October 2012 1st WDW trip help!

[pammydw]

We are planning our first WDW trip for first weekend in October. We will be celebrating our daughter's 8th birthday on October 5th and this trip is a surprise for her. This is Columbus Day weekend, which I am reading is really busy. How true is this? And I had seen that the MNSSHP would be on October 6th (our last night there) but now that the October hours have been released, I do not see the park closing early on that night. Help! Anyone with any info or advice would be much appreciated!

 

[disneyfanlincoln]

Congratulations on your first trip you are going to have a blast. I've been twice that week. I didn't find the crowds too bad, I recommend you go first thing in the morning to take real advantage of less crowds but lunch times the parks tend to busy up some what regardless of what time of year you go. I you are staying on property take advantage of the EMH's, I know it's a pain getting up early on holiday but it really has its advantages, you can do more in the first 2 hours on the morning than the rest of the afternoon. If you only go early once, make it MK before rope drop it's worth it for you first trip. Have a great time.

 

[starrysky]

Looks like the only party nights will be the friday the 5th and the monday the 8th.

We have been that weekend and if memory serves the only really busy park was Epcot due to food and wine.

I'm sure that your daughter will have a wonderful time. I was lucky as a child to be in WDW on my birthday and its one of my favourite memories as a kid.

 

[TammyA]

Congratulations on your daughter's first trip and welcome to the DIS. When I look at the park hours on the wdw website it shows the magic kingdom closing at 7 on 10/4, 10/5 and 10/8 for that week. Usually that's an indication of the party nights. I would recommend Thursday night over Friday night.
I have been twice over Columbus Day weekend. It's busy, but not like Christmas, Easter or summer. It's very doable and the weather is usually great! The MNSSHP is a blast! Arrive at park opening and use the extra magic hours if you're staying on property. It's a great time to go!

 

[pammydw]

Congratulations on your first trip you are going to have a blast. I've been twice that week. I didn't find the crowds too bad, I recommend you go first thing in the morning to take real advantage of less crowds but lunch times the parks tend to busy up some what regardless of what time of year you go. I you are staying on property take advantage of the EMH's, I know it's a pain getting up early on holiday but it really has its advantages, you can do more in the first 2 hours on the morning than the rest of the afternoon. If you only go early once, make it MK before rope drop it's worth it for you first trip. Have a great time.

We are staying at the Boardwalk Inn so we will definitely take advantage of the EMH's! We are morning people so being up early is fine with us! We are doing a character breakfast on her birthday morning with the Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland. We are trying to have a bit of a game plan, and right now we just have the breakfast planned. I want to go to the MNSSHP though. I was really excited for it to be on our last night because we don't want to have too much scheduled for each day, but oh well! Do you know where to check or when for the schedule of the Halloween party?
Thank you so much for your advice and time!

 

[pammydw]

Looks like the only party nights will be the friday the 5th and the monday the 8th.

We have been that weekend and if memory serves the only really busy park was Epcot due to food and wine.

I'm sure that your daughter will have a wonderful time. I was lucky as a child to be in WDW on my birthday and its one of my favourite memories as a kid.

Thank you! We are getting really excited, especially since we can start making reservations! Any suggestions for a great place for a birthday dinner?

 

[pammydw]

Congratulations on your daughter's first trip and welcome to the DIS. When I look at the park hours on the wdw website it shows the magic kingdom closing at 7 on 10/4, 10/5 and 10/8 for that week. Usually that's an indication of the party nights. I would recommend Thursday night over Friday night.
I have been twice over Columbus Day weekend. It's busy, but not like Christmas, Easter or summer. It's very doable and the weather is usually great! The MNSSHP is a blast! Arrive at park opening and use the extra magic hours if you're staying on property. It's a great time to go!

Thank you for the welcome. We are staying at the Boardwalk Inn, so we will take advantage of the EMH's. Our daughter's b-day is on the 5th and I have read that the character's go out of their way to say "hi" to birthday guests. Do you know when they announce the party hours? Thank you so much!

 

[pammydw]

Thank you all for replying! This is our first trip to WDW as our family. I haven't been since 1983 and my husband since 1989, so a lot has changed!! We are excited yet overwhelmed by all there is! Your advice is so appreciated! Thank you!

 

[alex9179]

I bet you're excited We are also going in Oct, but at the end.

