Anyone back from MNSSHP on Halloween?

[cascadecupcake]

I'm going next year with another family and I'm dying to hear all the details!

Tell me what the crowds were like. Compare it to something for me if you can. Was it like June? Spring Break? Presidents weekend? September? I know they limit the number that they let in, but I need a comparison if at all possible.

Also, what time did you enter the park? I'm going only for the party that night.

I'd love to hear ALL ABOUT your visit that night so don't hold back, okay?

 

[LoriZH]

Hi, I just got back a couple of hours ago and we went to the party and had a BLAST! Yes it was crowded, but it was fun! What we did was ride the rides and trick or treat at the beginning of the night, we did the second parade and second show and it worked out great for us. I noticed that this year a lot of people stayed till midnight where the park was practically empty the last time we went (three years ago) at about 9:30PM. However, it was a lot of fun and we just bared with it all and did great. The one thing you should know is that the rides are basically walk on, it's the festivities in the streets that are really crowded. We didn't spend too much time in Fantasyland either.

Any other questions let me know, I'm a little jet lagged right now, lol.

 

[NoodlesTheRabbit]

I agree with LoriZH! We were there on 10-31 as well. It was really deceiving because th epark itself was very crowded, but there weren't really long waits for the rides. the only exception that I can think of is Peter Pan...a 30 min. wait! It was absolutely wonderful! We are already planning next year's trip for the same time!

 

[cascadecupcake]

Oh, great! That sounds perfect. I think that may be the only night that we hit the magic kingdom so I was hoping the rides would be manageable!

I would like a picture of the kids by something festive...think I'll have much trouble with that?

 

[candleonwater]

I just got back last night... and I doubt I will ever go on Halloween again! Maybe earlier in October. The rides that I saw with rather long lines - Buzz, HM, Peter Pan... and those are just the rides we bothered to check out. WAY TOO many people for my liking! The park was MUCH better during the day, on the 31st, longest wait for a ride was 15 minutes - and I think that was Dumbo!

One thing I noticed - AVOID Toontown! Major traffic jam. I also couldn't believe the rudeness of people. My daughter was standing in the back, waiting for her grandmother to finish a cigarette... and here comes Donald Duck... she waved to him, and the Cast Member with him told her to follow them... when they got to Donalds "spot"... she stood my daughter against the fence and told everyone waiting there that the new line started behind my daughter... the things that were said to my daughter were unbelievable! She's only 6! And she's also a very patient child... never in a million years would she cut in line - she's been known to take a look at a line and tell me "nevermind mommy, we'll come back another time".

Okay... I'll stop my ranting now! I just thought I ran across MORE rude people at the Halloween party than I have every run across in my life!

 

[kashkdz]

We were there at MNSSHP on 10/26 and had a blast ! We arrived at MK around 7:00 and although it was kind of hectic right inside the park (around Town Hall, etc), the rides/attractions were very light and most had no wait. We were in Disney the whole week, and some rides that were weren't able to ride during our stay we did this night. The parades were very enjoyable and the whole Halloween theme of MK is something we never saw before. Also if you can stick around for the later fireworks and parades, it is well worth it. After the first parade and fireworks, many people left the park and the crowds were very light. My three kids were able to spend a lot of time with the many of the Disney characters 'right in front of the caste' and my daughter was dancing with Donald Duck to the scary Disney Halloween music, for a good 2-3 minutes w/o anyone interupting. Also try to get your pictures done early, they are 'FREE' ! I recommend going to the back of the park near FrontierLand to get this done as there is no line there (everyone goes to the picture stations in the front of the park). We already received our pictures in the mail and they look great. Enjoy !

 

[MinnieGi]

We were at MNSSHP on 10/30 which was also a sold out event. It was a lot of fun. Because DD took a late nap we did not arrive until a few minutes before 7:00. There were LOADS of people coming in but it was fun being a part of the big party atmosphere. The children were soooo cute in all their costumes. We saw some adults in costume but not as many as I thought would be. DH and I wore Halloween t's and so did many other adults. DD was Belle and loved the whole night.

