Villians Sinister Soirée

[TanJDis2014]

I guess that is what $99 buys at Disney

LOL! This made me laugh out loud at work! Opps. So true and sad.

 

[ShannonMB]

Oh how I wish I would have known that you were cancelling. I called this morning at 8 and next Friday is sold out. I wanted the late seating for 1.

This may be a long shot, but earlier in the thread when tickets first went on sale lots of people were being turned down for party of 1, but were able to reserve for 2 and then cancel the 2nd person the next day. I don't know the sell out status of the parties, but maybe they just couldn't book for 1?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I'm one that adores the MNSSHP and will go twice next week. I also think the value of the MVMCP party is very poor and will never go again. So everyone's different.

Frankly, up until last night, I thought that MVMCP was a poor value, too, especially in comparison to MNSSHP. We've always enjoyed our time at the Halloween parties and I thought that MVMCP looked lame in comparison. But for us, a big part of the Halloween parties were the princes and the Mix & Mingle. Take away the Mix & Mingle, and you're left with the princes. Take away the princes and you're left with a villains-themed stage show and a bunch of candy that we ended up throwing away. With the princes still (supposedly) on for MVMCP, that makes it much more valuable for us, because it's four characters that are now exclusive to the Christmas party. Clearly everyone is different, but I for our family and what we want to see, we lucked out this year.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I didn't say they were only accessible by character meal this year. Nor was I making assumptions. I was putting forth the question - if making most of the villains for MNSSHP only meetable for the soiree is OK, then when else is OK? Does it then *become* ok to do something like taking Vader and only making him accessible during SWW via a paid event?

I was never saying this specifically (SWW) definitely going to happen. I'm simply saying that it is a *concern* I have given the decisions they have made with MNSSHP.

I don't think that at this point it is a concern. These events are cancellable. If they don't turn out to be what you want after you book it, you can cancel it. Unless you are going to the first one of course. I think there will be some cancellations on the soiree after the DIS review.

There is, of course, if you just don't want to go to the whole Halloween party anymore since it's not refundable. I did read a post somewhere that a person got a refund when they indicated they'd only bought the tickets so they could meet Malificent with Aurora.

 

[dani77]

Oh how I wish I would have known that you were cancelling. I called this morning at 8 and next Friday is sold out. I wanted the late seating for 1.

Are you sure the Soiree is sold out for that night? the problem might simply be the party of 1! I tried to make reservations last week and they couldn't offer me anything for a party of one for any of the dates during my 14-night stay (that was less than 24 hours after the event was announced). Called back and made reservations for a party of two (one adult and one child under 3 since then you only pay for 1 adult) and was able to choose any date I asked for.

 

[bizeemom4]

Got it!! Booked a party of 2 and will nix the extra adult later.



The CM that took my reservation attended last night's Soiree! I was asking him a bunch of questions and he was telling me all about his experience last night.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I don't think that at this point it is a concern. These events are cancellable. If they don't turn out to be what you want after you book it, you can cancel it. Unless you are going to the first one of course. I think there will be some cancellations on the soiree after the DIS review.

There is, of course, if you just don't want to go to the whole Halloween party anymore since it's not refundable. I did read a post somewhere that a person got a refund when they indicated they'd only bought the tickets so they could meet Malificent with Aurora.

A few days ago, when the maleficent and evil queen announcement disappeared from the parks blog, the overwhelming response to those who had concerns was to wait and see, that Disney would not take away headliner villains from the entire MNSSHP crowd and make them exclusive to another hard ticketed event.

I waited to withhold judgment. Disney did exactly what those of us who were concerned were afraid of. You may not think there is any cause for concern, and that's your right. With how Disney has acted with MNSSHP, they have shown that all things character related are subject to change at any time...not just in legal writing, but in practice. They have shown they have no problem taking away opportunities from the park goers as a whole to give something premium to a smaller set of guests, and that they will do so with little to no notice.


This direction they have chosen concerns me, and it is a valid concern. You may not agree with the concern, but that doesn't mean the concern itself is unwarranted or unfounded.

 

[karen4546]

We booked MNSSHP the day tickets went on sale. I have never been to this event and I booked it not knowing what I may or may not be "missing". I booked it because it sounded like so much fun.

