"Official" 2015 MNSSHP thread

[crostorfer]

In prior years, at and a little before 7 pm, we would see CMs encouraging those without party tickets to leave. We heard numerous announcements that the park was closing for day guests without party tickets. Last night, I only heard one announcement. It indicated the party was a sell out. While there were CMs on the street asking people leaving to stay to the right, I saw none of them encouraging non-party guests to leave.

I was worried about this when I saw that crowd last night.

 

[Rheinhold]

Definitely too packed. It's sad really that Disney is trying to squeeze as many dollars as they can out of people and at the same time lower the quality of the experience. If they presented the exact same party as yesterday but took away about 1/5th of the people, I think the majority of the guests would have went away happy and returned every year they vacationed at that time. I believe it's shortsighted on Disney's part. Don't get me wrong. I will continue to bring my kids and any future grandkids to Disney but unless things radically change I would NEVER pay extra to go to another "limited admission" event. It's bad enough being in the park on a normal day when it's packed to the gills but to pay EXTRA? No thank you.

 

[5Hfan]

We got our magic bands today! We used our MNSSHP costume names as usual...View attachment 124183


Come on October 15th!!! Lol

We did that last year too, fun! Alas we are second class visitors staying at Shades of Green this time around, so we're reusing (and decorating) bands from previous trips.

 

[Melanie1437]

The not asking those who don't have wrist bands to leave that is being reported would definitely contribute to crowds at the shows and parades. This is something that Disney can easily improve and should improve at all remaining parties.

 

[Feralpeg]

Why would Disney "test" only 300 of something that's pretty specific ("HP Spectacular 2015")? Do they plan on keeping Hocus Pocus Spelltacular next year so they are trying to plan next year's merchandise? Really really hoping this is inaccurate info. It's not like Disney to turn down money, and based on the fact the shirts sold out in one night, seems like there's more money to be made THIS year.

I got one of the Hocus Pocus shirts. I just happened to go into the store next to the Emporium as a CM was putting them out. They only had one in my size, so I'm glad I happened in when I did. This was about 6 pm.

I did notice a lot of people entering the park wearing the official party t-shirt. Not sure how they got them unless they started selling them earlier in the day or prior. They used to only put out party merchandise after the party began.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Yeah, now I'm really thinking that the crowds were due to non-party guests not being asked to leave. That would make sense with the reports from last night, since the rides and even some of the more popular character lines (i.e., things that would result in a wristband check for sure) seem like they were pretty typical for parties. It really seems like it was the show, the parade route, and the fireworks that people seem to have the most complaints, which would make sense if non-paying guests were allowed to stay for those. Maybe Disney had a fast-and-loose policy about asking guests to leave last night since it was the first party of the season and they gave so many tickets away anyway.

Thanks for the reports from last night! I now have our plan for our party. Well, I have about 12% of a plan. But it's a start. Cruella at 6:30, Dwarfs during first parade, Jack Sparrow after second.

 

[mickey1968]

We got stuck out of position and couldn't get to Main Street for Hallowishes, which may not have been bad since it looked like a mob scene up there anyway. We ended up watching from behind the castle near the Carousel. While I was a little sad we couldn't see the projections on the castle, we were literally surrounded by fireworks so that was pretty cool. My DS loved it. The music and the fireworks themselves were awesome.

This is exactly what happened to me on my first MNSSHP in 2012. I had booked two parties so I wasn't too worried either and I thought being surrounded by the fireworks was pretty awesome too!

 

[mickey1968]

I got one of the Hocus Pocus shirts. I just happened to go into the store next to the Emporium as a CM was putting them out. They only had one in my size, so I'm glad I happened in when I did. This was about 6 pm.

I did notice a lot of people entering the park wearing the official party t-shirt. Not sure how they got them unless they started selling them earlier in the day or prior. They used to only put out party merchandise after the party began.

There is usually a party-specific shirt and a general Halloween or Christmas shirt that is dated and are sold on DisneyStore.com. Maybe what you saw were those?

 

[mickey1968]

I have noticed the light issues from Liberty Square area too. It is nice because you can see the parade coming toward you and then it slows down a bit to make the turn towards the Hub, but there are a lot of lights in that area that spoil some of the atmosphere.

