“Official” 2018 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – Strategy and Itinerary Thread

[Cluelyss]

I think what's surprised me were the waits for Lotso this year, 20-35 minutes that's a first! Giving 15 minutes per Aladdin group, I would think it would be more like 20-30 for them.

I’ve got the total time at 45 each, sorry if my post was confusing. The 15 min window is when I expect to meet them. We’ll be waiting for the first set starting at 6:30, and will get in line for the second set as soon as we meet the first. So total time for both is from 6:30-8:00. Seem doable?

I’d estimate we waited 20 mins to see Losto 2 years ago.

 

[FoxC63]

I’ve got the total time at 45 each, sorry if my post was confusing. The 15 min window is when I expect to meet them. We’ll be waiting for the first set starting at 6:30, and will get in line for the second set as soon as we meet the first. So total time for both is from 6:30-8:00. Seem doable?

I’d estimate we waited 20 mins to see Losto 2 years ago.

Yes! Very good!

 

[HollyMD]

If it helps anyone, we did the party 10/9, got in line for Lotso about 6:50? And we were the 2nd group in line.

 

[HollyMD]

Also, at the 10/8 party, we started the line for Moana at 3:30. No one else joined until about 4, and did not start to get longish until about 4:30

 

[HollyMD]

Moana came out at 5:45 also

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

If it helps anyone, we did the party 10/9, got in line for Lotso about 6:50? And we were the 2nd group in line.

Whoa, the difference between parties. We went 10/2 and headed to Lotso's line around 6:50 and there were two queues full of people.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Responses in bold red

Arrive MK around 3:30, enter via DVC entrance
Get pictures on Main Street with the balloons (we are dressing in UP! costumes)
Pick up SOTMK card, go through bypass for starter bag of candy and pictures
4:30 Check in for dessert party credentials at TT
Ride SDMT (4:05-5:05 FP+)
Ride BTMRR (5:05-6:00 FP+)
5:20 ADR at Skipper Canteen
Will you be able to do all this and make Skipper Canteen on time? Are you doing SDMT first or check in first? Just be aware of your time there. Also, asking for the check early on in your dinner can be a good way to speed up your time at dinner.
Immediately after dinner (hopefully 6:30ish) line up for Aladdin and Abu (DH to take kids on Magic Carpets or POC while waiting)
7:00-7:15 Aladdin & Abu M&G
Immediately line back up for Jasmine & Genie (DH to take kids to TOT stations at JC, POC while waiting)
Are you sure Aladdin and Abu come out first?
7:45-8:00 Jasmine & Genie M&G
8:00 Head to gazebo for Gravediggers M&G (I know they took a break at 8:15 in their old location, so we'll be hauling butt assuming they still break at the same time. I'm hoping I'm overestimating the Aladdin M&G wait times and we'll be done with both before 8)
8:30 Check in for dessert party (does anyone know if we can get in any earlier than this? I hate that this part of our night is so rushed!)
I don't know anything about the dessert party, but didn't you already check in? Do you need to do this step twice?
8:30-9:00 desserts (load up our collapsible tupperware with extras for the parade!)
Noice
9:05 Escort to flagpole for Boo to You (we really want to see the HH ride)
9:15 Headless Horseman passes flagple
DH or I will take DS to meet Mickey while we wait for the parade to arrive
That's actually a fantastic idea
9:30-9:50 Boo to You from the flagpole
9:50 Escort to garden for Hallowishes
10:15-10:30 Hallowishes
10:30-11:00 Head into either Tomorrowland or Fantasyland for TOT and Space Mountain w/ overlay or Tea Cups w/ overlay - this will be a game time decision. I think most of my family would prefer Space, but if the wait is obnoxious we'll head to Fantasyland instead.
This is similar to exactly what we did after fireworks at our party. We walked onto tea cups at that time, but Space still listed a 30 minute wait. if Space is crazy you could always cheat like we did and ride TTA, you go thru Space and get the general idea. Are you sure you don't want to check characters at this time? Granted, I don't have kids and there were just two of us, but from 11 am on we did: tea cups. Goofy. 7 Dwarves. All the trick or treat stops we passed. Ariel and Eric (one group in front of us). Belle and Gaston had about 6 groups in line. We did Philharmagic trick or treat to see the Sleepy Hollow short, we still go to the HM in time to get the lantern shot (no wait). We could have done the carriage magic shot with no wait, we walked onto HM with still 7 minutes left in the party. So don't cut yourself short with what you might be able to do in that last hour.
11:05-11:50 Liberty Square for Hatbox Ghost magic shot and ride HM. (Bonus if we can catch the HH ride again)
12:00 Catch the midnight Hocus Pocus show from somewhere on our way out. We've seen it before, so don't need to be super close.
Flaming pumpkin magic shot on Main Street and HH magic shot at Train Station on our way out.

