Villians Sinister Soirée

[Mommy2Corinne]

Just to clarify, each guest receives their own dessert plate but share the cheese platter?

Yes (except for infants who get no dessert plate).

 

[Cluelyss]

Timing question...On the night of our soirée, the plan is to get in line for Jack & Sally before the party starts so that we are hopefully one of the first through the line and will have an hour or so to enjoy the party before checking in for the parade. Once we are in the reserved area, is it best to just stay put for the parade, villains show, castle projection show and fireworks? Is there much dead time between each? Trying to decide if we have time to ride HM and get our magic shots between the parade and the fireworks or between the fireworks and our 10:15 soirée seating? Worried it won't be dark enough for the photos if we go before the parade?? Do many people come and go from the area, and if so, are there still good spots available if you leave and come back? Don't want to lose a prime spot if we've got it. Also don't want to "waste" party time waiting for the shows to start. Thoughts?? TIA!!

 

[OhioWDWDuo]

Review of the soirée on the 14th:
We had the early seating reserved for 2 adults. We checked in around 5 pm at the will call window. This window in the front of MK has absolutely no shade so if the line is long, it will be a hot wait. We got our credentials and were good to go! I asked the CM about the later seating because I was calling like crazy to try to change our time. He told me that the seating was added for "the bloggers" and was closed quickly. Would've been nice to know that- every phone CM told me that there wasn't a later seating on that date, which I knew wasn't true. Even the recreation CMs told me this. If I knew it was restricted, I wouldn't have wasted so many phone calls.

Anyway, we had dinner at CHH and enjoyed the low crowds for some rides. The crowds were super low all night! We then began our wild goose chase for the Old Hag. She was our first priority to meet and I had Kenny the Pirate's map (which was awesome, by the way!), but we didn't know exactly where the line would be forming. No one knew. Each CM we asked gave us a different answer. At this point,it was comical. DH and I were just laughing and decided to stake out the area between 7DMT and Gaston's so we would hopefully see her come out. There was no organized line like the seven dwarves. Right at 7, she came out and we were third in line! It was totally worth staying in the area. She ended up meeting almost halfway between 7DMT and Gaston's but on the mine train side. Great interaction!

Then we went to meet Captain Jack. Waited in that line for about 15 minutes. Then we did Jafar, Jasmine and Genie, and Tarzan and Jane. We got our magic shots by HM and the bridge. At this point, it was about 8 pm so we head to the reserved area for the parade. There were more people in the area than I was expecting based on previous reports and photos,but there was plenty of room for everyone and no one was standing on top of each other. We got a spot right at the rope on the right hand side if facing the castle. They had waters there but they ended up running out. People were asking for water and the CMs said there was more coming, but I never saw any more water, even when the fireworks were over. There was a photographer making sure everyone got their special magic shot.

Parade was awesome and I can't tell you how many characters from the parade came over and high-fived us! It was totally great. Shot some amazing video. After the parade, we left the area to get a snack and there was even more room for the fireworks when we came back. We watched the castle show and the fireworks from the viewing area. Yes, it probably wasn't the absolute best place to view the fireworks but we thought it was awesome simply because we had space and didn't have others breathing down our necks!

After the fireworks we headed to the soirée. We were directed to walk around the right of the castle (over the bridge) and around near the carousel to enter CRT at the back. This was actually a good thing, since throngs of people were trying to walk every which way in front of the castle. There was a line but we didn't wait long to enter the lobby. Even though we had staggered times, they let everyone into the lobby as they arrived. It was fine, it wasn't too crowded at all. Anastasia and Drizella were mingling with guests and they were absolutely hilarious! They did a great job of moving through the room and interacting with everyone. I would say that everyone who wanted photos at that point had the opportunity to get them. It was a nice way to start the event.

Then they called everyone upstairs and we were taken to our tables. I noticed there were a few empty tables in our seating. Each party had their own table; parties of 2 didn't have to share tables with others. Hook and Frollo started roaming the room and visited every table for photos. They each had a handler who was happy to take photos of your whole group. We didn't see the Queen of Hearts at all, as she wasn't in the lobby and she wasn't upstairs. The punch was delicious and they were constantly refilling it and the waters. The cheese plate was great and was higher quality, not cheap cheese and crackers. We enjoyed it.

