Halloween party advice

[starshine514]

So, we're going to be in San Diego from Sept 28 -Oct 5. I just realized that it would be possible to attend the Sept 30 Halloween party! I've never really researched the party and I'm finding the superthread super daunting. I need some opinions on whether it's feasible for us.

Here's our group: me, DD9, DD7, DD 6 months, and my dad (superman). We haven't been to Disneyland with the baby yet...We've driven from the Welk (in Escondido) to Disneyland for a day once before. We wouldn't want to do it for a multi-day trip, but it works for a single day.

• For the Sept 30 party, what time could we enter? 3:00? 4:00? I'm having trouble finding the hours, but I know I read we could enter early. For some reason, I thought I read that the park closes at 11:00 that night...
  
• How bad will crowds be? Since this will be out only Disneyland experience for 2014, we'll want to do rides. The girls will want to meet characters (Pooh especially), treat trails won't be important to us. Luckily, my dad will ride everything except the teacups.
  
• Are food lines long? We like Disneyland food, but if we're going to be spending forever in lines for it, I'd bring stuff instead so we could just keep going.
  
• Do they have rider swap during the Halloween party?
  
• How about the fireworks? I know sometimes people spend forever staking out spots. I'd like to see the Halloween fireworks if we go, but I don't want to spend hours staking out a spot...Are there "ok" spots that we could get to 15 minutes before fireworks and still have a decent view?
  
• Also regarding the fireworks - how much of the park closes down for them and how early?

I don't think I'm super-crazy to think of going, do you? I don't mind sitting out with the baby most of the time (and she'll be able to ride most things, right?). The only HR ride that I "need" to ride is BTMRR.

Any answers you have to these questions would be great! We decided to go - just bought our tickets!

 

[figment_jii]

For the Sept 30 party, what time could we enter? 3:00? 4:00? I'm having trouble finding the hours, but I know I read we could enter early. For some reason, I thought I read that the park closes at 11:00 that night...

The MHP ticket will allow you to enter DL at 3:00 pm. The party runs from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm on weekdays, so party goers can use their MHP from three hours before the start of the party.

How bad will crowds be? Since this will be out only Disneyland experience for 2014, we'll want to do rides. The girls will want to meet characters (Pooh especially), treat trails won't be important to us. Luckily, my dad will ride everything except the teacups.

I expect that there will be crowds, but it's not going to be 4th of July/Christmas week level crowds. I don't think you'll be able to do everything in the limited time you have (eight hours = 3 hours before the party, plus the five hours of the party). I do think you'll get a lot done, but less so if you opt to watch the Calvacade and fireworks. Also note that not all rides are open during MHP. You can see the listing of rides that were not open during MHP in 2013 in the MHP FAQ on the HalloweenTime SuperThread.

Are food lines long? We like Disneyland food, but if we're going to be spending forever in lines for it, I'd bring stuff instead so we could just keep going.

They weren't to bad by the end of the evening, but during the overlap period (3:00 pm to 6:00 pm), when MHP guests and day guests are both in the park, the lines looked pretty long. I usually try to have a TS meal during the overlap period and I know that some places (like Cafe Orleans) were turning walk-ups away.

Do they have rider swap during the Halloween party?

I don't know, but I would guess they do. Note that in the past, they have not offer FPs during MHP.

How about the fireworks? I know sometimes people spend forever staking out spots. I'd like to see the Halloween fireworks if we go, but I don't want to spend hours staking out a spot...Are there "ok" spots that we could get to 15 minutes before fireworks and still have a decent view?

Halloween Screams is one of my favorite fireworks show in all of Disney (well, WDW and DLR). Its my favorite show at DL for certain. I think you need to get there about 45 minutes in advance to get a good(ish) spot and 30 minutes to get an okay spot. If you wait until 15 minutes before the show starts, you'll either be far back or off to the side. I would not cut it that close. If you do go, be sure to pick a spot where you can see the left side the castle (Frontierland side) when facing the castle. That's where the globe appears.

Also regarding the fireworks - how much of the park closes down for them and how early?

I know it affects Fantasyland and Toowntown, but I don't recall when they close down.

Lastly, I'd hop on over to the HalloweenTime SuperThread and say "hello!".
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3270919&page=110

 

[vladimir p]

if the park closes at 11pm you can get in at 3pm, and the party will start at 6pm
during the party the rides lines are very very short, there are no fast passes, but you don't need them, on the other hand, the character lines are massive. trick or treat trails are always fun and they have almost no line.
i don't know about fireworks, but for the cavalcade (halloween parade) you can get a spot even when is has already started.

 

[starshine514]

Thanks for all the answers! If the treat lines are short, I'll let the girls go through a few of them. I just don't want us to spend valuable Disneyland time trick-or-treating.

I'll hop over to the main thread for any additional questions I have.

 

[Sherry E]

I am so glad you decided to join in and say hello on the "super daunting" Superthread (although all of your questions were already answered here), but I will say that I suspect that threads are mainly daunting when people feel they are supposed to be reading the whole thread (which is not the case with my threads -- in fact, I have a paragraph heading in the first post on page 1 of that thread that says "You Don't Have to Read the Whole Thread").

It's never a bad idea to just jump into any popular, active thread on a specific topic and post questions if that is where the bulk of the conversations on that topic are actually happening! Also, those threads are where people may discuss a lot of details and things that don't necessarily get out to the main forum right away. If the threads are active and popular, it's probably for a good reason -- meaning good information, good discussions, photos, questions being answered, etc.!