"Official" Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2017 - Believe in the Magic

[monique5]

I will be going to the party on Dec 5. I will spending the day in the magic kingdom. I was wondering if anyone on this thread had experience with how universal does their horror nights. I did a little research for my husband when he went in 2015. I stayed at the hotel with the kids while he went. He eventually did a RIP tour so his experience was a little different than the average. The way I understand universal doing it is they close the park early. Clear everyone out except people who have horror tickets and came into the park early on a theme park ticket. They corral these people in holding areas. Then when it is party time, they release the holding areas and start letting party guests in. I was hoping someone who has first hand knowledge of how it works might comment if this system works. Does anyone think Disney might be moving to this system for the Christmas party with earlier park closing. With not letting people make fast passes durning the Halloween party maybe it is their first step. With the park closing at 6 I don't think we will be allowed to make any fast passes during this time. I have no facts for thinking Disney is moving to a corrall (Universal system). Just wondering what more experienced Disney people thought.

I have attended HHN @ Universal and that system works. Think of it like entering @ park opening or EMH. The park is already clear and there were numerous lines for guests to enter. Several HH and all attractions were open so everybody did not head in the same direction, but everyone had "equal footing" for entering park, rides, HH, etc.

I was surprised that Disney did not do this. I attended HHN before MNSSHP & MVMCP.

MVMCP will be different and with no live reports from MNSSHP. We will have to wait a little longer until the 1st MVMCP, since park closing @ 6pm is only for MVMCP, not MNSSHP.

The issue with Disney isn't the rides, except for 7DMT, it's the character M&G. Everyone wants to meet the most popular ones for the most part and you need to enter early to do this and get in the front of line. So most party goers are not infringing on Day Guests, they are just waiting in lines for characters.

The Day Guests vs Party Ticket Holders will not get PP in agreement. The average person doesn't stay at the park all day, or know about the FP+ system. Shocker to those on the DIS, but I (and many others) encounter so many PP that are clueless about Disney and think they can show up like at Six Flags or don't book FP+ b/c don't want to be "tied to a schedule" then are upset when only did 1-2 rides, maybe 3, but could have done 4-6 or more with FP+ and a plan. Also, Day Guests could eat (still can) in restaurants and be in park after party starts, but no one mentions this. They get in lines for rides & M&Gs, some succeed. But I am that person that speaks a little louder when CM walks by and say oh, where's your wristband or this is for party guests. Disney did a much better job last year with this and hopefully it will continue. The biggest issue is Day Guests staying for the parade and fireworks and not leaving the park, so they are in park during a special event --- most comments on here are about extras party guests get, but no one ever talks about the extras Day Guest take or try to get over on with; depending on night of party, party tickets cost more, and for fewer hours, and if planning to meet rare characters, then not on rides. Main St. is extra crowded for parade viewing and fireworks. This bugs me, several called attention to a group last year (~12pp) that had front row seats and no bands, then did the do not speak English, then a CM came over who could talk to them, then more of oh, didn't know we had to leave park, but CM escorted them to entrance/exit.

IMO, if not closing park for Day Guests to exit and later letting party people enter, it's a decent solution. Again, most are in lines for rare character M&G. However, I've always had a park ticket too. Just my 2 cents.

 

[DisneyDork1969]

Ok...I totally understand the FP issues...I kinda agree that FPs should only be for day guests...I never would have thought I could get FPs for party nights since only a limited number of guests are allowed at each party...so I just book FPs for my day before 6pm...

But are we now saying that we won't be allowed into the park at 4pm with our MVMCP tixs?? I'm sure its not a problem if I use a day tix before 4pm...I plan at being at the park around noon or 1pm...but what if I wanted to sleep in and not get to MK until 4:05pm...what then??

 

[JennLTX]

With all the conversation around the FPs on party day, I feel the need to ask about my plans.

We've got APs and tickets to the party on Dec 1. Current plan is a 8:40 breakfast at Kona Cafe, checking out the decorations at GF and CR, then heading to MK early afternoon. I was going to FP Jingle Cruise, 7DMT, and one other, then we've got a VERY early dinner at Liberty Tree (3:45). Afterwards, I figured we'd make our way over to where the 7 Dwarves will be holding court and getting in line for that one early.

So, since we're AP and have the party tickets, there won't be an issue with the FPs, will there? And if any party vets see a horrendous flaw in my plans, PLEASE let me know!!!

