Villians Sinister Soirée

[crostorfer]

Just FYI, looks like they've added second seatings to many Oct dates... and some info suggests more like 120-130 seats per. Not sure the latter is clear or will be until the first soirée.

I kind of wish they wouldn't have done that. But, que sera-sera.

A lot is going to hinge on capacity and location. If they just rope off the front of the castle forecourt stage, and party capacity is 120 people per party, I don't really want that location for watching the parade and I will skip it. I'm already taking 45 minutes of party time to do this, I don't want to have to go immediately upon arrival to the castle forecourt and stand around there for a couple hours to ensure I'm one of the first let in, order to ensure I can actually SEE the parade without 240 people in front of me. That is a pretty small chunk of real estate to cram that many people in. I'd rather just stay to my own schedule and watch the parade from Frontierland.

On the flip side, if they were to rope off the entire inner ring of the hub and make that the parade viewing area, that would be great.

 

[mom2rtk]

On the flip side, if they were to rope off the entire inner ring of the hub and make that the parade viewing area, that would be great.

And if they did that, I think those not attending the soiree would have a legitimate gripe that the paid event had diminished their experience. I have a hunch it will be a smaller area of the hub, just to prevent these complaints. Yet if the area is too jam packed, they run the risk of people paying $100/head complaining they spent all that money and still had people in their way.

I like photographing the parades and need a front row spot to do that. If we did the soiree, I could see us ditching that viewing location in favor of somewhere less crowded.

 

[lurkernj]

I've been debating this for a couple of days now.

Finally I called yesterday and was told there wasn't anything available for my dates (10/5), but I was trying to book for just one, which according to other posts isn't an option. I slept on it and booked this morning for 2(I'll cancel one later), only the late seating was available, so I took it.

I'm not totally sold on the event. I'm concerned I'll be too tired to enjoy it. But the late seating won't make me miss valuable party time and it will be cool to leave when the park is practically empty(assuming busses will still be running).

I'll wait and see what the first few parties hold, and if it doesn't seem totally awesome, I'll cancel.

My CM said that the preferred viewing location for both events is in the castle hub.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I just called and changed ours from 10:15 to 11:45 for 10/31. (Got right through to a cast member, and the change didn't take more than 5 minutes total. Even kept the same confirmation number.) The later soiree works out much better for us, as my biggest concern about this add-on event was that it was taking time away from the regular trick-or-treating and other special things throughout the park. I'm much happier with the concept of staying after MNSSHP is ending.

 

[SheThePlanner]

I just called and changed ours from 10:15 to 11:45 for 10/31. (Got right through to a cast member, and the change didn't take more than 5 minutes total. Even kept the same confirmation number.) The later soiree works out much better for us, as my biggest concern about this add-on event was that it was taking time away from the regular trick-or-treating and other special things throughout the park. I'm much happier with the concept of staying after MNSSHP is ending.

Did the change show on your MDE? I did same but it still displays earlier seating.

 

[Linda67]

I've just switched to the 2nd seating on October 31st
Love the idea of being in the castle at midnight
I guess that frees up the early seating for someone else

 

[tiriggs1]

Did the change show on your MDE? I did same but it still displays earlier seating.

MDE showed the change to 11:25pm about 5min after I called.

 

[freckles04]

Just called Disney. CM stated 11:25PM seating was unavailable on October 9th, but told me to check back.

When I told her I was calling to change my 9:55 to a later seating, she said, "Wow, most people want the earlier seating. I can't give the late ones away!" but then proceeded to tell me it was unavailable on my night. How weird!


Honestly, I think we will cancel altogether unless the first reviews are just flat-out amazing. I'm mostly booking for the preferred viewing areas (although the dessert party sounds fun too!). If they've added two seatings at almost every party, I'm worried the preferred viewing area will be too crowded. I'm interested in a viewing area where we don't have to stake out our spot for an hour +, and with people checking in at 7:30, this may not be what I was hoping for.

 

[jwillcox87]

Does anyone know how long the actual dessert portion is going to be? Do we get an hour in CRT or less?

If we don't know yet, then we will know next week.

Is anyone on here going to the first or second party? If so, can you make sure to report back on how it was?

Thanks!

 

[crostorfer]

And if they did that, I think those not attending the soiree would have a legitimate gripe that the paid event had diminished their experience. I have a hunch it will be a smaller area of the hub, just to prevent these complaints. Yet if the area is too jam packed, they run the risk of people paying $100/head complaining they spent all that money and still had people in their way. I like photographing the parades and need a front row spot to do that. If we did the soiree, I could see us ditching that viewing location in favor of somewhere less crowded.

