Pirates & Princesses Party - Don't bother!!

[fan1080]

To be completely honest, imo, these special events are a rip off to the resort quests who are there during the days of the special events.

I was at WDW last week. We had reservations at the over-priced CRT for 5:30 (where not one princess appeared during our dinner, btw). The park was to close at 7:00pm, for what we later found out was the P&PP. When we came out from Dinner it was after 7pm. It was our plan to take some pics on our way out. Disney had other plans for us though. We were essentially chased out of the park, treated like we were criminals. I was setting up my camera/tripod for a nice picture of my family and was immediate approached by a CM who told us we had to leave. The CM then called over two other CM's and told them they were to escort us out of the park. We just left the dinner not even 5 minutes prior and they were all over us like lions to a fresh kill.

It was not a very good "Disney" experience, I'm considering writing a letter, but what good would that do?

These special events, imo, are nothing more than a way for Disney to get deeper into our pockets. I paid for an 8-day pass, and come to find out I have to pay an additional $45/person to be able to stay after 7pm for that evening. Nice!

 

[beattyfamily]

To be completely honest, imo, these special events are a rip off to the resort quests who are there during the days of the special events.

I was at WDW last week. We had reservations at the over-priced CRT for 5:30 (where not one princess appeared during our dinner, btw). The park was to close at 7:00pm, for what we later found out was the P&PP. When we came out from Dinner it was after 7pm. It was our plan to take some pics on our way out. Disney had other plans for us though. We were essentially chased out of the park, treated like we were criminals. I was setting up my camera/tripod for a nice picture of my family and was immediate approached by a CM who told us we had to leave. The CM then called over two other CM's and told them they were to escort us out of the park. We just left the dinner not even 5 minutes prior and they were all over us like lions to a fresh kill.

It was not a very good "Disney" experience, I'm considering writing a letter, but what good would that do?

These special events, imo, are nothing more than a way for Disney to get deeper into our pockets. I paid for an 8-day pass, and come to find out I have to pay an additional $45/person to be able to stay after 7pm for that evening. Nice!

I disagree. The park would have closed then anyway. These special events are AFTER HOUR events. The park closes and then re-opens to those willing to shell out the extra money. These events are usually held off season when the park would close early anyway as a way to get Disney more money and some guests more hours at MK. They take the place of E-nights.

I'm also VERY glad to hear they were diligent with getting a non-party guest out of the park since it closed officially at 7:00p. Sorry you felt like a criminal though. It's just good to hear they try and get those who didn't pay to stay out of the park so those who did pay can enough the festivities.

 

[fan1080]

I disagree. The park would have closed then anyway. These special events are AFTER HOUR events. The park closes and then re-opens to those willing to shell out the extra money. These events are usually held off season when the park would close early anyway as a way to get Disney more money and some guests more hours at MK. They take the place of E-nights.

I'm also VERY glad to hear they were diligent with getting a non-party guest out of the park since it closed officially at 7:00p. Sorry you felt like a criminal though. It's just good to hear they try and get those who didn't pay to stay out of the park so those who did pay can enough the festivities.

If Disney is ok with having the park open for the special event, there is no need to close the park at 7. I'm not too sure the park can really close and re-open at the same time. Doesn't it essentially just stays open? The only difference being you need a ticket for the event to get in and then they give you a wrist band.

Yes, guests not paying for the event should be asked to leave, I agree. But the way it was handled was not very pleasant. And, it wasn't as if our intentions were to stay. We planned our dinner around the closing so we could take advantage of some nice uncrowded pics as we left the park following dinner. Sadly, we discovered the park wasn't really closed.

Disney could have been a little more proactive about this too. Why couldn't they inform their guests of the event so we knew what to expect. Yes, I could spend all my time researching this stuff, but I think it would go along way if Disney would inform guests either at the time of booking, or at check-in, that there was a special event going on during our stay and explained the details to us. But, no, nada, not a word. Just go to the park, come out from an over-priced dinner at CRT, and proceed to be treated like criminals.