 

[monique5]

With all the conversation around the FPs on party day, I feel the need to ask about my plans.

We've got APs and tickets to the party on Dec 1. Current plan is a 8:40 breakfast at Kona Cafe, checking out the decorations at GF and CR, then heading to MK early afternoon. I was going to FP Jingle Cruise, 7DMT, and one other, then we've got a VERY early dinner at Liberty Tree (3:45). Afterwards, I figured we'd make our way over to where the 7 Dwarves will be holding court and getting in line for that one early.

So, since we're AP and have the party tickets, there won't be an issue with the FPs, will there? And if any party vets see a horrendous flaw in my plans, PLEASE let me know!!!

No. You can still get your 3 FP+ just not 6 FP+ (3 with AP and 3 with MVMCP ticket).

 

[monique5]

FP+ with MVMCP Tickets

As of date, you can make FP+ selections with MNSSHP. We have not reached the 60D mark for the 1st party (earlier with PP that have resort stays prior to 11/9) which is 9/10/17. There are actual reports that PP with only MNSSHP tickets and MYW tickets had their last day of tickets canceled (ex. 4D MYW ticket and 1 MNSSHP ticket = 5D of FP+ booked). For some of these Disney canceled the last day of FP+ and this wasn't necessarily their party night (i.e. for some it was their AK day and FoP FP+). Others received emails that they must cancel or modify FP+ selections by a certain date or within 24hrs (actual reports).

However, there are numerous emails stating this is not the case (several PP posted on MNSSHP thread) and reports that FP+ selections had not been deleted (ex. 4D MYW ticket & 1 MNSSHP ticket = 5D FP+). This is why Post #1 still has the same FP+ info....
Are FP+ Reservations available during the party?

• No, there are no FP+ reservations in the park after the 7 p.m. start of the party. You can, however, make FP+ reservations using your party ticket for the 4-6:30pm time period (FP+ Selections should be booked between 3:30-6:30pm), before the party officially begins. The good news is that most attraction lines will be short enough during the party that you won’t miss FP+ reservations much.
• When Can I Make FP+ Reservations?
  • Staying at a Disney World Resort: 60D in Advance
  • Staying at a Non-Disney Resort: 30D in Advance

Please note, if you only purchased MVMCP tickets, your FP+ reservation is still based on resort check-in day (60D in Advance).

Also, PP have received emails from Guest Services and the Sales & Service Team (See examples below from MNSSHP thread) stating you can enter at 4pm and you can make FP+ selections with MNSSHP. So definitely some ******* among Disney departments, as well as, would explain why some FP+ selections were canceled and some were not. Also, a post indicated PP was able to get back canceled FP+.


Hope this helps!

 

[LucyBC80]

FP+ with MVMCP Tickets

As of date, you can make FP+ selections with MNSSHP. We have not reached the 60D mark for the 1st party (earlier with PP that have resort stays prior to 11/9) which is 9/10/17. There are actual reports that PP with only MNSSHP tickets and MYW tickets had their last day of tickets canceled (ex. 4D MYW ticket and 1 MNSSHP ticket = 5D of FP+ booked). For some of these Disney canceled the last day of FP+ and this wasn't necessarily their party night (i.e. for some it was their AK day and FoP FP+). Others received emails that they must cancel or modify FP+ selections by a certain date or within 24hrs (actual reports).

However, there are numerous emails stating this is not the case (several PP posted on MNSSHP thread) and reports that FP+ selections had not been deleted (ex. 4D MYW ticket & 1 MNSSHP ticket = 5D FP+). This is why Post #1 still has the same FP+ info....
Are FP+ Reservations available during the party?

• No, there are no FP+ reservations in the park after the 7 p.m. start of the party. You can, however, make FP+ reservations using your party ticket for the 4-6:30pm time period (FP+ Selections should be booked between 3:30-6:30pm), before the party officially begins. The good news is that most attraction lines will be short enough during the party that you won’t miss FP+ reservations much.
• When Can I Make FP+ Reservations?
  • Staying at a Disney World Resort: 60D in Advance
  • Staying at a Non-Disney Resort: 30D in Advance

Please note, if you only purchased MVMCP tickets, your FP+ reservation is still based on resort check-in day (60D in Advance).

