1 day at MK for MNSSHP - is it enough?

[steph73]

I'm starting to plan our itinerary for our trip during the 2nd week of October, and I'm looking for a little advice.

We've never attended a hard ticketed party at WDW before. We are definitely planning on attending the MNSSHP and are really excited about it! (we being me, hubby, and two boys ages 11 and 8 by then).

First, a question - do all rides operate during the party?

And for the advice - my plan, as of now, is to arrive at the MK at opening the day we attend MNSSHP. We'll spend the morning there, and then leave probably around noon/1pm and return to our resort for an early afternoon break (nap, change into costumes) and return by 4pm when they start allowing people with tickets to the MNSSHP to enter the park. We would stay until closing (midnight).

Do you think that would be sufficient as our only day at MK? We do adore that park, but we also love the others and I'm also kicking around working in Universal Studios on this trip as we've never been there. I'm also planning on a dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern - I assume this is still possible on a MNSSHP day?

My main concerns with this being our only MK day are that we'll miss the standard parades/fireworks (but we have seen them before and will get to see the special Halloween ones) and since we've never attended the parties, I didn't know if there were any other "standards" we would miss if we do this.

Advice? Anyone else do a party day as their only MK day, and did you regret it or feel that you had a fulfilling Kingdom-ish day?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Yes, you can have dinner at LTT the night of the MNSSHP and the characters are dressed up!

The Hall of Presidents hasn't been opened for any party we've been to, and I don't think the RR runs. I'm sure others can name more that aren't opened, I don't remember.

The Hallowishes was amazing, really worthwhile!

We've had great lines (short) for the mountains and have come home with lots of treats, and we've never made it until midnight! This past year we went to the first MNSSHP, Sept. 30th. It was our only MK time on that trip.

Have a great time.

Bobbi

 

[TAKitty]

I think your plan will work. We ate at CRT at 4:00 before MVMCP and had plenty of time to see and do everything.

 

[imfortune8]

If you have another day available, I would use it. I find the real enjoyment factor to being at MK is taking your time. Yes, you can do it in one day, but two is much better. Plus, if you are taking a break in the middle of the day, unless you are staying on the monorail line, it will take you considerable time to get back to your hotel. I think you eat up a lot of time. Plus, if you split it to two days, you are not cut short for the day you pay to be in the MK. This is all my opinion, but I would go to a different park - maybe AK the day of MNSSHP and plan on showing up there at 4:00ish - when they allow MNSSHP entry, and saving the MK for a whole different day! I am one of those who divide the park in half and only plan on making it through half a day. Then you relax and enjoy!

Heidi

 

[steph73]

Heidi I would love to do that, but I just can't justify spending the extra money for the park hopper option for it.

I think we're going to have 8 full days there, so I was thinking about either 4 day or 5 day standard tickets (with the 5th day probably being Epcot - my boys can spend an entire day at Future World alone). We'll need at least one off day - for that day, we're thinking about doing Gatorland that morning, swimming in the afternoon if it's hot enough, and doing a round at Fantasia Gardens that evening. We're thinking about doing Universal/IOA for the other two days. I'm just not sure though - that could be valuable WDW time! lol

I know there is no way we'll be able to do everything in one day at MK, so I want to concentrate on hitting the new attractions and our absolute favorites... everything else is just gravy. On our last trip, we did a full day and a half at MK - the full day was from the rope drop until close, and the half was from the start of EE until about 11am. On that half day we were able to hit everything in Fantasyland and a couple of other rides on the way back out, so that worked out well.

Thanks everyone!

 

[kirbsam]

it is doable. get to mk when it opens and see as mcuh as you can see in the first couple of hours. you will see everything in one day. the lines at mnsshp will allow you to do it all, easily.