Halloween Party - First Day & Young Kids

[Keenfamily]

We are looking for some advice on whether to get tickets for the Not-so-scary Halloween Party on November 1 (last day of the party). This will be our first trip to Disney.

We are planning a 10 day trip to Fort Wilderness, checking in on Sunday November 1, and have 7 day tickets to the park. We will have driven about 30 hours to get there, and plan a decent nights sleep at a campground or motel about 3 hours away from Disney on the night of October 31. We have four kids, who will be aged 8, 6, 4 and 2.

We think the kids (after that length of journey), will be wanting to go straight to Disney when we arrive, but as we will be staying at the Fort, there are activities there we can do when we arrive. We (the grownups), would like to see both the Halloween Party, and the Christmas party.

We are thinking of one of two plans: Relax at Fort Wilderness on November 1, then hit Magic Kingdom on November 2; or go to the Halloween Party on November 1 without a touring plan in mind then relax on November 2 at the Fort.

Our main hesitation is whether the Halloween Party will be too scary or too much for for our kids.

Looking for whatever advice you have. We are just beginning to plan now.

 

[Mikie]

I haven't done the parties, but based on my own exhaustion after a full day at the parks, I would choose to relax during a party day then attend that afternoon/evening starting at 4. So if you are just driving 3 hours that morning, I'd rest up, explore your resort and head to the party late afternoon. From everything I've heard, it's definitely not too scary for any age, I just wonder about your kids' ability to stay up and enjoy it all. If you've got night owls, you'll be all set! Definitely plan on not having to be anywhere early on the morning after a party.

 

[Buttrcp16]

The party is definitely not too scary (They call it "Not-So-Scary" for a reason! ) we went last year when my boys were 4 and 23 months, and they both had a blast. We kept the day low-key (swam at the resort) and my youngest took a nap before we headed to the park at 4. We didn't stay late (left after HalloWishes) because both the boys were pooped, but they LOVED it and we are going again this year. And I agree with Mikie, don't make any plans for the morning after. You'll all want to be able to sleep in.

 

[Mikie]

A cool benefit of a arriving the party early (4ish) is that you are able to book fastpasses betwen4-7 (no Fastpasses during party hours of 7-12). You don't use up a park ticket day, but you get 3 more shots at short lines for favorite rides. If you don't want to keep to a FP schedule, you can still book what you think you might like and change or cancel them later if you change your mind.

 

[Keenfamily]

Thanks all.

So second question. Adding 2 park days to our 7 day tickets will cost us $110 for the whole family. Adding the Halloween and Christmas parties will be $700. Are the parties worth the extra $590?

 

[ariane37]

You'll get tons of yes's and no's as far as whether the $$ is worth is and you really have to decide that yourself. I personally think it's worth it as MNSSHP is my absolute most favorite thing that Disney does We've been 4x and both my DS's love it, too. The first time we went the boys were 2 and 5 so obviously younger DS didn't get much out of it, but he did enjoy some of the characters and the part of the parade he was awake for lol. The next time we went they were 5 & 8 and younger DS definitely enjoyed more, so really I think your youngest is the only one who will only get, well, what a 2 year old gets out of anything!

Those first 2 parties younger DS was asleep in the stroller before we left but older DS made it *almost* to midnight at 5 & to midnight at 8. I don't think its a waste if the younger kids fall asleep for part of it; the older kids will still have fun and the adults can, too! Agree on keeping it a "down" day during the day of the party. Also going to MK at 4:00 (we always do) when they start letting the partygoers in so you can do a few things before the party festivities start. That way you can also be positioned wherever you want (like at a certain character M&G) before the official party-start time.

If there's a good chance you'll be down again really soon for the Halloween party, maybe skip it? I cringe even telling someone that lol. It's just fabulous. If I were going to only do one I'd pick MNSSHP over MVMCP, but I've never been able to do both in one trip and I think that'd be pretty awesome, too.

 

[CarolynFH]

You don't have to add any days to your park tickets. The party tickets allow you to enter MK as early as 4 PM that day even though the party doesn't start until 7. You can schedule 3 FP+ between 4-7 as a bonus!

DH and I went to the MNSSHP last year and loved it. I think kids of any age will enjoy it. The hard part was choosing whether to meet characters who aren't usually around or riding popular attractions with short waits.

 

[HatboxHaint]

It will not be too scary unless your kids are very sensitive. My 3-yr old loved all of it. He even posed willingly with the Hag from snow white. I would do it if you can't swing it later in the trip. It's a do not miss, especially the parade and trick-or-treating for kids.

 

[Keenfamily]

Thanks, so one last (and related) question - are the evening parades on regular nights in November the same parades as the MVMCP?

 

[ariane37]

They do start doing the Christmas (MVMCP) parade outside of the party at some point, but I *think* it's not until the parties end in Dec?? So just like the last few days before Xmas? I most certainly could be wrong but I am fairly certain they don't do the MVMCP parade as early as you're going except at the party

 

[Jersey Brian]

How crowded is the Nov 1st party compared to the 10/31?????

 

[Kcags]

I would say do it since its your first trip. But honestly, I would want to get the most out of my money so I would go on the second day. Everyone will be refreshed. Just my opinion. There's lots to do at Fort Wilderness.

 

[Keenfamily]

While we are carefully looking at our budget, I suspect that we will eventually get tickets to both events....and also get the extra days in the park.

 

[JennyDrake]

I will echo that I would just rest the first night you arrive. Only you can decide whether it is worth it, but if you are coming back in 2-3 years, I don't think you hurt anything by waiting a few years to go to the parties.

Just MY opinion, I find the Halloween party to be more worth the $$$ than the Christmas party.

On party days I would consider not getting a park ticket and instead sleep late then go play miniature golf or spend some time at DTD.

 

[HatboxHaint]

If you don't mind throwing the cash around....go to both parties!!! Take it easy at the first one, it won't take a lot out of you to sit in the hub for parades and fireworks. Then at the second party you can go commando on the candy, rides and characters.