Halloween 2015 trip - help me plan, please!

[MrsSkellington]

I'm planning a 4 day trip around Halloween for myself, DH, and soon-to-be 2 year old son. We'll be staying on site (still trying to pick where), using the DDP (just easier for us), and want to do MNSSHP. I know I want to do 2 days at MK, 1 at Epcot, and 1 at AK.

What days should we plan on, providing that Halloween is at MK for the party? I know it will likely be busy, but Halloween is our anniversary, and I think it would be so much fun for us and our son.

I know weekends can be busier, especially with Food & Wine at Epcot, so how is this?

Wednesday, 10/28 - MK
Thursday, 10/29 - Epcot
Friday, 10/30 - AK
Saturday, 10/31 - MK

Any other tips/hints? I'll take whatever you have!

 

[dkrauss]

Just remember to order your MNSSHP tickets as soon as you can............the Oct 31 date sells out first of all the dates. In looking back at historical crowd information there's nothing in there that says the park will be mobbed, however for the party.........it may be different. I'd expect a full house. We did last years MNSSHP in mid-Sept and it was busy but doable.............still waited 2hrs to meet the "dwarves"

Wishing you a great vacation and Happy Anniversary!

Doug

 

[jeneric997]

Your trip is going to be great! I second the advice about buying tickets early for MNSSHP. I think heading to Epcot on Thursday instead of the weekend in a good idea. I might switch your AK day and second MK day. With a little one, AK can be a half day park and then you could go back and rest before the party.

If it's in your budget I would stay at Contemporary. You can walk to MK- no waiting for transportation!

 

[SallySkelington]

I would definitely buy the MNSSHP early. There were some dates that sold out pretty quickly from what I remember.

I'm not super thrifty with planning WDW vacations yet. I've only been twice but I know what helped me was taking a break and retiring to the resorts in the after noon before hitting the parks again in the evening. Not sure if that's the kind of tip that you're looking for though.

And enjoy the planning too, thats half the fun!!!

 

[ammag]

Hi! I am thinking of doing a Halloween trip too, arriving in the evening of the 30th the. Starting the trip in the afternoon of the 31st at the party. Late start since we will be in late. Just forming this plan though does anyone know when the halloween party tickets go on sale? Are the refundable if you have to cancel well before the date?

I can't speak for the actual party but we were there during the party once, we slowly meandered out and bought the lighting, music etc was amazing! We decided we had to go back for the party someday.

 

[siskaren]

What days should we plan on, providing that Halloween is at MK for the party?

I would wait until easyWDW posts their October calendar to see what they recommend.

Just remember to order your MNSSHP tickets as soon as you can............the Oct 31 date sells out first of all the dates.

I would definitely buy the MNSSHP early. There were some dates that sold out pretty quickly from what I remember.

Halloween does always sell out, but not that fast. I think it sold out in August last year, but in past years, I don't think it's sold out until early October.

 

[siskaren]

Hi! I am thinking of doing a Halloween trip too, arriving in the evening of the 30th the. Starting the trip in the afternoon of the 31st at the party. Late start since we will be in late. Just forming this plan though does anyone know when the halloween party tickets go on sale? Are the refundable if you have to cancel well before the date?

Tickets go on sale in early May and I'm pretty sure they're non-refundable.

 

[MrsSkellington]

If it's in your budget I would stay at Contemporary. You can walk to MK- no waiting for transportation!

I really want to stay there! It's always been a dream of mine, so this would be a great opportunity.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

As people have already said buy your tickets for the party as early as possible. Also, since the party is a ticketed event, if you have a park ticket that day you don't have to be locked into MK. You could go elsewhere for the first part of the day if you wanted to.

I would suggest moving Epcot off the weekend because that's when the locals really come out for F&W.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[ammag]

I called for info today and the Halloween tickets are definitely non refundable, the CM said they will go on sale the end of April or beginning of May. I am looking at the cost of the party and starting to get nervous, this might be out of our budget. Bet I'd hate to be there at Halloween season again and not go to the party. I also realized the week after (am looking at oct 30- nov 7) is jersey week and that's a blackout week for any discounts. Sigh.

 

[SamRoc]

Halloween is our favorite time at Disney and I love the fact your anniversary is on Halloween! We were at the party 2014 and it was crowded! I would just suggest that after Hallowishes you aren't anywhere near the front of the castle. Especially with your 2 year old. It took us so long to get over the bridge after the fireworks and we could barely move it was so crowded. My friend went on the 30th which was also sold out and she said it was very crowded too. Halloween is a fantastic time to be at the party, I would just watch the fireworks then stay put for awhile until the crowds leave. Or watch it from the bridge going into Tomorrowland then as soon as its over move right out of there towards buzz lightyear and monsters inc.

 

[Carrie Gruber]

I'm trying to decide what my group should do the day of the Halloween Party. We are going Oct. 16-26 and the group consists of me, my father (66), DH, DD (8), DS (6) and DS (1). I've read about other groups doing water parks, DTD, staying at their hotel, doing half a day at another park, some like to be in MK all day...what are your suggestions? What has worked best for you? Anything I should definitely avoid?

 

[BethanyLynnFit]

I'm trying to decide what my group should do the day of the Halloween Party. We are going Oct. 16-26 and the group consists of me, my father (66), DH, DD (8), DS (6) and DS (1). I've read about other groups doing water parks, DTD, staying at their hotel, doing half a day at another park, some like to be in MK all day...what are your suggestions? What has worked best for you? Anything I should definitely avoid?

We are going Oct 17-22 and planning on doing the party on Tuesday, the 20th (provided one is scheduled of course). We plan on doing DTD the day of the party as of right now, but of course things could change. I'm fairly certain that with a party ticket, you can get into MK at 4pm, but the actual party doesn't start til 7. That buys you a few extra hours in MK on party day. We've never gone to the party before so I'm interested in hearing everyone's input as well!

 

[SamRoc]

The party does start at 7 but when you go in at 4 and show them your ticket you get your wrist band and go right into the park. There are alot of people leaving at this time as the cm's are making sure everyone who didnt buy a ticket leaves at 4. We try to do all of our favorite rides between 4 and 7 so we can enjoy the boo to you parade (our favorite) and Hallowishes.

 

[siskaren]

There are a lot of people leaving at this time as the cm's are making sure everyone who didn't buy a ticket leaves at 4.

Not true. People who don't have a ticket for the party can stay until the park closes at 7:00.

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

Definitely buy your tickets for the Halloween night party as soon as you are able to financially. The date that it sells out changes some but I would say there is a 99% chance that it sells out. With Halloween falling on a Saturday, I think that you're going to have a full house with you that night for sure.

Be sure to check out the offerings of the party (Special character meet & greets, etc) and try to plan accordingly to avoid long waits. A good tip is to watch the second parade and try to meet characters/ride rides/trick or treat during the first one. Tons of people take over the hub for quite some time before the first parade thus freeing up the other activities.

 

[SamRoc]

Not true. People who don't have a ticket for the party can stay until the park closes at 7:00.

oops im so sorry to post the wrong info! If you are in the park that day you can stay til 7pm. We usually go in at 4 with our mnsshp tix. thanks for correcting me!

 

[MrsSkellington]

I am really looking forward to this! We did the Pirates and Princess Party years ago and it was great watching the full boats of people leaving as we were heading in. We might have smiled and waved as they went by.

 

[ammag]

If you go are you going to dress in costume?

 

[MrsSkellington]

If you go are you going to dress in costume?

I think we'd at least do hats and shirts, and maybe just dress our son up a bit. My husband said he'd wear his pirate hat.