Halloween at Disney

[My5Mouseketeers]

We are driving to Disney 10/30 arriving some time on the 31st (Halloween). I was planning to do the MNSSHP on 11/1, but now I am starting to stress over the cost.

I really feel the need to let my 2 youngest kids celebrate Halloween. I know it's Disney and they should (and will) be happy, but I don't want them to miss out on the excitement of picking costumes/telling their friends what they are going to be etc.

What are some inexpensive options? Right now I'm thinking of taking them trick-or-treating at Downtown Disney. Has anyone done that?

 

[Avonlady1001]

I was going to say that from everything I've heard MNSSHP is totally worth the cost...but I can say that b/c I only have 2 adults 1 child & I noticed you have 5 little ones. I doubt I'd shell out that for the party either. This is our first party we're going to & it was hard enough paying what I did.

If they've never been to MNSSHP & don't know it exists, I'm sure trick-or-treating at DTD will be so much fun! I didn't know they did that. We generally just trick-or-treat in our town at the businesses & my DD loves it.

No matter what you end up doing, they're in Disney...if they don't get to trick or treat, I'm sure they'll be fine. With all the fun they'll be having & all the fall decorations, they'll have a blast no matter what.

 

[My5Mouseketeers]

We actually did MNSSHP a few years ago and loved it. I recommend it to everyone. We were going to (and still may) do it again this time. It's just when I saw that 11/1 is a "premium" date and it will cost me over $400 for the night that I started thinking maybe I could find an alternative.

 

[Goofy&Sleepy]

You didn't say hold old the kids were but, having done the party, 2x,here's my take.....you can get in at 4pm w/o buying a park tix (+there?) but the trick or treating doesn't start til 7. We have went w/DD2& DD5 then again last year DD3&DD6. The first year they were really worn out by 10 but that is when you get just walk on the rides so we stayed longer than we probably should have & it was MISERABLE getting back to the room on the bus @midnight. When we went the next year, 2 other family members w/o kids went, & they still refer to it as the $50 Halloween candy night.

Personally, we enjoy it IF we can get good naps in & stay late--I wouldn't do it if the kids were so young that they couldn't stay up til at least 11. Also, I wouldn't buy the tix more than the day before as the price is the same & if it were raining, we'd be miserable. Under the premium circumstances, you'd probably have to buy the tix earlier to get in & I don't think it would be worth the price esp. IF THE KIDS did not already know about it and expect to go.
Hope it helps to think thru all the scenarios.....

 

[buckler]

Guests at any Disney resort are allowed to attend the free Halloween party at the Boardwalk hotel. We went last year and had a great time. They had a DJ, dancing, crafts, cookies, a character greeting (with Donald or Mickey...they switched out) and trick or treating along the boardwalk with plenty of candy for the kids. We're going again this year My kids said it was better than trick or treating at home.

If you aren't staying on property you can go to Downtown Disney for trick or treating.

 

[My5Mouseketeers]

Guests at any Disney resort are allowed to attend the free Halloween party at the Boardwalk hotel. We went last year and had a great time. They had a DJ, dancing, crafts, cookies, a character greeting (with Donald or Mickey...they switched out) and trick or treating along the boardwalk with plenty of candy for the kids. We're going again this year My kids said it was better than trick or treating at home.

If you aren't staying on property you can go to Downtown Disney for trick or treating.

We are staying at the Animal Kingdom Villas. How did you find out about the Boardwalk Party? Are you sure they will be doing it again this year? I just really want my 2 youngest (9 and 7) to get to dress-up and celebrate Halloween. The older kids (12,12, 14) don't really care anymore (except for the candy). I know I only have a few more years of the "what are you going to be for Halloween excitement".

 

[buckler]

We are staying at the Animal Kingdom Villas. How did you find out about the Boardwalk Party? Are you sure they will be doing it again this year? I just really want my 2 youngest (9 and 7) to get to dress-up and celebrate Halloween. The older kids (12,12, 14) don't really care anymore (except for the candy). I know I only have a few more years of the "what are you going to be for Halloween excitement".

I have not confirmed that they are doing it again this year. I just assumed so it is possible if they had budget cuts that they won't do it. You'd have to call Boardwalk directly to be sure.

 

[KELLY]

I had the same issue. But we only have 3 kids one is still a infant. But we are going 2 nights so that was around 500.00. The 31st was 50.00 more than the 27th. I asked around about free activities but for my kids it seemed like MNSSHP was the answer. Not really the answer I wanted to hear. I really didin't want to sepnd the money to go twice. But I did I'm gald I did. MNSSHP is worht the money IMO. We loved it last year.

 

[buckler]

I have not confirmed that they are doing it again this year. I just assumed so it is possible if they had budget cuts that they won't do it. You'd have to call Boardwalk directly to be sure.

Update: I just got off the phone with the Boardwalk hotel. I confirmed with the CM that they will be having the party again this year and it is open to all Disney resort guests, not just Boardwalk guests. The CM I spoke with was able to pull it up in the computer when he checked.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Here's a link to info. on the various Halloween Happenings at WDW. In 2008 there were Haunted Carriage rides at FW, a Haunted Pirate Cruise at the Poly, CM pumpkin carving contests & displays at various resorts and Trick or Treating in DtD. I can't find anything definite for 2009 yet.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We did the DTD TorT in 2001. We had fun and it was free.

