Halloween Party, what do you think?

[lenshanem]

I just saw on my daughter's school calender they have a teacher workday on Friday, October 15th. I've always wanted to go to the Halloween party thing at the MK. We will have APs so we could drive down after she gets out of school that Thursday (We are in Atlanta.) and get in late. We'd then have Friday and Saturday, coming back home Sunday maybe after a character breakfast or something.

If we go two of those nights would be the higher points. We would have to borrow if we add this trip in. Do you think it is worth all those points plus borrowing for such a quick trip? Or would you just wait and try to get a room with the AP discount? If we go great, if we don't no big deal as this is something that just popped in my head.

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[laughinplace199]

We had a great time at MNSSHP back in 2002. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

I think I remember you posting on another thread that your DD has a peanut allergy. If that's correct and you do go to the Halloween party, bring some safe candy for her. They have trick-or-treating in the park. When we were there they were giving out Reese's and other candy that either had nuts or traces of nuts in it. I ordered Halloween candy from Vermont Nut Free and brought it with us so our DD wouldn't feel left out.

 

[Margie J]

I went for the first time this past October. It was so much fun, even for adults. Everyone could dress in costume, trick or treat and enjoy the special parades and shows. The park is all spooky and they had a special fireworks show too.

Each guest or group has a photo taken also. It's part of the package.

For candy they handed out both peanut and nut free items. In fact, I think I got more nut free items than anything else (tootsie rolls, 3 Musketeers, gummy candies, milk chocolate, etc.).

It's well worth going IMO.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks laughinplace199 for the tip about the candy!

I called MS and was told they still had studios available for that time. I just don't know if I want to use that many points since it is weekend points for such a short trip or just wait and try to get a room using our AP. I think any discount codes for that time of year would be out in August?

(On a side note, we used to buy Vermont Nut Free by the truckloads! LOL Very good chocolate, but it always came to us melted! We're in Atlanta. But, we've been eating Hershey's safely for about a year? They are very good about their labeling. Have you let your daughter try the plain kisses yet? I was able to get a lot of chocolate for Easter with them. Course, you have to be really careful since many of their products will say may contain...)

 

[floridafam]

I'd do it!

I would book a room and wait for codes. Don't waste the weekend points.

The party if fun. We really didn't do the trick or treating. We enjoyed being in the park when it wasn't very crowded and we love MK at night.

The parade is nice and the cost is pretty reasonable for the time you get to spend in the park.

Go for it!

 

[lenshanem]

Do any of you happen to know when they release the party dates? That would really determine if it would work for us! LOL

They would need to have it on either that Friday the 15th or Saturday the 16th.

Any thoughts?

I guess I'll run this by hubby and maybe just book a room and wait for AP rates to adjust it like floridafam suggested.

Thanks!

Should I feel silly about this? We have so many trips planned already on this AP - June, July, February then April.... People will think I'm even more insane than they already do!

 

[laughinplace199]

lenshanem, yes, we do let her eat Hershey's milk chocolate also. We live in Boston, so the candy from VT always gets here in good condition. We usually order from them for holidays and then give her Hershey's during non-holiday times.

Back to your original question, if it were me, I'd find a way to go. Even if I had to pay cash instead of using points.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[floridafam]

If I can find the dates of last year's party, I'll post.

You can pretty much figure out the dates by looking at other years.

Last year, the parties were on Friday and Sunday evenings with additional nights added closer to Halloween.

Here are the dates for last year. Found 'em!

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/mk/mnssh.htm

Just adjust for this year. That is what I did last year and I was right on the money when they released the dates.

 

[goofy4dvc]

Originally posted by lenshanem
Do any of you happen to know when they release the party dates? That would really determine if it would work for us! LOL

This is the main gripe I have with Disney. They can't get schedules out early enough for people to take advantage of the 11 month (or even the 7 month) window. By the time the info is out, there's little availability in the resorts and can't take advantage of better deals on airfare.

On the other hand, US/IA has their schedules out a LOOOONG time in advance.

I wish WDW could do better with long-term scheduling.

We made ressies (resort and airfare) for a trip in May, but would have gone the next week because of the performers at the Epcot Flower Power Concert. But I couldn't wait any longer to schedule room and airfare. OH, well.

 

[Lurker Geoff]

Len,

My family went last October for the first (and second) time and we LOVED it!!!

We had originally booked just for Sunday night, but we had so much fun at it that we came back the following Friday too!

There are barely any lines for rides, the atmosphere is outstanding (spooky music, decorations, all the characters in costume, HALLOWEEN CANDY!!!), they have a couple parades and a very cool fireworks display. We thought it was well worth the extra money.

The next time we go back in October, we will DEFINITELY do the MNSSHP again. By the way, it was my wife and me and three of our four little ones (5, 3, 1). Baby slept and the rest of us had a blast.

I highly recommend it!

Geoff

 

[lenshanem]

Well......... According to the last schedule around the date, it was on a Thursday and a Sunday night, which wouldn't work for us getting there late Thursday night and leaving Sunday morning.

Does anyone recall when they released these dates last year?
Maybe we'll be able to get into a WDW resort thru CRO if the party date works right. Does this time of year book up? (Mid October?)

So I guess we'll wait...

I'm not gonna bother using points for this. I just don't think I want to borrow for those high weekend points.

Thanks all!

 

[twotoohappy]

here's a guesstimate of dates, not official.... I snagged it off another thread...

October 1, 3, 8, 12, 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, and 31.


We'll be there the 31st!!!!!!!

 

[floridafam]

The parties were on Fridays and Sundays.

October is the best time to go to Disney, IMO.



I think Disney gives as much notice as they can for the 7 and 11 month windows. It's pretty easy to figure out the dates of the party from year to year.

 

[lenshanem]

See, with those dates from twotoohappy it wouldn't work for us, that would be a Thursday and a Sunday night.
I wonder why it is different that week?

 

[floridafam]

I think there was one Thursday party, maybe more.

Tickets for this year's party should go on sale soon.

We really like this event because we feel the price is nice, the parks isn't crowded (unless you go on Halloween), the parade and Headless Horseman are cool and it's just a fun time in general.

It doesn't match the Halloween festivities at Vero Beach, though. We are going again this year and can't wait.

 

[lenshanem]

Well, I guess I'll wait until they release the dates to see if it will work with her school holiday. Thanks floridafam. (And congrats on that fast resale! Wow!)

 

[msdis]

We will be there. I debated the weekend points thing but to pack up and leave WDW you just lose so much of the atmosphere. Does anyone know approximately the price of MNSSHP. Do you also need to have used a regular pass for the day? What is MNSSHP all about? TIA!

 

[floridafam]

We usually just buy the MNSSHP tickets and don't buy a ticket for MK during the day. We just swim and do other things during the day and go to the party after dinner.

Two years ago they started letting people in around 4 pm. So, I think you get a lot of time in the park for what you pay-around $29. Pllus, you get a parade and fireworks.

We don't rush through MK and just take our time. We did TTA 3 times last year-just so we could watch people and we did Buzz a bunch of times.

We really didn't trick or treat too much.

We then went over to VB for a few days and were there on Halloween.

 

[DebbieB]

My Mom and I did a long weekend last October for MNSSHP (actually it ended up being an extra long weekend ). We really enjoyed it. I didn't have any extra points, we stayed at CBR, which was fine.

 

[madaboutMickey]

Ticlets shoud go on sale soon. I purchased my tickets about mid-April last year. Also made PS for LTT at the same time. We had a group of 5 adults and it was great.