The day the Villain Soiree event was announced - I was even more excited to get a reservation for that event. I was booked for the 2nd seating on 9/9. My sister-in-law called right after me and was told they were sold out. I called them back and they changed my 2 top to a table for 5. I think they gave us a little "pixie dust" since she had just called and it was sold out

IMO if you purchased a ticket for MNSSHP and were upset about the additional Hard Ticket event being added and costing additional $$$ and you feel like WDW promised something they are clearly not delivering-then you should get a refund. But I looked at the page on their site and it does not guarantee which characters will be at MNSSHP.

To me, just being at MNSSHP would have been enough, but adding the Soiree is like "upsizing" my experience.

Here's hoping everyone has a wonderful time at MNSSHP and if you have a reservation for the Soiree - I hope you have a BLAST! I know I will !

Good thoughts people IT'S DISNEY WORLD !!!

 

[tony609]

I heard that some had gotten refunds after they asked.

Oh good, that's something, sad they are missing a party they wanted to attend. BUT when it became something they didn't at least a refund was given. I was going to tell people to at least try. I got a refund on my photopass once a few years ago. The pics taken were awful. Plus many times I had to keep telling the photographer to keep shooting. They were missing many great moments. PLUS I had paid $100 bucks (or so) snap away!!!!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If they took away the opportunity I wanted after having already announced it I would ask for a refund (since the party isn't officially cancellable). I remember suggesting that and somebody thought I was being sarcastic. I'm not. If it's truly no longer valuable to you, then get your money back. It's the only thing that's going to get to Disney, taking the money back.

And everything is always subject to change at any time without notice. Character meets. Restaurant menus. Prices. Offerings at parties. They put that disclaimer on everything, but all it means is that you'd have a hard time suing them. If they materially changed the event for you before you even arrived, no reason not to ask for your money back.

This direction they have chosen concerns me, and it is a valid concern. You may not agree with the concern, but that doesn't mean the concern itself is unwarranted or unfounded.

but what do you do about it, other than "I will not be going to Disney hard ticket events any longer" or at the very least "I won't buy tickets until I know what exactly is being offered and where" which means waiting for reports. (Halloween night is sold out already, that would not have helped those who wanted that particular night.) Everybody has a different level of concern about it. If you were going to meet Malificent your evening is shot. But for everyone like that, there's one who says "I wasn't going to meet villains anyway."

If I had that level of concern I would be saying right now, I'm not going to bother with booking anything for Star Wars Weekend this year because they might mess that up too.

 

[Angel Ariel]

If they took away the opportunity I wanted after having already announced it I would ask for a refund (since the party isn't officially cancellable). I remember suggesting that and somebody thought I was being sarcastic. I'm not. If it's truly no longer valuable to you, then get your money back. It's the only thing that's going to get to Disney, taking the money back.

And everything is always subject to change at any time without notice. Character meets. Restaurant menus. Prices. Offerings at parties. They put that disclaimer on everything, but all it means is that you'd have a hard time suing them. If they materially changed the event for you before you even arrived, no reason not to ask for your money back.

I do think.people should ask for their money back if they are not getting what they thought they were when they bought tx. That wasn't the point I was trying to make.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

No, the point you are trying to make is that they made changes they should not be making and doing it all in order to suck more money from guests.

Yes, they are. Because they can.

But what do we do about it. These soiree things sold so fast they added more of them.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I'm one that adores the MNSSHP and will go twice next week. I also think the value of the MVMCP party is very poor and will never go again. So everyone's different.

Same here re MVMCP. I went once, and never again -- unless they change it big time... maybe with a cool upsell event...

 

[Angel Ariel]

No, the point you are trying to make is that they made changes they should not be making and doing it all in order to suck more money from guests.

No, that wasn't my point actually. You said there was no cause for concern. My point was that Disney's actions WRT to MNSSHP are the cause for concern. You may not personally be concerned, but that does not equate to there being *no cause* for concern at all.

As for how you have taken my stance on the MNSSHP changes...I have said quite a few times that they are well within their rights to change things up. I just think they have a responsibility to make such announcements when tickets go on sale. If they aren't going to do that, and they want carte blanche to change their events even.up to the day of, then they need to make the event refundable. Not just "oh you are upset at changes, let's get into guest recovery mode" refundable, but take away the nonrefundable language entirely and make it refundable from the outset

But what do we do about it. These soiree things sold so fast they added more of them.