I didn't know about the Boardwalk. I will have to tell the DH about that.

 

[jwfla422]

Guests at any Disney resort are allowed to attend the free Halloween party at the Boardwalk hotel. We went last year and had a great time. They had a DJ, dancing, crafts, cookies, a character greeting (with Donald or Mickey...they switched out) and trick or treating along the boardwalk with plenty of candy for the kids. We're going again this year My kids said it was better than trick or treating at home.

If you aren't staying on property you can go to Downtown Disney for trick or treating.

Shhhhhh...this is our little secret...LOL!! Actually we have been to WDW twice over Halloween and the first time was a last minute unplanned trip after a hurricane hit our area. We stumbled upon the BW Halloween party then and had a blast! So much so, that we said the next time Halloween falls on the weekend we're going back!

SO we did last year and plan to go back again this year! And, the ironic thing is we never have been to MNSSHP. Believe it or not, my dd has never wanted to go to it. And, honestly we love the BW party! And, for free you can't beat it. So if you don't want to spend the extra $$$ you and your family can still have a blast at the BW (but don't tell too many people...)

Last year we stayed at SSR. The night before Halloween they were giving out candy in DTD and I believe they had some happenings on Halloween night there too. At SSR they had some activities and trick or treating stations. Then we went onto the BW party. I'm really looking forward to it again this year! The photo below with Mickey was taken last year at the party.

 

[jwfla422]

Update: I just got off the phone with the Boardwalk hotel. I confirmed with the CM that they will be having the party again this year and it is open to all Disney resort guests, not just Boardwalk guests. The CM I spoke with was able to pull it up in the computer when he checked.

YES, I had asked a few of the ladies at the Screen Door shop on the BW when we were there a few weeks ago if they were having it and they said yes, they sure are.

When we had checked into SSR last year they actually had to call over to the BW to find out if they were having it and the times as they were not familiar with it there. It's not too highly publicized.

 

[buckler]

Shhhhhh...this is our little secret...LOL!!

I know....after I posted it I wondered if I'd made a mistake posting about our "secret party" . But I wouldn't have known about it if someone hadn't posted it on the boards last year so I guess it isn't too much of a secret! Since I know what you look like don't be surprised if someone comes up to at the party and says hello to you I'll be the mom with 2 princesses. I'm sure you'll be able to tell which mom I am.

 

[lindsey]

We were at Disney last year at ASMu and one of the CM's told us about the Boardwalk Party. But we had already planned to go to FW, dinner at Trails End and walked aroud campground. Several sites were decorated and giving out candy. Then we took the bus to Downtown and people were having fun there also. Another tip, we went to MK on 10/31 and no crowds until about 4:30pm.

 

[SandrA9810]

Fort Wilderness has lots of Halloween fun. You can even take the kids trick or treating through the campsite. You can pick up a list at the Meadow Trading post of the campsites that are handing out candy. And nearly every one decorates. The 300 loop just does it to the hilt. I mean, those guys plan it a year in advance practically. Or for that one or two campers that get stuck in the 300 loop with no decorations just look so out of place.
This is something we do every year and love it. There is the haunted carriage ride too, that's 60$. But it's really cool.

I absolutely love the Halloween parties and I'm addicted to them. Every sept I get out my CD of the parade music.... But before we went to our first party we had no idea what we were missing out on, so it was easier to just say no and skip it, rather than forking over the money for it. You'll still have lots of fun no matter what you do... and you'll still have your teeth sticking together with candy. Once you start going to the parties, you'll never want to miss out on it again.

 

[jwfla422]

I know....after I posted it I wondered if I'd made a mistake posting about our "secret party" . But I wouldn't have known about it if someone hadn't posted it on the boards last year so I guess it isn't too much of a secret! Since I know what you look like don't be surprised if someone comes up to at the party and says hello to you I'll be the mom with 2 princesses. I'm sure you'll be able to tell which mom I am.

LOL, it was probably me who was asking if they were going to have it last year!! I remember posting and no one answered for a while and then finally someone did!

I'll look for you and your princesses. I'll be the mom with the ponytail dd... I told her she has to start thinking what she wants to be this year.

Luckily she still fit into the Minnie dress she wore last year after purchasing it the year before and she didn't even go out for Halloween that year (thus she didn't wear her Minnie dress then!) I'll tell you though, that polyester Minnie dress was great for doing the hoola hoop!! But, I definitely know it won't be fitting her this year! I know she'll want to find something else that works well with a hoola hoop!

 

[buckler]

LOL, it was probably me who was asking if they were going to have it last year!! I remember posting and no one answered for a while and then finally someone did!

I'll look for you and your princesses. I'll be the mom with the ponytail dd... I told her she has to start thinking what she wants to be this year.

Luckily she still fit into the Minnie dress she wore last year after purchasing it the year before and she didn't even go out for Halloween that year (thus she didn't wear her Minnie dress then!) I'll tell you though, that polyester Minnie dress was great for doing the hoola hoop!! But, I definitely know it won't be fitting her this year! I know she'll want to find something else that works well with a hoola hoop!

My girls were also out there doing the hoola hoop last year. I looked at my photos and didn't see your Minnie in them. I pretty much focused in on my princesses so I didn't have too many extra kids in the shots.

 

[My5Mouseketeers]

Thank you for all the information! You are making me feel so much better about skipping MNSSHP this year.