First timers...MNSSHP or just afterwards?

[Kristina]

Hi everyone ! I need your advice! We have a trip planned (me and my BF) for November 1, 04 and we will be staying 2 weeks, yay ! However I'm wondering if we should move it up a bit so we can go to the MNSSHP? We will be getting to the resort late so otherwise our first park day will be on Nov. 2nd. Do you think that maybe being first timers and all, that the MK is best experienced as is, and that all the extra Holloween decorations would be something over the top, or is the party really not to be missed, even though we have never been before?

Otherwise we could move the trip up a week, experience MK straight away, then go to the party a few days later, since we will be jet lagging otherwise. However it will end up costing us almost 300 dollars extra, what with it not being value season plus the tickets...
should we go for it anyway?

 

[beattyfamily]

I'd go for it. It is great fun!

But if you think it's too much extra money and that maybe you'll go to Disney again someday during the month of October, then you can just wait.

We did it in 2002 and are trying it again this year!

 

[snyderla]

We went to MNSSHP last year and they put the decorations up just before the party starts, then take them down afterward. I am really glad we went, but I don't think I would have spent $300 extra to go? Also, the later dates do sell out sometimes.

Hope this helps-
Lori

 

[uktigger]

snyderla
sorry if i sound dumb when you say they take the decorations down do you mean after each party or after the month of october
we are going in october and i'd like to see mk as it normally would be

thanks eve

 

[MAC3]

It is a lot of fun. I would give it a shot. One of the best times I not to mention that I went on Splash Mountain twice in a row in about 15-20 minutes time.

The costumes are awesome too!

 

[Kristina]

I am tempted, it sounds great although I thought it would be really crowded! I guess some days it would be, others no? Getting on rides with little wait would be a real extra bonus thats for sure. Plus staying in the park so late! I know I'll never go in the summer time, I can't take the heat . If I could only stay awake, that would be so amazing!

At the same time I too want to experience WDW as it would be normally, since it's our first time. And I know I'm going to have so much fun, no matter what, so maybe at another time would be more prudent. Specially since this time we are doing Discovery Cove. At least I have something new to plan, think about, while I'm waiting...and waiting..

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by uktigger
snyderla
sorry if i sound dumb when you say they take the decorations down do you mean after each party or after the month of october
we are going in october and i'd like to see mk as it normally would be

thanks eve

The Halloween and Fall decorations are only out for the MNSSHP. They are not out during the day. Unlike December when they have MVMCP and the decorations remain up all month long.

 

[dahirsh]

I went to MNSSHP for the first time in 2003. Had a blast. I'm starting to consider going back this year.

The party decorations are only up for the party, and they change the music played in the park for the parties too.

I really felt that between MNSSHP and the food and wine festival at Epcot, it was a wonderful time of year to be there.

Deb

 

[campinggal]

We hit MNSSHP on the Sunday before Halloween and had a great time- crowds were minimal- walked on to most rides, stood on a very uncrowded Main Street to watch the Fireworks- very cool. The actual MNSSHP on Halloween night is often sold out and a zoo but the Sunday before wasn't sold out. It really is fun.

If you have the flexibility with your dates- you may want to consider bumping your trip back into October. Early November is known for 'Jersey Week' because the NJ schools are all out for a week in November due to a teacher's convention and it seems from what I have heard, all the NJ families head to WDW and it is more crowded than the end of October. I don't have the exact 'Jersey Week' dates but I think it is the first full week of November.

Back to MNSSHP and decorations- through out the day, you will see fall type decorations- corn stalks etc but no jack o'lanterns. All the Halloween stuff comes out on the night of the party.

Two weeks in WDW- you will have a blast no matter when you go!!

 

[Kristina]

Wow now I think I am going to change my reservation! I'll think about it for a few days but October really sounds like a fun time! If the Holloween decorations arn't up except for the party then that takes care of one consideration. Plus we would actually get to go sooner rather than later, I'd have to change my countdown !
One book I read, not sure which, showed October to have lots of thunderstorms , so that was also something I thought about when deciding when to go. I guess that too is hit or miss. You're right campinggal, November has both Jersy week and also that soap opera weekend at MGM. I am a bit concerned about those crowds, although I've read with lots of planning it wouldn't be too bad. Lots to think about!
Thank you so much for all your replys!

 

[lUVTOGO]

We were there on Halloween night last year and had a BLAST. The most we waited for any ride was 10 minutes!! We probably did more rides that night than the rest of the week!!We didn't think the crowds were bad at all! It was fun checking out every ones costumes, the atmosphere was fun. I would do it again!

 

[uktigger]

beattyfamily
thank you for clearing that up for me i will try and get tickets for mnsshp my only worry is we don't have a credit card,would we be able to get the tickets when we are there(11th-25th)or would it be ok to use my inlaws card even though it will be different name
thanks eve

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by uktigger
beattyfamily
thank you for clearing that up for me i will try and get tickets for mnsshp my only worry is we don't have a credit card,would we be able to get the tickets when we are there(11th-25th)or would it be ok to use my inlaws card even though it will be different name
thanks eve

You are welcome! You can probably use your inlaws card. I doubt it would be a problem.

Depending on what night of MNSSHP you want to do you can wait and buy them when you get there but you run the risk of it selling out. Fridays and Halloween sell out.

Have fun!

 

[Luv2trav]

When and how do you buy tickets for MNSSHP? Plus, Do the parks close and you get to reenter with this ticket? What time does the park stay open?

 

[Sinclare]

MNSSHP is an absolute MUST IMHO. I took my 7 yo son to it in 2003 and we had a ball. My only big mistake was getting up at 6am and hitting AK, MGM, Epcot (mission space), and then to MK in time for the halloween party....a bit much for a 7 yo and he was only able to hold his eyes open just long enough to see they headless horse man ride by (which he still talks about). This year when we fly back down for MNSSHP we are going to spend the afternoon at the motel cat napping until it's time to go to the halloween party

 

[MAC3]

What an adorable picture! I'm sure he probably won't agree though huh?

 

[cindyfan]

We've been to MNSSHP the last 2 years and had a blast!
Considering going again in 2004, but have to see the dates....

Anyway, the "decorations".....they put the "party" decorations up just for the party......big hellium balloons, black lights, etc. But you will see a fall theme throughout the park. They have the lawn right up front on Main Street with large pumpkins, corn stalks, etc....other areas too.

IMHO the MNSSHP is a must if you are there at that time. Halloween is on a Sunday this year....so expect Friday the 29th and Sunday the 31st to be sold out and very crowded!
I don't think that I would feel it worth the money....it may be a struggle to see and do all the party things.

Now if you can manage to go during that week.....they may schedule a party for Tues or Wed....that would be the day we would suggest.

As for the weather....Oct is wonderful! Going at the end of Oct you will be pretty much out of the hurricane threat and things really cool off a lot between Sept and Oct....but still warm enough to enjoy the pools.

You will have a great time!!

 

[Luv2trav]

When do these tickets go on sale?

 

[uktigger]

hi beattyfamily
we are going to be there 11th-25th october so if we are not going to be there on actual halloween night do you think it would be easy to get hold of the tickets while we are there(any night would be ok haven't really got a plan in place)
thanks eve

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by uktigger
hi beattyfamily
we are going to be there 11th-25th october so if we are not going to be there on actual halloween night do you think it would be easy to get hold of the tickets while we are there(any night would be ok haven't really got a plan in place)
thanks eve

Then you can probably wait till you get down there to buy them if you go on a Sunday or Tuesday or a Thurs.