Halloween in Magic Kingdom

[happiest in Disney]

I am planning a trip to Disney for Halloween since we haven't gone that time of year yet. I have 2 questions. First, I heard something about kids being able to trick or treat at the MK is this true and if so are there time restrictions on this? Second, we'd like to do MNSSHP and was wondering if doing it on Halloween night is not such a good idea. We have done the Mvmcp and have seen what it can be like when it is very crowded. Has anyone done it on Halloween night and if so what was it like?
THanks to anyone who can respond.....
I just though of one more question...Does the headless horseman ride the night of MNSSHP?
THanks
Donna

 

[Mickeydad]

Happiest in Disney,

We did the MNSSHP about 4 years ago. We are going this year!

We did the party on Halloween night! Unfortunately, it was a very rainy night. But, my DD, at that time she was 4, dressed up and went trick-r-treating around the MK.

Some of the questions you've asked, are the same as my questions.

So, I'll wait to see what people say when they reply to your post.

Mickeydad

 

[donna in Oz]

Hi Donna . . . . here's one more Donna that's planning to be there for MNSSHP!!

We haven't done this before, either, but it seems like I recall others mentioning the headless horseman as part of the MNSSHP parade. Somewhere on one of these posts is a great photo of this.

See ya in October . . . be sure to wear your lime green ribbon!!

 

[loriandmatt]

Not sure if you need this much info, but i will put it out there and you can take what you need......

MNSSHP happens quite a few times in the month of October, not just on Halloween Night itself. Trick of Treating is part of this event a well as a main parade and sever smaller parades throughout the different lands. (they actually have the main parade twice during the party. the earlier one is a mob scene and we opted to ride during this one. We caught the later main parade and it had thinned out a bit by then. Yes, the Headless Horseman makes an appearance at both the early and late main parade.) The MNSSHP's are paid ticket events - seperate from the park admission for the day. the only way you could trick or treat in MK on halloween would be if you were doing it as part of the MNSSHP event.

They close MK early for regular parkgoers at around 5 or 6. They open again at around 6 or 7 for those having MNSSHP tickets. I am not certain how long it lasts, but i think we were there until at least 11 - i could be off on that a bit. The trick or treating is pretty much all night. You get a free family photo that will be sent to your home afterwards and there are lots of special little party type events all over the park. We had a great time and felt it was worth the money.

- lori

 

[donna in Oz]

loriandmatt . . . thanks for the info!!

If you are already in the MK on the day of the MNSSHP that you plan to attend, do you just pick up a wristband at City Hall, or do you actually have to leave the park and re-enter??

 

[Grumpy92]

Make sure you purchase your tickets far in advance as this is an extremely popular event.

 

[Mickeydad]

Donna,

What I do remember from when we went 4 years ago. They close the park, and then guests that have tickets to the MNSSHP are allowed in the park.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

We went on Halloween 2000 and thought it was well worth the price of admission; we're going back this Halloween!

We weren't in MK before we went to MNSSHP so I'm not sure if you have to leave and re-enter.

I din't think the crowds were as heavy at the party as they were during the day a couple days later.

Haunted Mansion is extra fun on Halloween and during the fireworks, the wicked witch flies out of the castle!

In 2000 our kids weren't that interested in trick or treating (we were at MK for Pete's sake!). That night they just had different characters placed at various locations around the park handing out candy. It wasn't really like trick or treating in our neighborhood and some of the lines (for candy) were a little long, but it definitely didn't ruin the evening!

 

[loriandmatt]

If you are already in the MK on the day of the MNSSHP that you plan to attend, do you just pick up a wristband at City Hall, or do you actually have to leave the park and re-enter??

this has been debated before on these boards and i am not sure what the final word was.
According to all of the documentation from WDW itself they say that all guest exit MK at the closing time for the day. Those who have tickets to the MNSSPH either also have to exit and re enter or check in somewhere at the main gate area in order to have their event ticket scanned and get their wristband.

we were at a different park on the day we went to MNSSHP, so i can't comment on what we did. (for us this was a nice day to do MGM or AK as we can be done with them by 4. We returned to FW, cleaned up a bit, had a light dinner, got into our costumes and took the boat to MK so that we would be there when the gates reopened. Again - can't stress enough how much we liked it. The fireworks were spectacular and as we generally go to WDW in the off season, it was fantastic to experience a ride on BTMR in the dark as they are shooting fireworks off over the castle. (it was a perfect moment!)

- lori

 

[happiest in Disney]

Thanks to all who replied, you have answered many of my questions...I hope to see all of you that are planning on being there this year at the MNSSHP in Oct! Do you see any adults dressed up for halloween at this event?
Donna

 

[d0peychik]

are theses the tickets that go on sale in april or may?

 

[Dizzy4Dizney]

We were there on Halloween night in 2001. The crowds weren't bad at all and it was sold out. We had our niece and nephew's 7 & 8 with us and they had a ball trick or treating. It was a wonderful night!

One quick tip. We saved a day on our passes by not going to the parks during the day, we spent it at DD & at the pool. We got to MK about 5:00, they let us in with just our MNSSHP passes and we were shuffeled to Fantasy Land while they got the rest of the park ready for the party. It was great! We road all the rides in Fantasy land 3 times before they opened the rest of the park. THe parade was fun to watch.

We're going again in 2005 with the whole extended family, 20 of us!

 

[pintrader]

one more seasoned MNSSHP guest reporting in. Have gone a few times each year (bing a Florida resident) Of the three times we went this year (2002) We went back to the turnstiles after 4 p.m. each time and showed our MNSSHP ticket. We were wristbanded.

As the park was closing those of us holding tickets that were already inside the park and wristbanded were sent along our way to Fantasyland to enjoy an hour in fantasyland to eat and visit with one another.

We NEVER legft the park and re-entered once we showed our wristband. I HAVE ti say that the xloser to Halloween you get the thicker the crowds get. Honestly I say enjoy it one of the other nights and go to some other park actual Halloween night. As someone said before you are at MK after all and lots of nights can be Halloween.

 

[NoodlesTheRabbit]

We too attended the MNSSHP on Halloween! It was sold out, but we didn't find it too crowded. With no children, we skipped the first parade and waited for the second one, which was a lot less crowded. During the early parade, there were virtually no lines at many of the popular rides. We too were able to stay in MK until the party started. We had PS at Crystal Palace for 5:35...afterwards, we stayed in Fantasyland until the official beginning of the party. It was absolutely fabulous!!!

We also saw lots of adults in costume. My then boyfriend (now fiance! we got engaged that night!!) wore a Halloween t-shirt, Sorceror Mickey hat, and pin lanyard. I wore a Halloween shirt and a Princess Minnie hat. This year though, I think we will dress up! We will be there for our honeymoon this Halloween!!!

In our opinion, this event was well-worth the money. The effects in the MK were magnificent...especially the flying witch!

 

[chi-mom]

donna in oz-

looks like we'll be there the same time--I'll have my ribbon on

 

[loriandmatt]

happiest - yes there are lots of adults in costumes as well as the kids. (my son was PeterPan and was a more conservatively dressed tinkerbelle. Tried to convince DH to be Hook or Smee, but he is a big dud when it comes to Halloween.)

They do ask that if you are going to ride, that your costumes not be too cumbersom or have parts that could fly off and hit others.

Have a Great Time.

- lori