Decision Time - Is Mickeys Halloween Party Really worth the $50

[disfreak4life]

I am thinking about purchasing tickets to Mickey's Halloween Party this October 31. The prices are close to $50.00 for an adult. I will be travellilng with my wife and kids (age 7, 4).

We aren't huge fans of Halloween but we do attend church-run events during this evening for the candy and fun games.

Is paying up to $200.00 for the four of us really worth it for this Halloween Party? I understand there is a parade, special fireworks, trick-or-treating, etc., but would be be a wiser decision to partake in the Boardwalk Resort activities (for free) and miss this party?

I am sure most of you who have been will respond very positively to the party and say it is very worthwhile. Are there anyone out there who think it's not worthwhile?

 

[labst60]

We went last year and had a really nice time... but then again, we have a really nice time EVERY night at Disney World! We only needed to buy 2 admissions b/c our DD was only 7 months and they had an AP discount for that night, so it wasn't THAT expensive. Since DD was so young we didn't really take advantage of being able to ride the "big" rides, and DD wasn't yet into candy, but I though it was crowded at the beginning, and would imagine that one the actual night of halloween, it would be even moreso! (We ere there on a Wednesday or Thursday night around the 20th - I don't remember exactly). Like I said, we had a great time and if it were really important to you or someone in your family, I would say do it (but be prepared for crowds at the beginning) - however, since you are on the fence, I think you may be best skipping it- I don't know much about the boardwalk activities, but I think that would probably be a much more enjoyable pace.

One other thing I noted about MNSSHP - DH and I have only been to Magic Kingdom 4-5 times - so I wouldn't say we know our way around that great - and with all the crowds and it being dark and not that well lit, we struggled a bit. In retrospect, had we arrived while it was still light out, we could have avoided that by getting the "lay of the land" prior to it getting dark - we would have also avoided the 20+minute line to get into the park (we arrived right at the opening of the party).

 

[1Kristy1]

I would like to know the answer to this also. We are planning on being there on Halloween and 50 bucks seems like an AWFUL lot for 3 hours, KWIM? Oh wait, I guess it would be 150 bucks with me, my dh and my 3 y.o. Seems like an awful lot. Will it be worth all of that moolah??

 

[shelly3girls]

We did not go to the Halloween party but we have attended the Christmas party. I know that others rave about it but we thought it was a waste of money for us. The park was very crowded during the hours that we were there (we left around 11). The lines in fantasy land were 45 min to an hour when they were only 20 minutes during the day. We made the mistake of not getting our picture right away and the line was very long by the time we went. There were several cute things going on which we enjoyed but not enough to justify the price. If it is something you always wanted to do I would try it but if you are doubting it I would skip it.

 

[sharon78]

We went 31st Oct 04 and had a great time.It was a sell out,but to me it didnt seem as busy as it can be in the day.Most attractions were only upto 20min wait max.We arrived at 4pm and left when it finished.We managed to do all our favs and watch the parade and fireworks.We watched the 2nd parade it was less crowded.The DDs also joined in the Fancy Dress Parade in Tomorrowland,they really enjoyed it,they were 9 & 7 at the time.
We stayed on I-Drive and got back to our room at 1.45am,that was the latest night we had,the only late night we had.
So yes i would say it was worth it,however we travelled from the UK,it was ment to be a "trip of a lifetime" but I think we all say that,so we wanted to experience as much of the Disney Magic as poss.

 

[beattyfamily]

For a family of 4 with 2 kids, Halloween night (and the 27th and 30th) would be about $168. and the ngiths BEFORE Oct 27 would be $142.

Anyway, I think its worth it. I couldn't imagine being at WDW and not attending the party. We all love Halloween and trick or treating so we have a lot of fun at the party.

We've done Halloween night and also the beginning of October one. Loved both. Got everything done we wanted to.

We got our picture over with, trick or treated, went to the Villian party/show, saw the special Halloween fireworks, and watched the parade! So much fun.

My girls are 6 and 9 and have been attending these parties since they were 1 and 4 and they look forward to it every year.

 

[mamaminnie]

I'd say no as well, I'd save the $200 and put it towards my next trip. Bring the kids costumes (if you're going to be there on Halloween) Every resort has activites including trick-or-treating. Last year we were staying at the POFQ and went to Halloween parties at the POFQ and POR and the Boardwalk too.

THe kids thought that trick-or-treating at the hotels was a blast.

 

[powellrj]

we went and had a wonderful time, BUT, we spent the day off doing things like swimming and DTD so we didn't use a park day. We bought MNSSHP party tickets, arrived at 4pm, rode some rides, had dinner at CP and then went to the party. It worked out great for us because it was a lot cheaper only going to the party and not spending a whole days park admission. The rides were very managable and we rode all the big ones a couple of times.

 

[eeyore45]

I know for us it truly was not worth the money. The fireworks were amazing, they were long, but they were not worth the admission price of almost $40 a piece.... We got there at 4, we had adr's for LTT at 5 - it was crowded, we had to wait, I'm sure it was partly due to the fact the people already seated were "enjoying" their meal, there were no empty tables... and crowds of people!! I was shocked the bathrooms were so small and up the narrow stairs.

Everyone was in a good mood!! So very many people were dressed up, and excited. The rain cancelled the first parade, the second was crowded. Extremely crowded, which I believe leads to some negative behavior.

Consistant long lines for candy - and it was the laffy taffy, smarties, sweet tarts tiny stuff... and the lines had 3 barrels so there were 3 lines, often someone would get one piece at the far barrel, then crowd over to the next two barrels expecting one tiny piece of candy...

