2024 DVC Member Event Halloween

[keishashadow]

Got the email this am. Didn’t see a thread here for the Halloween meet & greet. There is also one for DL.

For those who enjoyed it last year…

Did you have fun? Assume a character pic opportunity and some sort of small treat.

Thot it might be fun before we head up to MNSSHP. Might take the pressure off the FOMO waiting in line for some of characters there.

We do have a rental. Only issue is we will be @ AKV. They specify no parking @ the resorts. Wonder if we swan/dolphin would be more forthcoming for an hour or so vs BW or BC/YC?

Idea of busing to DS or Epcot is not appealing.

Since we own @ BW, all for the increased parking restrictions. Only thing I can think of is perhaps a lunchtime ADR, the meet, then grab vehicle & drive to MK.

Disney Vacation Club Meet & Treat
Disney's BoardWalk
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
Gather as a community inside the Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk to pose for festive photos with Disney Characters dressed in their Halloween best. Plus, enjoy a sweet treat during this no-cost Disney Vacation Club event, presented as part of Membership Magic.
Event Dates:

• October 14, 2024
• October 15, 2024
• October 28, 2024
• October 29, 2024

In order to allow as many Members as possible to enjoy this event, only one event date will be available per Membership.
Event Hours:
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Eastern Time
Location:
Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk at Walt Disney World Resort

Eligibility:
Disney Vacation Club Members who purchased directly from Disney and are eligible for Membership Extras benefits may attend this event. Members must also have a qualifying reservation at a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.
Party Size Limit:
A Member can attend and bring up to 4 additional Guests per Membership (for a total of 5).

Parking
There is no Resort parking for this event. Members are strongly encouraged to use Walt Disney World Resort transportation.
Other Important Information

• Event registration is not required.
• A valid Disney Vacation Club Digital Membership Card and photo ID are required at check-in. The Member listed on the Digital Membership Card must be in attendance.
• Admission is subject to capacity limits. Once the event reaches capacity, arriving Members and their Guests may be able to wait in line at the entrance, and can be admitted when event attendees exit the venue. However, the line may be closed before 1:00 PM, depending on the number of Members and Guests waiting to be admitted.
• Attendees younger than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian.
• Costumes are welcome, but not required. For this event, please follow the same costume guidelines as for in-park Halloween events
• Event dates are subject to change or cancellation.
• Treat options are subject to change.

 

[RachaelA]

I doubt sw&d would let you park there without a room reservation. Maybe park at HS and walk. Might be easier than parking at Epcot and having to walk through the park.

We’ve gone the past 2 years. It’s been like 3 characters (Hades was there last year which was really cool) and then something like popcorn in a dvc bucket (2 years ago that was the treat. I’m blanking on what it was last year).

We’ll go this year on the 29th, but I did need to tweak our plans a bit since that’s the only day we could make it during our trip.

 

[RachaelA]

They usually have a balloon Artist too which my kids always enjoy.

 

[Noodlez]

We did it last year. I'm not sure if I would do it again. We might consider it if we were near but it definitely wasn't worth travelling for. The line to get inside was very slow moving, it probably took about an hour and there was no shade. I think the main reason it was so slow is that people were waiting for balloon animals/hats that we really weren't bothered about. We also managed to get there just as they switched out the characters so we stood inside for a further half an hour.

This was the treat:


They didn't do popcorn last year. We had pictures taken with Lotso, Hades and Minnie

 

[Best Aunt]

My notes from 2023:

The event was supposed to start at 2:00 but our first photos are time stamped 1:42. We did not get in the balloon animal line.

They give you a trick or treat bag. It is a nylon reusable bag. There were a few spots where they give you candy.

My Candy haul:
Twix: 3
Milky Way Simply Caramel: 3
M&M fudge brownie: 1
M&M peanut: 1
Skittles: 4
Starburst: 3
Smarties: 1

There are 3 characters:
Minnie
Hades (from Hercules)
Lotso (from Toy Story)

There are no photographers, but there is a cast member at each character who will take a picture with your phone or camera

Also a big throne where you can pose.

There are balloon artists. Outside they make balloon hats. Inside they make balloon animals. If you want a hat, try getting one made before the doors open. But ask if there is a line; it's not obvious.

If you want a balloon animal, head to the right when you get inside and expect a very long wait. If you do not want a balloon animal, make sure you do not get in that line and you head straight for the throne.

Several people heard there would be popcorn buckets. That was incorrect. There were no popcorn buckets today, and the cast member said there were no popcorn buckets at the earlier events.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My notes from 2023:

The event was supposed to start at 2:00 but our first photos are time stamped 1:42. We did not get in the balloon animal line.