Lady Tremaine introduced all the villains and their desserts and they came around to each table. Again, each had a handler that could take photos if you wanted. The character interaction was fabulous! They were all equally great. The desserts were good too and very large. They brought out boxes to take the leftovers with you. We didn't feel rushed at all! In fact, most of the villains came around more than once! The stepsisters also visited each table and Lady Tremaine did too. They were just so funny and had the entire place cracking up!

They brought out bags for your dragon cups, candy, light up stirrer and glow cube, and with the autograph cards and the souvenir menus, we had lots of loot to take home! We really enjoyed the event and CMs were constantly asking us if we needed anything else and if we had gotten photos with everyone. Again, I was expecting to feel rushed but we didn't at all. The time flew by because we were having so much fun with the villains.

We were done at 11:15 and there were already people lining up for the next seating when we left. We then ran around to meet more characters. I was expecting lines to be closed, but we met Anna and Elsa, Snow and Aurora, Cindy and Rapunzel, Mad Hatter and Alice, Pooh and friends, and Minnie and Daisy. It was awesome!!! I never expected to meet that many in such a short amount of time but the waits were pretty much non-existent. The wait time posted for A&E was 10 minutes but it was less than 5. The line for Pooh and friends said it closed at 11:15 but the CM saw our soirée badges and let us in. Pixie dust!

All in all, it was a great night. We would totally do the soirée again! Our priorities for the party were meeting characters and not rides or trick or treating. We feel like we accomplished everything that we wanted. With higher crowds, I don't think we would've been able to do as much,obviously. For those that are going, have fun- you'll have a blast! Let me know if there are any questions!

 

[OhioWDWDuo]

Timing question...On the night of our soirée, the plan is to get in line for Jack & Sally before the party starts so that we are hopefully one of the first through the line and will have an hour or so to enjoy the party before checking in for the parade. Once we are in the reserved area, is it best to just stay put for the parade, villains show, castle projection show and fireworks? Is there much dead time between each? Trying to decide if we have time to ride HM and get our magic shots between the parade and the fireworks or between the fireworks and our 10:15 soirée seating? Worried it won't be dark enough for the photos if we go before the parade?? Do many people come and go from the area, and if so, are there still good spots available if you leave and come back? Don't want to lose a prime spot if we've got it. Also don't want to "waste" party time waiting for the shows to start. Thoughts?? TIA!!

We got our magic shots before the parade. There isn't too much dead time between the parade, villains show, castle projection, and fireworks. But you can come and go as you please. The area was most crowded for the parade, then people seemed to leave and the area wasn't as crowded for the fireworks. We left after the parade for a short time and got a prime spot for the projection show and fireworks. We headed to the earlier soirée as soon as the fireworks ended. We got to the area around 8:10 because like you, we didn't want to waste party time waiting. Even at that time, we got a prime spot next to the rope. Have fun!

 

[Cluelyss]

We got our magic shots before the parade. There isn't too much dead time between the parade, villains show, castle projection, and fireworks. But you can come and go as you please. The area was most crowded for the parade, then people seemed to leave and the area wasn't as crowded for the fireworks. We left after the parade for a short time and got a prime spot for the projection show and fireworks. We headed to the earlier soirée as soon as the fireworks ended. We got to the area around 8:10 because like you, we didn't want to waste party time waiting. Even at that time, we got a prime spot next to the rope. Have fun!

Thanks for the response!! So it was dark enough at that time for the magic shots to turn out good??

 

[OhioWDWDuo]

Thanks for the response!! So it was dark enough at that time for the magic shots to turn out good??

I just checked our MM, so I could give you an answer! It wasn't dark yet, but the "magic" shows up in the pics. Like you, we were worried about not getting the shot at all, so we went early. If you want it in the dark, maybe go after the soirée? We didn't go over to the HM afterwards, but there were LOTS of photographers out in general.

 

[Cluelyss]

I just checked our MM, so I could give you an answer! It wasn't dark yet, but the "magic" shows up in the pics. Like you, we were worried about not getting the shot at all, so we went early. If you want it in the dark, maybe go after the soirée? We didn't go over to the HM afterwards, but there were LOTS of photographers out in general.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Thanks for the review, OhioWDWDuo!! Glad you had a great time!

