Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular review
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular review from the first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular played to huge crowds and rave reviews at the first Walt Disney World Halloween Party. Guests sang along, cheered and celebrated the appearance of the show's leads the Sanderson Sisters.
The show quickly nods at the movie it takes its name from with a mention of there being so many children present, then follows the typical Disney Villain Castle show formula involving popular villains.
This show is much longer than any previous Villain experience, weighing in at 21.5 minutes of standing room only Villainous fun.
This new show looks to nudge the envelope just a tad toward a little darker Halloween experience than has been typical in previous years at Disney World.
The Sanderson Sisters have come back from the dust in the year 2015 and want to create a new Hocus Pocus Party potion.
One sister has the spell wrapped around her chocolate bar. Seems like the perfect place for it, right?
The one sister in charge does a face palm when she realizes that they don't have the 3 ingredients necessary for a great party.
- A complete sell out of tickets to more guests than the parties have seen before.
- Fewer ways to meet or dance with villains than previous years
- Really long lines for character meets.
Dr. Facilier comes along to try to save the party.
He's happy because he realizes that the party will rake in tons of cash from unassuming tourists who love a 22 year old movie reincarnation into a stage show.
The sisters then join the celebration.
They strike a deal to create lines for Jack and Sally that will exceed 2 hours and the 7 Dwarfs will average 1.5 hours all night. Nothing is scarier to Disney Cast Members than crazy long lines with grumpy guests on a humid September night.
The sisters bow to his greatness and agree to offer many of the same characters in the same costumes as the daytime with lines of 10 minutes or less most of the night.
The blonde sister is sad because the candy lines were crazy long for 3.5 hours and she couldn't fill her $18 glowing Mickey candy bucket.
Oogie Boogie comes to cheer her up as only he can. He realizes that this is a special meet and greet opportunity for her as other guests can't touch the guy.
Clean sackcloth!
Everyone was excited for this exclusive meet and greet!
But Maleficent wasn't included in the party at all this year? No after villain meet? No villain soiree? Only a parade appearance and show segment?
She then swore revenge upon all those who only allowed meet and greets with Jafar, Cruella, Queen of Hearts, the Witch and Lotso during the party!
Queen Grimhilde has a way to fix up the situation with a special Party exclusive candied apple!
That sends everyone into a celebratory dance number.
Hades joins the fun with some oddly shaped goodie to toss into the spell.
Cruella joins with the sass that only she can demonstrate
Capt. Hook wants to know why he can no longer meet guests or shake his booty with them.
He demands retribution.
Jafar didn't look very happy to be one of the few working all night while the others did 2 parades and 4 shows only.
The villains need this young lady's hair to make the party perfect, but more villain meets would have been a better plan.
The sisters cackle over how great their plan is for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. More tickets sold! Less characters to meet or dance with! Huge lines for candy during the early hours! Attract enormous crowds for only 4 showings of their castle spell creation!
Hades celebrated the fact he had less work than Jafar.
Lady Tremaine and Capt. Hook dance to the fact they will contribute less.
Hades claims the whole thing was his idea, being King of the Underworld and all.
Oogie Boogie was happy to be able to walk in the parade, but keep his distance from all the fans.
Celebrate girls the spell is complete! Disney World visitors will drop $300 per family and then spend more to eat tiny cupcakes and watch fireworks from an odd view with some giant boxes blocking part of their view!
Yes, being undead has its benefits.
Happy Halloween darling!
Oh, okay, that's not the actual story they told. The real one is in the video below. But my story seems more factual.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwM4o4IB_rc&edit=vd
I got "here" from an image while hunting someone to make one of these costumes for me....now I get why it was so spot on, Disney made it!! If anyone has a source that can replicate the Sisters' costumes, I'd love to chat with them!!!
First I have to say that omg your review was hilarious! I WISH that was the show. They should consult you for their next show lol.
I know the lines for the seven dwarves and Jack and Sally were crazy but were the lines for minnie, daisy and donald that bad too? We are doing the party as the only park day so we'd like to do the fab 5 meet and greets but not if they're super super long.
Line for Minnie and such circled Casey Jr area
I love your more factual commentary! Overall, it seems like yet another year of a downgraded MNSSHP. The new stage show is cute, but I much preferred the 2011-2014 Villains Mix and Mingle show as the Disney Villains were showcased a lot more even in a much shorter time span. This year, Queen Grimhilde (aka The Queen), Hades, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, Jafar, and Lady Tremaine all seem like afterthoughts. I may be biased though, as the previous Villains Mix and Mingle was the first and only MNSSHP Villain stage show I ever had the pleasure of seeing in person. And even better yet was the fact that the 2011-2013 years of the Villains Mix and Mingle, the villains would actually mingle for meet-and-greets afterward.
Would have loved a real review :(
There is a full video of the show at the bottom.
So I guess my disappointment in the party was well-founded...wish I could get a refund! First party and was overwhelmed with the amount of people and the huge obstructions for the stage. Is that typical or just due to recent construction?
Recent construction
I sure am glad I went last year. I don't feel like I'm missing anything this year. I am doing the MVMCP this year and I hope it doesn't follow the same trend.
How early do you suggest getting there before the show starts? Thanks for all your advice!
20 to 30 minutes for best view
Wow, Kenny, your write up was really funny! Of course it's funny because it's sadly true.
Do you have any advice/suggestions for which show time(s) are best to go to (or less crowded)? Going next week and am trying to plan out my strategy and order of when I should do what at the party. Thanks!
Every show was packed. Arrive early
I have the same question as tori. Can you give a more specific answer on where you think the best spot is to view the show? For example, close up versus further back, in the middle or off to the side, etc. Thanks.
Right in front of stage about 30 feet back
I see that it's gone from the Daily Talk blogspot.
Everything Kenny says about the party is true, if maybe a little nicer than I would have said it. I was there. Mnsshp is my favorite disney event and I go every year. This party was horrendous.
I think someone ripped you off. I just read this exact same review here -
(link removed)
I called him out on his site and FB and reported to Google for copyright infringement
I've heard (via disboards poster) that they'll be back Oct 5th. We'll see if thats true.
There are reports all over online of people getting money back already. Someone even posted on disboards how they went into GS during the party and had purchased another party and the dessert party and had them all refunded and left.
Wow this makes me sad esp because we are going Oct 27 and I know it will be packed then also. Disney won't care...they're making a fortune.
where would you suggest the best place to watch from? Going tuesday hope it's not this crowded
Can only watch from in front of castle
Can you imagine if the tickets were refundable? I'd be turning mine back in right this second!
Any sign of the pumpkin spice waffles?
No
Wow is right. I really hope that Disney does read this and makes some changes so guests can actually enjoy themselves. Kenny, are you doing a full review of your night at the party?
Yes, just takes time to get the photos and videos together
So what we heard about the overcrowding on Twitter was correct judging from your comments. Do you anticipate this being the trend more later, mid-week parties? Can't wait to hear your full take and recommendations based on what you experienced. Thanks
This was the most crowded party and longest character lines I've ever seen
Wow, I was excited about coming to the party on Oct 8th, but now I almost wish I would have saved my money. Too bad the tickets are non-refundable.
I seriously hope someone from Disney reads this blog. SHAME ON YOU, DISNEY!