"Official" 2015 MNSSHP thread

PeasandCarrots · Oct 13, 2015

prettypatchesmsu said:
Sorry, I did not ask. I wanted the popcorn haha! I had never had "disney" popcorn so it was a bonus for me with the awesome Vampire Mickey. And they did not put it in the Mickey, it comes as a side in it's own paper container. I liked that as he stayed clean and wrapped up.

Thanks! I just want 3 of the buckets and don't want that much popcorn lol.

delux · Oct 13, 2015

Lizzim said:
I am a childless adult and I will be getting candy when we go....it's part of the party experience so not sure why it is surprising.

Same here. I've been to three parties and had a blast! We arrive Saturday and we are going to the Party on tuesday. Looking forward to it. We get some candy but can't eat it all so we just make one or two stops.

Disneymom1126 · Oct 13, 2015

Joe'sgirl said:
This has been a great thread with loads of valuable info. Looking for folks opinion - I had dinner ressies at 5:50 on party night ( we have park and party tickets) - I am thinking this is a waste of valuable character meet and ride time and it makes more sense to just find stuff to eat as we are in the park. I had also planned to do HS earlier in the day but from what I read, it might make more sense to relax for the day or do some Disney Springs time in the AM, rest and then head to party at 4. My kids have NO clue they are going yet so its hard to know whether things like Jack and Sally will matter to them along with some of the other characters. MY priorities are the ghost photos I have read about, parade and Hocus Pocus show as well as rides and TOT. Speaking of photos, if we buy the make your memories package for our trip will the party automatically be included given we have party tix or do I have to buy a separate memory maker for the party? TIA!

My thought is that some of it depends a bit on how important it is for you to eat at the location that you got the reservation. Was it a hard to get one that you really want to eat at or is it more of an "I have the dining plan and need a table service meal today so we'll have dinner here" kind of a reservation. It sounds like you're thinking about taking the morning off, I think what I would do would be to make a lunch reservation somewhere else and eat a bigger lunch so you can just grab something from a QS location when you get hungry at dinner time. There are some great places at Disney Springs (DTD) and at the monorail resorts near the MK (Poly/Contemporary/Grand Floridian). That way you are still utilizing a TS meal that day (again, if the dining plan is what you are thinking about), but then your time from 4pm on for the party night is more flexible depending on what it turns out your kids want to do once they know about the trip.

delux · Oct 13, 2015

Amw1064 said:
I am so sad to keep hearing all this negative. We invited another family to go with us next Friday because of all the extra meet & greets and awesome parade and fireworks. We have gone for years and always enjoyed the Halloween party. Sounds like they are going to be so bummed with this experience. Like others have said, we can ride Space Mountain anytime. Both families are annual passholders and between a hotel and tickets I have a feeling I just wasted $500.

Me too, but it seems most are from the first party maybe? Curious how your Party was?? Sorry if you have already posted here somewhere but this thread is so long!!

delux · Oct 13, 2015

godders said:
Just got back from the party and it was busy but I didn't find it unmanageable by any means. Got to MK at 4.30pm and walked straight into Starbucks with no line . It was raining so there were a lot of people heading out. Went straight to Peter Pan for my first FP then hit IASW (walk on), Philharmagic (walk on), Winnie the pooh (10 minutes), Ariel's Grotto (5 minutes), Little Mermaid (walk on), Space Mountain (10 mins), Buzz (5 mins), tomorrowland candy trail (5 mins), got a spot in Frontierland for the parade at 7.50 (sat on the floor by a bin), candy trail by BTMRR (walk on), BTMRR (5 mins), Splash (walk on), Frontierland candy trail (walk on), HM (walk on), HM photo op (5 mins), candy trail FL (2 mins), Gaston's Tavern for a drink (5 mins), FL candy trail at back of 7DMT (walk on), Storybrook candy trail (5 mins), Storybrook-Tomorrowland candy trail (walk through), tomorrowland candy trail (2 mins), adventure land candy trail (walk on), BTMRR (walk on), Splash (walk on), Frontierland candy trail (walk on), slow walk to the exit just after midnight, wait for the bus back to ASMvs (10 mins).

Skipped the show and the fireworks because I knew they would be rammed and I'm going again on the 20th so I think that will be better for seeing them

This sounds awesome! I don't know why some people seem to have had a different experience. I am going on Oct 20th and I am sure it will be more crowded but my expectations are real. Just want to ride some rides, see the 2nd parade and fireworks. Not sure yet where we will try to view fireworks. Seems like Main St will be best view but most crowded.

