Beginning of Oct at the Fort

[katiekomo]

When do people usually start decorating their campsites for Halloween? I want to show DH the Fort when we go the first week of Oct.

Also, do they pipe the MNNSHP firework music onto the beach? I really want to show DH fireworks from the beach!! But with MNNSHP happening quite a few nights, I'll need to plan accordingly.

 

[Dr.Dan]

We were at the Fort last year from October 6 through 15. Everyone had their decorations out when we got there.

We noticed that the soundtrack for MNSSHP was piped in to the beach. Apparently they play whatever track goes with the fireworks each night. So, on those nights when it's Wishes, that's what you hear, and on the MNSSHP nights, you hear that. I would assume that if you were there for the 4th of July show, you would hear that as well.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

As noted, the decorations begin in late September, and build each week up to Halloween. In early October, the decorations will probably be a bit sparse. By mid-October on, it is game on.

Here is a little trip report from mid-October last year:

TCD's Pre-Halloween 2009 Trip Report

In that report, you will see brief mention of the Haunted Carriage Rides. If you will be visiting the Fort on an October evening, I suggest that you look into this. They cost $60 per carriage, and four people can ride on each carriage. I think it's worth it.

Also, I can confirm that the complete Hallowishes soundtrack is played from the speakers on Clementine's Beach at the Fort. But, I will say that Hallowishes is one of the fireworks shows best viewed from the MK.

TCD

 

[katiekomo]

I was thinking about the haunted carriage ride vs. MNSSHP. Although the carriage ride is recommended, would you do it over doing MNSSHP?

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I was thinking about the haunted carriage ride vs. MNSSHP. Although the carriage ride is recommended, would you do it over doing MNSSHP?

You know, that is a very good question.

We have gone to the MNSSHP many times. I know for sure that we have gone the last two years. But, I have started to feel that it is a rip-off. I especially felt this way last year. It was a very hot and crowded night, and since we are passholders, I had to ask myself why I was paying for this? It just didn't seem as much fun to me as it used to be. But, that could be because we knew what to expect. In the past, it certainly was not as busy as it was on the night we visited (10/29).

As for the Haunted Hayride, I think it's fun, and it is clearly popular, because it is often sold out, but it is only about a half hour experience. That hardly compares to a whole night at the MNSSHP.

If I could only visit WDW once a year or so, I think I would have to pick the MNSSHP over the Haunted Hayride. But, in all likelihood, this year the TCD gang will not participate in a MNSSHP, but probably will do a Haunted Hayride.

TCD

 

[ftwildernessrick]

I was thinking about the haunted carriage ride vs. MNSSHP. Although the carriage ride is recommended, would you do it over doing MNSSHP?

The MNSSHP is at least a one time must-do. The trick or treat stuff (candy)is OK, but the fireworks & parade is unique. Also, if you do it, get in line as early as you can at Toon Town to get your photo made with Halloween Mickey & Minnie.

We also enjoyed our ressies at the Liberty Tree Tavern. The waiters & waitresses were in costume as well as the characters (you may want to check to see if they are still doing characters at Halloween dinner)

 

[katiekomo]

Thanks for the tips! TCD, I loved your TR! That sealed the deal, I'll most definitely have to take DH looping in October. I think the decorations will spur his competitive spirit and he won't be help to help it but come back next year!!

Now I'll just have to decide: golf cart or ride bikes (leaning towards GC since I'll be running a 1/2 marathon that night!!).

To continue the carriage ride vs MNSSHP debate:

DH likes things like football and beer. So I'm not sure if he'll be excited to see Mickey Mouse dressed up like a farmer. But I'm really into shorter lines and I think he'll like the headless horseman in the parade and the fireworks. If we go to MNSSHP we'll probably eat at Kona Cafe for dinner (not the sushi place, we'll eat there on Friday). And from when I went 6 years ago, I remember an electricity in the air... which I think he'll enjoy. Even if there is no beer. We'll head in at 4, break for dinner around 7, then stay till midnight--this will cost us around $100.