This was exactly what we did. Hocus Pocus midnight, cauldron shot on main street (we saw the photographer do it for the group in front of us, he wasn't going to do it for us but I asked). When you leave the park, don't get in the first photopass line you see, there were three photogs working when we left and the person on the far side had no wait, while the photog nearest the exit had a decent line (and no, there wasn't just one line feeding into all three, they each had their own).

Hope some of that helps!

 

[Araminta18]

8:30 Check in for dessert party (does anyone know if we can get in any earlier than this? I hate that this part of our night is so rushed!)
8:30-9:00 desserts (load up our collapsible tupperware with extras for the parade!)
9:05 Escort to flagpole for Boo to You (we really want to see the HH ride)
9:15 Headless Horseman passes flagple
DH or I will take DS to meet Mickey while we wait for the parade to arrive
9:30-9:50 Boo to You from the flagpole
9:50 Escort to garden for Hallowishes
10:15-10:30 Hallowishes
10:30-11:00 Head into either Tomorrowland or Fantasyland for TOT and Space Mountain w/ overlay or Tea Cups w/ overlay - this will be a game time decision. I think most of my family would prefer Space, but if the wait is obnoxious we'll head to Fantasyland instead.

I did the party on 9/16, just my husband and I, so factor that in to my answers

If you check in for the dessert party and get your lanyards at the beginning of the night (starting around 4:30 pm), you can go directly to the flagpole whenever you're ready, rather than having to go back to the Terrace. You won't have food to eat during the parade, but it makes you a little less rushed. Or at least gives you the option of not going to the Terrace if something else runs long.

And 9:15 is exactly what I have timestamped on my photos of the Headless Horseman, so you're right on there

I had the same idea as you for after Hallowishes--if you're quick exiting the garden, you might be able to beat a lot of the crowds to Space and get there while it's still basically a walk on. And by quick I mean standing by the exit, ready to go, as *soon* as it's over. On our night, Space was a 10 minute wait but essentially a walk on. We headed into Fantasyland after and that was pretty empty too. Not a long line to meet Belle and Gaston, and the Teacups were a walkon too. The overlay was fun.

I think you have a solid plan! Sounds like fun!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Responses in bold red

October 23
DH, DW

• QS lunch at Pop

3:15-4:00 MK party entrance-get wristbands at front entrance
4:00-4:20 Go through bypass, get treat bag and take photos
4:20-6:05 Magic Shots (only some available), eat dinner (Pecos Bills has Hades Nachos), look at merch in shops, try food
6:15-7:10 Jack Sparrow in Adventureland
7:10-7:30 Tarzan, Jane, and Terk
7:30-8:00 Jasmine with Genie
8:00-8:30 Jafar (about a 30 minute wait)
I don't think you'll have to wait anywhere near this long for Jafar. We only waited 5 minutes. Then again...we got in line while he was gone on break. So that might be a good strategy, people might not know what to line up for if they don't see him out.
8:35-11:20 Meet characters and watch Monsters Inc. Scream-O-Ween Ball

• 7 Dwarfs, Lots-o’-Huggin’-Bear, Elvis Stitch
• Ride Space Mountain
• Ride the Tea Cups
• Trick or treat

We had great success meeting the seven dwarves at about 11:15, only waited about 20 minutes. I assume you're going to start in Tomorrowland and then head to storybook circus? I might try for Lotso during fireworks, his line seemed very popular at my party.
Also, just going off my experience, try Ariel/Eric and Belle/Gaston around 11:30. There was no wait for Ariel/Eric and 6 groups for Gaston/Belle. I think it helps that they are kind of hidden in that area and it was very empty at that time.
11:25-11:45 Get Oogie Boogie and cauldron popcorn buckets in the Hub
11:45 Watch Hocus Pocus (12:00 am)

