too many mnsshp scheduled in one week

[mi*vida*loca]

Not really. These parties aren't anything new and so the general population knows (or should have known) about them when you bought your ticket/annual pass. Even if the party date wasn't set you can look at last years date. As someone else said: it is the trade off for going in the low season.

As for research i don't think it's unreasonable for anyone spending $81/day/person on a 4 day ticket to be expected to do some general research. If I wanted to go to a convention and I went to my boss and said "hey, the convention fee is $350 and the room is $200/night but I don't know what seminars I'm going to attend and I'm just going to wing it" he wouldn't let me go. We just saw someone this week jump from the standby lane to the FP+ lane at splash mountain because they thought FP+ "was just for the people with the bands".

I know there are people that say "it's vacation, I don't want to plan" and that's fine and great. However you have to manage your own expectations doing that.

It's also frustrating to hear people griping about reservations. Every major city/attraction has tables that it is difficult to get into. Most of them are *worse* because you can only book 1 month to 6 weeks out. Disney has invested the money in the reservation system that lets you book over a longer period of time. You go for the view/food/atmosphere more than the food. People trying to get into The Polo Bar a month out don't know what they will want to eat that day; they just know they want to eat there.

Stacy


https://www.zagat.com/b/new-york-city/new-yorks-10-toughest-tables-right-now#2

I know about these parties but we don't go during the party times. It never occurred to me that it was 4 nights a week and I am a WDW planner (ADR's, FP+, which park on which day). I was shocked by that. I thought 3 at the most. So had I booked a trip this year I would've been shocked and a bit irritated but I would just plan around it, like the OP is going to do. Doesn't mean you have to be happy about it. I think it is kind of crappy to have 4 parties a week but it's not my call. It wouldn't ruin our vacation at all.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

This! IT really is impossible to just magically know that you can't just book a holiday an go to disney world and enjoy disney world.

This board may concentrate on Disney World, but it's not just Disney World. If you planned a 2 day trip to Universal in October and you didn't realize that the Studios park closes at 5 on both nights for Halloween Horror Night, you'd have the same complaint. Pretty much the same with any park that has special events at certain times of year. Are they all money grabbing too, or just WDW?

 

[DrunkJam]

This board may concentrate on Disney World, but it's not just Disney World. If you planned a 2 day trip to Universal in October and you didn't realize that the Studios park closes at 5 on both nights for Halloween Horror Night, you'd have the same complaint. Pretty much the same with any park that has special events at certain times of year. Are they all money grabbing too, or just WDW?

I'm sure the issues are the same. MY issue is not about the money, it's about the fact that it is not just in our DNA to magically know these things. The same for Universal, the same for anywhere. I really do believe that, if Disney (or any other company) expect this level of planning, then TAs should OFFER that information to people as they book. A simple "don't forget" style business card with your deposit receipt, with bullet points
1) Your restaurant reservations can be made 180 days out - you need to make them at that time if you want to eat sit down meals
2) You can book Fast Passes 60 days in advance, check x website for details
3) There are Parties and special events, check x website to see whether this affects you / you want to add them.

And the same for other places, int he same way.

just so everyone understands the way it works.

 

[mickeyheart]

I would advise to go to MK on a party day. The crowds tend to be quieter. You could go to MK to watch wishes etc on and evening that doesn't have a party x

 

[Becky0216]

While we always go during a party time, I agree there are too many. For my 8 days there are 4 parties. Completely understood the party schedule that was there before my booking, but it doesn't mean it isn't frustrating to be limited to days we can enjoy wishes. Always have to take the good with the bad.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Before we switched to Thanksgiving week we were planning to go first week of December. I had thought we could catch Holiday Wishes from the beach or TTC. It's definitely an option if the fireworks are really important to you.

 

[megster1123]

Really? You want to see more parties so that it isn't too crowded on the one night that you choose to go to the party?

Yes, I'd rather see more parties than fewer. I'm not saying they should add more above and beyond what is already scheduled, rather that the amount they have now I think is appropriate. Hearing feedback from people that attend parties that are packed it seems like an over-crowded party ends up not being fun for anyone.

 

[gatorlisa]

FWIW, we are frequent October visitors and have always had to deal with the party schedule. MK is much less crowded on party days than it is on party days. If you can swing the price of hoppers, I'd plan on starting your day in the MK on a party day and then hop to another park. On a non-party day, do the opposite...start in a park not called MK and then hop to MK in the evening for the nighttime stuff. You'll avoid the biggest crowds and be much happier overall than if you try to go to the MK only on non-party days.

I am planning to try this strategy in a couple of weeks. We decided at the last minute to go for a long weekend for one last chance to see the MSEP. After everything was booked, I realized our only chance for that would be on Saturday the 1st, which is also the 45th anniversary day for MK, so expected to be at least a little busier than normal. MK has AM EMH on Friday, which is also a party day, and we have hoppers, so we plan to do MK Friday at 8 until early afternoon, then hop to HS for evening EMH there. I figure we should be able to get to most of the things we want to do during that party day morning/early afternoon in MK so that it won't be a big deal if the MK is a zoo when we arrive Saturday afternoon and we aren't able to get to as many attractions. Saturday morning and early afternoon will be spent at Epcot.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

That's part of the reason they have so many parties to begin with. The demand for the parties is high, so they space out the crowds. Part of the reason for the demand is that party-goers are anticipating lower crowds. So the number of tickets sold per party is limited. But then they schedule more parties, because the demand is there.

as noted, it's often a good idea to go to MK in the morning on a day where there's a party scheduled...until 4, when the party guests can begin to enter, it can be a lower crowd day for the park than usual.

