Villains' Sinster Soiree to be available at MNSSHP- hard ticket event $99 per ticket

EDITED my post...

At first I was bothered about this, but CRT is generally not open during the parties, as I recall. So this isn't moving something previously available to a premium ticketed event. It is a "new" offering. So charge whatever you want to, Disney. Why stop at $99? Put an exclusive after-party in the Haunted Mansion for $999 per person too.

The reviews on this event seem pretty mixed. Overall most people seem to really enjoy the face time with the villains. Complaints of the event management team and how they made people feel rushed. Probably the most constructive complaint I read, for the 10:15 at least, is that it takes up most of MNSSWP. That you are paying $99 to miss most of what you spent $70 on.

LittleDreamer;2432059 wrote: Probably the most constructive complaint I read, for the 10:15 at least, is that it takes up most of MNSSWP. That you are paying $99 to miss most of what you spent $70 on.

That's my biggest problem with it. I already have issues with paying an extra $70 for 8 hours in the park (if you enter at 4pm). I'm not going to pay $70 just to get to pay $99 more.

IloveJack;2432141 wrote: That's my biggest problem with it. I already have issues with paying an extra $70 for 8 hours in the park (if you enter at 4pm). I'm not going to pay $70 just to get to pay $99 more.

Yeah, I read a very interesting and well presented blog written by an extreme Disney enthusiast, and his take away was "definitely not worth it".

On the plus side he said the CM's that played the villains were excellent and met all Disney standards.

One of the main problems was that people were rushed thru lines, plates were being cleared before eating was done, character lines were set up but you couldn't take the time to get photos because you were rushed up to the eating area. The other main issue seemed to be that after doing the parade, viewing the fireworks in the preferred location, then the dessert party, over 4 hours of your MNSSHP is gone. So paying a hard ticket price for access to rides that you no longer have time to go on becomes very much a rip-off.

Off all their money grabs, this truly is one of the biggest.

DizneyFreak2002;2430664 wrote: Be prepared for more hard ticket events... Got to make that money up from the boondoggle that is My Magic Plus, magic bands, NextGen, and FP+ since, you know, it isn't tricking guests to spend more money (in other words, it's not working!!!), not the way the MBA's sold it to the BoD anyway...

After reading a blog review of this event a reader posted a follow up with interesting speculation that goes along with what you are saying. This reader had put forth that Disney sold Wall Street and everyone that My Magic Plus etc. would increase per visitor spending, which it hasn't as you pointed out. So to please Wall Street, and to create metrics, all of these hard ticket events end up reflecting an increase in per visitor spending, just not in the way they intended or wanted.

If my experience isn't diminished by the events, then all the more to you if want to drop $160 on this event. I certainly can't/won't throw $800 at it for my family. One of the things that I do dislike about MVMCP is that they hold it so many nights, I think it goes almost 50% of the nights by the time you total it up, that it ends up restricting my access to the MK, which isn't acceptable.

End of rant, losing focus.

I'm still in awe (and not in a good way) of a hard ticket on top of a hard ticket. Blows. My. Mind.

The price they charge for these events has little to do with the "value" a guest may receive, or the actual cost that Disney incurs in producing the event. It's all about supply and demand. In this case, for the Villains' Sinister Soiree, there is apparently a big demand, and a very limited supply (restaurant capacity). That makes for a high price.

For that matter, the same economics applies to general park admission as well. It's based on park capacity vs. demand. The higher the price, the lower the demand for tickets, and that's how they can keep the parks operating at near capacity, which is the most efficient mode of operation for Disney.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could buy a WDW park admission for only $10.00 per day? Maybe not. Imagine how impossible it would be to buy tickets at that price. People would be complaining because they couldn't get into WDW when they wanted to go. Sound familiar, BOG wanna be guests? The price gets the demand down to where supply is "relatively" balanced. True, it's not always perfect, but otherwise demand be out of control.

I get that it seems unfair, when price locks one out of certain events. But keep in mind, the price of basic admission to any WDW theme park already locks out probably 95% of the world's population. If you can afford a Disney trip at all, even a very basic one, you are already one of the privileged few. It's hard to argue that you are being treated unfairly because those people even more well off can enjoy a more expensive vacation. That's nothing new. I guess I am having trouble figuring out how even the average Disney guest ever started feeling discriminated against by prices. Those who are truly disadvantaged would be laughing at us.

