NOT COOL...Disney needs to change the way it sells the Mickey's Halloween Party tickets

[DizMe]

It's everywhere, unfortunately. We had a terrible time trying to get reservations for Yosemite one year. They would open the window for reservations and it would be sold out already. Happened over and over. It seems to be better now, so they may have figured some way to deter those who would book up all the spots and then sell them for a lot of money (which is what was happening). It's one thing if there are people getting reservations for themselves, but another thing entirely when it's a scalping scam that keeps families from enjoying park campgrounds unless they buy reservations at the uptick price. Same with Disney events and merchandise!

 

[MBlake1986]

Following threads or knowing when the actually sell-out date was really isn't the issue here. In fact, I've know that they have been sold out well before today, or even the 14th when I planned to buy the tickets as stated in my original post. I'm not upset that they are sold out, I am upset as to why they are sold out. As mentioned in the original post, Disney needs a system that links buyers to tickets to prevent scalping. I understand plans change, but when you buy something that is non-refundable you take that risk so I really don't think reselling for that reason applies here.

 

[Sherry E]

Following threads or knowing when the actually sell-out date was really isn't the issue here. In fact, I've know that they have been sold out well before today, or even the 14th when I planned to buy the tickets as stated in my original post. I'm not upset that they are sold out, I am upset as to why they are sold out. As mentioned in the original post, Disney needs a system that links buyers to tickets to prevent scalping. I understand plans change, but when you buy something that is non-refundable you take that risk so I really don't think reselling for that reason applies here.

I understood what the issue was (of your original post), but I just wanted to mention that the 10/31 tickets had been sold out since 8/8 (it didn't seem as though you were aware of that), because you can never count on tickets being available for a certain period of time. Yes, maybe Disney needs to change some things in how the tickets are sold -- I agree -- but they probably won't change them too drastucally. They've been doing things this way for a long time.

When we think tickets are going to be available for a while they're suddenly not, and when we think they might sell out quickly they don't. There is always a surprise. But if you follow a date and it sells out, you can often times get tickets from Disneyland over the phone in the first couple of days after the website shows a sellout -- instead of resorting to ebay or wherever. Maybe that wasn't possible to do in your case, but it is worth noting for others reading this thread.

Hopefully Disney will catch the folks on ebay and shut them down.

ETA: For the record, I, too, was planning on going on Halloween night, but the hefty price tag was something that gave me pause and I didn't buy the ticket quickly enough. So now I am out of luck for that night too! Oh well. Other nights are much cheaper anyway.

 

[lorijohnhill]

The first question I would have to ask is, how many of those Ebay tickets are even real tickets? Scalping is illegal. I'm actually surprised Ebay is allowing this to happen. I would report the auctions to Disney, as a PP suggested, and also to Ebay. The reality is, though, the ONLY way to stop this behavior is for people to stop buying the stuff. As long as someone is willing to pay $450 for a pair of MHP tickets (without even knowing if they are valid), there will be someone there to sell them.

I can understand someone wanting to get their money back in their plans change, but you are told that they are non-refundable and non-transferable. At that point, I say, be an adult and suck it up. It is quite wrong, and illegal, to try to then make a profit off of them.

 

[Angrose]

I just bought tickets for LEGOLAND for this weekend and I had to type our names in for each ticket. The printed e-tickets have one of our names on each ticket. Why can't Disneyland do this? Now, I don't recall if LEGOLAND checks IDs at the gates, but the tickets do say non-refundable and non-transferrable.

 

[Sherry E]

The first question I would have to ask is, how many of those Ebay tickets are even real tickets? Scalping is illegal. I'm actually surprised Ebay is allowing this to happen. I would report the auctions to Disney, as a PP suggested, and also to Ebay. The reality is, though, the ONLY way to stop this behavior is for people to stop buying the stuff. As long as someone is willing to pay $450 for a pair of MHP tickets (without even knowing if they are valid), there will be someone there to sell them.

I can understand someone wanting to get their money back in their plans change, but you are told that they are non-refundable and non-transferable. At that point, I say, be an adult and suck it up. It is quite wrong, and illegal, to try to then make a profit off of them.

I wondered that too -- how many are real tickets. I feel badly for anyone who falls victim to ebay sellers and outrageous prices, thinking there is no other way. Chances are, if those buyers were to go to the ticket booths really early on the day of the sold out party, there would probably be a few tickets available to buy at the regular price. Or, if they happen to be staying onsite at DLR, their hotel would probably have some tickets for them on the day of the event too. But they probably panic and feel they need to buy the $450 tickets.

And, let's face it -- even if selling the tickets for a profit were somehow legal, and even if the tickets were real and not fake -- it's a fun party, but not worth $450 for tickets in any way, shape or form.

 

[Geemo]

I'm sorry you weren't able to purchase tickets for 10-31.
I was surprised when the date sold-out so FAST! I'm sure it being a Saturday night was a factor.
At least there are other night to choose from.

Knowing the popularity of the event, Disney added three MHP's to this years calendar.
We'll have to wait and see if/when other dates sell out too.
Disney's current method of selling MHP tickets is fine.

I wonder how many of the second hand tickets will not be sold for 10-31.
It will be interesting if the seller has a price reduction as the date nears.

Geemo

 

[bumbershoot]

TAs on the WDW side of things are booking up blocks of ADRs.

