. No reaervarion needed as you can take the monorail over after you are lead out of the MK and then eat at the quick service then head out to the deck. That way you can at least see the fireworks with out having to pay for MNSSHP. There won't be a view of the parade or water pageant though.

 

[GigiDisneyfreak]

So this is my family's first trip to Disney, and I don't have any idea how this works. I thought MNSSHP started later in September, but as I was double checking park hours for our trip coming up next weekend, I saw that MNSHHP hours have been added and it is starting on our last day in the parks (9/02). We have MK planned for that day and are saving fireworks and everything for that night. With breakfast ADR's early in the week I don't want to keep the kids up until 10 on our first nights there. If MNSSHP is going on does that mean we won't be able to stay at MK past 7pm??? After a years worth of planning, and checking and double checking park times I'm really frustrated! Maybe It's my fault for not realizing that MNSHHP started so early in September. At this point with Fp+ and ADR's all booked and planned out, I don't know how to rearrange our schedule if things have to change. Can someone calm me down?

I know you probably spent a lot of time trying to perfect your plans and it is frustrating to have this happen. I have found that the best laid plans tend to unravel no matter what the circumstances. Just do your best to try to rearrange adr's. When possible use the boards and ask for specific advice and know that missing a parade or fire works will not run your vacation. Enjoy what you can because it is not possible to see everything. I have always found that the last night is when we are the most tired so this might end up being a good thing.
I don't know what your plans are but we never go to the parks in our arrival day, maybe adding a day to your tickets and just going to MK for the parade and fireworks the day you arrive would work. I think it is only about $12 a person to add to your ticket if you already have a 4 or 5 day ticket. That might be easier on your wallet if adding a park hopper or tickets to the party are not in your budget.

 

[CMNJ]

One option for being able to see awesome fireworks is go to the 4th floor observation deck at the Contemporary. No reaervarion needed as you can take the monorail over after you are lead out of the MK and then eat at the quick service then head out to the deck. That way you can at least see the fireworks with out having to pay for MNSSHP. There won't be a view of the parade or water pageant though.

I think someone posted on the CR/BLT thread that the 4th floor observation deck was currently closed or closing soon for some maintenance work-OP might want to double check that before making the trip over there for fireworks.

 

[wilkeliza]

I think someone posted on the CR/BLT thread that the 4th floor observation deck was currently closed or closing soon for some maintenance work-OP might want to double check that before making the trip over there for fireworks.

Thanks for the heads up! We aren't using it this trip but had no clue. We decided California Grill and the viewing deck there would be worth it to see those fireworks twice.

 

[CMNJ]

Thanks for the heads up! We aren't using it this trip but had no clue. We decided California Grill and the viewing deck there would be worth it to see those fireworks twice.

No problem I found the post

The exterior of Disney's Contemporary Resort is currently undergoing cleaning and painting. Starting Friday, Aug. 5, the 4th floor observation deck will be closed to all Guest traffic for 3 to 4 weeks.
Exterior painting will begin on this side of the building. Guests will still be able to walk to the neighboring Bay Lake Tower. Additionally, the exterior staircase will also be accessible, but only for emergency exiting purposes.

~OTPN​

 

[Echo queen]

Lemons to lemonade. Have the best trip ever