Halloween time trip - what do I need to know?

[GGTF1214]

Hi there! We are going on our second ever WDW trip for Halloween. We just went in December so it looks like we've been bitten by the Disney bug! We're going From Oct. 30-Nov. 4. AKL again.

Anything I should be aware of? Any must dos at the time?

 

[minniemous]

Well the parade is the must do for me but I would skip the candy line thing. I am sure others may will disagree.

When we went two years ago we joined up with some friends who wanted the kids to do the candy lines and it was just time consuming and not worth it of us. I guess if your children are missing Halloween at home and really want to do it perhaps it makes sense (but it is not like trick-or-treating it is just a line and then someone dumps some sandy in your bag.

After spending all that money for the party the last thing I wanted to do was stand on long lines for some candy. The special characters I would think would be a must do but again we got stuck on the candy line and by the time the parade was over everyone was too tired for anything else. Parade was really great though.

 

[GGTF1214]

Good to know about the candy line! I wondered what that set-up was like. I figure we're at WDW - I don't really want to wait in line for candy. Rather have a different kind of treat.

 

[jimandami]

We were there for Halloween last year and we went to Ft. Wilderness for Halloween night and it was fantastic! We did Mickey's Backyard BBQ, which was so fun. The characters were dressed in costume and the kids had a great time dancing with them. They also came around for pics and autographs. Mickey and Minnie formed a line outside for pics and autographs, and Phineas and Ferb even made an appearance. The food was just ok but the experience and the unlimited wine/beer/sangria and Mickey bars made up for it! After the BBQ, we went trick or treating around the RV's, which was great fun! The folks over there really go all out with the decorations and we got tons of candy, even just doing one loop (it was kinda cold after that so we left.). Anyway, I would highly recommend.

 

[jimandami]

Good to know about the candy line! I wondered what that set-up was like. I figure we're at WDW - I don't really want to wait in line for candy. Rather have a different kind of treat.

Just so you are aware, the candy line and parade are only at MNSSHP. We also did that a few days before Halloween and it was just ok. Trick or treat lines were super long and some areas were crowded. Ride lines were short, though, and the fireworks and parade are great.

 

[GGTF1214]

I do want to go to the party, for sure! Do the resorts all do something too? I really want to see all the villains. Do they autograph?

 

[jimandami]

I do want to go to the party, for sure! Do the resorts all do something too? I really want to see all the villains. Do they autograph?

Yes, all the resorts do something. Usually a couple characters, maybe a DJ, etc...Last year, the villains were pretty much only at the Villian dessert party at CRT, which was like $100/pp on top of the party tickets. If you search on here, you can read reviews. There is also a Villian show outside the castle a few times a night (at each party) and I think some of them take a few pics after that. I'm not sure about autographs though.

 

[jbish]

We were at BLT for Halloween 2013 (10/31-11/5) and we are planning on heading back again this year (10/31-11/6 - see what I did there? Tacked on another day! )

My kids were little and I couldn't justify spending all of that extra money for the MNSSHP (the were 3, 3, and 6 at the time). Our arrival day was Halloween and we just stuck around the resort. Bay Lake and Contemporary have activities throughout the day in the area between the two buildings - DJ, crafts, games, "scavenger hunt", smores, and one character M&G (Phineas and Ferb that year). It was totally low key and it was perfect for our needs. I plan on doing that again this year!

 

[minniemous]

You wil have so much fun. Glad to hear I am not the only one who thinks the candy lines are kind of wasted time. The parade is very good so a priority would be getting good spot for the parade.

If you are sticking around for when they have the second parade that is so much easier to get a really good spot (at least the year and day we went).. Again my plans got really derailed and because of the candy line fiasco (LOL) my family did not get a good spot. We were close to the action but the view was kind obstructed until the parade was right in front of you and then it was going by fast.

After that we were so tired that we were making our way out....did not go on one ride or meet one special character

But on the way out at the top of main street the second parade started and there was hardly anyone around. It was kind of scary because the fog started up and then the headless horseman starts to make his way around past us and it was so fun to experience. But we were so incredibly exhausted and my 4 year old daughter was tired that we left before the rest of the parade started.

Also do not know about your traveling party but we decided to be in MK that entire day and it was way too long of a day with a young child. We really should have stayed at the hotel and relaxed and then gone in fresh. It is hard to not use a park pass though because we were there 10 days and had a 10 day pass.