Also, PP have received emails from Guest Services and the Sales & Service Team (See examples below from MNSSHP thread) stating you can enter at 4pm and you can make FP+ selections with MNSSHP. So definitely some ******* among Disney departments, as well as, would explain why some FP+ selections were canceled and some were not. Also, a post indicated PP was able to get back canceled FP+.
View attachment 258219

Hope this helps!

Their departments need to get their act together and give everyone the same information. Having FP canceled, specially if they are the hardest ones to get, is a planner worst nightmare and I'd be livid if my FP were canceled while other people were able to maintain 6 FP.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Their departments need to get their act together and give everyone the same information. Having FP canceled, specially if they are the hardest ones to get, is a planner worst nightmare and I'd be livid if my FP were canceled were other people were able to maintain 6 FP.

I thought the dessert party parade/no parade confusion & MNSSHP ride list were as bad as it was gonna get. Tip of the iceberg apparently!

 

[monique5]

Their departments need to get their act together and give everyone the same information. Having FP canceled, specially if they are the hardest ones to get, is a planner worst nightmare and I'd be livid if my FP were canceled while other people were able to maintain 6 FP.

That wasn't stated. No one has 6 FP+.

 

[LucyBC80]

That wasn't stated. No one has 6 FP+.

You can have 6 FP if you know how to work the system. That is the kind of situation I'm referring to.

 

[FinnsMom7]

You can have 6 FP if you know how to work the system. That is the kind of situation I'm referring to.

Wasn't that "cheating" stopped at the beginning of the summer when they started checking for the unused tickets and extra fp? I know there was a board dedicated to discussing it but it was taken down recently

 

[LucyBC80]

Wasn't that "cheating" stopped at the beginning of the summer when they started checking for the unused tickets and extra fp? I know there was a board dedicated to discussing it but it was taken down recently

That particular form of double dipping the FP pool was indeed closed. But there are at least a couple of alternatives one can use to work the FP system to their favor.

 

[Cluelyss]

FP+ with MVMCP Tickets

As of date, you can make FP+ selections with MNSSHP. We have not reached the 60D mark for the 1st party (earlier with PP that have resort stays prior to 11/9) which is 9/10/17. There are actual reports that PP with only MNSSHP tickets and MYW tickets had their last day of tickets canceled (ex. 4D MYW ticket and 1 MNSSHP ticket = 5D of FP+ booked). For some of these Disney canceled the last day of FP+ and this wasn't necessarily their party night (i.e. for some it was their AK day and FoP FP+). Others received emails that they must cancel or modify FP+ selections by a certain date or within 24hrs (actual reports).

However, there are numerous emails stating this is not the case (several PP posted on MNSSHP thread) and reports that FP+ selections had not been deleted (ex. 4D MYW ticket & 1 MNSSHP ticket = 5D FP+). This is why Post #1 still has the same FP+ info....
Are FP+ Reservations available during the party?

• No, there are no FP+ reservations in the park after the 7 p.m. start of the party. You can, however, make FP+ reservations using your party ticket for the 4-6:30pm time period (FP+ Selections should be booked between 3:30-6:30pm), before the party officially begins. The good news is that most attraction lines will be short enough during the party that you won’t miss FP+ reservations much.
• When Can I Make FP+ Reservations?
  • Staying at a Disney World Resort: 60D in Advance
  • Staying at a Non-Disney Resort: 30D in Advance

Please note, if you only purchased MVMCP tickets, your FP+ reservation is still based on resort check-in day (60D in Advance).

Also, PP have received emails from Guest Services and the Sales & Service Team (See examples below from MNSSHP thread) stating you can enter at 4pm and you can make FP+ selections with MNSSHP. So definitely some ******* among Disney departments, as well as, would explain why some FP+ selections were canceled and some were not. Also, a post indicated PP was able to get back canceled FP+.
View attachment 258219

Hope this helps!

FWIW, it was most recently reported in the MNSSHP thread that party tickets were never intended to have FP eligibility, but it was allowed as the system couldn't differentiate between park tickets and party tickets. Now, as they are working to close all these other loopholes, it can make that distinction, and the loophole will be completely closed by next year. And maybe even by the time MVMCP windows open. For now, it seems that those getting "caught" are those that have modified their reservation in some way, which "resets" the system and triggers something with the tickets.

