Villians Sinister Soirée

[roomthreeseventeen]

I just read it and didn't get that impression at all. In fact I thought the complete opposite, I think he went in wanting to like it. I'm glad he wrote the report and the pictures were wonderful. He answered a lot of the questions I had. I did have a few more though and commented after reading his experience. I hope he answers them:

I like this report, it seems you went in with an open mind wanting to like it. I have questions though. Are you saying the characters that are initially the greeters when you first entered did not take pictures with party goers? What about the the villains inside ? When they come to each table are pictures just being taken OF them and not WITH them ? Thanks Pete, Ruthie

If you listen to the DIS Unplugged, Pete is a HUGE fan of the MNSSHP and everything about it. I am sure he went into this with high expectations, but it sounds like it's just not that good and not worth the money.

 

[lovethattink]

I didn't do the package last night and this was our best mnsshp. We went to 5 last year. The crowds were non-existant. 3 of our 5 parties last year were sold out. We didn't wait more than 10 minutes for anything we did. Characters were not priority. We only did 3. 2 were walk up, dr facilier at dance party and Princess Tianna. And one was 5 minues (Jafar).

Saw parade, villains show twice, fireworks in new fantasyland where they completely surrounded us. Got great pics of them with beasts castle, pics with 7 dwarfs mine train, castle on background, and 4th area surrounding up was above trees of etwb. Waited 2 minutes for them to start once we got to my favorite viewing spot for Wishes. Had never seen Hallowishes from there.

Trick or treated every spot at least once. Did a couple twice. They were giving out handfuls.

Left by 11 because ds was too tired. Otherwise would have used that for character time.

I'm glad we didn't do the soiree. Our night was very relaxed and low key. It worked best for us out of all the parties we ever went to.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

If you listen to the DIS Unplugged, Pete is a HUGE fan of the MNSSHP and everything about it. I am sure he went into this with high expectations, but it sounds like it's just not that good and not worth the money.

I guess it all depends on your perspective? It sounds great (and totally worth the money) to me from what he described. I'm so excited!!

Not having to wait hours (he said he arrived at 7:30.) to stake out a great parade/Hallowishes spot? Check. Lots of space in the priority viewing area? Check. Fun/interesting plate (a plate is more than sufficient for me...I've never been one who is able to stuff my face with tons of sweet stuff, lol, so I'd rather have quality over quantity) of themed desserts? Check. Lots of villains coming to your table for pictures? Check. Cute opening "show" and singing throughout? Check.

It sounds like he was most disappointed that the characters weren't allowed to linger for two hours. Honestly, one hour sounds about perfect to me. I have a 2 an 4 year old...getting them sit still for an hour is about their maximum. Plus, I've never been one to want to have a 20 minute chat with a character...I just start to feel awkward if they linger too long. Give me a nice photo op (and yes...there are pics on Twitter showing pictures *with* the villains during this event, so they are posing with people even though his blog doesn't show it) plus a pithy comment or two from the villains, and I am a happy camper.

Oh, and as far as wasting party time? We are going to a second MNSSHP a few days later to focus on other party things, so, for us, I don't feel like the Soirée is taking anything away at all.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

I didn't do the package last night and this was our best mnsshp. We went to 5 last year. The crowds were non-existant. 3 of our 5 parties last year were sold out. We didn't wait more than 10 minutes for anything we did. Characters were not priority. We only did 3. 2 were walk up, dr facilier at dance party and Princess Tianna. And one was 5 minues (Jafar).

Saw parade, villains show twice, fireworks in new fantasyland where they completely surrounded us. Got great pics of them with beasts castle, pics with 7 dwarfs mine train, castle on background, and 4th area surrounding up was above trees of etwb. Waited 2 minutes for them to start once we got to my favorite viewing spot for Wishes. Had never seen Hallowishes from there.

Trick or treated every spot at least once. Did a couple twice. They were giving out handfuls.

Left by 11 because ds was too tired. Otherwise would have used that for character time.

I'm glad we didn't do the soiree. Our night was very relaxed and low key. It worked best for us out of all the parties we ever went to.

Sounds like a great night!!

 

[Jennasis]

Pete's review confirms my suspicions of the soiree...so glad I didn't waste money on it. The party is more than enough in and of itself at $60+ pp.