They give you a trick or treat bag. It is a nylon reusable bag. There were a few spots where they give you candy.

My Candy haul:
Twix: 3
Milky Way Simply Caramel: 3
M&M fudge brownie: 1
M&M peanut: 1
Skittles: 4
Starburst: 3
Smarties: 1

There are 3 characters:
Minnie
Hades (from Hercules)
Lotso (from Toy Story)

There are no photographers, but there is a cast member at each character who will take a picture with your phone or camera

Also a big throne where you can pose.

There are balloon artists. Outside they make balloon hats. Inside they make balloon animals. If you want a hat, try getting one made before the doors open. But ask if there is a line; it's not obvious.

If you want a balloon animal, head to the right when you get inside and expect a very long wait. If you do not want a balloon animal, make sure you do not get in that line and you head straight for the throne.

Several people heard there would be popcorn buckets. That was incorrect. There were no popcorn buckets today, and the cast member said there were no popcorn buckets at the earlier events.

We enjoyed getting those pictures!


We had fun, and would do it again, but we celebrated Halloween in WDW in September this year!

 

[CarolynFH]

I doubt sw&d would let you park there without a room reservation

Swan & Dolphin? Sure you could park there. They charge for parking! I can’t remember how much - $25-35/ day? Anyone is welcome to park there, there isn’t a guard.

 

[CarolMN]

Swan & Dolphin? Sure you could park there. They charge for parking! I can’t remember how much - $25-35/ day? Anyone is welcome to park there, there isn’t a guard.

Yes, it's a lot! (IMO). Last time I checked, the restaurants in the 3 resorts (Dolphin, Swan and Swan Reserve) that validate parking are Il Mulino, Kimonos, Shula's Steak House, and Bluezoo.

Parking​

Self-parking is located near the entrance to Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. Valet parking is available at the main entrance, adjacent to the lobby.​

Rates for registered Guests of Walt Disney World Swan Hotel:

• Self-Parking – $36 per day, plus tax
• Valet Parking – $44 per day, plus tax

Rates for other Guests:

• Self-Parking – $36 per exit
• Valet Parking – $44 per exit

 

[CarolynFH]

Yes, it's a lot! (IMO). Last time I checked, the restaurants in the 3 resorts (Dolphin, Swan and Swan Reserve) that validate parking are Il Mulino, Kimonos, Shula's Steak House, and Bluezoo.

Parking​

Self-parking is located near the entrance to Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. Valet parking is available at the main entrance, adjacent to the lobby.​

Rates for registered Guests of Walt Disney World Swan Hotel:

• Self-Parking – $36 per day, plus tax
• Valet Parking – $44 per day, plus tax

Rates for other Guests:

• Self-Parking – $36 per exit
• Valet Parking – $44 per exit

Thanks - I think that’s a lot, too! Certainly more than parking at DHS for an event at BW, especially if staying onsite so parking would be free!

 

[Tatebeck]

We are split staying at BCV and BWV in October so we may stop by on the 14th or 15th. Maybe before the party on the 15th! It's a nice surprise since we are staying nearby!

 

[RachaelA]

We are split staying at BCV and BWV in October so we may stop by on the 14th or 15th. Maybe before the party on the 15th! It's a nice surprise since we are staying nearby!

If you remember, Can you post what characters are there? That will help me decide if it’s worth it to change our day around!

 

[keishashadow]

I doubt sw&d would let you park there without a room reservation.

I called today, was told it was subject to availability and would be $36+, each time we would exit. That’s a new twist to me.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I called today, was told it was subject to availability and would be $36+, each time we would exit. That’s a new twist to me.

Because unlike a guest that can insert their room key in the automatic gate, a non guest must insert a credit card.

 

[Best Aunt]

OP could do Uber/Lyft/cab from AKV to Swan (assuming you don't need car seats). Swan has no restrictions about drop offs. The DVC event is at Atlantic Dance Hall, which is on the part of the BoardWalk which is near the Swan, so it would be a short walk from Swan to the DVC event.

To give you a very general idea of cost: a few weeks ago I took a Lyft from AKV Jambo House to Beach Club Villas at about 2:30 pm. The cost was $14.99 and I added a tip.

Then you could take the BoardWalk bus to Magic Kingdom for MNSSHP.

 

[keishashadow]

Then you could take the BoardWalk bus to Magic Kingdom for MNSSHP

It's an option I hadn't really considered. Thanks. We usually leave parties a bit ahead of the crowd, might help us miss line at bus stop

 

[Flash_Sloth]

Best Aunt's notes from 2023 are just like I remembered. I was excited about the event, but it was a long line of waiting to get a small amount of candy, 3 photo ops, and no popcorn or popcorn bucket. I wasn't interested in the balloon animals, but it looked like various kids had fun with them. It might be worth doing once, but I don't think that I'd do it again.