I'm hopeful that the 6 pm closing time for the MVMCP days will just help get day guests out better / faster and will not affect early entrance for party goers. Primarily because I cannot fathom the crowd crush at 6 pm - it would seem spreading entries out over 3 hours benefits Disney as much as it does the guests. Personally, we spend that preparty timevearing or lining up for special characters, so losing the ability to book FPs doesn't bother me too much. But I don't want to spend an hour of my party time just waiting to enter! (Though if all day guests are out, they could open every tapstyle for party guests, which may actually help....).

Developments will be interesting, to say the least!

 

[monique5]

You can have 6 FP if you know how to work the system. That is the kind of situation I'm referring to.

Cool. Just stating that wasn't what I had said, so wanted to clarify since my quote is what you were referring to. I am aware of the double dipping, but didn't explain in original quote or to my reply to you since that wasn't my reference and it didn't appear that was yours for that post. And the SDFP loophole closed in June with a few knowing how to still work system. So that info is in Post #1.
Are FP+ Reservations available during the party?
FastPass+ FAQs
http://www.disboards.com/threads/fastpass-frequently-asked-questions.3491680/
http://www.disboards.com/threads/fp-faq-addendum.3538258/
http://www.disboards.com/threads/everything-sdfp-second-set-fp-long-faq.3520747/ (Thread name changed to SDFP: CHANGES COMING!! Beware the 6th of June!, as of May 2017.) ---It has been determined it violates Disney's Terms of Service for MDE.

 

[monique5]

FWIW, it was most recently reported in the MNSSHP thread that party tickets were never intended to have FP eligibility, but it was allowed as the system couldn't differentiate between park tickets and party tickets. Now, as they are working to close all these other loopholes, it can make that distinction, and the loophole will be completely closed by next year. And maybe even by the time MVMCP windows open. For now, it seems that those getting "caught" are those that have modified their reservation in some way, which "resets" the system and triggers something with the tickets.

I'm hopeful that the 6 pm closing time for the MVMCP days will just help get day guests out better / faster and will not affect early entrance for party goers. Primarily because I cannot fathom the crowd crush at 6 pm - it would seem spreading entries out over 3 hours benefits Disney as much as it does the guests. Personally, we spend that preparty timevearing or lining up for special characters, so losing the ability to book FPs doesn't bother me too much. But I don't want to spend an hour of my party time just waiting to enter! (Though if all day guests are out, they could open every tapstyle for party guests, which may actually help....).

Developments will be interesting, to say the least!

Thanks! I saw that but with all of the other loopholes Disney has closed it's funny that a CM would state that but this has been going on for years, I know since 2014 for sure. So if that was not the intent it could have been stopped. Also, PP noted that she called and had FP+ reinstated with just party ticket. And several have posted emails (original post from posts from MNSSHP) from Guest Services and Sales Team which would be above regular phone CM that you could.

Yes, developments will be very interesting. Tickets sales were down last year with price increase (offered several more parties to CMs discounted), fewer ToT stations and characters, and 1 dance party. Let's be honest, PP have been able to book FP+ with no issues and considered this a party ticket perk, and rightly so, based on what was allowed every year and noted on numerous sites. So price increase, no FP+, fewer party options, and still issue of Day Guest being in park during party hours. I definitely want to see how ticket sales continue and what becomes of these parties.

 

[LoganBrown1990]

I'm hopeful that the 6 pm closing time for the MVMCP days will just help get day guests out better / faster and will not affect early entrance for party goers. Primarily because I cannot fathom the crowd crush at 6 pm - it would seem spreading entries out over 3 hours benefits Disney as much as it does the guests. Personally, we spend that preparty timevearing or lining up for special characters, so losing the ability to book FPs doesn't bother me too much. But I don't want to spend an hour of my party time just waiting to enter! (Though if all day guests are out, they could open every tapstyle for party guests, which may actually help....).

I'm anxious to find out about the entry time as well. We're talking about going to a party in order to get our Disney fix without taking away too much time from our beach vacation, so we're in it for the short ride lines and are hoping for those extra few hours!