This really is the crux of the problem isn't it? Just how much exclusivity will an extra $100 per person buy you at WDW? One thing both sides of this issue can agree on is that $100 per person is a lot of money, and I think everyone wants to see people get their money's worth, even if they don't participate. I am looking very forward to Monday nights' reports. However, I believe Monday may be a cluster of epic proportions, so I'm not going to base my decision on whether or not to keep this experience reservation until the 1st of October. I think the first few parties will be trial and error, hopefully with adjustments along the way. I've been burned by WDW quite a few times in my last two trips, so I know to not set my expectations too high.

 

[mom2rtk]

This really is the crux of the problem isn't it? Just how much exclusivity will an extra $100 per person buy you at WDW? One thing both sides of this issue can agree on is that $100 per person is a lot of money, and I think everyone wants to see people get their money's worth, even if they don't participate. I am looking very forward to Monday nights' reports. However, I believe Monday may be a cluster of epic proportions, so I'm not going to base my decision on whether or not to keep this experience reservation until the 1st of October. I think the first few parties will be trial and error, hopefully with adjustments along the way. I've been burned by WDW quite a few times in my last two trips, so I know to not set my expectations too high.

I expect them to fine tune some things as they go. The problem with Villains Unleashed is that 1) The problems needed a lot more than fine tuning and 2) They only held it one night so had no time to fine tune or major tune.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Did the change show on your MDE? I did same but it still displays earlier seating.

Yes, it now shows my 11:30 check-in time.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I just changed my 09/28 10pm seating to the 11:45pm one. Woohoo!! So excited!!

 

[kaylasmom07]

There have been more questions answered on Disney Parks Blog about the Soiree.

"Disney PhotoPass photographers will be on hand at the parade and fireworks viewing area, but will not be at the dessert soiree; however Guests are welcome to take photos of all the fun inside the Castle themselves."

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...eets-at-mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/

 

[dani77]

I just changed my 09/28 10pm seating to the 11:45pm one. Woohoo!! So excited!!

By now I'm really wondering how many seatings they have. I don't want to be rushed in and out of CRT within half an hour
I'm going September 26th and got 11:25 while many others got 10:30, 11:15 or 11:45.
Maybe they do it just like with the Wishes dessert party...no matter what time you get the whole party (or for 2 seatings 2 partys) still starts at the same time. I would really like to now what the earliest check in time is...all of this seems a little odd.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

By now I'm really wondering how many seatings they have. I don't want to be rushed in and out of CRT within half an hour
I'm going September 26th and got 11:25 while many others got 10:30, 11:15 or 11:45.
Maybe they do it just like with the Wishes dessert party...no matter what time you get the whole party (or for 2 seatings 2 partys) still starts at the same time. I would really like to now what the earliest check in time is...all of this seems a little odd.

I think they are trying to stagger the arrival of people. I believe the second "party" starts at 11:45 but people can start arriving at 11:20, etc to check-in. My official check-in time is 11:30pm for that night.

 

[theotherlostprincess]

I called and switched from the early time that said 10pm to the later which my time says 1145. Hope the later seating all starts the same time at 1145

 

[kaylasmom07]

So I just noticed in the disney parks blog post about the party that the part about meeting maleficent and the evil queen with their princesses is gone now. And also there's this in the comments:

"Does this mean that Rapunzel and Cinderella won’t be at the party?

Shawn Slater on August 28th, 2014 at 11:05 am

Amber – You will be able to find them inside Princess Fairytale Hall."

He also said Frollo should be at Club Villain and confirmed there will be no "Mingle" after the mix and mingle.

Very Interesting...

 

[mom2rtk]

So I just noticed in the disney parks blog post about the party that the part about meeting maleficent and the evil queen with their princesses is gone now. And also there's this in the comments:

"Does this mean that Rapunzel and Cinderella won’t be at the party?

Shawn Slater on August 28th, 2014 at 11:05 am

Amber – You will be able to find them inside Princess Fairytale Hall."

He also said Frollo should be at Club Villain and confirmed there will be no "Mingle" after the mix and mingle.

Very Interesting...

Hmmmmmm..... Very interesting.........

 

[tiriggs1]

So I just noticed in the disney parks blog post about the party that the part about meeting maleficent and the evil queen with their princesses is gone now. And also there's this in the comments:

"Does this mean that Rapunzel and Cinderella won’t be at the party?

Shawn Slater on August 28th, 2014 at 11:05 am

Amber – You will be able to find them inside Princess Fairytale Hall."

He also said Frollo should be at Club Villain and confirmed there will be no "Mingle" after the mix and mingle.

Very Interesting...

I am sure they do not want to commit to what villians will be at the party. This way they can mix it up as needed and nobody can demand their money back when Maleficient isnt there. I don't blame Disney. There are a lot of tough customers out there. In the last week I have read more negativity on Dis Boards than ever before.