Disney is great in many ways, but certainly not with respect to these events.

It will not take away from my love for Disney, though. As bad as it felt to be treated that way, I enjoy Disney way too much to prevent me from going back again.

 

[LMO429]

I really did not read this whole thread. But the OP said at the P&PP their were wait times of 30 mintues for space mountain..and 10 to 20 minutes at Peter Pan.

In my experiences at Hard ticket events or not ..a 30 minute posted wait time is usually only a 15 minutes. a 10 to 20 minute wait time usually is only 5 minutes or less.

When I do go to the P&PP in May I'm not going to let those wait times discourage me from getting in line

 

[beattyfamily]

Disney could have been a little more proactive about this too. Why couldn't they inform their guests of the event so we knew what to expect. Yes, I could spend all my time researching this stuff, but I think it would go along way if Disney would inform guests either at the time of booking, or at check-in, that there was a special event going on during our stay and explained the details to us. But, no, nada, not a word. Just go to the park, come out from an over-priced dinner at CRT, and proceed to be treated like criminals.

At every special event I've been to there was a sign as you enter the park that stated that the park would be closing for a special event at 7:00p and they also made several announcements over the loud speaker stating that the park would be closing and if you wanted to stay, you were welcome to purchase a ticket to the event if not, you would need to start heading to the door. Did they not do either of these for PPP parties?

Of course, there are many other ways to know of the special events with research (park hours, reading here on the DIS etc...).

Again, sorry you felt you were being treated like a crimminal.

Eating an "over priced meal" at CRT is irrelevant to the subject at hand, IMHO. That was completely your choice to do.

 

[CarolA]

I disagree. The park would have closed then anyway. These special events are AFTER HOUR events. The park closes and then re-opens to those willing to shell out the extra money. These events are usually held off season when the park would close early anyway as a way to get Disney more money and some guests more hours at MK. They take the place of E-nights.

I'm also VERY glad to hear they were diligent with getting a non-party guest out of the park since it closed officially at 7:00p. Sorry you felt like a criminal though. It's just good to hear they try and get those who didn't pay to stay out of the park so those who did pay can enough the festivities.

WHY do you say the park would have "closed anyway" The ONLY night this week it closes at 7? Night of the Party. So no, it wouldn't have closed at 7 and regardless on a regular night I can't recall hearing anyone being FORCED out right at closing.

There's this MYTH that the park would ONLY be open late if there is the Party... Hmmm..

LOOK AT THE HOURS FOR THIS WEEK

Sunday open until Midnight
Monday open until 11
Tuesday open until Midnight
Wed open until 11
Thurs open until 11
Friday open until 7
Saturday open until 11

So WHY is it closed at 7 on Friday???? You got it PARTY!!!! It's VERY evident that there are enough folks at Disney to justify extended hours, but why should they give the guests what they paid for?? Throw them out four hours early so they will pay us an extra $50.

To the poster who was run out of the park... COMPLAIN! You should have been allowed to take a picture without being treated like a criminal. Disney's the one doing the "robbing"here!

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

You have a choice to go to Disney or not.
You have a choice of what/where you chose to eat.
You have a choice of what day you choose to go into the park?

Disney is the kind of vacation where, if you do your research, you know exactly what you are getting. And in my opinion is worth every penny.

We have been to Disney many times and are true Disney lovers. My ONLY complaint. Is the rude, complaining people.

This is the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. If you can't come with that mind set, do us a favor and DON'T COME. You are ruining it for the rest of us. Vacation somewhere else.

 

[WDSearcher]

So WHY is it closed at 7 on Friday???? You got it PARTY!!!! It's VERY evident that there are enough folks at Disney to justify extended hours, but why should they give the guests what they paid for?? Throw them out four hours early so they will pay us an extra $50.

To the poster who was run out of the park... COMPLAIN! You should have been allowed to take a picture without being treated like a criminal. Disney's the one doing the "robbing"here!