 

[KdKyA]

I have spoken with a CM on the issue of early closure and party guests. Granted we know CMs have been wrong many times. When I asked about the early closure, he explained that they were having issues with non party crowds trying to hide and sneak to watch the parades, that the CMs weren't given enough time to get the non party guests out before the festivities started. They are giving the CMs an extra hour to get those guests out. The rides will all stay the same only at 6pm they will be checking for wrist bands and purging out the non party guests. During that hour break, nothing changes for those already in the park that have tickets. They just get their bands and can continue to ride the rides and enjoy dining. There is no dining available to anyone after 6pm for non party guests. They can't even reserve online anymore unless their MDE profile has a party ticket.Party guests have to reserve under Mickey's Very Merry Dining Experience. If someone has reservations for 5:45, after dinner, they will be escorted out of the park. They are no longer allowing them to reserve into the party hours. The goal is to have ALL non party guests out of the park by the official start time of the party.
As far as FP, well, he was a little hesitant to talk about that. Could be any number of reasons. My guess is eventually Party Guests will no longer have that overlap window to use MDE FP ahead of time, but can only reserve the day of while in the park prior to the official party start time. Which means one at a time.
The CM was adamant that party guests would still be able to enter at 4pm and nothing has changed in that regard. The only change is the time that the park closes and party officially starts. Again, the extra hour, according to the CM is ONLY to give CMs more time to get non party guests out. Everything else will remain open and no one will be herded/held anywhere if you hold a party ticket.

 

[DisneyMom93]

I understand the issue of clearing out day park guests before the party starts. What I don't understand is why they need to give party guests three hours to enter. When the park opens in the morning it doesn't take everyone three hours to get in.

 

[KdKyA]

I understand the issue of clearing out day park guests before the party starts. What I don't understand is why they need to give party guests three hours to enter. When the park opens in the morning it doesn't take everyone three hours to get in.

So they don't have a park full of people waiting at the gate trying to enter while a park full of people need to leave. Traffic control. Not everyone is going to come right at 4 nor right at 7, they will filter through over 3 hours while the current park guests will start filtering out as the party guests come in. If they can get most party guests in the park prior to park closing, the traffic congestion shouldn't be as bad as the majority of the park guests are trying to leave. Think of it like a commuter highway that opens up more lanes going the way the majority of traffic is going and then opening the opposite lane later in the day to encourage the traffic to move quicker.

 

[DisneyMom93]

So they don't have a park full of people waiting at the gate trying to enter while a park full of people need to leave. Traffic control. Not everyone is going to come right at 4 nor right at 7, they will filter through over 3 hours while the current park guests will start filtering out as the party guests come in. If they can get most party guests in the park prior to park closing, the traffic congestion shouldn't be as bad as the majority of the park guests are trying to leave. Think of it like a commuter highway that opens up more lanes going the way the majority of traffic is going and then opening the opposite lane later in the day to encourage the traffic to move quicker.

I guess...

I think of it like a highway more in the sense that half the turnstiles on the one side should be day guest exits with all traffic leaving, and the other side should be party entrances with all traffic entering. I'll be honest though, I have no idea how many people come and go and how many turnstiles there are, but there's that 6pm-7pm time period to do that.

 

[KdKyA]

They were having issues with the party guest traffic coming and non party guests traffic exiting at one time. Now they are trying to filter it out so 30,000 people aren't coming in while 40,000 people are going out at the same time (random number since Disney won't release numbers on party guests). A huge number of party guests see that the party starts at 7 and don't know that they can come early, so there is a huge crowd coming in the 30 minutes prior to the party. Before, when the park closed at the same time, those crowds faced the the non party guests and it was quite the traffic jam. They are trying to close an hour earlier to get the crowd out for the most part before that party rush comes at 6:30. The difference between all of the guests coming at rope drop and party guests coming in, is the rope drop guests don't have oncoming crowds to deal with. They don't have to fight their way through thousands of people exiting so it's easier to push people through. They even changed rope drop procedures so the crowds aren't at the gate the whole time clogging up the entrance, now they can disperse through Main Street and people flow through better than they did before. Letting party guests come in slowly over 3 hours keeps traffic down while the one hour earlier park closing helps keep outgoing traffic low for the incoming group. Having turnstiles only going one way on one side and the other way on the other side causes a lot of cross traffic with people that don't understand the flow. Look at Wal-mart, huge Enter and Exit sign above the doors, how many people actually follow those signs. Not many, way too many people either don't read or don't care. Now multiple that by the 10s of thousands and it's a nightmare. Throw in strollers, wheelchairs and slower traffic and it's the 101 freeway at Rush hour with a 5 vehicle pile up (101 Freeway in California notoriously the biggest traffic jam freeway in California lol).