Kevin Skagen
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2015
GF and I just returned from our Halloween trip to Disney (went on 9/29 and 9/30). We made the decision to purchase tickets to Mickey's Halloween Party solely for the chance to partake in this dining experience. And even then, our primary goal was the priority seating for the Halloween Screams Fireworks. We are both in our mid-20's so we definitely were not there for the Treat Trails (although we did snag a bunch of candy in Toon Town prior to the dining experience).
We planned our trip the weekend prior and we're lucky that MHP was not sold out yet. However, the experience was completely booked up for parties of 2. I tried calling the Monday before and Disney Dining was unable to assist. I was instructed to call a different number the following morning to see about availability. However, I kept checking online that night and like magic a reservation opened up! We never received a phone call prior to the experience to finalize our food choices.
On the day of, we stopped by Blue Bayou around 4pm and asked if we needed to check in prior to the experience. They informed us we could start checking in right now and we made our food selections. We were instructed to return at 6:40-6:50. We rode a couple rides, hit up Toon Town for some candy, and returned to Blue Bayou at 6:45.
At that time, there were just a few parties. Some forming a line while others scattered around. We decided to just jump in line. The hostesses at the window were giving inconsistent directions telling some to line up and telling others names would be called. At about 6:55, they settled on lining everyone up and herding us in single file. We gave them our name as we walked in and were then taken to our tables.
My GF and I were seated right on the railing and just 1 table away from the stage. The stage was set up along the wall closest to the Pirates loading area (as opposed the wall by the kitchen). Not sure how we landed such a great table with our last minute reservation. No idea if tables are assigned at time of booking or were they assigned at check-in. Since we checked in right around 4pm when they were starting check-ins, maybe that helped? I would just advise you to check in as early as they allow.
Server was nice but didn't seem to have our orders (or any of her tables orders). So she retook them. Our appetizers actually came out at around 7:20 before the actual start time of the experience. First up were the Cadavar Dans who put on a great show. My advice is don't stuff yourself on appetizer. And Crab Cake was much better than the cheese tart. I got stuffed on bread and appetizers and only ate half my entree. Just after entrees came out, Dr. Facilier made his first appearance. Both the chicken and fish entrees were awesome. Then just after dessert, Dr. Facilier came back out and started doing rounds at all the tables for photo ops. This took FOREVER. We were the 5th table to get him but this portion took almost 45 minutes. We were done with dessert and waited another 30 minutes for something to happen.
He left and some pirates came out to put on a show and then proceeded to hand out stuffed bags of candy to everyone. Once the candy was given out, more awkward waiting. Finally, Dr. Facilier came out one last time and instructed us to follow the cast members with the lanterns to the priority seating areas.
For the price of the experience and the fact that the fireworks were a priority, we rushed out of there. I had read on here that someone got stuck behind the Walt/Mickey statue and that was not happening. The only downside of our seating was that we were so far from the entrance and the walkways between tables were tight. Fortunately, we were closer to the entrance than the kitchen. On our way out, they gave us the Dr. Facilier pictures.
We ended up about 5th or 6th party in line. Apparently, they cut this line at some point and had people wait until the first group got to the seating area.
The seating area was amazing. Two columns of 12 benches with a walkway down the middle. Directly line of sight to castle with Walt/Mickey behind us. Once we filed in, most of the parties were picking seats to the left (closest to Fronteirland side). We stuck to the right and sat on the 2nd bench back. There was a GA guy and his kids leaning against the rope in front of us almost sitting on the first bench. So no one sat there as they were filing in. The people eventually moved and a cast member working the area asked if anyone was sitting on the front bench. She told my GF she would probably move some people to fill it. So we moved up to the front bench.
All of the people in front of us but outside of the premium viewing area were instructed to sit down. We had the best, completely unobstructed view of the castle from our spot. The fireworks show was pretty amazing as well.