If we don't do MNSSHP then we'll plan on the carriage ride. We won't be able to visit a park that day since DH only has a 6 day hopper (for our 8 days). We'll probably eat at TE, loop and watch beach entertainment. Pro's to this include a "longer headless horseman experience" than at the parade (true?), the ability to buy beer and the price is around $40 less. (Although that $40 will probably be beer money, so it's almost a wash.) If we don't go that route, we'll still loop and watch fireworks, just not on the same day.

The crazy RDer in me thinks that the MNSSHP is a better value (dollars per minute) but I'm really trying to evaluate the overall experience.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I guess I'm not following your math.

MNSSHP tickets run about $60 a person, so you are going to spend more that $100 for that. I don't know exactly what date you are thinking of attending, but we did not find short lines for attractions last year on October 29. In fact, the lines were longer during the party than they were during normal operating hours on a non-party day. This party has gotten too popular, and I think Disney sells as many tickets as they can, rather than limiting the ticket sales as they did in the past. So, you could find yourself in a big crowd.

Also, if you do go to the Fort for looping, that is going to cost you either in terms of bike rentals or golf cart rental. So, that would have to be factored in to the cost of the carriage ride. For two people, I am not sure that this would end up being much cheaper than going to MNSSHP.

I think you're right though, the value per hour is better with MNSSHP.

I think if you visit the Fort, you should do the Haunted Carriage Ride, and watch the EWP and Fireworks from the beach. Also have some drinks at Crockett's Tavern- but remember, they roll up the sidewalks at the Fort at 10 pm.

TCD

 

[katiekomo]

The date in question is a Sunday night at the beginning of October, before the premium prices hit. The price I found was $53.95 before the AP discount (which might only be available if I buy the tickets that day.) So I'm thinking it's around $108 or so. (I'm a bad budget-er, I always round down and leave things out... drives DH crazy!!)

Yes-- the cart pricing is helping me lean towards bikes... but since this is the 1/2 marathon weekend, I'll want to listen to my body-- and really, it will also depend on which day we end up going. The looping is a definite (as a part of my "visiting FW to convince DH we need to stay there from here on out" plan)-- just not sure if it will be that Sunday night (in addition to a carriage ride) or some other day.

Either way, I feel like the bottom line prices will be a wash-- both ideas end up costing some money!

But the crowd thing makes me worry. Do you think the crowds were due to the proximity to Halloween, or are they always pretty packed? I chose Sunday night hoping that I'd skip out on local traffic due to the fact that it's a school night, but I really don't want to drag DH to a crowded MK.

Ug-- TCD-- I'm not sure I understand my math on this! I feel like I have a muddled brain! Maybe I should walk away from this for a week and revisit... Either way, I won't have to make reservations for at least a month... so maybe I should just sit on it for a while... (Not sure what that smily means... but I'm happy, although I feel turned around!)

 

[Tri-circle-D]

If I recall correctly, the MNSSHP that we went to last year was the last one offered before Halloween itself, so I think that explains part of the crowd. I also am suspicious that WDW sometimes discounts certain nights to castmembers and possibly other groups, which explains why some nights are disproportionately more busy than others. All I know is that when we went last year, it was a lot busier than we had experienced before- and, consequently, not as much fun. I would expect that you would not have a crowding problem on a Sunday night in early October, but who knows?

I say don't worry about the math. You have two good activities to choose from.

Flip a coin.

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I just stumbled across something that might resolve your dilemma.

The half marathon weekend is October 1 through 3, right?

Well, there is a 5K race at the MK on October 2, and then all of the participants get a ticket to MNSSHP for Sunday night October 3.

This could be the type of thing that makes for a crowded MNSSHP.

Here's a link to the information I found:

Mickey's Halloween Family Fun Run

Sounds like fun.

But I think the MNSSHP on the 3rd will be crowded.

TCD

 

[starbuc71]

I have to say, last year was our first MNSSHP and it was the best time we ever had at the magic Kingdom. We went in the beginning of October so this may be why the crows were low. Yes it was extremely hot. We walked on with no wait times on just about every ride. We also went on a Tue. if that was trick also. We bought our MNSSHP and MVMCP tickets already. We have never been to the Christmas one yet so we are very excited