Perhaps MK was open late the other nights to make it up to the guests who were no planning on the party. Open the park late for six nights for all guests (when it would normally close earlier) to offset the ONE night that they're closing early for the party. Perhaps?

"Throw them out four hours early." Gee ... not a fan of the parties, I see.

If the OP does write a letter, I hope he details the "feeling like a criminal" and "like lions to the slaughter" behavior of the CMs. As I was reading the post, I felt as though there was quite a lot of exaggerating going on, and he'll get a much better result and response from Disney if he can add a bit more detail. "And then a cast member named 'Bob' came out and practically tipped over our tripod trying to get us to leave" will get you a lot further than "and then two people came out and practically pushed us out with cattle prods." YWIM? (Just a suggestion.)

 

[tksbaskets]

You have a choice to go to Disney or not.
You have a choice of what/where you chose to eat.
You have a choice of what day you choose to go into the park?

Disney is the kind of vacation where, if you do your research, you know exactly what you are getting. And in my opinion is worth every penny.

We have been to Disney many times and are true Disney lovers. My ONLY complaint. Is the rude, complaining people.

This is the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. If you can't come with that mind set, do us a favor and DON'T COME. You are ruining it for the rest of us. Vacation somewhere else.

Well said!!

 

[beattyfamily]

WHY do you say the park would have "closed anyway" The ONLY night this week it closes at 7? Night of the Party. So no, it wouldn't have closed at 7 and regardless on a regular night I can't recall hearing anyone being FORCED out right at closing.

There's this MYTH that the park would ONLY be open late if there is the Party... Hmmm..

LOOK AT THE HOURS FOR THIS WEEK

Sunday open until Midnight
Monday open until 11
Tuesday open until Midnight
Wed open until 11
Thurs open until 11
Friday open until 7
Saturday open until 11

So WHY is it closed at 7 on Friday???? You got it PARTY!!!! It's VERY evident that there are enough folks at Disney to justify extended hours, but why should they give the guests what they paid for?? Throw them out four hours early so they will pay us an extra $50.

To the poster who was run out of the park... COMPLAIN! You should have been allowed to take a picture without being treated like a criminal. Disney's the one doing the "robbing"here!

Well, this is Winter Break so it will be very busy and I guess that's why the hours are so late on the non-party nights. Wow, they only have one party this week and people still complain. All the other nights, they are open super late so everyone should be happy.

In my post, though, I was talking about my experience with off season, specifically Oct and Dec (MNSSHP and MVMCP) and even on the nights there wasn't parties, MK closed at 7, 8 or 9. When I went in 2001 and 2002 the nights there weren't parties MK still closed at 6p or 7p except on Saturdays. That is what I meant. I'm not an expert on February vacation.

I look at these special events as the new E-nights. I don't find them to be a rip off and I don't feel Disney keeps them a secret at all. I think they get the word out about them pretty well so if you (you, in general) don't know they're happening, then I think you have only yourself to blame.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I loved the Princess and Pirate Party I went to last year. I believe I saw every princess, as well as many of the supporting characters and princes. There were also no crowds at the one I went to, including along the street during the parade. Going in at 4:00 is a good idea, since it gives you three extra hours in the park.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

And as a PP said, there are Mickey & Minnie topiaries outside of the enterance to the MK.

They're different from the displays they had last year. These are the ones from 2007;

 

[disneyfav4ever]

We had reservations at the over-priced CRT for 5:30 (where not one princess appeared during our dinner, btw).

These special events, imo, are nothing more than a way for Disney to get deeper into our pockets. I paid for an 8-day pass, and come to find out I have to pay an additional $45/person to be able to stay after 7pm for that evening. Nice!

If you had done any research on dinner, you would've known that is was not a character meal. The P&P Party is a special hard-ticket event, and it's not every night. If I were you I would of planned on a different night at MK, and gone to a different park that day.