Some people will get refunds. Others won't go to.MNSSHP. others may write to disney, etc etc. Everyone will.handle it differently. One thing is for sure, though, ignoring it/dismissing the concerns won't do anything.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It seems that it can be agreed that Disney has removed some items from the regular party ticket events and made them available only if you pay additional money. Just keep in mind that this can become a very slippery slope. Perhaps these changes don't affect so and so personally but how about the next ones they start charging premiums for? I don't think changes like this should be dismissed whether it personally affects me or not because even if this doesn't the next one likely will.

For me a biggie has always been removing Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas show. I have not forgotten and while we have gone since then we also have elected not to attend the party other times.

I feel that this event would be best added outside of the MNSSHP. There's no great reason it has to be during the party and causing ill will when it would sell just as well - maybe even better - if held during regular evenings. I get the feeling some would even pay the same amount even if it didn't include priority viewing for the parade and fireworks but Disney could also do a slight price adjustment if needed and do very well.

But then though we have gone to both the MNSSHP and MVMCP I have been torn and not very appreciative of the devaluing they do to regular park tickets. During the times they are held they already are taking away from the value of the daily ticket on that day.

 

[jwillcox87]

Guess what? Most of you reading this are going to Disney world very soon.... There are many people that will never get to go or only will go over in their life... Count yourself lucky... Does it such the way they did the change? Yes. Is it going to run the trip? Not if you don't let it.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you don't like Disney, you spend your money elsewhere. I feel like the majority of this thread is "beating a dead horse". No one is going to change anyone's mind (for it against or whatever) and people are looking to this thread for information on the party. Personally, I am going to un-sub from this thread and look elsewhere. Just figured everyone needed a reminder how lucky they are to even have the money to afford to go to Disney (with or without the soirée).

 

[Angel Ariel]

Guess what? Most of you reading this are going to Disney world very soon.... There are many people that will never get to go or only will go over in their life... Count yourself lucky... Does it such the way they did the change? Yes. Is it going to run the trip? Not if you don't let it.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you don't like Disney, you spend your money elsewhere. I feel like the majority of this thread is "beating a dead horse". No one is going to change anyone's mind (for it against or whatever) and people are looking to this thread for information on the party. Personally, I am going to un-sub from this thread and look elsewhere. Just figured everyone needed a reminder how lucky they are to even have the money to afford to go to Disney (with or without the soirée).

I don't need anyone to remind me of how lucky I am to be able to go. I'm well aware that we are fortunate to be in a good financial place.

Not being happy with recent decisions Disney has made does not mean I don't like Disney and should go somewhere else, nor does it mean I take for granted our current financial state.

 

[aaarcher86]

Guess what? Most of you reading this are going to Disney world very soon.... There are many people that will never get to go or only will go over in their life... Count yourself lucky... Does it such the way they did the change? Yes. Is it going to run the trip? Not if you don't let it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you don't like Disney, you spend your money elsewhere. I feel like the majority of this thread is "beating a dead horse". No one is going to change anyone's mind (for it against or whatever) and people are looking to this thread for information on the party. Personally, I am going to un-sub from this thread and look elsewhere. Just figured everyone needed a reminder how lucky they are to even have the money to afford to go to Disney (with or without the soirée).

This argument annoys the hell out of me. Unless people never complain about their car, their house, their phone, their kids, their parents, etc it's obnoxious to use people not being as lucky as a reason that people shouldn't be upset or complain.

Have you ever complained about a meal that you ate in a restaurant? Because there are starving children in Africa.

Seriously.

 

[patrickpiteo]

Got it!! Booked a party of 2 and will nix the extra adult later. The CM that took my reservation attended last night's Soiree! I was asking him a bunch of questions and he was telling me all about his experience last night.

You could have also did for a under 3 and yourself

 

[MVC1225]

Got it!! Booked a party of 2 and will nix the extra adult later.



The CM that took my reservation attended last night's Soiree! I was asking him a bunch of questions and he was telling me all about his experience last night.

Just so you know, I was specifically told I could not book it for one. I said no problem as I was looking for 4 people. I then asked if they were refundable as I was not sure everyone was coming. He indicated yes but again reiterated that I could not drop everyone and leave just one person. Again, no big deal as I knew two for sure were going and I was only uncertain about the other two.

They may allow you to do drop one person but this is what I was told - TWICE - in one conversation. Obviously, he could have been wrong about the modification part. Given the fact that no one, I believe, has been able to book for 1 person, I assume he was in fact correct about not being able to book for one.