new blog: Villains Soiree - Wickedly Disappointing

[LeahZ]

I was excited, intrigued and a little skeptical when I heard that Disney was adding a special VIP event to this years MNSSHP offerings. Entitled “The Villain’s Sinister Soiree: A Wicked Takeover of Cinderella Castle,” this special event consisted of a preferred viewing area for the “Boo To You” Halloween parade, as well as the HalloWishes fireworks show topped off with a dessert reception at Cinderella’s Royal Table. The cost of the event is $99 (in addition to the $70 hard ticket cost) and runs twice each night during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party.

Read more here:

http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2014/09/02/villains-soiree-wickedly-disappointing/

 

[tstidm1]

After reading the post this morning, I see no value in doing the Villains Soiree. People spent $169 including event admissions. Things like this make me wonder whether the whole party is worth it, not just this Soiree.

 

[skier_pete]

It wouldn't let me post this comment on the same page as the blog post, but here's my feelings:

Thanks Pete for the honest review. Your review doesn't surprise me one bit. Unlike you, I already feel the MNSSHP and MVMCP are NOT worth what they charge for the events. When I attended these (each only once) I found them to be rather disappointing in that I paid a lot of extra money to experience the biggest crowds I saw my entire trip. It isn't so much the event itself - the parade and fireworks are great - but how you don't really have the time in 5 hours to get the full experience, because you are too busy waiting in long lines. The prices in addition have almost doubled in the last 6 years. (I think I paid ~$50 for the MNSSHP tickets in 2010.) I idea of paying for an overpriced event within an overpriced event just made me shudder.

My wife and I have started playing this game: "How much do they charge for it?" where I read the description of the event and then she has to guess how much they charge. This is probably more fun than the actual events.

The one consolation I take from all the hard ticket events Disney is jamming down their fans' throats is that it is very easy to opt not to attend ANY of these events and still have a great time at the Disney Parks. Because of this, we even stayed away from extra events for our upcoming food and wine trip other than a couple of the expensive culinary demonstrations. Just enjoy the parks, and don't sweat the extra experiences.

As long as Disney Fans keep paying, they'll keep charging.

Edited: Yep I looked it up- in 2004 they were only doing this event for 13 nights. Tickets were $32 .. They are 26 of these now, ranging from $62-$77 starting price this year, a 94% to 140 % increase in 10 years. (in relation, a 7-day park hopper in 2004 was $223 (plus tax), the same ticket today, $384, an increase of 72 %, so not THAT far off.)

Of course, it's supply and demand. People keep going, they'll keep raising prices. However, the first thing that'll happen if people stop going, they won't lower prices, they'll cut back on how many they do. Seeing as they keep increasing the # of them, I don't think many people find the price increase a problem.

 

[Kristina4109]

I just watched the live show and from what Pete and the gang described, I have no interest in this. THANKS for always being frank and honest in your reviews. Sounds like you thought the characters were great, but it also sounds like the entire event was way too rushed.

 

[wdwscout]

Between the blog and the live review- I was glad to hear that they can still put on a good show. The food was good, the characters were excellent.

It's money that gets in the way. Too much money for an event you are already paying a lot for. And then trying to cram 2 of these $99 events into one evening is too much. If they made it one time slot, it could be 30-45 minutes longer and everyone would feel like they got something for their money. Less people could attend of course- cutting into their profits.

It saddens me to watch Disney become more and more money hungry while abandoning the Guest experience. That used to set them above/apart from the rest. Sadly, this is no longer the case.

 

[V a n e s s a]

Thank you for the honest review. When I first heard about the soirée, I was intrigued; but at $500 for our family of 5 in addition to the Party tickets we already bought, I decided it is excessive. I was wondering what we would be missing; I see now that not very much. We would prefer anyway to spend more time enjoying the party itself with the rides, trick or treating, etc.

 

[paul16451]

There are only two reviews that I can find publicly posted about this event, and the reviewers seem to have had exact opposite experiences...one great, one horrible. The link above is the horrible one, the great one is from wdwnt.

I reserved the soiree ticket after agonizing a bit about the price and talking with the rest of my party of four...we decided to do it since we're traveling across the country for this special vacation and will likely not attend this event again for a long time, if ever.

I think I'll look for more reviews before passing judgment, and I'll be certain to write one of my own as well when I attend on Oct 23. I'm certain that several more reviews will also be posted before that date.

And incidentally, no matter how good an event goes generally, there's ALWAYS going to be someone who doesn't feel it lives up to the snuff or the price, especially one with so many people.

 

[wdwscout]

paul16541-
First- Welcome to the DIS Boards!!

Second- I think you will likely have a very good experience when you go later in Oct. This party Pete attended was the very first one of its kind. There were kinks- to be sure. I hope they work out the flow of the evening with a little more practice - so it doesn't feel as rushed.
I think it's great that you are going! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Jrpbabe2003]

Our daughter is 2.5, is she free like all other things at Disney? I only see everyone is 99, it doesn't specify under 3 is free. Thanks!