Pirates & Princesses Party - Don't bother!!

[vanillarum]

Hello fellow Mass. camper ! Sorry you didn't have a good time at the P and P party. Sounds to me like you needed to do a little more planning. We went in Aug., and prior to going, I read and asked many questions on the Dis. Our results were great ! We had dinner at CP at 5PM (we were all (me, DW, DS 16, and DD11) dressed as pirates, then (6:30) went right outside to get in line for pictures and meet and greet with Capt. Jack. We waited 15 min in line and were shown right in. Yes, we did get candy, but I have since read that they were going to do away with that. We rode every ride multiple times with NO wait time, they were just walk on. And the fireworks were awesome. We even saw them 2 more times from the beach at the Poly, and they were great from there ! So, sorry it wasn't great for you, but it was the highlight of our trip (followed closely by lunch with an Imagineer). As long as they have a P and P party, we'll go.

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

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 agree totally with you! Its not worth it if you are a WDW resort guest.
That's terrible that they chased you away after the CRT "robbery" which I was subjected to as well.

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

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!

Oh that was another disappointment. Splash Mountain was closed -- even though advertized on flyer to be open!

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

Hello fellow Mass. camper ! Sorry you didn't have a good time at the P and P party. Sounds to me like you needed to do a little more planning. We went in Aug., and prior to going, I read and asked many questions on the Dis. Our results were great ! We had dinner at CP at 5PM (we were all (me, DW, DS 16, and DD11) dressed as pirates, then (6:30) went right outside to get in line for pictures and meet and greet with Capt. Jack. We waited 15 min in line and were shown right in. Yes, we did get candy, but I have since read that they were going to do away with that. We rode every ride multiple times with NO wait time, they were just walk on. And the fireworks were awesome. We even saw them 2 more times from the beach at the Poly, and they were great from there ! So, sorry it wasn't great for you, but it was the highlight of our trip (followed closely by lunch with an Imagineer). As long as they have a P and P party, we'll go.

Wow! Quite different from our experience. We went on a busy (probably SOLD OUT night). Space Mtn had a 30 to 40 minute wait. Big Thunder Mountain only had a 5 minute wait.

 

[LJRJR]

We were at the Pirate and Princess Party on Feb. 9th and had a great time. It was empty, there were no lines and the fireworks were great. We arrived at the entrance at 7 pm and it was alittle crowded since they had to let everyone in and then given them a wristband, which they did check throughout the evening. It was the last night of a six day trip. We had a great time, it was the highlight of our trip.

 

[lrab1126]

We loved the P&PP in August. We waited for nothing ! Honestly though, I will not miss the chocolate to terribly... it melted pretty quick and also when traveling with 2 kiddos.. i would have preferred that all that candy not be so readily available as I do not like them to gorge on candy and they really are not big candy fans really. And in the insane august heat, it melted pretty quick too. They will enjoy the jewels more. This time I will focus more on character greetings and some of the other events. We did the dance party at cosmic rays which they LOVED...so I want to hit up ariel's grotto dance party this time if they still do it.

sorry you did not have as good of an experience. Sounds like you had a night that was well sold.

 

[DisneyGirlie]

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

ITA!

 

[tnmomof4]

Yes.

We went last year and had a great time. We had 5:15 reservations at LTT. It was okay, but we were glad we had ressies. This year we will go again and eat CS, so we have more time for meet and greets.

I just had a question. I noticed you said you ate at LTT at 5:15. I read someone else said they ate at CP at 5:00.

Does this mean you used one of your regular park tickets for during the day, and then paid for another ticket for the P&P Party that started at 7:00 p.m?

 

[TLSnell1981]

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.

Park hours are posted months in advance. One of the many places to find the schedues, is on the above link for theme parks.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I just had a question. I noticed you said you ate at LTT at 5:15. I read someone else said they ate at CP at 5:00.

Does this mean you used one of your regular park tickets for during the day, and then paid for another ticket for the P&P Party that started at 7:00 p.m?