October 25
DH, DW
FP: 7DMT, Peter Pan, Space Mountain

• Brunch at 1900 PF (11:45 am)

Space Mountain (1-2 pm)
Peter Pan (2-3 pm)
7DMT (3:05-4:05 pm)

4:00 (or right after 7DMT) Head to Town Square Theater for Jack and Sally (get wristbands in line)
4:00-5:00 Jack & Sally - Out at 4:30 pm (tag team with dean1953)
5:10-6:40 Magic shots and eat dinner in Fantasyland
6:40-7:10 Queen of Hearts & Tweedles in Fantasyland - Out at 7pm
I might try for closer to 6:30 for Queen and Tweedles. Depending on how many people want autographs the line can really get bogged down, so you might be better off being near the front.
7:10-7:30 Cruella De Vil (roams near Winnie the Pooh)
We saw Cruella circle the Mad Tea Party and then again on the path near BOG. I ended up getting a picture, I think the best strategy is to get out somewhere in front of her (she was chatting with a guest when we passed and I started hovering about ten feet ahead of her). She'll likely start moving immediately after chatting/taking a pic with one guest. So try to be in her way and then engage her in conversation. I was dressed as Gamorra and had a stuffed Rocket raccoon, so I said something about a coon skin cap. She stopped to talk with me and Brian was ready with the camera.
7:35-8:45 Check in for dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace, Magic Shots & Shop on Main Street, Pick up SotMK Card, trick or treat if time
8:45~10 Go to flagpole for parade viewing and watch parade
10:00 Follow CM to Terrace for dessert party and fireworks

Once again, I think you can get a lot accomplished at the back of the park after 11. I would try for the HM magic shots then, and all the characters toward the back of the park. This also might be a good time to look at characters in Adventureland, though I think you're covering all those in the previous party.

I think your schedules look pretty good! Especially with two parties, I think you'll accomplish a lot. You might want to make a little list of magic shots you want, because in the heat of the moment it can be very easy to forget about one or two.

 

[kayteekt]

Does anyone know if you're able to pick up the Allergy treat bag after the party is over, specifically after the last HP show. So it would probably be closer to 12:30am? I'd prefer to grab on the way out rather than on the way in and I don't think we'll be near the one in Liberty Sq during the party (but will do if I have to).

 

[Haley R]

Responses in bold red






Once again, I think you can get a lot accomplished at the back of the park after 11. I would try for the HM magic shots then, and all the characters toward the back of the park. This also might be a good time to look at characters in Adventureland, though I think you're covering all those in the previous party.

I think your schedules look pretty good! Especially with two parties, I think you'll accomplish a lot. You might want to make a little list of magic shots you want, because in the heat of the moment it can be very easy to forget about one or two.

That’s okay if it doesn’t take that long for Jafar. I’d like to allot more time than less just in case. We have that huge chunk of time after if we need extra time at all.

Yes we would do Tomorrowland then storybook circus. I updated my itinerary on my google doc with your notes and rearranged things to make more sense. I think we will try stitch and then Lotso. We don’t have any interest in Ariel/Eric or belle/Gaston.

I changed the Queen of Hearts to 6:30. That shouldn’t be a problem at all for us since we will just be wandering and eating dinner.

Do the gravediggers stop meeting at a certain time? I wonder if we could stick them at the end of the night when we go to do haunted mansion stuff for our second party. Do you think they will still be out past 11?

I saved the picture of the map someone posted awhile back when they labeled where magic shots are at. I’m planning on using that to find magic shots!

Thanks for all of your help!!!

 

[kayteekt]

Wondered if anyone would mind looking at our Party plan. We've been both last year and the year before. We don't want to do a lot of Characters so you'd think that would make it easier, but I've been having a hard time with wrapping my mind around it this year for some reason!

Party: DH and I. MIL. 2 kids (DD10 & DS 6)
Kids costumes: Rapunzel and Flynn
Party date: Sun. October 28
Priorities: TT for the kids, we'll be in Disney over Halloween itself
They want to meet Minnie, Donald and Daisy in their Halloween garb, I do too
Things specific to party (Parade, Fireworks, Cadaver Dans, Tea Cups, HP show)


So here's what I've got so far....

