Decision - Is Mickeys Halloween Party Really Worth $50.00 a person?

[disfreak4life]

I am thinking about purchasing tickets to Mickey's Halloween Party this October 31. The prices are close to $50.00 for an adult. I will be travellilng with my wife and kids (age 7, 4).

We aren't huge fans of Halloween but we do attend church-run events during this evening for the candy and fun games.

Is paying up to $200.00 for the four of us really worth it for this Halloween Party? :confused3 I understand there is a parade, special fireworks, trick-or-treating, etc., but would be be a wiser decision to partake in the Boardwalk Resort activities (for free) and miss this party?

I am sure most of you who have been will respond very positively to the party and say it is very worthwhile. Are there anyone out there who think it's not worthwhile?

[kathleena]

First, the published prices for advance tickets are:
ADVANCE PURCHASE (NOT OFFERED 10/27, 30, 31)
Adults: $39.35 - ages 10 and up
Child: $31.90 - ages 3 - 9

So they are more like $40 and $32.

Anyway - the party is basically from the park closing time (6pm) until 12mid. If you are already in the park that day they let you stay for the hour inbetween park close and park open and you can go in certain sections and take in the rides. That's six hours of park time, if you stay the whole time. There are special shows, parades, fireworks, and lots of characters. The park is less full than on a regular day (assuming you don't go on Halloween night or the night before, which tend to be the busiest nights).

Now on a regular park day - open from 9-6, then you have 9 hours of park time for over $50 for the day, with all the normal park stuff to go along with it, including the higher crowds,

So, hour for hour, and activity for activity - if you are there the whole time - then I would say yes, it is worth it. The party is a lot of fun, and my grandkids love it. And so do I. Much more fun than the Christmas party IMHO.

But keep in mind that if it rains - you have lost the price of admission.

ETA - Sorry - I just noticed you said Oct 31st in your post. I wouldn't recommend going on Oct 31st. Most reports I've read say it's pretty mobbed. In that case, you may want to consider the alternative!

[Disney Doll]

Well, I have to be honest with you. IMHO, no it's not. We went there a few years back. It's basically the normal MK. The rides are open. The CMs give out candy at candy stations. The parade is cute. The best thing about it was the ride of the Headless Horseman through the park.

I'd go again if someone really wanted to see it, but I don't feel the need to see it again.

[dsneygirl]

DH and I have done it twice and are planning on taking our little one this fall. We love it. But we are huge Halloween fans. You can enter the park as early as 4 or 5 so like Kahtleena mentioned it's like getting an entire day in the park.

Last years Hallowishes were among the best fireworks I have ever seen at WDW. DH and I don't even bother with the rides, we watched the parade twice, looked for characters in their costumes and got candy.

Good luck with your decision.

[stampinshauna]

We went last year the night before our cruise. We wanted to spend some time in the parks, but didn't have extra vacation days to do so. MNSSHP was perfect as we arrived in Orlando only few hours before. For the $40, we were able to have our WDW experience. It was nice that we could go on most any ride at the Magic Kingdom and we generally waited 5-10 minutes. We did wait 15 min for Peter Pan. We were able to do every ride that we wanted to, we got a ton of candy, we saw the parade, had our picture taken (they mail it to you and it is no extra charge), and just had an overall good time.

If we had an annual pass or had the opportunity to go to the parks several times a year, then maybe it wouldn't have been worth it. But, since this was our one chance last year, it was totally worth it since we got to do the rides.

The previous year we were at the Boardwalk on Halloween (just after our first cruise). We were done doing the parks, and headed over there just for fun. The cookie decorating was a fun thing to do. There was limited trick-or-treating (you get a lot more at MNSSHP). It was fun and it was free. If I couldn't/didn't want to go to MNSSHP, I'd go to the Boardwalk again.

I guess it just comes down to the bottom line. Do you want to spend the money? You will get more out of MNSSHP, but you do have to pay for it.

I vote that you try MNSSHP, but it is up to you.

[crisi]

Well, I have to be honest with you. IMHO, no it's not. We went there a few years back. It's basically the normal MK. The rides are open. The CMs give out candy at candy stations. The parade is cute. The best thing about it was the ride of the Headless Horseman through the park.

I'd go again if someone really wanted to see it, but I don't feel the need to see it again.

I've felt like I'm the only Disboard Scrooge on this, I'm glad someone else shares the opinion.