 

[Mommymarie]

Just curious, did you have to already have MNSSHP party tickets before you could buy soiree tickets or could you buy soiree tickets for any available night and buy MNSSHP tickets later? I am just thinking if they do something for MVMCP, we have 2 parties during our trip, we could wait and see which one we could get an event ticket for...if they do it

 

[Cluelyss]

Just curious, did you have to already have MNSSHP party tickets before you could buy soiree tickets or could you buy soiree tickets for any available night and buy MNSSHP tickets later? I am just thinking if they do something for MVMCP, we have 2 parties during our trip, we could wait and see which one we could get an event ticket for...if they do it

The cast member on the phone did ask me if I already had party tickets when I was buying tickets for the soirée, which I did, but I don't think it was required that I have them already. Obviously at the end of the day you need both to be able to get in so I don't think it matters in which order you purchase them.

 

[Cluelyss]

Just curious, did you have to already have MNSSHP party tickets before you could buy soiree tickets or could you buy soiree tickets for any available night and buy MNSSHP tickets later? I am just thinking if they do something for MVMCP, we have 2 parties during our trip, we could wait and see which one we could get an event ticket for...if they do it

And I have heard rumors that they will be doing something similar for the Christmas party

 

[Chelley00]

Just curious, did you have to already have MNSSHP party tickets before you could buy soiree tickets or could you buy soiree tickets for any available night and buy MNSSHP tickets later? I am just thinking if they do something for MVMCP, we have 2 parties during our trip, we could wait and see which one we could get an event ticket for...if they do it

I booked the soiree first, which is a good thing because my first choice of nights the soiree was sold out. We went with our second choice, booked the soiree and then bought our MNSSHP tickets

 

[Mommymarie]

When you bought tickets, did you call the dining number or book online? Also, what time of day did they go on sale?

 

[Cluelyss]

When you bought tickets, did you call the dining number or book online? Also, what time of day did they go on sale?

Call the recreation number 407-WDW-PLAY. I saw the blog about the event about 8:30 am and called immediately. They were probably available at 7 am when the phone lines opened.

 

[OhioWDWDuo]

Glad you had a great time. I'm going on Oct 24 and very much looking forward to it. In case someone misunderstood, the later soiree' and your date only was reserved for the Disney Park Blog. They do this several times a year. You ( an entrant to the contest ) have to be pretty quick signing up and hoping you " win ". The blog recently had a contest for dogs and their owners to spend a few early morning hours at MK. When the bowling alley " Splitsville " opened in DTD there was a contest to attend. That's the ones I can remember off of the top of my head. Just want to highlight that in case someone thinks all the late night soiree's are not for the " common " man/woman

Thanks for this info! Now only if the recreation phone CMs would've been informed when I was making daily calls for the late seating- LOL!

 

[Cluelyss]

Call the recreation number 407-WDW-PLAY. I saw the blog about the event about 8:30 am and called immediately. They were probably available at 7 am when the phone lines opened.

i've also heard you can book through dining, but they are not as knowledgeable about the event. They are not available online.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Thanks for this info! Now only if the recreation phone CMs would've been informed when I was making daily calls for the late seating- LOL!

You're welcome, times like that when you don't live in FL you really wish they had a toll-free # . Hate to say it but there seems to be an unwritten rule that the last CMs you believe are the ones on the phone ( wasn't always like this, it changed when they were no longer located on property ).

Anyway, nice report: you alleviated many questions. My priority too is the characters, and the magic shots, and even though I have the later timeslot when we go everyone who gives a report helps others so BIG thanks.

 

[ltweety444]

Did your 2 year old receive his own maleficient cup and desserts or did he just share yours?

He got a cup but not a dessert plate.

 

[ltweety444]

He got a cup but not a dessert plate.

Forgot to add that he just munched off of ours. Between my DD7, DH and myself we took home half the desserts in the to go box they give you. It was a lot to try to eat in one sitting.

I didn't really care for the cheese platter but we are picky eaters with things like that.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

i've also heard you can book through dining, but they are not as knowledgeable about the event. They are not available online.

I booked through dining, when the other line was an hour wait I waited on the dining line about 3 minutes. Call the dining line and choose the special dining events option. When ever I have done that there is never a wait. It's also a trick to get through to make normal ADRs because they will book those also without question.