• 3pm Leave Resort (Dolphin) We have AP's and will be in MK several other times this trip so we don't need to be super early
• 4:15pm Arrive/Bypass
• 4:30pm Sorcerers Card/Bathroom
• 5pm-ish FP: Rapunzel M&G (don't have this but will try and get after we use that days)
• 6pm Dinner @ Pecos Bills (Do they serve before 6pm?)
• 7:00-7:30pm TOT Pirates & Ride Pirates
• 7:30-7:40pm TOT Jungle Cruise
• Back though bypass to Frontierland
• 7:45-7:50pm TOT CH House on way to HM
• 7:55-8:55pm Haunted Mansion/Ghosts on the lawn/Photopass
• Find spot along parade route
• 9:05pm Headless Horseman
• 9:15-9:35pm Parade
• 9:35-9:45pm TOT Country Bear Jamboree
• 9:50-10:05pm Cadaver Dans
• 10:15-10:30pm Hallowishes (watch from Frontierland-bridge?)
• 10:30-10:50pm TOT Fantasyland: Philarmagic & Village Hauss
• 10:50-11:10pm Tea Cups
• 11:15-11:45pm Meet Minnie - Donald/Daisy
• 11:50pm-12:20am - Hocus Pocus Show
• 12:25am Dancing Ghosts Photopass on Main Street on way out
• Allergy friendly treat bag on way out ?? (Too late?)
• Headless Horsman Photopass on way out

ETA: Would love to do the lantern shot since DD is Rapunzel, just don't know if we can squeeze it in. Would be ideal to do before or after HM or on our way over to FL.

 

[ninafeliz]

I'm not sure if I understand how this thread works. I have a list of things I would like to do, but haven't actually put them into a minute by minute plan. I just don't think I can get that specific, I was thinking or more like an order to do them in and was looking for advice from that POV. I'll have enough trouble keeping my 2 boys and DH going in order, I can't also try to keep them on a time table or they will revolt. I'll just list my priority list and see if anyone has any input, if this is wrong or not something I can get advice on, no worries, just ignore this post!

ETA - we are going Friday, October 26th!

Here is what I want to not miss --
parade
fireworks
hocus pocus show
SOTMK card pickup
purchase AP event specific merchandise (shirt, pin, tote bag if all still in stock)
Ride Pirates
Ride Space Mt
Ride Mad Tea Party
Ride Haunted mansion
Get pretty much all of the magic shots - HM (all 4) and headless horsemen most important
Some TOT trails, but don't have to hit all of them
I've never been through the bypass, maybe would like to go through but that would require major backtracking so this might have to be dropped

I am planning to stay until the end, I hope my kiddos 5 and 8 can make it. We have APs so we can enter early, and we will either eat at the CP at 2:30 or 4:50, I have both ADRs for now and will cancel one once we decide which to keep. I would like to ride the rides after the overlay's start, but I do have a HM FP for early and will just let that count as our HM ride as long as we get to the parks early enough to do it (it's for 1:05 and we might decide to come a bit later to increase the chances of the kids making it all night). We don't want to see any characters.

I appreciate any and all thoughts on how best to do this. is it doable, or too much?

 

[pitpat]

I appreciate any and all thoughts on how best to do this. is it doable, or too much?

Definitely doable since no characters are involved. I would use your later ADR. Most (all?) of your priorities take place after the party starts, so no reason to get there super early (I'd forget that 1:05 HM FP). Consider watching the fireworks from somewhere less crowded than the Hub/Main St. Fantasyland and the wooden bridge in Frontierland have some cool views. Save TOTing for later on - the lines will be short and they give out a lot.

 

[ninafeliz]

Definitely doable since no characters are involved. I would use your later ADR. Most (all?) of your priorities take place after the party starts, so no reason to get there super early (I'd forget that 1:05 HM FP). Consider watching the fireworks from somewhere less crowded than the Hub/Main St. Fantasyland and the wooden bridge in Frontierland have some cool views. Save TOTing for later on - the lines will be short and they give out a lot.

