Mouse Expeditions

[AC7179]

Has anyone used this tour service?

Is it a price for the group, or per person? IF we have a group of 5 and a baby, is the $400 tour and fastpass collection for the group, or per person?

Also, if they do the seating for you at night....how does that work? They sit on a blanket while you ride? Is that ackward to walk in front of people to claim your seats?

The reviews all look great, just wondering if anyone had experienced it in person.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Has anyone used this tour service?

Is it a price for the group, or per person? IF we have a group of 5 and a baby, is the $400 tour and fastpass collection for the group, or per person?

Also, if they do the seating for you at night....how does that work? They sit on a blanket while you ride? Is that ackward to walk in front of people to claim your seats?

The reviews all look great, just wondering if anyone had experienced it in person.

Since this is not Disney sponsored, I wonder how long it will take Disney to shut it down. I am a stockholder and in the long run it will cost me $$$.

Jack

 

[sonnyjane]

Jack is right. I haven't used this service but if you do a search on these boards, you will find mixed opinions of it. Some people think it's great, and others greatly disapprove because it's someone running a business inside Disneyland without Disneyland's consent.

 

[Eddygirl]

Jack is right. I haven't used this service but if you do a search on these boards, you will find mixed opinions of it. Some people think it's great, and others greatly disapprove because it's someone running a business inside Disneyland without Disneyland's consent.

I agree...... My "Spidey Sense" makes me feel funny about this.

Other than paying for a DLR VIP tour that allows for some expedited riding, everyone is on the same playing field at Disneyland!! I love that! If you are a family that took years and years to scrape together a budget trip, or a family fortunate enough to travel on a whim staying on site in a suite you have the pretty much the same opportunities to enjoy the attractions as everyone else that enters.

I have looked at the ME site. It would be something we could budget for and do on our next trip, but I wouldn't. I, personally, would feel very weird going in front of waiting families to a "saved" spot for fireworks or Fantasmic!. We are budgeting for the dessert package so we can take in Fantasmic! on our next trip.

You asked If it would be awkward to make your way past waiting families to your saved viewing spot. For me, yes!

I, too, think Disney will not continue to allow a service like this for much longer. If there are no guidelines in place for a business like this it would be a matter of time before the Fantasmic! and fireworks viewing areas will be clogged with blankets and tarps earlier and earlier all set out and "manned' by paid waiting services. I do not think it is all that far fetched!

JMHO of course!

 

[mmmears]

You asked If it would be awkward to make your way past waiting families to your saved viewing spot. For me, yes!

JMHO of course!

I totally agree. Personally I wouldn't feel good about doing that.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I have not used the service but I think it's for the most part a fantastic idea.

Here's a thread with lots of opinions.

 

[Girimama33]

I am pretty sure the price is per group, not per person.

 

[pixiewings71]

I think it's per group not person, but I'm with everyone else who says this isn't a service approved by Disney. I think it's inventive and really smart but it won't last forever. I much prefer to get my own FPs and wait for shows myself. We rarely wait more than 30 minutes and we almost always have great seats.
Best of luck on whatever you decide to do.

 

[junmatno]

So, for the people that said you'd "feel bad going to your save spot". Why? You don't feel bad when your family member saves it do you? How is that different? If someone can afford this and needs to maximize only having one day or two in the parks then more power to them. It's all over this board where people tell newbies that they need more than two days to see everything...if someone needs help with that, go ahead and hire these people. They've been doing this for quite some time, so obviously if Disney Company has a problem they would have figure out a way to shut them down. BUT Disney is making money off their AP's that they buy, the people that are using this service aren't using ticket scalpels, they are legit people who pay their full prices. So how is Disney losing money?

This business is doing what every one else does, FP running, saving F and Parade and fireworks spots, etc.

Problem is they'd have to tell ALL the people that save spots for their families 5 hours early that they can't either. You can't choose one class of people and say, you're not allowed to save spots for people. It's getting dicey if they do that.

 

[junmatno]

So, for the people that said you'd "feel bad going to your save spot". Why? You don't feel bad when your family member saves it do you? How is that different? If someone can afford this and needs to maximize only having one day or two in the parks then more power to them. It's all over this board where people tell newbies that they need more than two days to see everything...if someone needs help with that, go ahead and hire these people. They've been doing this for quite some time, so obviously if Disney Company has a problem they would have figure out a way to shut them down. BUT Disney is making money off their AP's that they buy, the people that are using this service aren't using ticket scalpels, they are legit people who pay their full prices. So how is Disney losing money?

This business is doing what every one else does, FP running, saving F and Parade and fireworks spots, etc.