Also, if you're staying at AKV, maybe take a bus to DAK and then transfer to a bus going to Boardwalk. And after, yes, you could take a bus from Boardwalk to MK. Are Boardwalk buses shared with Beach Club? I know they have different bus stops at each. A year or two ago, we had a late lunch at Beaches & Cream just before a MNSSHP or MVMCP. When we went to the bus stop at BC, every incoming bus was pretty full and could only take a few more people. That bus stop had a long line and we didn't get a chance to board until several buses later. Maybe it is better at Boardwalk?

 

[Best Aunt]

Best Aunt's notes from 2023 are just like I remembered. I was excited about the event, but it was a long line of waiting to get a small amount of candy, 3 photo ops, and no popcorn or popcorn bucket. I wasn't interested in the balloon animals, but it looked like various kids had fun with them. It might be worth doing once, but I don't think that I'd do it again.

Also, if you're staying at AKV, maybe take a bus to DAK and then transfer to a bus going to Boardwalk. And after, yes, you could take a bus from Boardwalk to MK. Are Boardwalk buses shared with Beach Club? I know they have different bus stops at each. A year or two ago, we had a late lunch at Beaches & Cream just before a MNSSHP or MVMCP. When we went to the bus stop at BC, every incoming bus was pretty full and could only take a few more people. That bus stop had a long line and we didn't get a chance to board until several buses later. Maybe it is better at Boardwalk?

When a bus us going to a thene park, I believe it stops at Yacht Club before Beach Club. (Maybe there are times that they get their own buses, but I don't think it's ever Beach Club before Yacht Club.)

 

[RachaelA]

Best Aunt's notes from 2023 are just like I remembered. I was excited about the event, but it was a long line of waiting to get a small amount of candy, 3 photo ops, and no popcorn or popcorn bucket. I wasn't interested in the balloon animals, but it looked like various kids had fun with them. It might be worth doing once, but I don't think that I'd do it again.

Also, if you're staying at AKV, maybe take a bus to DAK and then transfer to a bus going to Boardwalk. And after, yes, you could take a bus from Boardwalk to MK. Are Boardwalk buses shared with Beach Club? I know they have different bus stops at each. A year or two ago, we had a late lunch at Beaches & Cream just before a MNSSHP or MVMCP. When we went to the bus stop at BC, every incoming bus was pretty full and could only take a few more people. That bus stop had a long line and we didn't get a chance to board until several buses later. Maybe it is better at Boardwalk?

I think it’s only worth it if it has rare characters that you can’t really meet elsewhere. Honestly all the dvc events we’ve gone to (we’ve done every single Halloween event including all the paid ones at the contemporary) and it’s always been at least a couple pretty rare characters. We’ve met Pain and Panic, Oogie Boogie a couple times, Gideon and Foulfellow, Hades, Evil hag from Snow White and others.

 

[NicoleLarson]

We went today to the event. It was okay. Definitely do not go out of your way to come. It was not organized well at all! Basically you walked in, got a bag (reusable tote). Then they had 3 character stops. Jack and Sally, Donald in a space costume and Duffy in a pumpkin suit. They had several water stations and 2 candy stops. They also had a very good DJ, he tried so hard but the way they set things up, it was impossible for anyone to get into the music.

What made it super unorganized was the position of Jack and Sally. Clearly, they were the most popular and the first stop, however they wouldn't stay for long then would take a super long break. Doors opened at 1102, by 1114 they took a break then didn't return until 1129, then meet people until 1148 and took another break. I don't know how long after that because we met the other 2 characters that had zero line the whole time. At one point Donald did a whole dance because literally no one was there. We did see things set up like giant tic tac toe, cornhole, giant lite bright, however they were right next to Jack and sally and you couldn't get to them at all.

For reference, we got to the boardwalk at 1030 and we're out around 1155. When we left, the line was longer than when the party started, right past the crest o wave rooms. We walked back by 1245 and no one was outside but I don't know what it was like inside.

 

[CMNJ]

Oh wow our experience was so different today. We got there right after 12 pm and were in and out in less than 15 minutes. The longest wait was Jack and Sally and that still only maybe took 5-6 minutes. I was shocked when we walked up and there was no line to get in and not many people inside. We are headed to the party tonight and were excited to wait 5 min to meet Jack and Sally when it’s often an hour wait at the party.