There were lines for every ride, early in the night we did walk on to Pirates, and even Haunted Mansion... but you couldnt get near most of the rides in Fantsyland... The Transit ride above tomorrowland was a joy - away from the crowds and never a line, we rode it 4 or 5 times just to get away from the crowds!!

Many, many people enjoy the time walking around with the villians, many kids enjoyed the dance venues set up, characters were also dancing (behind Dumbo ride Suzy and Perla I believe were dancing with a lot of kids - all looked like they were having FUN!!)

This was not worth over $100 for our family - I wanted a refund, I didnt pay that to see the fireworks!! I felt mis informed!! NOW I know, so I will debate further, if it had been better weather, if I had known to expect penny candy, and long lines...

 

[Rapunsel]

IMHO I went in 2003 with my Dh, Mom and DS 23 months. We only paid about $30 each to go. So we did not use our Park Hopper that day. We had fun, but now at almost $50 a ticket.. I'd pass it up.. YOu have to get there early before the party begins to get in the 20 minute lines... It was also just after columbus day..

 

[OhioTony]

We went in early Oct of 2004 . It was GREAT! The lines were very short - the characters were out in full force - the fireworks were awesome! I think my kids are still eating some of the candy- they gave out handfulls at the end of the night!
It was one of the best nights we have spent at Disney- however it was an "off night" being early October.

 

[bubblie]

We went in Oct. 2005. DD 7 and DS 3. It was absolutely worth the money for us. The kids were mesmerized by the transformation of the Magic kingdom. Many many characters out handing everyone bags full of candy. I would go again in an instant! Going again in late May to see the flower and garden show.

 

[Ghost]

I was there in 2002 (31st October) and loved it so much I had to go back in 2003 and 2005... wishing I could be there this year but planning to do so next year... I love the Halloween evening and for me it is worth it...

 

[laceemouse]

It is WAY more than 3 hours! You can go in about 4pm and stay until midnight or 1am (I can't remember!) We did it in 04. I never wanted to do it when my kids were younger, but now that they are old enough to stay until it ends we enjoy it and the MVMCP. We also did other things during the day, NOT using a ticket up or getting exhausted, and then did the party(s) at night. We found the crowds moderate early on, but later in the evening all of the people with younger kids leave and the place really clears out!

 

[kydisneyfans]

We specifically plan our vacation to attend the party. In fact, we use hoppers for the other 3 parks, and only go to the Mk during party time. It is usually "busy" but not packed. We usually attend on a Thursday night the week before halloween. We left last year at 1:20 AM after arriving around 5:30, and really saw about 1/2 of what we wanted to. It can be pricey, but I think paying over 50 bucks a night to put a head on a pillow is pricey too.

We had 3 bags about 1/2 full of candy-good namebrand candy that all of us eat. Better than at home trick or treat where most of the candy is tossed because nobody likes it. Laffy Taffy stations were visited multiple times

 

[DMRick]

It was fun, just to see how much candy we would bring home to the grands..but we noticed that the kids were getting a lot more than us adults LOL. We joked that we felt like beggers. It was ok, but we'll be there again this year, but will pass on the Halloween days. Last year, someone gave us a ticket, so we only paid for one of us.
We aren't big ride people, we like the shows, so once we had our candy, all that was left was the fireworks. If we had kids that would have enjoyed the story telling and face painting, it might have been different. We could have trick or treated in Wlagreen's candy aisle for a lot less

PS, the candy put my suitcase over by 2 lbs when we flew home, so I had to take it as carry on. What a pain.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

We love MNSSHP! It is totally worth the money - if the expense doesn't hurt your trip. When else can the kids get dressed up and trick or treat through Disney and when else can you hop on so many rides with little or no wait time (other than off season)? The parade is neat, the decorations - cool and there is something even funner about being at Disney at night for this event. That said though, if you are planning on doing regular Disney and you are pinching your pennies, I don't know if I would spend the money unless you are pinching pennies and cutting down on park hopping or looking for a way to do MK cheaper, then this is for you.

Just a P.S.- You can enter the park after 4:00pm and unless you are going close to or on Halloween night, you will literally be able to do more and ride more than in a regular day from our experience.

 

[sharon78]

As i said before we arrived at 4pm on the 31st and got the main attractions done before the party started at 6pm.If you want to look at some photos,go to the photos board and search mnsshp 31st or my user name sharon78,saw some great characters that night including Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs,Esmeralda and Quasimodo.

 

[Suzanne74]

We went last year and it was my all time favorite time at WDW. That said, I don't know if I would go on the 31st as I am sure it is super busy. I think DTD has trick or treating... Could you go another day a little ealier?

If you do go do not go to any parks that day - just rest and then head to MK at 4pm and go get something to eat or ride the rides. At 5-6pm they will start to close everything down but keep an area open so there are still rides to go on. If you do this, by 7pm there aren't many more rides you will want to go on. Your kids are at a perfect age to totally get into the whole thing. Oh and the characters are dressed in costumes too. The rides close at midnight and we did the Haunted Mansion last which was great. We didn't even get on the bus until 1pm after we window shopped and took more pictures. So technically we were there for 9 hrs so I think we got our money's worth. DD's bag of candy had to be 10lbs!!! Just make sure you plan it well - this is not an event to "wing" it.

We went in the beginning of the month and walked on every ride and saw characters we normally never see. They were everywhere The candy, shows, dances, free pictures, "ghosts" walking around the mansion, free face painting, jack-o-lanterns in the Main Street windows, CM's completely dressed up - it was so much fun. The parade is awesome and the fireworks were the best we have ever seen. DD4 still talks about it and we have considered going again this year.

 

[disfreak4life]

We went to MVMCP last year. The fireworks there were the best fireworks show I have seen at any Disney park in my whole life.

Has anyone been to both the MVMCP and MNSSHP and seen both fireworks shows? How do they compare?