MNSSHP starts at 7pm. However, historically, ticket holders can enter the park starting at 4pm.

In the past, the official days of the party have been released and tickets available for purchase sometime in May. I think using the park hours that are out now is a pretty safe bet as to what nights the party will be held. Of course, it's subject to change. Don't be surprised if it does!

I hear it's a great time and we are planning to go, too

 

[Wiloughby1]

October 6th is my birthday and we're also celebrating DD's 3rd a couple weeks early. We're heading down 9/29-10/8. We're morning people. Always there for RD. Our plan for that weekend-

Oct 5- MK. We're not doing MNSSHP (which appears to be happening that night) bc the kids are too young to stay up late enough to appreciate it. But we'll get up earl and visit the nearly empty park all day.

Oct 6- MK All things considered, it's not the WORST park that day. Epcot is the worst bc of F&W. Early morning, late afternoon into night. Wishes will be showing.

Oct 7- AK for our second go round. It's a best park on most of the crowd calendars.

Oct 8- is our flex day. We'll have spent 4 days at MK, 2 at Ep, 1 at HS, and 2 at AK. It will probably be MK since it's our favorite. Everything slows down that day though. (also a MNSSHP night)

 

[TammyA]

Here's the link to the park hours on the wdw website

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/

There is a link to the MNSSHP page also on the wdw website under things to do - events. Here is that link

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/pa...-events/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/

Last year you could purchase tickets online and pick them up at guest services. In my experience week night parties are less crowded than weekend parties, but it makes sense that you might want to go on your daughter's actual bday. In the past we have been able to enter the park for the parties at 4 PM. When you use your party ticket you will be given an armband to wear for the party and a trick or treat bag.

Cast members usually make a point to wish guests a happy birthday. Make sure you ask for a birthday button for your daughter to wear when you check in to your resort.

 

[pammydw]

Thank you so much! We are doing just a short trip so we don't have to miss too much school. We will be there the 4th (getting in early) and leaving late on the 7th. We don't have a lot of time, so we are trying to get in the things we would really like to see. We are not even planning on going to AK. We are concentrating on MK, Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios. We don't plan on seeing everything, but we do want to have a plan. But now that the MNSSHP might be different than expected, our whole itinerary will change! Ugh!

 

[pammydw]

Thank you for the links and advice on button. Who do we ask for the button? We are staying at the Boardwalk Inn, do we ask them?

 

[TammyA]

yes, just ask at the front desk when you check in. They should have them. If for some reason they are not available at the resort, you can get a button from any guest relations in any park or downtown disney. The button says happy birthday and it will have your daughter's name on it so that everyone can wish her a happy birthday by name.

 

[starrysky]

Thank you for the welcome. We are staying at the Boardwalk Inn, so we will take advantage of the EMH's. Our daughter's b-day is on the 5th and I have read that the character's go out of their way to say "hi" to birthday guests. Do you know when they announce the party hours? Thank you so much!

Well if your DD is into the princesses then there is Cinderellas Royal table in magic kingdom where you get to have dinner in the castle and they have the princesses and they make a big thing about birthdays.

Same applies to the restaurant in the Norway Pavillion at EPCOT.

Or Ohana at the poly is a fun night for kids they have a lady that sings and plays games and if you time it right you can see the fireworks from MK on the beach there.

Or Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary has mickey and friends and again they make a fuss of birthdays. Food I have heard not so great but everyone agress that the kids do seem to love it there.

Most places will make a fuss of the birthday girl and if you can have it noted on your reservation.
That being said it has been noted on here that this is sadly not always the case as restaurants get busy etc and they forget. We had a fuss made when we were on honeymoon with special deserts and they decorated the tables with mickey confetti. They only asked when I made the reservations if we were celebrating anything and it was a nice surprise to have such a fuss made.
I have heard of people getting very angry about nothing being done as they told their child it would.

The buttons you can also get at the Town hall in MK for sure. Also try and see if you can get a wake up call to your room thats really cute.
We also had CM's in the stores hand us the phone and say there was a call and it was mickey and minnie congratulating us on our recent wedding. I am sure they do that for birthdays.

You and your DH will notice how quickly those childhood trips come back to you. When I walked in to the MK I had flash backs to the trips I had taken with my parents made me a little misty eyed I can tell you.