 

[crostorfer]

I just read it and didn't get that impression at all. In fact I thought the complete opposite, I think he went in wanting to like it. I'm glad he wrote the report and the pictures were wonderful. He answered a lot of the questions I had. I did have a few more though and commented after reading his experience. I hope he answers them:

I like this report, it seems you went in with an open mind wanting to like it. I have questions though. Are you saying the characters that are initially the greeters when you first entered did not take pictures with party goers? What about the the villains inside ? When they come to each table are pictures just being taken OF them and not WITH them ? Thanks Pete, Ruthie

It appears they put the full costume, non-talking villains in the lobby: The Queen of Hearts, Captain Hook and Frollo. That makes sense. Every upstairs villain talks and interacts, I was watching video on vine and twitter.

I love the Dis, and I mean no offense to the owner of this site, but I always feel that Pete is hyper-critical. I also think that his, (understandable), horrible experience at Villains Unleashed perhaps jaded his experience a bit.

To be fair, the experiences that I read though on live feeds were overwhelmingly positive, Pete Warner's was the only negative that I read. Even Pete says this, even though the title and general tone are negative:

"I want to pause here to heap high praise on the characters. This is something Disney gets right all the time. They were amazing – just as they were amazing at Villains Unleashed. They were the highlight of the event. You could have kept the dessert and the four pieces of salami on the charcuterie board and given us more time with these folks and I would have walked out feeling like I had gotten my money’s worth - See more at: http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2014/09/02/villains-soiree-wickedly-disappointing/#sthash.eA4rvxgM.dpuf"

 

[Sydmama]

I posted this is another thread, but figured I would share here too.

My family and I just finished the second seating tonight and also thought it was worth it. We met 10 villains total. There were 7 that came around to the tables and then three others that greeted us downstairs before we went to be seated. There was a card that had all their signatures on it. When we were seated the punch, water, and a plate of cheeses and crackers were on the table. Each guest got a plate of the four desserts. It was too much for any of us to eat! They were themed to the villain they represented.

We watched the parade, the mix and mingle show, the celebrate castle light show ( I'm sure that's not what it's called) and the fireworks from the viewing area. It was nice because there was so much room to move around and it was a great view.

Overall it was a great end to our evening. And I would recommend it to anyone who wants to meet some more villains than are at the party. There were a lot of characters out in the park too during the party. I hope that helps everyone. I know there were a lot of questions floating around.

Thanks for the review. We were only able to secure the later seating and I'm trying to decide if it is worth it as 6 year old DD desperately wants to meet Maleficent but not sure she will stay awake. Were you able to actually take pictures with the characters? Also were there any small children at the second seating? I'm afraid that this could actually be frightening for her. Was it a scary atmosphere? Thanks so much!

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm sure I would have really enjoyed the Soiree. And if we swap to this time of year to visit next year, we'll do it. But it's really hard for me to see past them basically having no villain meet & greets in the parks for the stinkin HALLOWEEN PARTY.

Take a look at the losses from last year. No princes (including Flynn) and no villains meet & greets. That's a pretty substantial cutback. Yes, they added A/E but they are available during the day.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I didn't think Pete was hyper critical at all. He gave lots of praise where he felt they did well. I would be frustrated as well to be so rushed at an event that I paid more for than the party itself. To have servers literally taking food away from you when you aren't done? Since when is that good customer service anywhere?

I understand why they were rushed out, for the second seating, but then maybe it is legit to say that Disney should have kept it to one seating/night instead of adding a second one to every night. I'd be interested to know if the second seating was as rushed as the first.

 

[Angel Ariel]

i'm sure i would have really enjoyed the soiree. And if we swap to this time of year to visit next year, we'll do it. But it's really hard for me to see past them basically having no villain meet & greets in the parks for the stinkin halloween party.

Take a look at the losses from last year. No princes (including flynn) and no villains meet & greets. That's a pretty substantial cutback. Yes, they added a/e but they are available during the day.

ita.

 

[lovethattink]

I'm sure I would have really enjoyed the Soiree. And if we swap to this time of year to visit next year, we'll do it. But it's really hard for me to see past them basically having no villain meet & greets in the parks for the stinkin HALLOWEEN PARTY.

Take a look at the losses from last year. No princes (including Flynn) and no villains meet & greets. That's a pretty substantial cutback. Yes, they added A/E but they are available during the day.

It was very easy to meet the characters at the dance party. If you've ever done characterpalooza, that's how it worked. They roamed by dancing. My son has roaming characters down pat because of sww. And his impulsively and lack of shyness help to. If it hadn't been so loud in Club Villain he would have easily got pics with all the villains and same with the monster dance party. But 5 minutes, and he had to get away from the noise.