 

[Feralpeg]

There is usually a party-specific shirt and a general Halloween or Christmas shirt that is dated and are sold on DisneyStore.com. Maybe what you saw were those?

No. The shirts I saw were the ones being sold for the party event. In fact, I purchased one for my daughter.

 

[mickey1968]

oops, double post

 

[stampinot]

Can anyone post a picture of the Official party shirt?

 

[mickey1968]

80 minutes for a resort bus? I assume you had to wait in a long line for the bus?

Unfortunately, this has been my experience in the past, but it was the week of Halloween and on Halloween night. But also sold out parties. It is one of the reasons I have rented a car the last few visits, but I don't think I will be able to do that this year.

 

[NoMoneyThanks2Disney]

I got one of the Hocus Pocus shirts. I just happened to go into the store next to the Emporium as a CM was putting them out. They only had one in my size, so I'm glad I happened in when I did. This was about 6 pm.

I did notice a lot of people entering the park wearing the official party t-shirt. Not sure how they got them unless they started selling them earlier in the day or prior. They used to only put out party merchandise after the party began.

We're going this Friday. Any chance you could tell me where in the Emporium the party merchandise was? Any help getting through the chaos would be greatly appreciated!

 

[KateP85]

Those shirts were a test limited to 300, and people were buying armloads at a time. If they are still there after this weekend I'll be surprised.

Has that been confirmed? I thought someone just posted that on Twitter or Instagram or something.

I spoke to two coworkers who went to the party last night. The first one went with her husband and teenage kids, they went just for the rides and had an awesome time! They said the waits were consistently short, and they managed to get on 7DMT so I guess it must have been working at some point. They saw the Hocus Pocus show and said it was fabulous, not to be missed. All in all, they had a great time.

My second coworker went with her husband and three young kids (all under 5.) She HATED it! She's never been before, and she said never again. She said the crowds were insane, to the point where she worried about her kids walking with the mob of people. She found a spot for the parade in Frontierland at 8pm, and was sat between two families, both of which told her they didn't have party tickets and had just stayed to watch the parade and fireworks. She said no one came by to see wristbands. They stayed for the fireworks, and when they left, they waited over an hour for a monorail back to their car. So I don't think they'll be repeat customers! Apparently all of her kids and her husband begged her not to go back again.

So it does sound like not checking wristbands really could have impacted the crowds last night. I wonder if Disney realizes this, and will crack down on it for the future parties.

 

[crostorfer]

My second coworker went with her husband and three young kids (all under 5.) She HATED it! She's never been before, and she said never again. She said the crowds were insane, to the point where she worried about her kids walking with the mob of people. She found a spot for the parade in Frontierland at 8pm, and was sat between two families, both of which told her they didn't have party tickets and had just stayed to watch the parade and fireworks. She said no one came by to see wristbands. They stayed for the fireworks, and when they left, they waited over an hour for a monorail back to their car. So I don't think they'll be repeat customers! Apparently all of her kids and her husband begged her not to go back again.

So it does sound like not checking wristbands really could have impacted the crowds last night. I wonder if Disney realizes this, and will crack down on it for the future parties.

This is a HUGE problem.

Honestly, why bother buying a party ticket then, if you have a multi-day ticket with sufficent days. I paid for the dessert party, but don't have my MNSSHP tickets yet, maybe I just won't buy one and save $140, if no one is checking.

 

[disneydude365]

For ppl asking picture of the elusive limited hocus pocus shirt

 

[KateP85]

This is a HUGE problem.

Yep! She's nicer than me, I would have flagged down a CM and told them to kick the families out!

 

[disneydude365]

Everyone needs to email and call Disney pressing the issue of checking for party bracelets
I'm sorry but if you didn't pay for the event you don't need to stay, and simply staying just to watch the parades and shows but avoiding rides and characters isn't good enough
I tip my hat as I wave good bye to all who are trying to get the exclusive stuff for free, it's stealing and hurting those who are paying fur the event

Sorry that turned into a rant
But seriously if enough ppl complain Disney will do something!

 

[disneydude365]

This years magic band

Little disappointed as can't really tell what the sound is supposed to be I'm assuming a screaming ghost, but it's got some cool color effects

After watching a few times I wanna say colors make a pumpkin