I bet if you plan the party out well like it seems like you are doing and asking all the knowledgeable people here what they think you will have such a fantastic time at the party.

 

[kittyab]

How late is the trick or treating? I wonder if the lines die down towards the end of the evening?

 

[FeralCatRogue]

I was at halloween mnsshp this year and the villians no longer meet and greet after the show. They only m&g now if you pay extra for soiree, but no way of knowing if it will be that way next year too.

It was quite fun and so many costumes to see on halloween!

 

[kittyab]

I was at halloween mnsshp this year and the villians no longer meet and greet after the show. They only m&g now if you pay extra for soiree, but no way of knowing if it will be that way next year too.

It was quite fun and so many costumes to see on halloween!

Sad to hear about the villains. I don't see us paying extra for the soiree on our visit.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

yea even at the soiree they ran out of time so i think 2 of the villains never made it to my table.

 

[kittyab]

yea even at the soiree they ran out of time so i think 2 of the villains never made it to my table.

Was the soiree worth the $$$?

 

[eyehartdisney]

Was the soiree worth the $$$?

Best time I've had at a MNSSHP. That being said, I love villians, and the villian interactions were great. The food was kinda meh, the drink was amazing, and the cup is adorable. Plus having a reserved section for the parade was the best. Our side of the street definitely received additional attention, and we were only 1 maybe 2 deep on the ropes. Much, much, much better than the frozen dessert party thing.

If you are doing the MNSSHP, keep in mind most restaurants and snack shops close from 4 on, so eat a big, late lunch if you aren't going to trick or treat.

How late is the trick or treating? I wonder if the lines die down towards the end of the evening?

It goes to within a half hour of MNSSHP closing, but on halloween night, I can honestly tell you they'll probably run out before then.

If you do decide to do MNSSHP, on halloween, buy it as soon as the tickets go on sale. They will sell out. They will sell out.

There are villians outside of the soiree, including my favorite, the hag with the apple...

And make sure to head over the haunted mansion, they have some cool magic shots for the party.

And if it rains? Don't head back to your hotel and call it a wash. Get your ponchos on, and consider yourself lucky. The night it rained on my second MNSSHP, I met every single character out in the park, including the seven dwarves and skellington with an hour to spare on the party. The out door rides were shut down, and the parade was canceled, but I didn't consider it a wash at all.

 

[kittyab]

We are going the first 2 weeks of Oct. I will have to see if I can get my hubbie to agree to this. $99 each is kinda steep on top of the party ticket.

The preferred viewing for the parade & fireworks is very tempting. But I am ot sure if I want to miss that much party time.

 

[eyehartdisney]

If you do the later one, you're only missing a half hour of the party, and they extend it beyond the end of MNSSHP, unless you weren't going to see the parade, fireworks, or the stage show. And then, what's the point?

If your main goal is to meet as many characters as possible, the soiree isn't going to be the best use of your time. But if you want to see the shows? Definitely.

Additionally, if you're going then, it's going to be great for crowds. You won't need to use the party for no-line rides, especially if you show up for rope drop.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

I quite enjoyed it, but I was dressed up and playing it up, so got a lot of interaction with the people. I ended up at the early one which I would in the future not do that you miss a lot of the party.

heres my trip report on it:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3365562&goto=newpost

As for restaurants, i lucked out and got a bog reservation at 5:45 so was able to get a good dinner before the party got into full swing.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

If you are going that close to actual Halloween and want to do MNSSHP, I second buying your tickets as soon as they go on sale. They will sell out quicker than the earlier parties.

Dress up, DH and I had an absolute blast at the party. Most fun ever! Have a plan. Get to the park at 4pm, eat dinner. If you have someone popular you MUST meet, line up for them before the party. We knew we wanted the 7 dwarves so we lined up before the party started and were though the line after getting our picture at 10 minutes after the party started. So no party time wasted.

Save the candy lines for later in the evening when there is almost no waiting, just walk through and grab. We hit them as we walked past them later in the night after parade, fireworks going to things.

Some advise the 2nd parade, but we did 7Dawarfs, met Pooh, ate special party treat on the way to villains show, parade, fireworks. Then we had free rein to do what we wanted. Went to Haunted mansion, Magic shots, did dance party, did other dance party, People Mover, trick or treated the tomorrow land trail, then went at 11:30 and got in line for Jack Skellington so not to waste hours of party time. Got to stay till 1:30am when we finally got our picture and got on the bus back to Pop. Great night!