Counter service dining plan is the way to go for one night. You really nailed it. I hope you enjoyed the Halloween party. They do an excellent job. How many times did you get on Tron? And room ready at 11? That is amazing. Hope we are as lucky.
Enjoy your bagful of candy!
Halloween Party: Never again!
We arrived around 6 and got 1 candy at entrance. Mr H was shocked that Carousel of Progress was still operational. We rode that, came out to find it raining and app was down. Wanted to ride something nearby and Buzz was down. We found an electronic screen with wait times, most lines were long (there was a long line for the People Mover!) but Jungle Cruise was short so we headed over to ride that and Pirates. The rain ended while we were on JC, and the app came back up. When we finished the festivities started, we saw a couple of long lines for treats and didn't bother. Watched the Pirate Band which was good, them went over around 7:30 to wait for the 8:15 parade. After waiting for 45 min it was delayed over and over again. At 8:30, we decided to give up on the parade and try to do something else. However, zero entertainment was happening so treat lines were 25-30 min long (no way) and most rides we were interested in were 40ish minutes long. I was there to see the parade and fireworks, so I didn't want to invest 40 min into waiting for a ride with now unknown times of the 1st parade, fireworks, 2nd parade and Hocus Pocus shows (the things we paid the money to see). It it was basically wandering around (inconveniently because the park was roped off for the parade) listening to announcements about the parade being cancelled, not knowing if any of the things we attended to experience would ever happen, not being able to do anything for fear of missing out on what you were there to do. All of this and it was only threatening to rain, not actually raining. We finally gave up and left.
We rode 3 rides, got 1 piece of candy each, watched the Pirate band show, and then stood or wandered around for 2 hours. Never again! After we got back to the room, I opened the app and there was a message that the 11:15 parade was moved up to 10:45. I think the first one was eventually cancelled. Prior to that, there were no entertainment updates in the app. I'm not sure what time that message was sent out, maybe 10pm. I don't know if the second parade and fireworks happened but the party prior to that was zero fun. Just a very crowded park day.
I think the bottom line is that these parties are too expensive and weather dependent and non-refundable (you have to commit well in advance of knowing the weather). Disney has your money and therefore no incentive to have a plan B for the weather (walk around and give out treats to people waiting for the parade, open twice as many treat lines, have plan B entertainment indoors, put more ride cares into service, provide updates in the app so party goers have some idea what to expect- or at the very least set up at treat line of amazing generosity at the exit for the frustrated people who give up and leave early to suggest that you regret your party was so unenjoyable that you'd want to make it up). Its pure arrogance on their part and that settles it for me: no way would I pay for one of these upcharge events again.
We will be back at Christmas and I was trying to decide between Mickeys Christmas party and Jollywood Nights but now the answer is crystal clear: absolutely not on either! At least I have that clarity.
What a total rip off.
seafood buffet.
