Originally Posted By TDLFAN Well, G-Fan and I just got home for the MK's R&P Party. Not a crowded event this evening. I did enjoy the light show on Main Street, with projections of gallions, skulls, tiaras and other related P&P items. It's a fun way to spend time waiting for the "Enchanted" parade. One issue though.. The music over the loudspeakers on Main Street was playing way too loud. You basically had to speak louder to your party members to be heard tobe able to hear others. I hope this was a little technical situation for just tonight. On the other had, it was great hearing a here selections from TDL's Lights of Romance and Fantillusion!'s Princess loop tonight. That brought a smile to my face... of course, I could have done with LESS disposable Disney Channel pop selections. "Yoho Yoho!!" just doesn't sound that great with a beat box backing track. The parade is fun and it was nice to some different floats amidts the same old ones they re-dress for these parties. The performers' costumes and makeup was great as well.. As for the fireworks... WOW!! This is the main event and worth the price of admission here. I just live the entire show... how subtle is starts and how it picks up after the extremely well choreographed attack on the castle. Tink's flight, as sparkles go off in the back perimeter skies is just what Disney magic is all about. Grand presentation, and to the best of my recollection, the most use of perimeter pyro of any pyro show at the MK. Needless to say, with the regular version of "Wishes", plus fantastic versions pyro show for Halloween, Christmas, and also the P&P party.. the MK is offering the very best Fireworks of any Disney theme park our there. Bar none. (Not to be confused with DL's Remember, which to me is the most outstanding presentation to date) One thing that needs to be improved is the free hand downs.. I feel offering beads and faux jewels just doesn't cut it. Why not hand out some candy like they do at the MNSSHP as well. Or free drinks/munchies like they do for MVMCP. Many adults participating in the "treasure hunt" were commenting ..'is this it???' Yup, that was it. I think this aspect of the party needs to also cater to the adults attending it. Plus, I noticed the caution warnings in regards to the faux jewels...being too small for little kids to play with, etc etc.. which I find it to be more reason for Disney to steer clear of those itmes and offer something that at least can be safe to eat, or difficult to put in little kids' mouths. Another aspect fo the party that needs improvement is the merchandise. The tee design for it was bland and I can see a lot of these being highly reduced at the Character warehouses later this year. The party pins were actually quite nice, and worth collecting if you are a pin trader/collector. The use of lighting around the entire park, with projections, was nicely done and added greatly to the atmosphere. Still, while G-Fan and I had a most enjoyable evening.. we both agreed that this party needs a more elaborate and well thought out execution to make it worth it of repeat visits in the future, since they insist on keeping these parties for the long haul. Once the parade and the pyro went off, there really wasn't much to do to make it worthwhile. They offered way too many DJ'ed dance parties, the same daytime "Dream Along with Mickey" show, and Belle's storytelling show. Again, these activities are great for kids.. but what about us the adults who attend without kids? Anyways.. the bottom line is: G-fan and I had a fun time tonight. Not sure we will return again for future parties unless the improve some aspects of it... but I recommend it you have kids and love dressing up as a pirate or princess. My rating: C+
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I just live the entire show<< Meant to say, I just "LOVED".. Edit function please! Sorry about the typo.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Nice to hear that you enjoyed it. From what I've seen from the videos on line, the fireworks really do look great, but I'm still not sure if anything can really compete with Remember (but it definately loses a lot in the translation to video along the way). It's a shame that they really don't have anything of substance to do when the parade and fireworks end, but it just seems that the theme of the event is really limiting, as everything will pretty much appeal to one or the other. While there are certainly creative ways to deal with it, it seems to me like they just thought with their wallets instead of their brains, which ended up painting them into a corner.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Hey... I just want to apologize for all the typos. It's 2am and I was rushing to get this in tonight. Sorry again. And Afros... from your mouth to Inoverherhead Meg's ears.