OK, off my soapbox now, sorry.

On the other side of the "supply and demand" argument, I am getting hit with incentives (discounts and add-ins) to book a stay on property every week. While they are charging more and more and apparently operating at capacity in the parks, the same does not appear to be true for the hotels.

The Hitchhiking Ghost;2432162 wrote:

If my experience isn't diminished by the events, then all the more to you if want to drop $160 on this event. I certainly can't/won't throw $800 at it for my family. One of the things that I do dislike about MVMCP is that they hold it so many nights, I think it goes almost 50% of the nights by the time you total it up, that it ends up restricting my access to the MK, which isn't acceptable.

End of rant, losing focus.

From what I'm understanding, it WILL diminish the party experience. They've taken away the mingle part of the mix and mingle and most of those villians are no longer available for meet and greets because they are made soley for the Tremaine thing.

ANG;2432208 wrote: From what I'm understanding, it WILL diminish the party experience. They've taken away the mingle part of the mix and mingle and most of those villians are no longer available for meet and greets because they are made soley for the Tremaine thing.

Oh. I had not considered that they would do that. That would cause some disappointment and frustration because they are charging more for a party that now offers less.

ANG;2432208 wrote: From what I'm understanding, it WILL diminish the party experience. They've taken away the mingle part of the mix and mingle and most of those villians are no longer available for meet and greets because they are made soley for the Tremaine thing.

While Lady Tremaine and the stepsisters are the main focus of the Villains Soiree I don't think I don't think it stop them from being out and about. First since it is Royal Table there is no danger of having one set in there and another out in the parks. I understand they were at Club Villain plenty during the evening. I did hear that after the stage show the villains no longer come out for a meet and greet, I'm not sure what prompted that change.

EricJ;2432339 wrote: There were also reports that Maleficent and the Wicked Queen WEREN'T making appearances with Snow and Aurora at the Princess Hall as advertised, is that true?

From Jason's Tidbits, stickied to the top of this forum:

8/30/14 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is debuting a new Character opportunity for the 2014 parties. The Diamond Horseshoe will be transformed into Club Villain featuring a dance party and opportunities to “mingle” with Cruella De Vil, Dr. Facilier, Anastasia, Drizella, and Lady Tremaine. A second new character event offering The Queen, Snow White, Maleficent and Aurora was announced, but then retracted without any explanation.

Posted entire reply from Disney in the characters' section....

We sincerely apologize for any frustration or disappointment this has caused. Maleficent and the Queen will not be greeting Guests during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Guests will be able to see them in Mickey’s “Boo to You” Halloween Parade as well as Villains Mix & Mingle – Live on Stage. Other Disney Villains can be found throughout the park, as well as at Club Villain in the Diamond Horseshoe. After further review, we determined that Princess Fairytale Hall would not be able to accommodate the demand for the Maleficent and the Queen character greetings and there is not another suitable location available during the party. Due to this, character greetings are no longer being offered for these specific characters.

FireCricket;2432840 wrote: After further review, we determined that Princess Fairytale Hall would not be able to accommodate the demand for the Maleficent and the Queen character greetings

Probably because they can't have the queue during the fireworks so it would seriously limit the available hours for the meet and greet.

FireCricket;2432840 wrote: Posted entire reply from Disney in the characters' section....

We sincerely apologize for any frustration or disappointment this has caused. Maleficent and the Queen will not be greeting Guests during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Guests will be able to see them in Mickey’s “Boo to You” Halloween Parade as well as Villains Mix & Mingle – Live on Stage. Other Disney Villains can be found throughout the park, as well as at Club Villain in the Diamond Horseshoe. After further review, we determined that Princess Fairytale Hall would not be able to accommodate the demand for the Maleficent and the Queen character greetings and there is not another suitable location available during the party. Due to this, character greetings are no longer being offered for these specific characters.

Really? They want you to believe this? Want to know what tosses this explanation into the realm of fantasy? The fact that Anna and Elsa are... IN PRINCESS FAIRYTALE HALL... If it can handle those waits, it can handle Maleficent and The Queen...

Badkitty has the more logical, and probably right, reason... Why can't Disney just say that and not make utter nonsense up?