Well, that's what TAs do. That's how the big agencies work. I don't think that that should be put into the same realm as this. You can always go to the TA, afterall. And since they bought a block they will likely have the rooms for a BETTER price than Disney did.

 

[mom2rtk]

Well, that's what TAs do. That's how the big agencies work. I don't think that that should be put into the same realm as this. You can always go to the TA, afterall. And since they bought a block they will likely have the rooms for a BETTER price than Disney did.

I'm not talking about booking some specific things for specific customers. I'm talking about TAs booking high demand ADRs and holding them in case a customer wants one, then coordinating releasing it and rebooking in the customer's name.

They become a sort of middle ground hoarder. And it's very similar to what people used to do with CRT reservations back in the day.

 

[valiamo]

Interesting. I don't have one in hand yet. I just figured (apparently incorrectly) that it was the same as for regular park tickets.

That sure makes it tough for anyone who has something come up last minute.

But that's in no way defending what people are doing buying them up for the specific purpose of reselling them.

We were there last year. Went up to the entrance, gave the ticket taker our paper tickets, they scanned them and then gave us our wrist bands. There was nothing that could have stopped me from having sold the tickets, and having the other people using them instead of us. It is very sad that there are so many that take advantage of others, but alas, the 31st is going to be a popular night, and if locals can take advantage of the situation they will.

 

[lorijohnhill]

and if locals can take advantage of the situation they will.

What on Earth leads you to believe that it is locals that are scalping the tickets????

 

[Gisele]

Maybe people should be able to resell or sell items here. After all why should only Disney profit from X?
They are not hurting for money. Matter of fact i am really getting sick and tired of the high cost of X at DLR.
And the companies complete lack of interest in what visitors really care about.
Big fat cat corporation = greed.

 

[RichP1269]

Maybe people should be able to resell or sell items here. After all why should only Disney profit from X?
They are not hurting for money. Matter of fact i am really getting sick and tired of the high cost of X at DLR.
And the companies complete lack of interest in what visitors really care about.
Big fat cat corporation = greed.

A classifieds section would be a pain. No matter what, you will always have scammers. It is not worth the headaches.

 

[bwang123]

The first question I would have to ask is, how many of those Ebay tickets are even real tickets? Scalping is illegal. I'm actually surprised Ebay is allowing this to happen. I would report the auctions to Disney, as a PP suggested, and also to Ebay. The reality is, though, the ONLY way to stop this behavior is for people to stop buying the stuff. As long as someone is willing to pay $450 for a pair of MHP tickets (without even knowing if they are valid), there will be someone there to sell them.

Scalping, as in selling the ticket for more than face value on the grounds of the event is illegal in most states. But online ticket sales for more than face value is obviously not because you have many ticket resale places like Stubhub, etc selling for well over face value.

 

[keishashadow]

I'm not talking about booking some specific things for specific customers. I'm talking about TAs booking high demand ADRs and holding them in case a customer wants one, then coordinating releasing it and rebooking in the customer's name.

They become a sort of middle ground hoarder. And it's very similar to what people used to do with CRT reservations back in the day.

Are you saying TAs are blocking out rooms & booking ADRs @ 180 days? if so, 1st I've heard of that.

there are at least 2 sites that for a fee will notify you of a 'must have' ADR when they pop up after originally being unavailable. To many it's worth the $10 or so per watch, especially for last minute or for that one important reservation for which a kid is clamoring. I did notice they have special pricing on the sites for TAs who I assume do buy in bulk.

 

[mom2rtk]

Are you saying TAs are blocking out rooms & booking ADRs @ 180 days? if so, 1st I've heard of that.

there are at least 2 sites that for a fee will notify you of a 'must have' ADR when they pop up after originally being unavailable. To many it's worth the $10 or so per watch, especially for last minute or for that one important reservation for which a kid is clamoring. I did notice they have special pricing on the sites for TAs who I assume do buy in bulk.

Sorry, I went back and reread. While some speculate that there are some TAs doing this, it was mostly about the new ADR sniping services. Some speculation that at least one of them is actually booking ADRs and "selling" them.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/restaurants-full.3437880/page-8

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201508/4686/

 

[Doctor Who]

If there were no buyers there would be no scalping. There are plenty of buyers.

 

[keishashadow]

Sorry, I went back and reread. While some speculate that there are some TAs doing this, it was mostly about the new ADR sniping services. Some speculation that at least one of them is actually booking ADRs and "selling" them.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/restaurants-full.3437880/page-8

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201508/4686/

ok thanks, was puzzled. not sure what volume the TAs would book of ADRs but i do bet they r dumping them before they get stuck w/no show $10 pp fees lol.
i'm a tin foil hat sort of gal, wouldn't be surprised if the 'sniping sites' revenue was benefiting WDW proper in some way.

 

[whoever]

I've articulated my stance on this subject (merch, tickets, etc). If you want it, be there/get it early. Don't want to/can't? That's life and life isn't fair.

The sellers/buyers are violating Disney's terms of use. Practically unenforceable.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Would it be an idea for such a popular event for Disney to offer a buy back system for those unable to go? That way only genuine folks would do this. Then Disney can resell that ticket to an eager customer like your good self. Everyone is a winner. You then know all eBay sells are just out to fleece you or fake.