Thanks! I'm glad to hear you think it isn't too much. Somehow it always seems like I read how other people get so much done in such little time, but once we get there it's like we get on a slide and just keep on sliding down and before I know it the time is over and it doesn't feel like we accomplished much! I am thinking about watching the fireworks from somewhere other than in front of the castle - the info about Frontierland seemed interesting. I am also thinking about doing the first parade instead of the second, since the second one is so late. I had always figured we would do the second, but I hadn't realized they had moved it to so late in the night! I remembered it being earlier, so you had more time after it. Now it seems as if you watch the second parade you won't be able to do much at all after it. We don't care about being front row, but the kids (and I, being short) do need to see. Planning on watching from Frontierland.

Can I purchase the AP and Party specific merchandise before 4:00 if I show my wristband? If so, where in the Emporium? I remember it being a long shop with multiple check outs and rooms, how would I know where to go? (actually, I guess I need an answer as to where even if I can't go early). Same question for the store up in New fantasyland (Big Top?), would that be a better, less hectic location and do they have the AP merch?

I didn't mention that this is our only MK day this trip, so if we enter early it would be to do some of the kids favorite rides. I'm worried they are going to be upset I want to do all of the party stuff, when they will want to just ride!

 

[Cluelyss]

I did the party on 9/16, just my husband and I, so factor that in to my answers

If you check in for the dessert party and get your lanyards at the beginning of the night (starting around 4:30 pm), you can go directly to the flagpole whenever you're ready, rather than having to go back to the Terrace. You won't have food to eat during the parade, but it makes you a little less rushed. Or at least gives you the option of not going to the Terrace if something else runs long.

And 9:15 is exactly what I have timestamped on my photos of the Headless Horseman, so you're right on there

I had the same idea as you for after Hallowishes--if you're quick exiting the garden, you might be able to beat a lot of the crowds to Space and get there while it's still basically a walk on. And by quick I mean standing by the exit, ready to go, as *soon* as it's over. On our night, Space was a 10 minute wait but essentially a walk on. We headed into Fantasyland after and that was pretty empty too. Not a long line to meet Belle and Gaston, and the Teacups were a walkon too. The overlay was fun.

I think you have a solid plan! Sounds like fun!

Thanks so much!

We have garden view for the fireworks so need to eat before the parade as we won’t be back to the terrace

 

[Cluelyss]

Responses in bold red


This was exactly what we did. Hocus Pocus midnight, cauldron shot on main street (we saw the photographer do it for the group in front of us, he wasn't going to do it for us but I asked). When you leave the park, don't get in the first photopass line you see, there were three photogs working when we left and the person on the far side had no wait, while the photog nearest the exit had a decent line (and no, there wasn't just one line feeding into all three, they each had their own).

Hope some of that helps!

Thank you so much!!

I’m pretty sure Aladdin and Abu come out first (if Kenny says it, it must be true!) but we need to get both sets of characters so doesn’t matter much.

For the double dessert party check in, the first is to get our lanyards, the second is to actually get into the party.

I am stressing a bit about getting to dinner on time, so hopefully our FP lines move fast! I plan to go from the bypass to TT for check in, since we’ll be right there, then to SDMT. We’ll likely be at TT before 430 so hopefully we can check in at that time.

Appreciate the advice on the last hour. When I was at the 9/28 party, Liberty Square was crazy busy all night, so that’s factoring into my planning. Hopefully by 11 it will have calmed down a bit.

Really appreciate you looking at this!!

 

[Cluelyss]

Wondered if anyone would mind looking at our Party plan. We've been both last year and the year before. We don't want to do a lot of Characters so you'd think that would make it easier, but I've been having a hard time with wrapping my mind around it this year for some reason!

Party: DH and I. MIL. 2 kids (DD10 & DS 6)
Kids costumes: Rapunzel and Flynn
Party date: Sun. October 28
Priorities: TT for the kids, we'll be in Disney over Halloween itself
They want to meet Minnie, Donald and Daisy in their Halloween garb, I do too
Things specific to party (Parade, Fireworks, Cadaver Dans, Tea Cups, HP show)


So here's what I've got so far....