 

[scard192]

I would advise to go to MK on a party day. The crowds tend to be quieter. You could go to MK to watch wishes etc on and evening that doesn't have a party x

we are doing this for our November trip, 3 parties that week and 1 close at 4PM for another event.

as far as going to MK on a non-party night, we did this in 2013 (MNSSHP)and said never again. MK was a mad house as everyone who was not going to the parties goes to MK that day. took over an hour to get out of MK and my 3 year niece's stroller was almost tipped over several times.

we do go in the Fall as the discounts are better for our families but it is tough when you have 6 days at the parks and 4 of those 6 MK closes early.

as far as going to other parks on party nights. Our first MK day is Sunday, November 13. the last Sunday of F+W at EPCOT and want to avoid that park as there tends to be a lot of people who may have a bit too much to drink and we have kids, that leaves AK which currently has a close time of 6PM and DHS which closes at 7PM.

yes we did chose to go to WDW during party season but it does stink when you pay a lot for tickets and can't use them at the most popular park for 66% of the evenings.

we do plan to be at MK on the nights it closes early and hope to get a lot done.

 

[AshleyLovesDisney]

OP. We will be there pretty much the exact same dates (8-15) and I was also disappointed. I get that it's just the time of the year, but I was also a little down about it. Just wanted to say that you're not the only one.

 

[maxiesmom]

we are doing this for our November trip, 3 parties that week and 1 close at 4PM for another event.

as far as going to MK on a non-party night, we did this in 2013 (MNSSHP)and said never again. MK was a mad house as everyone who was not going to the parties goes to MK that day. took over an hour to get out of MK and my 3 year niece's stroller was almost tipped over several times.

we do go in the Fall as the discounts are better for families but it is tough when you have 6 days at the parks and 4 of those 6 MK closes early.

as far as going to other parks on party nights. Our first MK day is Sunday, November 13. the last Sunday of F+W at EPCOT and want to avoid that park as there tends to be a lot of people who may have a bit too much to drink and we have kids, that leaves AK which currently has a close time of 6PM and DHS which closes at 7PM.

yes we did chose to go to WDW during party season but it does stink when you pay a lot for tickets and can't use them at the most popular park for 66% of the evenings.

we do plan to be at MK on the nights it closes early and hope to get a lot done.

Why not go to Epcot and stick to Future World?

Also as I pointed out earlier if Disney didn't have the parties the Magic Kingdom still wouldn't be open late. You are missing out on 2 hours at most.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

I totally understand your frustration! Back when we had AP's, the parties drove me crazy because there were several months of the year where we either couldn't go at night or night time was extra crowded on non-party days. Sure we knew the deal when we purchased the AP's, but it was still annoying. It's really brilliant of Disney as they have figured out how to sell the park twice. So just want to let you know that I know where you are coming from.

This! It really is brilliant, to sell the park twice. What I wonder is, if at some point, they will figure out how to do this all year long.

 

[scard192]

Why not go to Epcot and stick to Future World?

Also as I pointed out earlier if Disney didn't have the parties the Magic Kingdom still wouldn't be open late. You are missing out on 2 hours at most.

Future World would not be as crazy you don't think? Had originally planned to maybe see Illuminations that night until I realized it was the last Sunday of F+W.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

This! It really is brilliant, to sell the park twice. What I wonder is, if at some point, they will figure out how to do this all year long.

They've tried, and apparently have found that it is only profitable under certain circumstances. Used to be there were evening parties during spring break too (anyone remember the Pirate and Princess Party?) and the short-lived extended hours for $$ that took place this May. So I don't see it happening year round.

 

[Nancyg56]

They've tried, and apparently have found that it is only profitable under certain circumstances. Used to be there were evening parties during spring break too (anyone remember the Pirate and Princess Party?) and the short-lived extended hours for $$ that took place this May. So I don't see it happening year round.

I remember!!!We went to one of the first parties in January and it was awesome. It rained, which was not so good, but once it dried out we were back in business. I will say that given a choice though, the holiday themed ones make more sense to me. Halloween, Christmas.....there is a purpose. THe P&P, while fun, was kind of why? The parade was really good, as was the fireworks and castle stage show.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

They've tried, and apparently have found that it is only profitable under certain circumstances. Used to be there were evening parties during spring break too (anyone remember the Pirate and Princess Party?) and the short-lived extended hours for $$ that took place this May. So I don't see it happening year round.

That is right. I do remember that phrase now. They may not be able to do these parties other than at the holidays then, but I bet their minds are always churning as to how they could sell the parks twice year round.

 

[lugnut33]

oh ok well i didnt know that a lot people complain about this

Well, if you just had done some research......

 

[brookstu]

I get the irritation about not being able to do MK at night if its just wishes you want to see. Go over to Grand Floridian or Poly and hang out. They have great views and are beautiful hotels. First class drinks as well.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

This board may concentrate on Disney World, but it's not just Disney World. If you planned a 2 day trip to Universal in October and you didn't realize that the Studios park closes at 5 on both nights for Halloween Horror Night, you'd have the same complaint. Pretty much the same with any park that has special events at certain times of year. Are they all money grabbing too, or just WDW?

Well I do agree with you but Universal is actually quite different in this regards so at least to me it's comparing apples to oranges.

From what I understand the OP's complaints are two things: 1) too many parties during their time there 2) two available nights to watch wishes

Universal doesn't do a display like MK Wishes during that time of year so yes you have parties but the worst you'll have is the park closes early (and only by a teensy amount) but you wouldn't have the opportunity to see a display like Wishes taken away since it wasn't there to begin with.