It was crowded but there are sooooo many activities to choose from that it really seems to disperse the crowd. We did trick or treating in Tomorrowland, Toontown and Fantasyland. We rode with no wait Carousel, IASW, MIckey's Philhamagic, TTA, and the teacups. DD also played in the Toontown playground. We watched the 10:00 parade and the fireworks at 9:15. The fireworks were incredible!! Toward the end of the show they surrounded the MK in a circle of fireword that was just beautiful. They shot those off about five or six times. It was breathtaking. We also loved the pararde. The characters are so cute in costume!!!! We also toured the Toontown houses and had our picture taken with Minnie in here costume. We also had our picuture taken with Rolie Polie Olie and Zowie which I've never seen in the parks so that was cool. The lines to get your picture taken with the characters in costume were pretty long or we would have done more of that. DD just loves the characters. We also of course got our picture taken too. We waited until about 9:30 to do it and by then there was not much wait.

We left around 10:30 as we were all tired but we were amazed at how many people went right back to the lands to ride etc.. after the 10:00 parade. I thought we did quite a bit for only being there for 3 1/2 hours. I highly recommend the party!

 

[popy]

Just got back, went to the party on
10/30.
HAD A BALL.
Got in with the party tickets about 405pm
and started riding the rides, walked on
all of them (no waiting) .
Seemed to be a lot of folks moving around
but I seen no Lines.
Most party goers trick or treat early, do that
later and you will see no lines.
Photos, do them early about 630 or late, no
waits.
Hope this helps.

 

[ckr]

We were there 10/30 as well. We had planned to enter MK around 5pm to get a jump on the party, but that didn't happen. NEXT TIME IT WILL!! It was so crowded to get in, we never even made it to a trick or treat station until after 7:30pm (after the long lines for bag check and then ticket check then wrist band, etc.)

Next time, we will definitely get in early so that we can be at the back of the park at 7pm and do everything opposite of what the crowds are doing.

But even with that being said, we loved being there for Halloween! We've already started planning a trip for next year that includes all the families in our neighborhood!

 

[mmausse]

Originally posted by candleonwater
I just got back last night... and I doubt I will ever go on Halloween again! Maybe earlier in October. The rides that I saw with rather long lines - Buzz, HM, Peter Pan... and those are just the rides we bothered to check out. WAY TOO many people for my liking! The park was MUCH better during the day, on the 31st, longest wait for a ride was 15 minutes - and I think that was Dumbo!....Okay... I'll stop my ranting now! I just thought I ran across MORE rude people at the Halloween party than I have every run across in my life!

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE! I have been to the HP on 10/31 for over 6 years and doubt I will ever go back again. It was by far the most crowded I had ever seen and the people (non-DISers, of course) were among the rudest I've ever met - they pushed, they smoked, they cursed, they broke lines - kids as well as adults. What was worse, even the CMs were rude and obnoxious.

I haven't posted my trip report because I have been seething with anger. Previously I had posted, in response to other DISer concerns about adults being allowed in the park with REALLY good costumes, I had written Al Weiss who told me that as long as the costumes didn't obscure the wearer's vision or be offensive to others, adults could wear costumes. I happily packed my large costume - Maleficent (see avitar) and on 10/31 entered the MK. I wasn't stopped by security and was allowed thru. It wasn't until I stopped with my nephew at a "treat stop" - that the CM ordered me to demask. Politely I told her no and that I had Al Weiss permission. She said she didn't know who Weiss was and suddenly security appeared. I asked her to get the Park manager as I had been told by Mr. Weiss. 45 minutes later, "Bob" showed up - NOT the park manager, and gave me a bunch of lame excuses why I had to demask - 1)it was WDW policy that adults weren't allowed to wear costumes - I said look around; then he tried 2) adults weren't allowed to be in Disney character costumes - I said look around; then he tried 3) since 9/11 adults weren't allowed to wear masks because a terrorist could hide his face and this was too much of a threat for WDW to take - I asked him how clairvoyant were WDW CMs that they could tell by a person's face that he/she was a terrorist. I then asked if he was telling me that WDW was supporting "racial profiling," and if so I NOW Definitely wanted to see the Park manager to tell him what Bob was saying. He said I had to wait. I waited "in fur" fully masked for another hour (security disappeared) and no one showed up. My elderly father and my nephew were patient to begin with but were getting rather cranky - and I was getting hot. I finally left and continued walking around the park. But for the rest of the evening I coiuldn't get over the feeling of disgust that I waited for 2 hours for something I was already "approved for", that Disney is supporting racial profiling, and, because I didn't want to demask, I couldn't go to the treat stations and avoided contact with any CM which basically meant no more rides. Thanks Disney for wasting my time and ruining my trip!

