Halloween or not to Halloween?

[stromboliinc]

We are planning a trip to WDW and stay at home resort BLT. We want to take the kids for Halloween 2010. I've heard different things about the crowds. We are coming from NY so the Northern Schools will not be off. What are the crowds like? Are we talking Easter, Christmas busy? Would it be better to book just before Halloween or is it nicer to be there on Halloween. My kids are 9,6,2. Any help would be appreciated

Newbie members of BLT 2008

 

[thelionqueen]

Not counting 2009, we have attending MNSSHP for 8 years straight so I can give you my opinion.

I will tell you that I called yesterday for a 1BR MK view for the last 2 weeks of October and only 1 day out of the 10-12 days I was looking for was available (I am a BLT owner also ). there were lake and standard views available, but no MK views (at least for 1BR accommodations anyway).

That said...YES...HALLOWEEN!!!
The crowds are very low, the weather is *usually PERFECT and it is one of the best times to visit IMHO. MNSSHP is amazing and shouldn't be missed!! I will say that a few times, the heat was absolutely unbearable which made going to the parks not possible. But that was maybe a total of 10 days or so out of 8 10+ day trips, so not the usual from what I hear.

Depending on which part of October you go, you could run into the dreaded "love bugs" (if you don't know what they are, there are several threads about them-they are not pleasant!). But we have managed to go and avoid them for the most part.

In my opinion, Halloween & October is a prime time to visit. But if you're looking at staying @ BLT, you should be booking as soon as possible.

 

[JackandSally79]

We went a few days before Halloween in '09 and it was great! We were on DCL for Halloween...so i'm not sure how the parks were that day. We did MNSSHP 10/27/09 with my little brother(7) and he loved it. We stayed at BLT(MKV)
I say go for it

 

[Redwolf8812]

I know there's plenty of trick-or-treating Halloween night at Fort Wilderness. Does that go on in the hotels also?

 

[omalley1118]

We are going this year for the first time.l We own at BLT and are staying there also for the first time. We got a Lake view studio from 10/30-11/7 and then are taking our first cruise the 7th through 11th. Here in NJ, the kids have a lot of days off that first week of Nov for teachers conferences. My kids are moving from a private school to our township schools in the Fall, and we will be taking advantage of this time.

I do not think that we will pay extra for the party though. We debated this at Christmas last year and ended up not going.

 

[rigsby25]

We have been going 3rd week in October and really love it. Very nice weather. Crowds are lower. MNSSHP is not to be missed.

 

[fijidoc]

we have gone twice in october. Never directly over halloween though.

Both were the 2nd/3rd week of october.

The crowds were very low overall. Never had to wait over 20 minutes for a ride and if used fast pass effectively almost never had to wait.

We also love MNSSHP. Did it both times and kids had a great time.

Went this year week before Christmas and it was a nightmare with regards to the crowd. Great experience and loved decorations. But with regards to the crowd in October it is nothing compared to December.

Overall I believe that October is on the low end with regards to volume in the parks.

 

[DenLo]

Never seen anything about trick or treating at the resorts only at MK. Here's a link to MNSSHP at MK:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/pa...-events/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/

Many Disboard posters have recommended attending this party at least once. Per the Unofficial Guide to WDW they report that the crowds on Halloween for MNSSHP are heavy but two weeks before the crowds are light. This book also state that MNSSHP is one of the celebrations that makes your visit to WDW special. But is not a good choice if your primary agenda is to experience the attractions during the party.

 

[thelionqueen]

I do not think that we will pay extra for the party though. We debated this at Christmas last year and ended up not going.

I would like to say that MNSSHP is probably my favorite things of "all things Disney." The ticket prices seem to go up and up, and I agree, they are pretty high. But I would not miss it for anything! Even if the tickets were twice as much I would still go.

The crowds are very light (as long as you don't go on Halloween night-even then they were not horrible), you get to trick or treat all over the MK, wear your costumes and see the Headless Horseman to name just a few.

If there is any way you can fit it into your budget, it is a must in my humble opinion

 

[ToddyLu]

DH and I did MNSSHP last year on 10/29 and 10/31. He and I both agreed that 10/29 was by far the more crowded to us. That was a Thursday night. It may have been that it was the hottest night on our trip, but people were every where...not so bad on Halloween Night even though it was sold out. If you have never been it really is worth the ticket. The headless Horseman rocks!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

On Halloween there's been trick or treating and parties for free at the Boardwalk and at DTD. We went with our DGC 3 years ago and everyone had a great time. At DTD there was even trick or treating on the 30th..so 2 nights there, but on Halloween there was more entertainment there.

We thought our DGC were too young to go to the MNSSHP....we thought it wouldn't be worth the money, but we had lots of fun at the resorts and at these parties. They got plenty of loot!

Bobbi

 

[stromboliinc]

I would like to thank all of you for the input. We've booked our trip. 10/28-11/02. BLT 2BR.....Yea.....three days after my birthday and 9 before my son's....The kids are psyched and are already trying to decide what to dress up as.....Now just to book the flights......Hope Southwest will be good to us like last time ($79 flights)

 

[thelionqueen]

I would like to thank all of you for the input. We've booked our trip. 10/28-11/02. BLT 2BR.....Yea.....three days after my birthday and 9 before my son's....The kids are psyched and are already trying to decide what to dress up as.....Now just to book the flights......Hope Southwest will be good to us like last time ($79 flights)

Congratulations!!! It really is an excellent time to go! Make sure you are signed up for Southwest's "Ding" program, we've been extremely lucky to get super low fares!

Also, you will want to buy your MNSSHP tickets when they go on sale, they do sell out especially towards the end of October. Dressing up is SUCH a blast, hope you have a great time!!!