Observations About 9/26 Moonlight Magic at Hollywood Studios

[BWV Dreamin]

Let me start by saying we are adult travelers with no kids. My perspective may be totally different than those with children.

After having endured the most stressful time ever getting these free passes to MM @HS, I was finally excited to see what this was all about. We left our resort around 6:30, arriving at HS fairly quickly by bus. OMG, the bus stops are really really far from the park entrance. This was a major turn off for us. Hoping they move them back closer once the construction is finished. If this is a permanent location, that will be a huge problem for many people.

I planned to circumvent the bag check by taking the smallest purse possible I could find to carry sunglasses, EpiPen, coin purse and tissues. Still got the bag lady from hell. I mean how many ways can you look in a single pocket small purse? Plus she had to take everything out. Disney needs to revamp this process. We proceed to the turn about to go in and the CM asks" Do you have fast passes" Huh? I said thought we couldn't get any?( showing him my band). " Oh, ok go ahead. Now I'm totally confused.

My only requirement of the evening was to get a free Mickey bar. Check out some shops, don't see any Moonlight Magic apparel. Is about 7:45p so I'm thinking they will bring it out later. There were only a hand full of attractions open for MM magic. If your planning on doing most of the rides/ shows get there before 6p. No more shows after that. We are not coaster people so we mainly walked around trying to get a Mickey bar. First lady " Nope you have to wait until 8:30p." Huh? Ok. We wait another 1/2. Mosy over to Sunset strip to get our free food to take home. Wow! That food area was packed!

We get our pizza to go. See an ice cream wagon. Great its 8:40. " Can I have a Mickey bar please?" No, you have to wait until 9:00p. What? But I could get the free entree ( had it in our hands). " Yes mam you can get the food but no Mickey bars before 9:00p." Just not getting this.

So we are ready to go. Not worth waiting for my coveted Micky bar. Toy Story land was cute, but lines were already at 50 minutes.All we wanted to see were some shows which were not operating during MM hours.Lots of walking with nothing to see for us. And the bus ride home was quick after you walked 10-15 minutes to the bus stop.

So for us it was quite a let down. Yes it was free but when only a few attractions are open, it just wasn't worth it. I would suggest to wait and go much later. Wait times should be less and regular ticket people should be gone. Would I do it again? No. YMMV.

[TexasChick]

I’m sorry the event was a disappointment. I know you battled it out with the rest of us to secure tickets too. Well, if nothing else, you won’t feel the need/pressure to secure tickets to another event and can go about that day stress free. After this one at HS next week, I don’t know if it will be worth the stress for me either. The one at TL was fun enough, but I wouldn’t plan a trip around it. We’re also going to MNSSHP for the first time with a big group, so I’m very much looking forward to our trip. Also, I saw the high in Orlando was 95 yesterday. That’s just wrong in late September!!!

[BWV Dreamin]

Originally Posted by TexasChick

I’m sorry the event was a disappointment. I know you battled it out with the rest of us to secure tickets too. Well, if nothing else, you won’t feel the need/pressure to secure tickets to another event and can go about that day stress free. After this one at HS next week, I don’t know if it will be worth the stress for me either. The one at TL was fun enough, but I wouldn’t plan a trip around it. We’re also going to MNSSHP for the first time with a big group, so I’m very much looking forward to our trip. Also, I saw the high in Orlando was 95 yesterday. That’s just wrong in late September!!!

It has been extremely hot for this time of year. Definitely wait until later in the evening for this event. No way would I ever plan a trip around one of these events.

[Belle & Ariel]

We were there the week before and I agree it had too many people for the few attractions open. Late at night Midway Mania still had a 45 minute wait. Slinky was longer and Saucers was about 30 I think. You could basically do once each in the three hour party. Not a great deal to me.
We don't do EMH at DHS because of so few things open but I expected less people at this with managable waits.
We checked in at Boardwalk and they did not have the printed schedule/map. They did not have them at check in at the studios either. I think there were fireworks but we missed them. We only saw ice cream at one place and I didn't get because I was hoping to find one with the ice cream sandwich instead of Mickey bar. Never got one as there were no others. Disney cut way back from prior events.
My confirmation email said the party was 9:30-12:30 but when we went to Midway Mania at 12:06 it was closed. Cms were directing people to the exits.
We wished we had done EMH at MK instead.
We have done other DVC events in the past year and they were much better.

[Steamboat42]

I am really trying to take this review as an honest review, but I am struggling with a few things to be honest, unless they changed that much from 9/19 when I attended and had a great time.

1. All the rides were open during MM. Can you name a ride that was closed?
2. They did have a few shows during MM, Fantasmic, Movie projection show multiple times on the Chinese Theater, etc.
3. There were a number of characters out with no lines or walk on lines.
4. TSL was busy but much slower than during the day and by 11pm had gotten down to <30 min for all rides. ToT and RnR were literally walk on.
5. The event was slated to start at 9am. Food vouchers specifically stated a starting time. Why would the Mickey Bars be available before the start of the event? Even so it sounds like you received some bad info from a CM.

