Are we crazy not to do MNSSHP on our visit??

[Piglet]

We have been twice in October and have never done MNSSHP. We will be there again this year and decided not to go again. Is it really something we should consider??? My DD will be almost 7 on our next trip, but she is really used to being in bed by 8:30 and can very rarely stay up past 10. But the more I read, it sounds like it would be a lot of fun and that she probably would enjoy it. She doesn't like fast and bumpy rides (roller coasters) or scary shows. Should we try it this time?????

Melinda

 

[campingcorgi]

We've never done it but we are going to this year with a 3 year old. I figure with a nap she can stay up late enough for us to enjoy the fun!

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

We've done it once before and were debating whether or not we should this year before finally buying our tickets a few weeks ago.

We'll only have four days in the parks and we think we can get pretty close to the equivalent of a full day's worth of MK rides in that evening. The characters in costume, the parade and the Halloween decorations are a bonus!

 

[beattyfamily]

GO FOR IT!!!!!

It was great fun when we did it last year for the first time with our DD's ages 3 and 6.

The atmosphere and the Halloween Parade. The free picture. The trick or treating at MK!!

We went Halloween night so it was pretty crowded but the trick or treat lines went very fast and that was our main goal since it was, in fact Halloween.

I think your DD will LOVE it!

We loved it so much, we're doing it again in 2004 and the only reason we're not doing it again this year is because we also LOVE MVMCP and the Christmas atmosphere so we're going to switch back and forth between Oct and Dec until I can't take my DD's out of school anymore!

 

[izzy]

My mom and I went last year - I was 39 and she was 73 - and we had an absolute blast! I kept looking at the little ones who were dressed up in costumes and you could tell they were having the time of their lives. You definitely ought to go once. Your 7 year old would really enjoy it.

Izzy

 

[kiddisney]

it's a definate go for it - we always go to wdw in october and never stayed for mnsshp or any other e-night - but last year we did it for the first time we did and the kids haven't forgotten it - we were having dinner at tony's town square and were watching the night unfold and bought tickets right after dinner - it was a great night - even my husband got into the party atmosphere and bought the kids pluto hats for their costume - and they wore them the whole time (they were 10 & 12 at that time) - we went on thunder mountain two or three times w/no wait - and the same for splash mountain - and especially in october - you don't get to see the rides at night and the astro orbiter along w/the jungle cruise were great at night - we didn't stay for the very end - because we had gotten there for early entry - but it was definately worth the effort - we also had planned to take the next day off anyway because of homework - but this year we won't be taking any time off afterwards - anyway - enjoy the trip and hope to see you at mnsshp

 

[cindyfan]

Go For It!!!!!!!!
It is a blast for kids. I think 7 yrs would be the best age for MNSSHP!!
It isn't the rides that makes it so much fun...It is the parade, trick or treating, fireworks, etc.
All the extra stuff.

Actually when we went last year we only rode Space mtn once and BTMRR once. The rest of the time was spent doing the other stuff.
They have a great parade that the kids can be in.
And they have a dance contest thing going on for the kids! My dd who was 11 yo last year was a bit too old for some of the stuff. But we both did the trick or treating.

Seriously....if you can get her to take a nap so that she isn't too tired! Then she might last longer that just til 10pm.
There really isn't anything scary about it.

 

[pintrader]

Personally. I think you are depriving yourself of something that you are there for the right time for. Do it once, if you don't like it don't do it again. I am over 50 and went alone last year for my first time and I REALLY enjoyed myself.

 

[searlproudbottom]

The Answer is YES

 

[4greatboys]

We are going to our first one this year. I like to try just about everything atleast once. Then we redo the stuff we love and forget about the stuff we dont.

 

[imamicki2]

You should definately go. How could you be there at that time and not go! Have her take a nap during the day. Take her swimming, that always tires them out. Would she be in bed by 8:30 at home during trick or treat night? It is an exciting night, the whole atmosphere is special. They have special lighting on main street, a halloween parade, trick or treating, characters in costumes, a free picture, and rides are open. It is "magical" of course! I am planning my 2004 in Oct for this reason.
Have fun!

