Going to Disney for Halloween!!

[jshoemak]

We just booked our first fall Disney trip, 10/28-11/2!! Super excited because we've only been in May, June, and July. How does the MNSSHP work? Is it worth it? What's the weather like? Any tips or suggestions are welcomed!!

 

[Raya]

We've gone to MNSSHP most years since 2006. The music, atmosphere, parade, trick'er'treating... I could go on and on. It'd totally worth it for us! The weather is still quite hot, even at the end of Oct. There's a chance you hit an afternoon thunderstorm as well. My tip is to eat a full 'early dinner' before entering the park at 4pm (this is allowed with your party ticket). Also plan out which of the special treat foods you're interested in, as they are scattered around the park and can sell out. At that time of the party (last few nights) every night is likely to sell out, so get your tickets relatively soon (like don't wait until August).

Also, come join the MNSSHP thread for 2020, it's already filled with great info and we're all planning costumes while we speculate on dates.

 

[DisDreaming4116]

Short tips here:
Dress up but keep it light and comfortable.
Yes, it's worth it.
Sit near Pecos Bill to watch the parade (twice if possible).
Wait for the final hour or two of the party to trick or treat (lower lines).

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I'll be there at the same time I have been in October before, but never over Halloween. So, like you, I'm excited to be at MNSSHP on the 31st. Last year the party I ended in late October was pretty crowded, but still a lot of fun. The parade and fireworks are awesome! I was there with girlfriends so we didn't spend much time on TOT, but this time will be a family trip and I'm guessing my boys will want to get some candy. The lines last year were loooong but moved really fast. We also hit a rainy night and didn't get to see the Headless Horseman ride before the parade, so I'm hoping for better luck this year!

 

[bridgetz03]

Echoing those who already posted, but definitely dress light as it can be crazy hot and humid still. Also, definitely hit up the attractions and candy spots early in the night, and then watch the second parade (will be less busy). Be prepared for a packed park!

 

[NotTheBatesMotel]

I love fall at Disney! Seeing the pumpkins, leaves, decorations along Main St. and the Halloween merch is my favorite. It is definitely hot, so be prepared for that. I loved MNSSHP in 2018 but felt that it was way too crowded in August of 2019. I don't know if I just hit an absurdly crowded night because it was one of the first if not THE first party after they announced the "unlimited MNSSHP" option they had last year. It was crowded to the point of not being fun for us, but everyone has different gauges on crowds so YMMV.

 

[jshoemak]

Thanks everyone for the responses!! Great tips!!

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

If you decide to not do MNSSHP on the 31st, I would recommend going to Ft. Wilderness to see all the campsites decorated and the trick or treating going on. It’s such a great atmosphere! We loved going over Halloween so much, we decided to go again next year.

 

[twinmom13]

My best tip is to follow and read the official 2020 thread. You will get all kinds of information, not only about what happened in the past, but also what happens this year at the first couple months of parties before yours.

 

[wilbret]

We just booked our first fall Disney trip, 10/28-11/2!! Super excited because we've only been in May, June, and July. How does the MNSSP work? Is it worth it? What's the weather like? Any tips or suggestions are welcomed!!

MNSSHP is (was) my favorite of all Disney events. We went every year from 2012 until this year, but didn't go this year, due to the ever increasing crowds and 2018 experience. That being said, if you have never been, you have to go. Just make the best of it, even if crowded. And if you don't go, you still get to see the decorations, which are awesome. (we still did Disney, just not a party).

Love love love the parks at HW and Christmas.

 

[jshoemak]

MNSSHP is (was) my favorite of all Disney events. We went every year from 2012 until this year, but didn't go this year, due to the ever increasing crowds and 2018 experience. That being said, if you have never been, you have to go. Just make the best of it, even if crowded. And if you don't go, you still get to see the decorations, which are awesome. (we still did Disney, just not a party).

Love love love the parks at HW and Christmas.

Any idea if we will hit HW and Cmas? We'll be there 10/28-11/3,

 

[wilbret]

Any idea if we will hit HW and Cmas? We'll be there 10/28-11/3,

I think it’s too early to tell, but I would lean towards not. It’s going to be close, the first Christmas party might be 11/6. You may miss it by a day.

Here’s hoping you catch it! We are spoiled in that we can drive down anytime. We went HW and Thanksgiving, so we got to see both.

 

[jshoemak]

I think it’s too early to tell, but I would lean towards not. It’s going to be close, the first Christmas party might be 11/6. You may miss it by a day.

Here’s hoping you catch it! We are spoiled in that we can drive down anytime. We went HW and Thanksgiving, so we got to see both.

I'm jealous!! We drive too, but for like 8 hrs.

 

[Ismo]

We booked for October 21st - November 4th, I am still torn on MNSSHP. It will just be for me and my husband, is it still fun/worth it for just adults? I'm also torn on whether we go an earlier night in our trip or go on Halloween (for the sake of dressing up on Halloween) or will it be too crazy?

 

[wilbret]

We booked for October 21st - November 4th, I am still torn on MNSSHP. It will just be for me and my husband, is it still fun/worth it for just adults? I'm also torn on whether we go an earlier night in our trip or go on Halloween (for the sake of dressing up on Halloween) or will it be too crazy?

I think it is fun, it is (was) my favorite fireworks show, for one. The stage show is great, but just having the lights turned down and Halloween turned up is so cool. The parade is fun.

They “used” to have smaller crowds, and lines for rides moved faster, but that has become decreasingly not the case. That close to HW will definitely be crowded. Even so, you can arrive at the park around 4pm and stay til almost 1am, it’s worth it, especially for a first timer. Go once and make the call for next time.

 

[Belleandtinker]

We love it!
Yes, it's worth it - less crowds, unique parade and fireworks.
Tip:
You can enter the park before 7 pm (I think 4 pm on the tickets, but we had hopper tickets so not a problem)
If you want your picture with Snow White AND the 7 Dwarfs, get in line and wait (still my favorite pictures)
Don't worry about not getting candy, they will never run out. Enjoy everything else first, then go for the candy.
Get a parade spot and enjoy.

HOT - every time we have visited in October, it has been hotter than expected .

 

[RamblingMad]

We just booked our first fall Disney trip, 10/28-11/2!! Super excited because we've only been in May, June, and July. How does the MNSSHP work? Is it worth it? What's the weather like? Any tips or suggestions are welcomed!!

It's oversold.

However, I think, you'll like the decorations for Halloween. And if you go to the party, you'll like the parade and show. But don't expect to find shorter lines for rides.