Overall, we had a great experience. I 100% think it was worth the cost. I wouldn't do it again for the exact same experience. But if the fireworks show was different, I would. I think that the entertainment in Blue Bayou needed some work as far as timing went. The entertainers themselves were all top notch though. Definitely go for it if you're on the fence. Food was awesome and the fireworks experience was priceless!
We planned our trip the weekend prior and we're lucky that MHP was not sold out yet. However, the experience was completely booked up for parties of 2. I tried calling the Monday before and Disney Dining was unable to assist. I was instructed to call a different number the following morning to see about availability. However, I kept checking online that night and like magic a reservation opened up! We never received a phone call prior to the experience to finalize our food choices.
On the day of, we stopped by Blue Bayou around 4pm and asked if we needed to check in prior to the experience. They informed us we could start checking in right now and we made our food selections. We were instructed to return at 6:40-6:50. We rode a couple rides, hit up Toon Town for some candy, and returned to Blue Bayou at 6:45.
At that time, there were just a few parties. Some forming a line while others scattered around. We decided to just jump in line. The hostesses at the window were giving inconsistent directions telling some to line up and telling others names would be called. At about 6:55, they settled on lining everyone up and herding us in single file. We gave them our name as we walked in and were then taken to our tables.
My GF and I were seated right on the railing and just 1 table away from the stage. The stage was set up along the wall closest to the Pirates loading area (as opposed the wall by the kitchen). Not sure how we landed such a great table with our last minute reservation. No idea if tables are assigned at time of booking or were they assigned at check-in. Since we checked in right around 4pm when they were starting check-ins, maybe that helped? I would just advise you to check in as early as they allow.
Server was nice but didn't seem to have our orders (or any of her tables orders). So she retook them. Our appetizers actually came out at around 7:20 before the actual start time of the experience. First up were the Cadavar Dans who put on a great show. My advice is don't stuff yourself on appetizer. And Crab Cake was much better than the cheese tart. I got stuffed on bread and appetizers and only ate half my entree. Just after entrees came out, Dr. Facilier made his first appearance. Both the chicken and fish entrees were awesome. Then just after dessert, Dr. Facilier came back out and started doing rounds at all the tables for photo ops. This took FOREVER. We were the 5th table to get him but this portion took almost 45 minutes. We were done with dessert and waited another 30 minutes for something to happen.
He left and some pirates came out to put on a show and then proceeded to hand out stuffed bags of candy to everyone. Once the candy was given out, more awkward waiting. Finally, Dr. Facilier came out one last time and instructed us to follow the cast members with the lanterns to the priority seating areas.
For the price of the experience and the fact that the fireworks were a priority, we rushed out of there. I had read on here that someone got stuck behind the Walt/Mickey statue and that was not happening. The only downside of our seating was that we were so far from the entrance and the walkways between tables were tight. Fortunately, we were closer to the entrance than the kitchen. On our way out, they gave us the Dr. Facilier pictures.
We ended up about 5th or 6th party in line. Apparently, they cut this line at some point and had people wait until the first group got to the seating area.
The seating area was amazing. Two columns of 12 benches with a walkway down the middle. Directly line of sight to castle with Walt/Mickey behind us. Once we filed in, most of the parties were picking seats to the left (closest to Fronteirland side). We stuck to the right and sat on the 2nd bench back. There was a GA guy and his kids leaning against the rope in front of us almost sitting on the first bench. So no one sat there as they were filing in. The people eventually moved and a cast member working the area asked if anyone was sitting on the front bench. She told my GF she would probably move some people to fill it. So we moved up to the front bench.
All of the people in front of us but outside of the premium viewing area were instructed to sit down. We had the best, completely unobstructed view of the castle from our spot. The fireworks show was pretty amazing as well.
Overall, we had a great experience. I 100% think it was worth the cost. I wouldn't do it again for the exact same experience. But if the fireworks show was different, I would. I think that the entertainment in Blue Bayou needed some work as far as timing went. The entertainers themselves were all top notch though. Definitely go for it if you're on the fence. Food was awesome and the fireworks experience was priceless!
