Should we do MNSSH????

[RPrincess]

Hi
we are going to WDW in a couple of weeks and I can't decide whether it is worth going to MNSSH or not. My son is almost 4 and I don't know if it is worth the time or money for us to go to this for a couple of reasons - late night for him, and do you feel you get your monies worth? Any opinions welcome!

[LMC]

We did MNSSHP last year and thought it was a great value. You can get into the park around 4pm and you have until mid-night. If I am thinking straight, a one day ticket costs around $50 and MNSSHP tkt costs about $30 and you are getting just as many hours (w/ early park closings) for a savings!
When we went last year MK closed early every evening so we saved $ but still got in a full "day" at the park. It was not too crowded but I was disappointed in the trick or treating. IMHO it was not worth trick or treating (tell that to 2 kids!) but the access to the rides was wonderful!
They also give free stroller rentals and you get your free photos.

I would not go however on 10/31. We went on a Sunday night and I don't think as many locals were there (school nite) but when we saw the traffic going in the next weekend, it was very crowded!!!

[beattyfamily]

I think its very worth it and we can't wait to go again this year!

My DDs are 5 and 8 and they've been to 3 MVMCP and 1 MNSSHP and are going to their second MNSSHP in a couple of weeks!!

We love being at MK for Halloween. We love the decorations that you only see at parties. We love trick or treating. We love the parade. We love the free photo. We love the special fireworks. We just love the whole atmopshere!

If you have a little one, try to get them to nap or take it easy that day. Be sure and have stroller and when they fall asleep continue on with them sleeping...that is what we do.

[RPrincess]

Thanks for sharing your experience. It's a little disappointing about the trick or treating and that's why I was wondering if it was all worth it. But you make a good point about the price of admission. Thanks.pirate:

[disneygoof]

I think the value of the trick or treating depends on your child. My son is not a big candy kid, so he did one or two spots (IASW was particularly cute) but didn't get caught up in it. I saw some kids running around from spot to spot, waiting in long lines for a handful of candy, and then running to the next spot, and I thought, "what a waste of time, they could be riding rides with no lines". Then I reconsidered and thought, "Boy do they look like they're having fun!". It's also how I feel about autographs sometimes, until I remind myself how much fun it is for the children to collect them. For the most part they were older, and probably staying until midnight, so had plenty of time to ride rides, and probably can't trick or treat at home any more due to the coolness factor.

With a 4yo I would recommend getting there at 4, because if you wait until 7, I think you'll feel rushed to get things in before he crashes and won't get the full advantage of the rides. We went at 4, still avoided WTP and Peter Pan due to lines, fast passes were already closed down. At 4, people who have been there all day are trying to get last rides in before the park closes at 6, so it's pretty crowded. We spent our time on the TTA, Teacups, Carrousel, anything without a line.

We think it was a great value and would do it again. When the party started my sons rode at least 15-20 rides, and those most popular in their age group. My 4yo went on Goofy's Barnstormer 5 times in a row, one time without getting out of the plane.

[LMC]

Trick or treating for a "handful of candy"? Ours waited in line and got ONE piece each. So the T or T was not worth it IMO. I told them I would go to walmart and buy them a whole bag of candy and we would spend our time on the rides.

[beattyfamily]

For us, trick or treating is still a very big part of Halloween so it's very important to our kids to do it at MK during the party.

We do go on a couple of rides but the priority to us is the Halloween aspects of the party; the trick or treating, riding Haunted Mansion, the parade and taking in the atmosphere and then maybe some rides.

Regarding the candy, the later the night gets, the more candy they throw into your bag...and the candies are good name brands.

I guess it's all about what your priorities are regarding the party; what you want to get out of it.

[donkeysleuth]

We have tickets for MNSSHP for 10-31 which will probably be packed-esp since it's sold out. We have dinner reservations at Crystal Palace@ 5:00. Two questions I have- does the parade go in that general direction and about what time are the fireworks-I really was hoping DD didn't have to up till midnight!:hyper:

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by donkeysleuth
We have tickets for MNSSHP for 10-31 which will probably be packed-esp since it's sold out. We have dinner reservations at Crystal Palace@ 5:00. Two questions I have- does the parade go in that general direction and about what time are the fireworks-I really was hoping DD didn't have to up till midnight!:hyper:

The parade goes down Main Street. CP is right off of Main Street just a few feet away.

The fireworks are at 9:15p

[laceemouse]

donkey, we were there last Friday. There were 2 parades, one at 8 and another at 10. The fireworks are 9:15. It was sold out that night, and pretty crowded when we were walking around. Ride lines were short, candy lines were long at first but got shorter later in the evening. My youngest is 6, and I think a younger child would have a hard time staying up that late. It was better for us to wait until the kiddos got older. We had a good time, but I would not say great. I can't see us doing this again and again....JMO.

[POOH&PIGLET]

We have been to two MNSSHPs. It is our most favorite WDW events! We went on a Sunday nights so the crowds were small. We walked onto most rides.