5Hfan · Oct 13, 2015

Joe'sgirl said:
This has been a great thread with loads of valuable info. Looking for folks opinion - I had dinner ressies at 5:50 on party night ( we have park and party tickets) - I am thinking this is a waste of valuable character meet and ride time and it makes more sense to just find stuff to eat as we are in the park. I had also planned to do HS earlier in the day but from what I read, it might make more sense to relax for the day or do some Disney Springs time in the AM, rest and then head to party at 4. My kids have NO clue they are going yet so its hard to know whether things like Jack and Sally will matter to them along with some of the other characters. MY priorities are the ghost photos I have read about, parade and Hocus Pocus show as well as rides and TOT. Speaking of photos, if we buy the make your memories package for our trip will the party automatically be included given we have party tix or do I have to buy a separate memory maker for the party? TIA!

if you have purchased the memory maker for your trip already no you do not need to buy the separate party night one. Personally we prefer to sleep in, swim a bit and relax at the hotel, eat a big late lunch, be ready early and in the gates as close to 4 as possible. Unless it is the only time on your trip you could get a "must do" ADR (ie BOG/CRT/CP) I would't spend party time on a TS meal. Just grab a QS meal or snack on the go, and we make sure to have something to eat back in the room for afterwards (leftover pizza the kids prefer). A day of true down time for us means even the youngest among us can make it late late and have no meltdowns! Hope you have a great time!

5Hfan · Oct 13, 2015

prettypatchesmsu said:
Sorry, I did not ask. I wanted the popcorn haha! I had never had "disney" popcorn so it was a bonus for me with the awesome Vampire Mickey. And they did not put it in the Mickey, it comes as a side in it's own paper container. I liked that as he stayed clean and wrapped up.

that's interesting, we've always had our specialty buckets with popcorn served in them lol.

5Hfan · Oct 13, 2015

delux said:
This sounds awesome! I don't know why some people seem to have had a different experience.

not all nights are as crowded? not all nights sell out? not all nights have as bad of weather/delays/nowhere to be found cast members with explanations/directions?

I don't think all bad experiences can just be written off as "unreasonable" expectations. There doesn't seem to be a lot of consistency lately in reports (ie limited merchandise not being restocked vs available to non party day guests, shortened later shows, not shortened, handfuls of candy vs a few pieces, empty TOT stations vs all stocked, frontierland packed for parade vs plenty of space to grab just before the parade, characters come out early vs on time or late etc).

Plan for worse, hope for the best! Hope you have a great time!

Dracoa Dragoon · Oct 13, 2015

We have dinner reservations at Cinderella's castle, 5:00pm October 31st, with MNSSHP to follow. It is going to be crazy, but we're only doing it once!

Emagine · Oct 13, 2015

The Parade is big on our list and we are going to try and do the second one but playing it by the moment. We may have to do the first one. I read somewhere to go to HOP near Liberty Sq for both. I guess I am wondering how early? My kids are not character kids unless we luck up walking by and see a semi-short line. We also have zero interest in being on main street except to enter and leave so we can skip the chaos. I have given up being in front of the Castle of the Fireworks with the crowd with my 2 kids and a Service Dog with the crowds. I just have not read good reports on crowds with the stage shows going on. Is behind the castle in Fantasy Land a good spot?

5Hfan · Oct 13, 2015

Emagine said:
The Parade is big on our list and we are going to try and do the second one but playing it by the moment. We may have to do the first one. I read somewhere to go to HOP near Liberty Sq for both. I guess I am wondering how early? My kids are not character kids unless we luck up walking by and see a semi-short line. We also have zero interest in being on main street except to enter and leave so we can skip the chaos. I have given up being in front of the Castle of the Fireworks with the crowd with my 2 kids and a Service Dog with the crowds. I just have not read good reports on crowds with the stage shows going on. Is behind the castle in Fantasy Land a good spot?

we've actually enjoyed the fireworks at parties from Frontierland before (on the bridge across from pecos bills, near the popcorn cart). We get a snack, and it isn't crowded, and since they are perimeter fireworks at MNSSHP/MCVMCP, enjoyable. No it isn't like seeing them front and center on the castle, but a nice experience to us. We like to catch the parade there too...then as soon as it goes by we can turn around and hit Splash/Big Thunder, or cross over and hit up Pirates. Not sure about Fantasyland for fireworks, I thought someone else posted above they used to do that but it was pretty crowded there now too?

Ksquared · Oct 13, 2015

So we will be going to our first party and I'm trying to figure out a good strategy. For example, is it better to do the first or second parade?

Our party night is Nov. 1st. I'm wondering how crowded it will be since Halloween was sold out.

Has anyone been to the last party before? Is there enough of the special merchandise available the last party night?

Since we've never been, we have nothing to compare it to so if there is something missing from previous years it won't bother us.

Emagine · Oct 13, 2015

5Hfan said:
we've actually enjoyed the fireworks at parties from Frontierland before (on the bridge across from pecos bills, near the popcorn cart). We get a snack, and it isn't crowded, and since they are perimeter fireworks at MNSSHP/MCVMCP, enjoyable. No it isn't like seeing them front and center on the castle, but a nice experience to us. We like to catch the parade there too...then as soon as it goes by we can turn around and hit Splash/Big Thunder, or cross over and hit up Pirates. Not sure about Fantasyland for fireworks, I thought someone else posted above they used to do that but it was pretty crowded there now too?

TY for your reply. We go very soon and I trying to get my plan in order. I will have two SN kiddos and a very large Service Dog in tow. Getting nervous.

prettypatchesmsu · Oct 13, 2015

5Hfan said:
that's interesting, we've always had our specialty buckets with popcorn served in them lol.