 

[fan1080]

At every special event I've been to there was a sign as you enter the park that stated that the park would be closing for a special event at 7:00p and they also made several announcements over the loud speaker stating that the park would be closing and if you wanted to stay, you were welcome to purchase a ticket to the event if not, you would need to start heading to the door. Did they not do either of these for PPP parties?

Of course, there are many other ways to know of the special events with research (park hours, reading here on the DIS etc...).

Again, sorry you felt you were being treated like a crimminal.

Eating an "over priced meal" at CRT is irrelevant to the subject at hand, IMHO. That was completely your choice to do.

We spent the entire day at MK that day, EMH entry. Didn't see or hear one announcement about the P&PP while we were there that day. Doesn't mean there wasn't though, we are very active in the parks when we go to Disney. We could have been on a ride, eating, etc when the announcements were made. No info given to us at entry either.

Yeah, the let down from the CRT meal was just the beginning of the unfortunate experience to follow. Salt in the wound kind of thing.

 

[fan1080]

LOL, the tone of some of the responses to my post have been rather interesting.

For the record, there is no need to argue a point that I've identified as something I, or anyone, could have done to prevent an issue from arising.

Besides, it doesn't necessarily matter how much research any of us do, we all make mistakes or miss things now and again. I actually did do alot of research about our trip, I always do. But I never found anything about why MK was closing at 7pm last Thursday. When I couldn't find any info, I just assumed it was because of valentines day....... nope, park is open, you just need to pay us an additional fee to stay! A croc, in my opinion.

Why can't Disney be more proactive? Why can't they have it as part of the check-in package: "Special Events During Your Stay", here's what to expect, etc.

 

[damo]

I can be in the park from 4 o'clock til midnight for $45, enough said

That is exactly why we go.

 

[chrissybear]

We went in Aug with the kids and again in Jan on an adults only trip. I was bummed that there were no more chocolates, but I used the "jewels" in our scrapbook and they look great. We had a great time, even though it rained on our parade, but the rain blew over before the end of the night. I knew not to make Captain Jack our first stop and when we went back later in the evening we had no wait at all. We did a lot, and had very little waits. Our friends had never been to the PPP before, and they loved it. They were like big kids looking for treasure. We had a great time and would do it again.

 

[Chellymouse]

Wow! I'm sorry you didn't have a great time. We went last August and regretted not going 2 nights while we were there. We had nearly zero wait times for everything...rode Splash Mt and BTMR 4 times each in an hour. We didn't even have to get off the boat for Splash Mt. We waited about 15 minutes for Jack, but we did it right when we walked in as we'd heard his line gets long fast. Wish we would have had more time to see more characters, but overall, we'd do it again!

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

I can be in the park from 4 o'clock til midnight for $45, enough said

Well said that is another main reason we also go to these events..............like I said before anything exta its all gravey (magical gravey)

I'm not sure why everyone complains? Bottom line its because there trip is not planned out, or didn't do any research, OR there expecting way too much.

If I was so unhappy when I got to the event, I would make the best f it......heck your in DISNEY

 

[WDSearcher]

Yeah, the let down from the CRT meal was just the beginning of the unfortunate experience to follow. Salt in the wound kind of thing.

It does seem as though your day started going downhill because you apparently expected to see princesses at the CRT meal and there were none. But, as others have said, CRT is not a character meal. So it's not as though the princesses were supposed to be there and weren't. They're never there. I think that might be what people are referring to when they say that a little research would have helped. Not that anything can be done at this point, of course, but that's likely where those comments are coming from.

I will agree that if you don't read every single piece of paper in your resort room or every single sign at the entrance, you can miss things. Disney tries to be proactive about things like the park closing early for a special event, but there's a line that needs to be drawn between being proactive about getting the word out and not sounding like you're constantly hyping and selling the event. In your case, they didn't get you the information you needed in order to better plan your day. Hopefully once you left MK, you were able to head out to the Studios or Epcot or Downtown Disney or one of the other areas on property that was still open.