We went last year mid-October. My kids are six and seven. Both barely made it to the first fireworks, and we basically had to wake sleeping kids to see them. If my kids could stay up (i.e. were older) and were "mountain" kids (i.e. were older and wanted to ride Splash, Space and BTMRR) it probably would have been worth every penny - no lines and many hours of doing nothing but the stuff that has lines, but as it was, we paid $150 or something for a few rides, candy we didn't need (and with Halloween at home around the corner - really didn't need), a parade (cute, but not worth the money, the headless horseman rides by in about 18.5 seconds) and fireworks we could have seen from the beach at the Poly.

It was cool to be in the MK after dark. I haven't done that in years.

[Sammie]

It really is a personal opinion thing. Just like CRT, to some it is not worth the cost for a medicore breakfast, but definitely worth the cost to some to have a meal in a castle with a princess.

To us the special events are worth the cost, however I can't imagine it would be worth it to someone that is not a big fan of Halloween.

As stated Oct will be packed and you will get the true Halloween fan on that night. BW might work better for you.

[Tink-n-Belle]

We went a few years back and I didn't think it was worth it at all. However, my daughter was only 18 months olds at the time and we left around 9:30. MY DH stayed and loved being able to ride the rides with no wait. The candy was okay (sweetarts and toosies rolls) and the parade had alot of villians in it-- kinda scary for a 18 month old. However, someone posted that they had lots of chocolate bars-but we didn't get any chocolate when we went.

The only way we would do it again(kids are older now) is to go to the parks around 4:00 and not use a ticket at any park for that day just the MNSSHP ticket. (we have 10 day hoppers with no expiration) That way we could enjoy the MK with low crowds and not use one of our tickets. If you do it that way then its worth it. But with the new ticket pricing you may not have the no expiration option and it wouldn't matter if you use up a day or not. Also, if your going to stay til closing you would need to rest during the day especially if your kids are 4 and 7 and if your up late that night the next day would be tough to get going to the parks early.

[CarolA]

I am not a huge fan of this event, but if you are into Halloween it's probably more your thing. (I LOVE MVMCP....which is basically the same, but I am really into Christmas LOL!)

Also this event can get very crowded. I go to these for the atmosphere and the special shows etc. NOT to ride rides. If your goal is "ride all the rides" I would not recommend it.

[byoung]

Been to both twice will do Christnas party this year.

[calypso*a*go-go]

We have gone twice now ('04 & '05) and really like this event. Last October we actually got to enter the park using our MNSSHP tickets around 3pm...it seems like they are letting people in earlier and earlier every year. We usually sleep in the day of the event, let the kids swim and just kind of hang out at the resort. That way we can stay for the entire night without everyone getting too tired. The parade/fireworks are great and the candy was plentiful. We especially liked the free face painting and had it done first thing so we could avoid the long lines for it later...and it looked great in the free photo that comes with your ticket. We have never actually gone on Halloween night, we prefer going a few days before when the crowds aren't quite as heavy.

[MrShiny]

We went to the it last year for the first time (a surprise trip for our kids, 7 & 11), and we LOVED it. The whole park is decorated for Halloween. Lots of seldom seen characters are out. TONS (literally!) of candy given away. The parade is great, and the new fireworks were fantastic.

With kids (especially a little one, like your 4 year old), best to get an ADR at Libery Tree Tavern for about 6. Then you are in the park right when it opens for the party (and not hearded into Tomorrowland like other partiers waiting in the party).

We enjoyed it immensely. Definitely worth the price, IMHO.

[DiznEeyore]

We've done MNSSHP every October trip since '98, including last year. Dh and I are going alone this year and we're skipping it. When we asked ds (13) if he wanted to go next year, he said, "Nah, we can skip it." It seems that over the years it's just gotten more crowded and (in ds' opinion) the candy isn't as good (LOL!).

I will say that the Hallowishes fireworks *are* awesome, though. ;)

The party's worth doing at least once if you haven't done it before. We do love being in the MK at night! :teeth:

[crazyaboutdisney]

we did this 2 years ago and would not do it again. We also spent another $80 on the t shirts. I almost got run over by the headless horsemen. We wished that we would have stayed at the bw for the free activities.

