Honestly, no. In the past, MNSSHP was amazing . Not super crowded, you could see the fireworks, see the parade and stage show and ride rides. Our last 2 times it was ridiculously crowded to where it wasn't fun. Long lines for the rides. Huge crowds for the parades, fireworks and stage show. Don't even think about the lines for the characters. Jack and Sally were 2 hours when it opened.
Be advised that bloggers and other media are also given priority access for rides.. So they'll be going through the lightening lane while you wait. that was very difficult for me to deal with as a paying customer, especially when it happened at every ride the had an overlay. They also have a blogger/media area with food (usually in the plaze garden spots) and reserved seating right at the front for all shows. If none of that bugs you, I wouldn't hesitate to go.
We’ve gone to several opening parties over the years. I’ve noticed the blogger media area and I’ve been near a few who were videotaping the fireworks, but otherwise I don’t notice them at all. I wouldn’t skip it for that reason.
This sounds cool - How do you find the bypass?
It's behind the Plaza restaurant and runs all the way down to basically Tonys (not quite, but the stores that are at the entrance of Main St on that side. If you're coming in at 4, most likely CMs will be directing you that way anyways.
It’s a walkway. Head to the right as soon as you enter MK, just past Tony’s. The walkway takes you up behind the Main Street buildings and you come out near The Plaza restaurant.
How far in advance did you need to stake out a spot for parade and fireworks?
This is our exact experience too. Years ago it was great, the last few years before the shut down it was miserable. We finally gave up going. I'm hoping they don't continue over selling it, but I'm guessing as long as it's taking for nights to sell out, it's going to be just like it was. It is most definitely not a way to experience low crowd levels.
The last party we attended the crowds were so bad that more than 2 hours before the fireworks started we gave up and found a spot in the hub area and just camped out. We sent 2 runners for food and it took them a full hour to get to Comic Rays and back. We ended up eating on the ground and I decided then, $600+ dollars to eat cold food on the pavement was not something I'd ever do again. I'm waiting on reports of what these parties will be like before I buy again.
me too! I have a park ticket (AP) but my family doesn’t and it would be nice to be able to book some LLsI know not everyone's party tickets show up in MyDisney, though ours do (and we received the hard tickets in the mail). I'm still holding out hope they will somehow let us purchase Genie+ for the 4-7 p.m. window even if we are Party-Only tickets... It is the new Disney, thinking they wouldn't want to miss a chance for more $$$...
I doubt it will ever be possible without a actual day pass or an AP to buy G+.I know not everyone's party tickets show up in MyDisney, though ours do (and we received the hard tickets in the mail). I'm still holding out hope they will somehow let us purchase Genie+ for the 4-7 p.m. window even if we are Party-Only tickets... It is the new Disney, thinking they wouldn't want to miss a chance for more $$$...
@brockash and @Disneylover99 gave great descriptions! This highlighted map is from an old DIS thread showing the bypass in yellow. Traffic is one way.
You are not misremembering. Disney previously allowed a DVC member + 7 additional guests (per membership) early entry at 2pm for MNSSHP and MVMCP.