Originally Posted By stitch84 Thanks for the review. Glad to hear you liked the fireworks and the parade, those really are the highlights of the event. I agree that there needs to be more activites that aren't so kid focused (like the dance parties). But there are a few things you didn't mention. Note that I blame their inability to publish any sort of useful show times for these things - how are people supposed to know about them if they aren't listed? Anyway, on to the list: Captain Jack's Pirate Tutorial - same as during the day, so not too exciting, but it is another offering. Princess Jasmine's Royal Guard Recruitment - very much along the lines of Jedi Training and/or the Pirate Tutorial, where the kids get taught how to be a palace guard. Seems kid-focused at first glance, but it's actually a very well produced show, with funny dialogue, pyro effects, appearances by Jafar and Aladdin, etc. It was the surprise hit of the night for us. Royal Agrabats - I think this got cut this year, but in last year's parties, they had acrobats (just like in Africa at DAK) near Jungle Cruise. Breakdancing and Jumping Stilts in Tomorrowland - self-explanatory, not sure if it's back this year. Many various bands - pirate band in Adventureland, Dapper Dans and Banjo trio in special costumes in Frontierland, etc. So there was some fun atmosphere entertainment for all ages (at least at last year's party), but it's really hard to know where/when to look since it isn't published.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> One thing that needs to be improved is the free hand downs.. I feel offering beads and faux jewels just doesn't cut it. Why not hand out some candy like they do at the MNSSHP as well << Last year, they did hand out candy as well. But only 2 - 3 pieces at a time, so it wasn't even worth bothering to stop for. Disney ended up donating a lot of the candy (and in turn, I ended up with some of it). I'm not sure why they didn't hand more out to guests who paid up to $50 to go to the parties. I enjoyed having an empty MK - it's rare to see these days, and the fireworks were terrific. But I'd rather spend money and go to the Halloween party, that is my favorite. I also wish that Disney wasn't closing the park at 7pm on some Saturdays for the P&P, they did that this past Saturday - and it looked like a mess with all the people leaving.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>But there are a few things you didn't mention. Note that I blame their inability to publish any sort of useful show times for these things<< Thanks for the added stuff I left out. I did run into those tutorial shows in Adventureland. Still, apart from the pyro and some nifty little tricks, the show is designed more for kids, so after a couple of minutes, we decided to move on. One thing I forgot to mention that I found appealing was the little photo op set up they had in Tomorrowland by the Carrousel of Progress. It was well done, with lights and stuff, and the characters looked great in pirate costumes against the futuristic pirate props.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <One thing that needs to be improved is the free hand downs.. I feel offering beads and faux jewels just doesn't cut it. Why not hand out some candy like they do at the MNSSHP as well< When I went in August they were offering candy more than beads - decent chocolate candies - coins the kids liked and Hershey's treasures - did they stop the candy althogether ? and yeah, the fireworks - awesome !
Originally Posted By Disneybrad "did they stop the candy althogether ?" Yeah, No more P&P Chocolates. I think hte change to the beads is to differenciate it from the other parties. Christmas: Hot Chocolate and Cookies. Halloween: Candy P&P: Beads and Gems
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Yeah, No more P&P Chocolates. I think hte change to the beads is to differenciate it from the other parties<< Not a good change I have to say.. many adults were expecting something they could at least eat for free, but useless toys? Why not retheme the parties to a Mardi Gras celebration Disney Style if all they want to hand out is useless beads?
Originally Posted By Disneybrad I agree, the beads and gems are kinda dumb. I loved the chocolate, but they did make a mess
Originally Posted By nbodyhome I don't even care much about real jewelry, and definitely don't need fake beads. They should do something that includes everyone - and chocolate usually fits the bill quite well. Maybe something not as melty.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN That melting problem never seemed to be an issue during the MNSSHPs. Why would it be now?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 The times we went in August it was mid 90's every day and very warm at night, yet melting really wasn't an issue. Not sure why, but I remember commenting on it at the time - it wasn't - and we had some young nieces with us that wouldhave been full of chocolate if it was. The candy was immediately put into those black velvety bags ( not held in hands) and it kept just fine.