• 3pm Leave Resort (Dolphin) We have AP's and will be in MK several other times this trip so we don't need to be super early
• 4:15pm Arrive/Bypass
• 4:30pm Sorcerers Card/Bathroom
• 5pm-ish FP: Rapunzel M&G (don't have this but will try and get after we use that days)
• 6pm Dinner @ Pecos Bills (Do they serve before 6pm?)
• 7:00-7:30pm TOT Pirates & Ride Pirates
• 7:30-7:40pm TOT Jungle Cruise
• Back though bypass to Frontierland
• 7:45-7:50pm TOT CH House on way to HM
• 7:55-8:55pm Haunted Mansion/Ghosts on the lawn/Photopass
• Find spot along parade route
• 9:05pm Headless Horseman
• 9:15-9:35pm Parade
• 9:35-9:45pm TOT Country Bear Jamboree
• 9:50-10:05pm Cadaver Dans
• 10:15-10:30pm Hallowishes (watch from Frontierland-bridge?)
• 10:30-10:50pm TOT Fantasyland: Philarmagic & Village Hauss
• 10:50-11:10pm Tea Cups
• 11:15-11:45pm Meet Minnie - Donald/Daisy
• 11:50pm-12:20am - Hocus Pocus Show
• 12:25am Dancing Ghosts Photopass on Main Street on way out
• Allergy friendly treat bag on way out ?? (Too late?)
• Headless Horsman Photopass on way out

ETA: Would love to do the lantern shot since DD is Rapunzel, just don't know if we can squeeze it in. Would be ideal to do before or after HM or on our way over to FL.

Peco Bills is open all day, but if you want the Hades nachos you need to wait until 6. I highly recommend mobile ordering!

I’m assuming you’re planning to watch the parade in Frontierland? If so, plan looks good! I think you’ll have time to sneak in the lantern shot during your hour allotted for everything HM, too.

Not sure about the allergy treats after 12 - hopefully someone else can verify.

Have fun!!!

 

[kayteekt]

Peco Bills is open all day, but if you want the Hades nachos you need to wait until 6. I highly recommend mobile ordering!

I’m assuming you’re planning to watch the parade in Frontierland? If so, plan looks good! I think you’ll have time to sneak in the lantern shot during your hour allotted for everything HM, too.

Not sure about the allergy treats after 12 - hopefully someone else can verify.

Have fun!!!

Yes, watching parade fron frontierland and wanting those nachos so thinking we needed to wait until 6
Thanks!!

 

[Dean1953]

I never did post an itenerary, because my two Party dates (25 & 28) come at the end of the Parties and I wanted to see reports of Parties in August and September in case any character meetings changed or there was useful information about them. I think that I’ve seen 2 Parties live streamed and parts of 2-3 others. I have a pretty good idea of what to expect and will list an abbreviated itinerary of the two Party nites.
October 25
Enter at 2 in DVC line and go through the bypass.
2:45. Get in line for Jack and Sally
4:45. Get in line for 7 dwarves
6:30 Get in line for Tweetle Dumb
Use app to order dinner at Cosmic Rays. Except for magic shots at HM and Main Street, the rest of the schedule will consist of trick or treating. Other characters that I wouldn’t mind meeting are Jack Sparrow (I’ll be dressed as a Pirate), cruella (if I can slow her down), Jafar, Tarzan, Moana (maybe on the 28th). Basically, I’ll adhere to a 15 minute rule during Party hours for waiting at M & G. I’d like to be in Frontierland for the first Parade, and then run over to HM for the magic shots if the wait times are short. We will watch fireworks while walking around (son isn’t a big fan of fireworks and I’m staying at BLT till October 30, so I can watch the fireworks on the 26th from there). We will watch HP at 12 and then try to do magic shots on Main Street on our way out, finishing with the Headless Horseman.
October 28
Taking it a lot more casual than our schedule on October 25.
2:00 Enter through DVC line and use the 3 FP’s
Grab something to eat around 5:30
Catch the second Parade on Main Street
Get more magic shots, rides, check out the dance parties and obviously more trick or treating and probably some shopping, if only the ubie popcorn bucket. I’ll be checking the weather starting next Tuesday and if one Party looks like it will have better weather, I’ll adjust accordingly. I’ve got several things, like magic shots, trick or treating locations and character M & G bookmarked for easier pull up, so I should be set. Next Tuesday, I’ll update my avatar after trimming the beard to look like a pirate’s beard, so be sure to say hello if you spot me.