 

[DiznEeyore]

We're going to our third MNSSHP this year -- ds was 5 for his first, 9 last year and this year he'll obviously be 10. He *loved* it each and every time! Just do the nap like everyone suggested (our ds' normal bedtime was 8 p.m. the first time) and you should be fine. Have fun!!

 

[fiveforall]

Yes you should go! We took a 7 yr old, 2 year old, and 5 year old last year and had an absolute blast! We are going again this year as well. Last year, we let the kids rest for about four hours before MNSSHP and that worked so well. We left at about eleven, but we had already ridden everything in Fantasyland about three times each. It is so worth the price of a ticket. The characters are in costume and everyone gets to trick-or-treat. It's so much fun!

 

[sln88]

How do the crowds compare to a 'typical' fall day at MK? Will we have to find a spot 1 hr before the parade or fireworks? Or are these parties less crowded?
We would be going the Sun before Halloween.., but we hate crowds, and I don't want to pay extra for that.

 

[cindyfan]

How do the crowds compare to a 'typical' fall day at MK? Will we have to find a spot 1 hr before the parade or fireworks?

Last year......we went on Oct 11th. We did not intend to watch the first parade because we thought the second parade would not be as crowded. But it was difficult trying to get over to BTMRR just before the parade started. It was about 20 minutes before the parade started, so we just decided to find a spot to watch.
We were able to find a spot behind another family and had a pretty good view.
Then for the second parade we ended up right in front of Casey's about 10 minutes before the parade started.

Yes, I would suggest finding a spot 45 - 60 minutes before the parade begins.

Most importantly.......I suggest that where-ever you want to be during the parade.....whether you want to watch it or ride the rides during it......make sure you are there at least half an hour before the parade begins. There is just no way to get across the park once people start lining up.

So if you plan to ride Space mtn, etc...then head over to that area 45 minutes before the parade and expect to stay there til at least 20 minutes after the parade is over.

 

[CarolynK]

It is a way for people to get into the park for less than the regular admission price, so for that reason I think it's a popular and very WELL ATTENDED event. We were very surprised at the long lines for candy and rides after spending the day at a crowded MK.
Yes, there's a special parade; yes, there are fireworks, but I wasn't impressed enough to want to pay EXTRA for it again anytime soon.
On a side note, we never received our family picture in the mail.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

After hearing others mention activities such as parades, pictures, trick or treating, dance parties, etc... I thought I'd share what we've found to be worthwhile and what we've wished we hadn't taken the time to do (if anybody cares!.

In the past we've tried to do everything and wished that we'd spent more time on rides, especially the rides that are fun at night and taking advantage of the short lines.

Dance Party: fun, but not as fun as rides.

Trick or Treating: again, fun, but the kids would rather be on MK rides than standing in line for candy.

Fireworks: Very cool and the wicked witch flies out of the castle, Great show!

Parade: this was also very cool. Headless Horseman and all the characters in costume. Worth taking time away from the rides!

Picture: get your picture taken when there aren't long lines. The picture is a great souvenir, but try to avoid taking a lot of time to do it. There have been great tips on when and where to get the picture without waiting in long lines!

 

[ukeeyorelover]

We went to MNSSHP last October and it was absolutely AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you can, you should definitely go. Even if you dont ride the rollercoasters, there is so much to do. You are given an orange candy bag when you arrive at the gates. Then when you enter, everyone is dressed in costume and there are CM's on each corner filling your bags with treak or treat goodies.

Truly amazing place

 

[pintrader]

Do you consider 19,000-20,000 people a crowd over the spanse of the entire Kingdom? If so, then it is crowded. If not then ...
How could you come to WDW during Christmas break and NOT expect a crowd???

 

[Minniespal]

I would say go for it!!

We haven't been there in October either and are going to MNSSHP twice!!!