 

[kilee]

We were there 10/31. This was our first MNSSHP-- probably our last. I have been to Disney during Easter Week--- this seemed just as crowded. I don't think I'd go w/ "limited number". I really think that number was quite high, ironic that Disney won't release the exact # of tickets sold.
The theming of the party was great. The parade was true Disney fashion and out of this world. We didn't see the "good" candy everyone bragged about. We got handfuls of sweet tarts and tootsie rolls. It felt like it was wall to wall people. I mean no matter where you turned!! Like I said I'd compare it to Easter week crowds!!! The only thing that is true-- ride waits for most things weren't that bad. Some rides were only 15 minutes. Between 11-midnight we walked onto Pooh, Dumbo & Snow White. We also walked through 8 trick or treat stations. Early in the night the trick or treat lines had 100-200 people in them. I swear!! They were soooo long. We arrived at 4pm and were let in. We also had a 5pm PS at Liberty Tree Tavern (out of this world!!). Then we were ushered over to tomorrowland. We were able to walk onto Buzz, as they were only letting people w/ wristbands on-- (about 6:05pm). When we got off the ride it was chaos in those 5 minutes. WAY TOO many people for one land. You couldn't get to anything. Sadly enough we just parked ourselves for the hour. I really regretted arriving early. Toontown-- forget it-- it was more than a nightmare!!! I have NEVER seen it as busy as it was!!! I for one, will never do a "sold out" limited ticket event. Judging by the crowds-- I wouldn't be suprised if the limited ticket number is really close to the park capacity number. I just can't express how much more crowded it felt than during peak season. If Iwere to go to MNSSHP I'd go at the begninng of the month too!! I think the party is great, but not for Halloween night (or close to it)!!!! However, I thought the crowds the entire week following (during the day) were great!!! The parks seemed to have a nice level crowd. I will also agree that the people seemed really rude on Halloween!! I can't believe how many times I or DS (10) were literally pushed!!!! I overall had a great time but was disappointed by the crowds at the party.

 

[kilee]

One more thing. I said it was worse than Easter Week. I was also there this year President's Week. MNSSHP was 5x as crowded as that at least. Definetly not comparable to Sept. Crowds.

 

[candleonwater]

We actually had fun during the hour the park was "closed". We rode Buzz, and Timekeeper (come to think of it, maybe we did that later, but either way we never had done that one before)... and then at the back of Tomorrowland (in front of the restrooms) and my daughter and I were taking part in the dance party back there - actually this probably didn't start until 7, but we had a blast!

Anyone that was there on the 31st... and have been there for Easter... am I crazy for considering going down a few days early for my cruise - I was thinking about staying at AKL since our cruise doesn't begin until Easter Sunday, and my daughter gets out of school the Thursday before...

 

[beattyfamily]

I didnt' think Halloween 2002 was that bad! It was crowded but it was great fun and managable.

I think you all had it worse because it was a FRIDAY night. 2002, it was a Thursday night. I believe it being a non-school/work night added to the crowds. It's a shame though that Disney would sell that many tickets.

Ours wasn't so bad that we're doing Halloween night again next year (Christmas season this year)!!! Next year, it will be Sunday night. I'm hoping for the best and will just enjoy the trick or treating and parade again!

 

[frannn]

It was either 10/14 or 10/16-but whichever it was, it was great! The only thing that there was a major wait for was the fortune tellers, and it wasn't because there was a ton of people on line. The line just wasn't moving. We walked right on to Pirates and had hardly any wait at the HM. The parade was a bit crowded, but that was it. The later it got, the less people we saw. We got some great pictures with Winnie the Pooh and friends, and were able to get some of the previous parties pins. Unfortunately, you can only buy the MNSSHP pins on the night of the party, and you have to be attending the party. I would recommend going on a week night, and not on Halloween night. That way, you avoid the locals and people arriving for the weekend. DH and I went once alone, and this past trip with DD1. I can tell you it was much more enjoyable with DD!

 

[Metallicat]

We were there on the 30th. if anybody saw Alice and an evil queen it was me and DD. One thing I will never do again at Mickeys halloween party is dress up. we didn't see nearly as many adults dressed up like we have in previous years. We trick or treated. (I haven't done that in over 20 yrs) so I enjoyed that part of it. we got lots of chocolate candy which I should have left alone (chocolate is my weakness). I noticed alot of little kids looked scared of me. must have been my evil queen hat the fireworks were spectacular! I loved the parade too. we also went to Universals horror nights. now that is another story! Linda