[Memaw2Wm]

I took two of my grandkids (7½ and 9) to the Oct 3rd MNSSHP. There were bigger crowds than I expected, but the lines for rides were short or non-existent.

Both kids were invited to be grand marshalls in the 8PM parade ... my granddaughter said said, grandson said no. DGD is standing behind Donald.

http://usera.imagecave.com/Memaw2Wm/IMG_4883-copy.jpg

They both had a wonderful time and we plan to go again in two years.

[crisi]

We wanted to go last year, but didn't.

We were there mid-October, so it was possible to buy gate tickets. Since I didn't know how the late night would work, I took a wait and see approach and packed "backpack" costumes I could sneak along without making promised.

Neither my 4 or 5 year old napped. By 6:00, when we sat down for dinner, it was clear we were going to be in bed by eight. We'd already had a very full day and they were tired. There was no way we'd get more than an hour out of the party - or we'd really be paying the price later.

We will try again next year - they will be 6 and 7.

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Memaw2Wm
I took two of my grandkids (7½ and 9) to the Oct 3rd MNSSHP. There were bigger crowds than I expected, but the lines for rides were short or non-existent.

Both kids were invited to be grand marshalls in the 8PM parade ... my granddaughter said said, grandson said no. DGD is standing behind Donald.

http://usera.imagecave.com/Memaw2Wm/IMG_4883-copy.jpg

They both had a wonderful time and we plan to go again in two years.

Wow, that's great! Love the photo! My DD wants to know HOW your grandkids were picked?

[Memaw2Wm]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
Wow, that's great! Love the photo! My DD wants to know HOW your grandkids were picked?

We entered MK around 6PM, then stopped just after coming thru the train station tunnel so we could looked the the MNSSHP brochure and figure out a game plan for the evening.

While standing there we were approached by a CM who starting asking A LOT of questions about the kids and their costumes ... eventually he asked if the kids would like to be grand marshalls ... so it was just luck.

Sixteen children were chosen for each parade (8PM and 10PM) ... there were two different grand marshall floats ... four kids to each side ... and they all had on different costumes ... Wm was wearing a black "phantom" robe ... so Disney costumes weren't required.

After we dropped the kids off the parents were lead to reserved viewing area at the end of the parade route, so we could take photos of the kids. Each child also got a "Magical Moment" certificate!

[mrsg00fy]

If you do not buy a ticket to the park for the day, and you only purchase the MNSSHP tickets, will they still let you in the park early? Or, do they close it down and then open up again?

I am asking because we bought tickets for the 10/31 MNSSHP, but tickets for that day. Can we actually get into the park earlier than the 7pm start of the party?

Thanks!

[donkeysleuth]

HI all!
I'm really getting psyched for this. I'm going to try (good luck!) to have dd take a nap (age 6) before we go. But I think we'll probably be leaving shortly after the fireworks. She's going as Mulan- she looks really cute. Since we have ressie at CP for dinner, we'll be there a little early before it starts.

[RPrincess]

Everytime I read a good review its followed by a negative review! I think I am just going to bit the bullet and JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!
I have had fun reading everyone's experience and advice. Thanks

[disneygoof]

I don't know if you've checked out Baloo's thread over in Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies, but you may want to ask over there too, or just look through the EXTENSIVE thread, because someone may have already posted the right info to help your decision.

I guess we were lucky enough to find CMs generous with the candy on the night we went.

If you do go, I hope you have a great time!

[LMC]

When we went last year, we were able to get into the park at 4pm with only our MNSSHP ticket. We did not use a park hopper to get in at 4pm. When you go in (early) make sure you get your arm band that shows that you have a MNSSHP ticket and they will let you stay in the park after it "closes" at 6pm. The park really does not close that is just a cut off time for folks not attending MNSSHP to leave. I think they will usher all MNSSHP guests to one area of the park for that 1 hour time frame but the rides, stores, and food places are open. Try posting a new thread about "how early can we get in at MNSSHP". You'll get alot of replies, I'm sure. Also, if you have littles one(s), stroller rentals are free that night. Don't forget your free photo too. I would do it first to avoid lines later!

[ttichenor]

We went to MNSSHP on October 12. You can definitely get into the park with only the party tickets at 4. We were there promptly at 4. Did not use a hopper ticket that day. You get an orange armband and a trick or treat bag (each person, regardless of age). At 6 pm, they usher everyone towards Tomorrowland. Several characters were out. We ate quickly at Cosmic Ray's and then headed straight for "the mountains" at 7. We rode Splash Mountain 2X in a row without leaving our seats. Then went straight to Big Thunder as a walk on. Then we left the area and went other places and watched parade etc. The line at 11 pm at the moutains was longer than at 7, but still only about 10 minutes.

My advice...GO GO GO. Best money and #1 tip from the boards for my group! :Pinkbounc

Oh, we got our photo made in the Hall of Presidents waiting area. A copy of the picture for each person in the party (in my case, 5) was in today's (10/18) mailbox.