 

[ThumpersWorld]

We went that weekend in October 2010 and it was a really fun time to go. We did the party that friday night and I have to say it was the most fun I've ever had at WDW. If it's any indication, we are planning on October 2013!

 

[pwdebbie]

It was fun reading all the replies to you. People here can be so encouraging!

Our first trip was in Oct. 2007, first two weeks of the month, and I just checked to see if that's when Columbus Day was and yes, it was Oct. 8. that year, so we were there for the holiday weekend. Oh, and we were there for my 52nd birthday on Oct. 5.

I did not think the parks were crowded at all. I have a bit of a funny way to measure crowds though. If I have to wait for a toilet in the restroom, then the park is crowded. The restrooms were empty -- half the time there wasn't even someone else in there. I'd go again in October if it weren't for the fact that I don't like the Food and Wine Festival (but I do like the Flower and Garden Festival in the spring). (Actually, I was supposed to be on my way there right this very moment but we had to cancel our trip two weeks ago.)

It sounds like you've been given great suggestions for your daughter's birthday. You might also want to do one of those in-room celebrations so that when you arrive there is something in your room to surprise your daughter. Or you can have a special cake served at her birthday dinner. I saw one on another thread that looked absolutely delicious and the family said it was one of the best cakes she'd ever eaten. Of course, both these ideas are a bit pricey, but the memories might just be worth every penny.

Have fun planning!

 

[Chellymouse]

MNSSHP, while pricey, is worth it!! We've done 3 parties and plan to attend again this year. A fun birthday surprise would be to hide a costume in your luggage and put it out for your DD along with the tickets. The atmosphere at MK is electric, there are rare characters, parade and fireworks are amazing and trick or treating. Ride lines are fairly non-existent. We attended on a Sunday, Tues and Friday in mid-Oct and did not find the parties crowded at all. Epcot on Sat and Sun during F&W is pretty busy, but mostly in the WS where people are trying out all of the offerings. The ride lines aren't bad, especially in the am. Skipping AK is no biggie. Unless you REALLY want to do a couple of the rides, it's very similar to a zoo and if that's not your interest, you are wise to skip it. It's a half day park for us. One suggestion would be to do AK early, do the few things you'd want then head back to DHS for the evening. I would suggest picking up a DHS am though to ensure rides on TSM without horrible lines.

 

[tndisneyfan]

We were there last year for Columbus weekend and will be there again this year.....hopefully. I don't think it's too bad at all. It's busy for October but I wouldn't consider it busy for most other times of the year. It's not as busy as Memorial Weekend and definitely not as busy as spring break or Christmas.

 

[pammydw]

Well if your DD is into the princesses then there is Cinderellas Royal table in magic kingdom where you get to have dinner in the castle and they have the princesses and they make a big thing about birthdays.

Same applies to the restaurant in the Norway Pavillion at EPCOT.

Or Ohana at the poly is a fun night for kids they have a lady that sings and plays games and if you time it right you can see the fireworks from MK on the beach there.

Or Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary has mickey and friends and again they make a fuss of birthdays. Food I have heard not so great but everyone agress that the kids do seem to love it there.

Most places will make a fuss of the birthday girl and if you can have it noted on your reservation.
That being said it has been noted on here that this is sadly not always the case as restaurants get busy etc and they forget. We had a fuss made when we were on honeymoon with special deserts and they decorated the tables with mickey confetti. They only asked when I made the reservations if we were celebrating anything and it was a nice surprise to have such a fuss made.
I have heard of people getting very angry about nothing being done as they told their child it would.

The buttons you can also get at the Town hall in MK for sure. Also try and see if you can get a wake up call to your room thats really cute.
We also had CM's in the stores hand us the phone and say there was a call and it was mickey and minnie congratulating us on our recent wedding. I am sure they do that for birthdays.

You and your DH will notice how quickly those childhood trips come back to you. When I walked in to the MK I had flash backs to the trips I had taken with my parents made me a little misty eyed I can tell you.

Thank You! We aren't going to tell her until the day before we leave. And since we leave so early we are going to stay at an airport hotel the night before. That will be when we tell her. We aren't going to tell her much. I want everything to be a surprise, not expected!
Thanks for all the great advice! I hope you have a good time too!