[DisFlan]

I'm a big Halloween fan and I enjoyed MNNSHP a lot, BUT - I agree it's getting pricey. The fireworks are great, the rides are fun, but I thought the parade was fairly puny. And I don't care much about the candy. What I really enjoy is seeing the costumes on the very small kids. Itty bitty pirates and Dumbos and Alices. Really cute!

But for a family, both the MNNSHP and MVMCP are getting to be a big chunk of money. They may be on the edge of pricing out a lot of folks.

DisFlan

[thelionqueen]

I would go if the tickets were $150.00 each. It is honestly the best Disney event I've ever attended! I've been doing Disney yearly, usually bi-annually for over 30 years, and I cannot speak highly enough about MNSSHP.

Last year was our 1st, and I vowed to do it every year from now on. The park is AMAZING, the fireworks, well there's no word created yet that can express how awesome they are, the parade and festivities are just a blast!

Honestly, I wouldn't miss it for the world, I would say do it and decide for yourself.

[DrTomorrow]

To the OP: go to the BW activities. Non-fans of Halloween on Halloween night, with younger children, would not see the value.

Disclaimer: we went to MNSSHP twice in one trip (Oct '04), once in costume (MrsT as a sexy cat [mrraow] and me, duh, in scrubs) and once where we met up with some DIS folks - we had a great time, and if we're at WDW during that time, we'll do it again.

In general, the 'perceived value' of MNSSHP increases when:

1. You are fans of Halloween.
2. Your children are a bit older.
3. You can stay until midnight.
4. You enjoy non-ride events like fireworks, parades and general atmosphere.

I do disagree with Disney Doll: the MK during MNSSHP is NOT the same old MK. Totally different (and spooky) lighting effects and sounds all over the park, a different (and slightly creepy) feel to the place, and a general overall tone of the guests which is a little more pumpkin-y. It's the difference between waiting in line for the HM in the sunny afternoon vs. when the night is dark, the moon is full and the gravestones seem to be moving just a bit....

[keishashadow]

Think there's an AP discount available also(?) where you pre-order tix & pick up @ guest services...not sure if it's the same as the advance purchase price.

Planning on buying tix for early in October. Hope it's not nearly as crowded as MVMCP was.

[zulaya]

I have been to MNSSHP before with both kids last year when they were 8 and 9.

I will say it was fun to do it once, but I am not interested in going again for $50 per person.

My kids also did the Boardwalk and I believe had just as much fun.

I think you are basically paying for smaller ride lines for the party. The parade was okay, but there's a kazillion people there. The Headless Horseman was our highlight and then we pretty much left. But there are other places to see him.

I wouldn't categorize this as a "must-do", but a "I'm glad we did it once but I'm not falling all over myself to do it again."

Go to the Boardwalk and have fun.

[doubletrouble_vb]

If you wont be back at halloween until the 4 year old is turning 11 I'd probably go. I would definitely only use the party ticket that night and let the kids rest up for the evening festivities during the day. The nice part is that for many of the rides there is no line...however I'd get a full meal in before I go (late lunch/early dinner). Casual dining areas were packed.

In my opinion it is NOT worth using a day pass and the party pass on the same day. I also wouldnt go during Halloween but the kids'll probably get more candy on that night.

[inky dinky doo]

To the OP: go to the BW activities. Non-fans of Halloween on Halloween night, with younger children, would not see the value.

Disclaimer: we went to MNSSHP twice in one trip (Oct '04), once in costume (MrsT as a sexy cat [mrraow] and me, duh, in scrubs) and once where we met up with some DIS folks - we had a great time, and if we're at WDW during that time, we'll do it again.

In general, the 'perceived value' of MNSSHP increases when:

1. You are fans of Halloween.
2. Your children are a bit older.
3. You can stay until midnight.
4. You enjoy non-ride events like fireworks, parades and general atmosphere.

I do disagree with Disney Doll: the MK during MNSSHP is NOT the same old MK. Totally different (and spooky) lighting effects and sounds all over the park, a different (and slightly creepy) feel to the place, and a general overall tone of the guests which is a little more pumpkin-y. It's the difference between waiting in line for the HM in the sunny afternoon vs. when the night is dark, the moon is full and the gravestones seem to be moving just a bit....


I agree with everything Dr. Tomorrow said. We've been to both the Christmas party (MVMCP) and the Halloween party (MNSSHP), sometimes twice in one year, and our favorite is MNSSHP. Of course, we always go in costume and really get into the atmosphere and trick or treating. We also tend to take it easy that afternoon, with naps for the little ones so they aren't tired.

