Halloween crowd levels

[ccgegg]

Thinking about surprising the family with our first MNSSHP trip-- Oct 30 thru Nov 4. (never surprised them with a Disney trip before!) I've researched crowd threads from last year and most people said crowds were minimal during the week and picked up on the Sat & Sun after Halloween. For those who have been there at this time, would you recommend AK or MGM on the weekend since EP still has Food&Wine and MK is generally more crowded on weekends? What does UOG predict for Oct 30-Nov 4 (crowd levels and park recommendations)?

 

[Gerweniel]

Hi.
We were at WDW 10/27 - 11/5 last year and went to MNSSHP on Halloween night. The parks did not seem too crowded, definately managable. The only real craziness for us occurred during the MNSSHP for trick or treating - the lines were long. The attraction rides were short!!!! It was great! (Splash Mountain at night during the Fireworks - not to be missed!)

We stayed at POR and found the resort and busses to be full.There were many European tourists vacationing during our stay as there is an extended school break for some of them. Nothing was so crowded that it upset us and for the most part it was great!

We went to Epcot and the MK that Sat after Halloween (11/4) and it was pretty crowded, reasonable if you use fast passes. (We had gone to the F&W fest earlier in the week- our first time-what a blast and worth the higher crowds).

When we went to AK the 11/1 - it was an EMH night and we were able to ride EE 3 times in a row with no wait. It was great.

The weather was awesome, warm, sunny most days. We were able to see the Halloween decorations and then some of the Christmas decorations appeared magically on 11/1. It was a great trip. You should have a magical time!

 

[iradi8]

No, terrible, terrible time of year to go -- stay away!!! LOL. Just kidding -- we have gone for the last two Halloweens and the crowds are okay.

 

[Marion]

Do you think tickets for the MNSSHP would be worthwhile for 2 'older' folks with no children (Oct 5 or 6)? The thought of all those extra hours in the park is appealing (4pm til midnight yes?) but not if the ride lines are extremely long. I think it could be fun just to see all the decorations and the kiddies dressed up, but would be great to visit rides and other things with lower crowds (if they ARE lower). Any input from the experts is greatly appreciated!

 

[MomofKatie]

Do you think tickets for the MNSSHP would be worthwhile for 2 'older' folks with no children (Oct 5 or 6)? The thought of all those extra hours in the park is appealing (4pm til midnight yes?) but not if the ride lines are extremely long. I think it could be fun just to see all the decorations and the kiddies dressed up, but would be great to visit rides and other things with lower crowds (if they ARE lower). Any input from the experts is greatly appreciated!

Go for it!! The special Halloween parade and fireworks are awesome!! The attraction lines are nonexistent (except for the Fantasyland rides early- they empty out, too, after 10 pm or so), especially for the parties earlier in the month. The biggest crowds are for the Trick or Treating, character meet&greets, and the special activities (dance parties, parade, etc).

If you want to just ride, ride, ride, you should be able to do that to your heart's content. although, be aware that not EVERY ride is open (but most are- especially the more popular ones). I seem to remember the Jungle cruise, Hall of Presidents, and Tom Sawyer Island being closed- I think just about everything else was open. We did Splash and BTMRR at 9 pm with no wait whatsoever. Haunted Mansion was also no wait. Even the Indy cars, usually a slooow moving queue, was less than a 10 minute wait. We had a blast in 2005- we are going again this fall.