Problem is they'd have to tell ALL the people that save spots for their families 5 hours early that they can't either. You can't choose one class of people and say, you're not allowed to save spots for people. It's getting dicey if they do that.

ETA: BTW, I wouldn't book them because I already do all this for my family, except I don't camp out for parade and fireworks as we sit down and eat during that time. But if I was a newbie, and had the money, I'd use them too.

 

[Mousequake]

While in the abstract I think it sounds like a great service, I've heard reports that at least one of their tour guides uses a GAC to try to shorten wait times for clients. That aspect of it I do have a problem with, as it seems like abuse of a GAC in my eyes.

 

[ArchOwl]

While in the abstract I think it sounds like a great service, I've heard reports that at least one of their tour guides uses a GAC to try to shorten wait times for clients. That aspect of it I do have a problem with, as it seems like abuse of a GAC in my eyes.

If this is happening, I think it problematic. I used Mouse Expeditions as show holders only and no one used a GAC. OP, if you want to PM me about that, please feel free.

 

[bigdaddybyrd]

I haven't used this service but if you do a search on these boards, you will find mixed opinions of it. Some people think it's great, and others greatly disapprove because it's someone running a business inside Disneyland without Disneyland's consent.

I don't have a problem with ME, and am considering using them some for our upcoming trip in May as placeholders for WOC, F! and fireworks so I can actually be with my family doing things instead of sitting while they go off and have fun. I see no difference in what these guys are doing and what someone like Tour Guide Mike does in WDW. Disney obviously knows about him and his service and hasn't shut him down.

 

[wallawallakids]

I have read a lot of great reviews about him. I contacted him for our trip in Aug and he was really nice. Unfortunately, he didn't know if his work schedule would allow our dates so I was put on a waiting list. He tends to do weekends mostly and I was looking at a week day this summer. Not sure it will come to fruition for us but I would love someone to hold a place for the fireworks for us. If not we will do it ourselves, no biggie. Just hard to keep 4 kids happy for the hour plus before shows. But we have done it before and we will again if we must.

 

[Avery's mom]

If this is happening, I think it problematic. I used Mouse Expeditions as show holders only and no one used a GAC. OP, if you want to PM me about that, please feel free.

While in the abstract I think it sounds like a great service, I've heard reports that at least one of their tour guides uses a GAC to try to shorten wait times for clients. That aspect of it I do have a problem with, as it seems like abuse of a GAC in my eyes.

I can tell you from first-hand experience that this is true. A GAC is used by at least one guide.

 

[pixiewings71]

With FP times being enforced now I'm not sure ME is a viable option anymore. Maybe as a place holder for parades, WoC, F!, I'm sure it can work for FP but you would have to use them within the 1 hour window.
I also would not be comfortable giving my tickets to someone I didn't know. Just my thoughts....

 

[cmpeter]

Fantasmic! and fireworks viewing areas will be clogged with blankets and tarps earlier the and earlier all set out and "manned' by paid waiting services.

Families are already doing this...I was really surprised how many spaces were blanketed off prior to Fantasmic last Friday. CMs said folks started arriving and saving their spots as early as 4:30 for the 9:00 pm show.

I don't have a problem with service ME offers. But, I am not impressed with their customer service or responsiveness. I emailed them twice about possibly using their service for a trip last week and never received a reply.

 

[VandVsmama]

Wow. Are these shows really worth setting aside your spot 5 hours ahead of time? I do not know because I have not seen any of them.

 

[Malcon10t]

I can tell you from first-hand experience that this is true. A GAC is used by at least one guide.

I don't have a problem with ME overall, but I do have a major issue with this.

 

[CamoMama]

Wow. Are these shows really worth setting aside your spot 5 hours ahead of time? I do not know because I have not seen any of them.

No.

Don't get me wrong, I love Fantasmic! and the fireworks and all, but they're not worth sitting and missing out on everything else you could be doing. I saw F! for the first time on my birthday in May. It was a solo trip, so it was easier, and I'm a sometimes smoker, so I sat in the smoking area during the show and had a great view without any trouble. I actually walked onto PoTC just before the show started, which was very cool.

When my daughter and I went int July we also had no trouble finding a decent spot about half an hour before showtime. It wasn't the best spot ever, but we could see and that's all that matters. When F! was over we ran to BTMRR and rode almost by ourselves during the fireworks, and as a result enjoyed them more than we did when we were shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of tall people to watch them on the 4th; every time we came out of a tunnel there was an explosion of lights and awesomeness, it's like they timed it just for the ride.