I am not sure what else you could have expected...

[BWV Dreamin]

Originally Posted by Steamboat42

I am really trying to take this review as an honest review, but I am struggling with a few things to be honest, unless they changed that much from 9/19 when I attended and had a great time.

1. All the rides were open during MM. Can you name a ride that was closed?
2. They did have a few shows during MM, Fantasmic, Movie projection show multiple times on the Chinese Theater, etc.
3. There were a number of characters out with no lines or walk on lines.
4. TSL was busy but much slower than during the day and by 11pm had gotten down to <30 min for all rides. ToT and RnR were literally walk on.
5. The event was slated to start at 9am. Food vouchers specifically stated a starting time. Why would the Mickey Bars be available before the start of the event? Even so it sounds like you received some bad info from a CM.

I am not sure what else you could have expected...

To answer a few questions, why would they let us in at 7p if food was restricted until after 9 ( which it was not, just the Mickey bars). No Indiana Jones, Beauty and Beast Show. We saw the projection show. It was ok. Would not consider it an attraction. Characters had long lines. Yes they were there but again we had no kids along. Maybe the characters alone appeal to others? Like I said YMMV.

[Goofygrl]

Originally Posted by BWV Dreamin

To answer a few questions, why would they let us in at 7p if food was restricted until after 9 ( which it was not, just the Mickey bars). No Indiana Jones, Beauty and Beast Show. We saw the projection show. It was ok. Would not consider it an attraction. Characters had long lines. Yes they were there but again we had no kids along. Maybe the characters alone appeal to others? Like I said YMMV.

The 7 PM entry was actually a perk - to be able to enter the park prior to the event starting. You then had access to all the remaining park attractions and shows that were still finishing up the day. If they made it a hard 9PM entry when the event started then the lines would be exceptionally long and many complaints about it taking so very long to get in. Also nice that they allowed access to the meals earlier than the event start time - another perk. The first events did not have the hot dogs/chips out until the event start time and 9 or 10PM just wasn't that appealing to be having those things for a lot of people I'd guess.

I too am sorry the event was a let down. IMO MK is the only park really able to handle the number of people they allow in for these events because of the having the greatest number of attractions. But none of the events have offered shows other than a night show like the Fireworks or ROL for AK. Prior to the events we always received an email outlining what would be open.

I agree you were asked about FP's because you would have needed to use a park entry to be able to use them. They didn't explain that which they could/should have but since you did not tell them you did have FP's they likely decided you did not so didn't go further with the explanation.

But, now you've gone and know what it's about. No more booking stress! I still think they're going to have to modify these events more and that they likely aren't going to continue on for years.

[CarolA]

Originally Posted by Steamboat42

I am really trying to take this review as an honest review, but I am struggling with a few things to be honest, unless they changed that much from 9/19 when I attended and had a great time.

1. All the rides were open during MM. Can you name a ride that was closed?
2. They did have a few shows during MM, Fantasmic, Movie projection show multiple times on the Chinese Theater, etc.
3. There were a number of characters out with no lines or walk on lines.
4. TSL was busy but much slower than during the day and by 11pm had gotten down to <30 min for all rides. ToT and RnR were literally walk on.
5. The event was slated to start at 9am. Food vouchers specifically stated a starting time. Why would the Mickey Bars be available before the start of the event? Even so it sounds like you received some bad info from a CM.

I am not sure what else you could have expected...

Why would you feel the need to attack the review? Why not just post your own review with your positive experiences.

[Steamboat42]

Originally Posted by CarolA

Why would you feel the need to attack the review? Why not just post your own review with your positive experiences.

I just felt the review was very vague and not really fair of the event. There are many things wrong with DHS right now but I did not think it was fair to lump those problems into Moonlight Magic review.

Bag check is always inconsistent. We had a cooler that fits underneath our car seat and fits about 6 bottles of soda and this was not even pulled out ot be checked a number of times in a row when entering the park.

Parking and busses is not great at DHS. This is a problem right now at the park at all times.

My biggest problem was stating they had nothing to ride during the party. Practically nothing was closed that isn't shuttered or closed during normal operating hours, excluding B&B and Indiana Jones.

[Belle & Ariel]

I will add we did an AP event Friday morning prior to park opening and it was just the opposite. Crowds were very low. We did Slinky and Midway several times in the hour.
Cms need to be trained though. At check in they scan your magic band and put fastpasses on it. They didn't know which rides it was for. At Slinky they asked if this was your first time and scanned and sent you through FP side. We didn't do Aliens so don't know. At Midway Mania they told us we couldn't scan till after 9 and sent through standby. After 9 when we tried to use other cm was there and told us they had expired at 9 and did not let us use.
There was also bus service from Boardwalk which was not disclosed to us. We saw a bus there after we had walked over. I appreciate event but wish communication and training was better.