VIP Party Letdown

[Purseval]

We gave our guests passes to Pat O'Brians VIP party for after Mardi Gras on March 6th. I thought it would be a great time but it turned out that they didn't really think it was worth the money.

They left after the parade, went back to HRH and changed to go over to the party so it had to be at least 9-9:30 before they showed up, and they were the only ones there Justin didn't mind much because they had some kind of free food and there was plenty of beer to buy but they obviously expected a big party. People did end up showing up later but it never got very crowded.

As for throwing beads to the crowd, they gave you a handful of beads but after the first bunch they wanted you to buy more if you wanted to throw them outside. Justin threw his but Sara ended up keeping hers and giving them to her kids the next day.

All in all the highlight of their vacation was riding the float and throwing beads, they loved that and I'm glad they got the chance. As for the VIP party, even at $20 it was a waste of money, next time we'll skip it. To me that is a major surprise.

 

[ms_flo]

Really?! I was thinking about getting these tickets. Our only chance to see the parade will be on the 20th--our arrival day. We'll also be watching UK play in the NCAA tourney that day. (Wish I knew the game time! I'm assuming UK & Kansas will have the prime-time games though.) I thought the VIP party might help justify using a day of park admission just to see the parade. :-/

Has anyone else been to the VIP Party? Any suggestions for making the evening worthwhile--or is just seeing the parade worth using a day's admission?

P.S. I wish I couldn't count how many times I've been to WDW/USF!! ;-)

 

[Purseval]

They haven't announced the round 2 game times yet, it could be as early as noon or as late as 9:35pm. If it was at the same time as their round 1 game you would miss the parade anyway. The NBA cafe would be a good place to guarantee you would get to watch it.

 

[ms_flo]

They haven't announced the round 2 game times yet, it could be as early as noon or as late as 9:35pm.

I know--that's why I'm going crazy trying to come up with contingency plans! Like I said, I'm assuming UK & Kansas will have the prime-time games, so I'm going to have to do some creative planning.

If it was at the same time as their round 1 game you would miss the parade anyway.

DH would for sure. I think I've decided to go see the parade regardless of the game time. I'll be okay just listening to it on the radio. Now I just have to figure out if a local station will carry the game. I might have to do a satellite radio trial!

The NBA cafe would be a good place to guarantee you would get to watch it.

I think I'm leaning toward NASCAR cafe. I've been told it's closer to the US entrance. That should buy me a couple more minutes of TV game time. (Plus someone posted a link to a coupon for NASCAR! )