 

[mom2rtk]

It was very easy to meet the characters at the dance party. If you've ever done characterpalooza, that's how it worked. They roamed by dancing. My son has roaming characters down pat because of sww. And his impulsively and lack of shyness help to. If it hadn't been so loud in Club Villain he would have easily got pics with all the villains and same with the monster dance party. But 5 minutes, and he had to get away from the noise.

Was it very busy? I did hear that last night's party had fairly low attendance. I do hope they have made this better than dance parties I have been to in the past. At the ones I have attended it was very obvious the characters had instructions not to stop and pose for photos. It was actually quite comical to watch. But maybe it's better now?

 

[amycishere]

I didn't do the package last night and this was our best mnsshp. We went to 5 last year. The crowds were non-existant. 3 of our 5 parties last year were sold out. We didn't wait more than 10 minutes for anything we did. Characters were not priority. We only did 3. 2 were walk up, dr facilier at dance party and Princess Tianna. And one was 5 minues (Jafar).

Saw parade, villains show twice, fireworks in new fantasyland where they completely surrounded us. Got great pics of them with beasts castle, pics with 7 dwarfs mine train, castle on background, and 4th area surrounding up was above trees of etwb. Waited 2 minutes for them to start once we got to my favorite viewing spot for Wishes. Had never seen Hallowishes from there.

Trick or treated every spot at least once. Did a couple twice. They were giving out handfuls.

Left by 11 because ds was too tired. Otherwise would have used that for character time.

I'm glad we didn't do the soiree. Our night was very relaxed and low key. It worked best for us out of all the parties we ever went to.

Thank you for your review!!! Excited for my party!!!

 

[lovethattink]

Was it very busy? I did hear that last night's party had fairly low attendance. I do hope they have made this better than dance parties I have been to in the past. At the ones I have attended it was very obvious the characters had instructions not to stop and pose for photos. It was actually quite comical to watch. But maybe it's better now?

They definitely stopped. And interacted with guests. But they kept moving after each picture. There definitely wasn't a possibility for lines to form.

Lowest attendance party I've ever attended.

I have a friend who works dance parties with her friend. I'll have to ask. We usually avoid them because of how loud they are.

 

[aaarcher86]

I've heard many people say its worth the money if your a villains fan. I followed this twitter account all night it was a play by play. https://mobile.twitter.com/WDWNT. Does anyone know if Oct 2nd is sold out?

Late seating was available at 8am today.

 

[tony609]

I followed a few on twitter and read other reviews. The DIS is the only one that mentions a negative. Bring rushed. I'm ok with that. After sitting for an hour I'm ready to move on.

 

[aaarcher86]

I'm sure I would have really enjoyed the Soiree. And if we swap to this time of year to visit next year, we'll do it. But it's really hard for me to see past them basically having no villain meet & greets in the parks for the stinkin HALLOWEEN PARTY. Take a look at the losses from last year. No princes (including Flynn) and no villains meet & greets. That's a pretty substantial cutback. Yes, they added A/E but they are available during the day.

Agree. I'm REALLY disappointed with this decision. And I'm a little disappointed in myself for booking the soirée even though I'm really against the idea of it, but I'd rather do it once then have the lack of villains taint my attitude.

Taking away the villains but not adding the princes back... Not cool.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I agree with the poster who said a single seating event should have been the way Disney went. It sounds like an event where an extra 30-60 minutes could have made it magical (15-30 more minutes to arrive and see characters and sit and eat the 1st course and 15-30 more minutes at the end to relax and enjoy dessert/ambiance after the characters have left - letting guests depart on their own schedule, not Disney's)...but the time would have eaten into the profit Disney could make...

 

[mom2rtk]

Agree. I'm REALLY disappointed with this decision. And I'm a little disappointed in myself for booking the soirée even though I'm really against the idea of it, but I'd rather do it once then have the lack of villains taint my attitude.

Taking away the villains but not adding the princes back... Not cool.

That's exactly how I would feel after booking. But in the end you can be disappointed in a global fashion, but still enjoy yourself at the event. In the end, a Disney trip is a huge investment, and you have to do what is best for you.

FWIW, I have to think that larger parties would be more disappointed in this than smaller parties. I know we wouldn't do it if our entire family was along. If it's just 2 of us, I would be ticked off by the price, but could still make it happen.

 

[ShannonMB]

I haven't seen or read one thing that discourages me from being totally excited about this!!! It looks amazing in every way! I'm sure later parties with heavier attendance will be a bit different, but just want to say ktml, if you are following this thread, THANKS for peer-pressuring me into this!! If I didn't already have tickets in my pocket, I'd be calling today. For a villains fan like myself, this is pretty much a dream come true!