I believe those that have tickets for P&PP are admitted to the park after 4:00pm.

 

[Joanna71985]

I just had a question. I noticed you said you ate at LTT at 5:15. I read someone else said they ate at CP at 5:00.

Does this mean you used one of your regular park tickets for during the day, and then paid for another ticket for the P&P Party that started at 7:00 p.m?

You can get in with just the P&P ticket at 4pm.

 

[fan1080]

Park hours are posted months in advance. One of the many places to find the schedues, is on the above link for theme parks.

I wasn't questioning park hours, that's easy to find. I was referring to info regarding the P&PP. Didn't see, read or hear anything about it during our stay. In fact, I didn't hear anything about it before our arrival either.

 

[Tinkgrl33]

I haven't had a chance to read through this entire thread but I have to disagree with the OP. We also went on 2/9 and was shocked at how empty the park was. (Granted this was my first Feb trip). We got there a little after 7 because our flight didn't get in until 5 pm. So at that point we just saw the regular crowds lined up for the ferry boat. I'm not sure if we were lucky or what but we literally walked onto every ride. We didn't get a spot for the fireworks until 5 minutes before they started and there was plenty of room around the hub. We got an annual pass for this trip because we were staying at a deluxe so we paid $30 per person and I thought it was well worth the money. I would go again in a heartbeat!

 

[TLSnell1981]

I wasn't questioning park hours, that's easy to find. I was referring to info regarding the P&PP. Didn't see, read or hear anything about it during our stay. In fact, I didn't hear anything about it before our arrival either.

So, how did that affect the closing time to the general public?

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Well, I am going with the positive posts and will be getting tickets for the 5/2 party. I know it's all at how you look at it and plan it. If you go in with a positive attitude and still know that things don't always turn out the way you hope, then you will have a good time regardless. Can't wait!!

 

[CrazedDisFan]

As for a park closing for a special ticketed event, there are other parks. In fact, if you don't have park hoppers and are not planning to attend a ticketed event, the wise decision would be to utilize your park ticket for the day at Epcot which is the park of the remaining 3 that generally is open latest.

Also, in my opinion, Disney is not forcing you out of the parkS. They are telling you that if you have not purchased an event ticket for THAT park, you will need to leave THAT park.



As for the guest who was herded out of MK, I agree the way you were treated was not magical. However, you have to understand that while you were innocently trying to take photos, some idiot was trying to sneak in free of charge to the ticketed event and take advantage of the offerings. It's the old, 'one jerk ruins it for everyone' scenario.

 

[fan1080]

So, how did that affect the closing time to the general public?

It doesn't affect the closing time to the general public.....

As I've already posted: This affects those that have paid for park admission, but can not stay in the park after 7 unless they pay the additional fee for the "special event". It's creative marketing on Disney's side, nothing more than a way to dig deeper into our pockets.

One could argue that the park would have closed at 7 anyway, and now they are offering the public entrance beyond normal hours. However, if they are willing to open the park for the "special event", then why not have it open anyway?

Like I said, it's a way for Disney to make more money. Nothing wrong with that though, capitalism at it's finest, it's just annoying to be faced with having to pay an additional fee to stay in the park.

 

[estherhead]

Didn't read all of this, but just wanted to pop on & say that my family ADORED ADORED the P&PP & are quite disappointed it will not be there when we visit this year (Thanksgiving.) We loved the fireworks & the parade. I n my trip report I detail why.

We did find the lines for princesses & Jack way too long & did those things at a later time. But the rides were delightful.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Disney has had special ticketed events for many years. I love them. MVMCP is one of my favorites. Guests know well in advance when the park is closing to the general public. I guess things have changed. They used to not make you leave the park....you just couldn't get on any of the rides.

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

During our trip the latest the Magic Kingdom was open was 8pm. So I don't think closing 1 hour early a couple days a week is that big of a deal. I don't understand why it upsets people of makes them feel cheated.