We were at the MNSSHP Friday night 9/27 and it was absolutely miserable. We've done these parties in the past and never, and I mean NEVER was it this crowded. We had heard tickets were limited to 30,000, but with the selling of the passes for residents (or very frequent visitors) to go to every party (even allowing access to sold out parties) it made this really unpleasant. We will not be repeating any of these seasonal events in the future if Disney wants to continue to sell those passes. To say something is " a limited ticket event" but then allow masses of extra people in when it is already considered "sold out" makes it no longer "limited". I don't believe any comments regarding them "selling less tickets in order to accommodate the passes" or any of that propaganda based on what we experienced either.
We've been to MK during all different times of year and this party was more crowded than even regular busy days at MK. They were making announcements asking for volunteers with the passes to leave (yeah right!!) due to it being so crowded. It wasn't even so much the wait times as just trying to make your way across the park, enjoy the parade, get candy, or be in the hub. People were frustrated, nasty, and it was hot so that didn't help the overall mood of the guests. We really felt that the difference was likely all the people that had purchased the passes and were granted admission even with the party being sold out. Even the cast members were commenting on this being an issue and seemed frustrated. Long, long, long, lines at the treat stations. HM had a 50 min wait at 9pm which was right before the parade so the masses sitting and waiting for the parade and watching the shows in the hub didn't even help ease the lines. Needless to say it was very disappointing for us and we ended up just leaving at about 10pm, total waste of money. Additionally, people were still entering the party when we were leaving at 10, and clearly those are not people that paid for a one time event. We had originally planned on waiting for the people with the young kids to leave and ease the crowds a bit, but after seeing all the people still heading in, we were glad we didn't.
Not that it will do any good, but I plan to write Disney and let them know that calling this event a "limited ticket event" is false advertising. Going forward we will use our Extra Magic Hours (we were able to do everything using these!) or splurge for one of the actual limited ticket events rather than do any of the seasonal parties. If anyone is planning on doing the
MVMCP this year I would wait to see if they announce a similar unlimited party pass again before spending money on the tickets.
No blame at all placed on the people that have the tickets, it's an awesome deal for them and if I lived there I would buy it too, but this is just a warning for anyone that is only getting one opportunity for the party, especially anyone that is using the party as the only visit to MK during their trip, or thinking of saving a day's ticket cost by buying the party ticket. I'm sure there were many who enjoyed the party and don't agree with my assessment (though I have no idea how you could argue it), and that's fine, but this party is not what it has been in the past. IYou can see it for yourself if you go on youtube and search for MNSSHP crowd levels, or view any of the live streams listed on the sold out dates.