I will say -- and this is not directed at anyone in this thread -- I've always felt you get out of the parties what you put into them.

One year, I went to the Christmas party with a large group of family members. Somehow, we got separated and I ended up by myself, early in the evening. Instead of throwing myself into the party and making my own fun, I spent the time missing the rest of my group and ended up leaving early. I learned a lesson that year. It's up to me to have a good time, so since then, I've gone to the parties with just that in mind. I don't wait to be entertained. I initiate interaction with the characters and with the CMs. Heck! It's a party. I'm there to have fun, and I do. At Halloween, it seems like the CMs are having fun, too.

You have to decide, for yourself, if it's worth the money. For a group, it is edging up there, but if you've got the money and want to give it a try, I say "go for it." Just make sure you go in costume. I think it adds to the whole Halloween party feel when you do. If you think you'll end up worrying about what it cost you, then you should probably just go to the Boardwalk.

Either way, have a great time. You'll be in WDW, and I'll be here at home, handing out treats at the door. ;)

Pat

231 days and counting . . . again!

P. S. I have to share what we wore one year. Back when Toy Story was so popular, we did a group thing. My little three-year-old-at-the-time grandson went as Buzz Lightyear. My nine-year-old granddaughter went as Miss Bo Peep. The three adults (my son, his wife, and me) went as Bo Peep's three sheep. We wore while sweats with white cotton balls glued all over, top to bottom. On our heads, we wore Mickey headbands we'd picked up in the park to which we'd also glued cotton balls.

As we were walking into the park, we passed a young couple walking out. Just as the two men passed -- my son and the young man in the couple -- the other young man said (out of the corner of his mouth), "Wife's idea, right???" And, grinned. What fun!!!! We also got to open the Liberty Tree Tavern that year. It really does pay to "get into it" if you go.

[calypso*a*go-go]

Our costumes were even easier...I was at the Disney Store two years ago during the "Finding Nemo" hoopla and they had these t-shirts on clearance for $5.00 (less my DVC discount!). They have a picture of Bruce, the shark, and say "Seafood Is Low Carb". I bought one for everybody in the family and went to the local party store where I found these really cool paper shark hats. Instant costume...and for anyone that asked, we were "Candy Sharks". We had a lot of people comment what a great idea it was. And the best part, we were able to wear shorts w/the short-sleeved tees...so we stayed cool and comfortable all night!

I agree about the atmosphere -- there's just something really cool about being in the MK at night with the buildings on Main St. lit up in all these fabulous colors, fog rolling about (even if it is artificial!), and seeing ghosts flying up the sides of the castle. It's the attention to detail that makes this event special for me.

BTW, I need to stop reading this thread as we were just @ WDW less than two weeks ago and I had vowed not to return for at least a year...but now I really want to go to MNSSHP again. Are we sure the OP isn't secretly a Disney Castmember? :teeth:

[Steamboat Bill]

Well...here is my "off the record" opinion.

I went in 2005 with my wife and two kids and it was great. We have APs and went in early. We paid extra for the Halloween tickets and they give you a wristband and a candy bag. The funny thing is the only time anyone wanted to see the wristband was when they took our "free picture". Other than that, we could have stayed for free. All the candy stations gave the exact same candy, thus, you could just hit a few stations and thats it. The best part was no lines on most rides, it was dark, cooler weather than the day, and everyone was dressed up. Lots of fun! They had a real person "ghost" on the graveyard at the Hunted Mansion, but that's it. I thought they should have really jazzed up that ride with live actors inside the mansion ride.

But next year I may consider using my AP only and "accidently stay for the party and skip the photo"

[calypso*a*go-go]

The ride operators do look at the wristbands as you are entering...so I wouldn't be surprised if your "secret plan" back-fired. Plus, I noticed on our recent trip where we used EMH, they were very strict about the wristbands so I really think the CM's are now more used to checking than not. You might get away with just hanging out in the stores or watching the parade and/or fireworks, but wouldn't it put a damper on your fun to be looking over your shoulder all night, trying not to be ejected from the park? (And I'm not even going to get into the whole right/wrong debate as I'm sure you already know what category this falls into.)

[DisFlan]

A CM was "casually" checking for wristbands while we were standing to the right of the castle watching the fireworks. So they do check. Sometimes it's just not very obvious.


DisFlan