Yeah, they were putting popcorn in the Cinderella Coach one but not the Mickey Vampire. Not sure what the difference was, but I was happy with it coming that way. The popcorn on the side made it easier as I did not have to clean it before putting it in my suitcase.

AquaDame · Oct 13, 2015

Ksquared said:
So we will be going to our first party and I'm trying to figure out a good strategy. For example, is it better to do the first or second parade?

Our party night is Nov. 1st. I'm wondering how crowded it will be since Halloween was sold out.

Has anyone been to the last party before? Is there enough of the special merchandise available the last party night?

Since we've never been, we have nothing to compare it to so if there is something missing from previous years it won't bother us.

November 1st is also sold out

ktlm · Oct 13, 2015

jtowntoflorida said:
Can anyone who has been lately and on a rain-free night whether the last Hocus Pocus show is shortened? I'm still unsure whether that last show is always shortened, or has just been shortened on certain nights due to weather.

Last week, we saw two shows on Sunday. We saw an earlier one, but could not see well at all due to the crowd (I think I heard more than saw that one), so we came back for the midnight one and had a great view. They were identical. The midnight show was not shortened. We saw most of an earlier one from a distance again at the Tuesday party and it was identical to the midnight showing as well. If it was shortened on certain nights, it must have been due to weather.

AquaDame · Oct 13, 2015

ktlm said:
Last week, we saw two shows on Sunday. We saw an earlier one, but could not see well at all due to the crowd (I think I heard more than saw that one), so we came back for the midnight one and had a great view. They were identical. The midnight show was not shortened. We saw most of an earlier one from a distance again at the Tuesday party and it was identical to the midnight showing as well. If it was shortened on certain nights, it must have been due to weather.

<3 THANK YOU!

ktlm · Oct 13, 2015

Joe'sgirl said:
This has been a great thread with loads of valuable info. Looking for folks opinion - I had dinner ressies at 5:50 on party night ( we have park and party tickets) - I am thinking this is a waste of valuable character meet and ride time and it makes more sense to just find stuff to eat as we are in the park. I had also planned to do HS earlier in the day but from what I read, it might make more sense to relax for the day or do some Disney Springs time in the AM, rest and then head to party at 4. My kids have NO clue they are going yet so its hard to know whether things like Jack and Sally will matter to them along with some of the other characters. MY priorities are the ghost photos I have read about, parade and Hocus Pocus show as well as rides and TOT. Speaking of photos, if we buy the make your memories package for our trip will the party automatically be included given we have party tix or do I have to buy a separate memory maker for the party? TIA!

If you think characters might be important, I would not do a 5:50 dinner reservation. By that point, you could have already met Jack and Sally(who have been coming out at 5 or 5:30, and be getting in line for the Dwarfs). We did multiple parties last week and did a 4:30 reservation at BOG on a NON Jack/Sally night, and that worked out great. We were done with dinner and in line for dwarfs right around 6:00. We felt like there were more restaurants open during the party, than there had been in the past. Our first party night, DH and DD had the nerve to actually want to be fed dinner, after meeting Jack and Sally and doing a few other things, so we went to Pinocchio Village Haus right after the party started. DD really liked the chicken parmesan off the adult menu. I think they have a recent new menu because I think it used to be a chicken parm sandwich, and now it is real chicken parmesan over pasta.

As far as what to do that day, it really depends on your family's energy level and preference. We usually do go to a park on party days. DD has always been high energy so that is fine for her. On our trip last week we attended 3 parties (I just love MNSSHP). Each day we hit MK around rope drop, then in the afternoon we would run back to the resort and change into costumes, and then we would go right back to MK. DD is high energy, so that schedule works fine for her. We have been to a couple of MVMCP where we got to MK at 9:00 a.m. and didn't leave until midnight!

The memory maker will have all your MNSSHP photos. We really enjoyed the fact that the photos are showing up in MDE within an hour or two after being taken now. It was great to be able to look and know whether the photos were so bad we needed to go back places and take more photos. We had some morning photos that got lost at MK one day, and went by the photopass counter late that afternoon and they were able to locate them and add them to the account.. It can take a while for the magic shots to show up- so you may not be able to see the hitchhiking ghost or ghost carriage photos until the next day. They might show up on the regular website before that though. If you don't see them in 24 hours, you might want to drop by a photopass counter to check on them.

FeralCatRogue · Oct 13, 2015

Dracoa Dragoon said:
We have dinner reservations at Cinderella's castle, 5:00pm October 31st, with MNSSHP to follow. It is going to be crazy, but we're only doing it once!

awesome for you guys its great to be their in costume. They JUST changed their menu though so you may wanna take a look before you go.

Dracoa Dragoon · Oct 13, 2015

FeralCatRogue said:
awesome for you guys its great to be their in costume. They JUST changed their menu though so you may wanna take a look before you go.

I can't remember what the menu was when we booked, and it looks good to me know anyways!

We went to disney 2 years ago, but were late booking so got none of the dining places we wanted. This year we made sure to get reservations everywhere we wanted, and the castle was one!

"Official" 2015 MNSSHP thread

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