HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[Brancaneve]

It sounds like the MHP is amazing. Fellow DISers are discussing how to get TO the party but I, on the other hand, have the opposite situation. Does anyone have strategies or tips for avoiding the crowds associated with MHP? We will be there Tuesday, October 14th and Wednesday the 15th with the party being on Tuesday. What time should we leave DLR on Tuesday and head over to DCA?

And how do the CM's know who is supposed to be in the parks and who is not? Will that pose a problem for us when we try to get in at rope drop?

Thank you!!

 

[figment_jii]

What time should we leave DLR on Tuesday and head over to DCA?

Guests with MHP tickets only are allowed to enter DL three hours before the party starts (so, at 3:00 pm for a party that starts at 6:00 pm). You'll see an influx of guests at that point. I don't really think getting into DCA is an issue at the point. My guess is that the biggest crowds enter DCA start a little before 7:00 pm. So I would either plan to enter DCA before 6:30 pm or wait until the crowds thin out.

And how do the CM's know who is supposed to be in the parks and who is not? Will that pose a problem for us when we try to get in at rope drop?

Guests staying for MHP will be wearing a brightly colored wristband. They won't need them until the start of the party. It won't make any difference at rope drop because MHP tickets aren't valid until 3:00 pm (for a Tuesday party).

 

[Wife2Grumpy]

So what do you try and do first?

If you get into the park at 4 pm for the 7 pm MHP, where do you head first?

Assuming, that I am already planning on hitting Toontown at 6 pm.

Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, Halloween Carnival, or something else?

Just curious what everyone tries to get done before the official start of MHP.

We are only going for the party. No extra funds this year to do any other days at DLR. Have done WDW 6 times, but our first trip to DLR.

What should I try and do first?

My kids are older. They want candy and rides. Not very interested in standing in lines to see characters, unless the lines are super short, or doing any shows.

 

[figment_jii]

Hi Wife2Grumpy - Personally, I would probably head straight to SMGG and try to get a FP for that (I don't know if they'd still have any when you get there). Then head to HMH to do that because it's popular and unique to DL. If you have time after HMH, I would then check out the Halloween Carnival. It's fun to see the carved pumpkins and it's something that can take as long or as little time as you'd like. If you cannot get onto SMGG with a FP, I would save it for the very end of the night (because the line is likely to be long during the overlap period and for the start of the party).

 

[scrappymel]

Figment's Halloween costume is adorable!!!

 

[figment_jii]

Figment's Halloween costume is adorable!!!

Thanks! It came from Build-A-Bear.

 

[Diszona]

Hi Wife2Grumpy - Personally, I would probably head straight to SMGG and try to get a FP for that (I don't know if they'd still have any when you get there). Then head to HMH to do that because it's popular and unique to DL. If you have time after HMH, I would then check out the Halloween Carnival. It's fun to see the carved pumpkins and it's something that can take as long or as little time as you'd like. If you cannot get onto SMGG with a FP, I would save it for the very end of the night (because the line is likely to be long during the overlap period and for the start of the party).

Good advice. Also, if your key interests are candy and rides, I would hit the rides early and then trick-or-treating later. The lines tend to be short for the rides (at the start of the party, it can be more crowded during the 3 hour overlap but it didn't seem too bad this year, at least on the 30th) while the trick-or-treat lines tend to be longer at the beginning of the party. Even if you can't hit all of the stations, you will still have a ton of candy. We probably hit 1/2 to 2/3 of the stations and still ended up with 3 large bags (not the ones they give the party, the bigger ones they sell at the Disney Store) full by the end of the night. The only ride lines that seem long during the party are the ones figment mentioned but even HMH didn't seem that much longer than it does on a regular weekend night.

We were staying at the DLH and riding the Monorail into the parks was the greatest thing since sliced bread for my DD. We had a late lunch, early dinner at Tanegora Terrace. We headed over to DL around 4:00pm. At the Monorail station, we were told that we couldn't get our MHP wristband. We used our Park Hopper tickets to get into the park. In hindsight, this didn't work out very well. I thought that we could get into the parks and then get our wristbands at the Fantasyland Theater and things would be calmer, less hectic and therefore less overstimulating for DD. Well, we get over to the Fantasyland Theater and the line is super long - like really long. They had about 3 stations that took your ticket and activated it with only 2 people putting on the wristbands. The line moved very slow. I inquired of a CM how long it was taking and she said the quickest way would be to exit the park and re-enter at the turnstiles. We experienced our second pixie dust of the evening when a suit came up to us as we were discussing what to do. He took our e-tickets and came back with our bags, wristbands and paper tickets. Thank you Steve!

This was something I forgot to mention. Even though the party didn't seem as crowded the process at the Fantasyland Theater was a mess. In retrospect it probably would have been quicker at that time to have done what you said and exited and re-entered that park. It ended up being ok, it was a long enough wait that the kids had time to go on Small World and walk around some while one of us waited in the line.

 

[Kilala]

Here is my report of the party on the 30th. I got there around 5pm. The line to wait to get in wasn't that bad. I tried to get a pictures infront of the Mickey Pumpkin but, know one knew were the line was. I went into the shops to get out of the heat a little bit. Alot of people took my picture. I got a lot of compliments. I made it to Toon Town the first treat trail by RR was a little wait. Then I got in line to see Goofy, Chip and Dale, and then Wizard Donald. The lines were short to see the characters. Then I did the trails at Minnies and Mickey's and Donald's. Then I went to Fantisyland and did the treat trails there. I went on the carousel. The carousel was decked out and had fog and had red light on it. Then I went to BTMR and there was a line across the way to get to the treat trail. I should have went to see Woody too but, I didn't. I will remember that the the party on the 27th. The crowds were pretty light. The party was not sold out that night. Then I went to the other trails in Fronteier land. Sorry I can't spell today. The I did other trails I only repeated t 4 ot 5 of the trails and I still got alot of Candy. Also the treat trails in Toon Town had no apples just candy. The apples I did get went bad two days later. Next time I will put them in the fridge. I will post pictures later on this week. I had a wonderful time going to MHP. I have two more parties to go this year.

 

[Diznygrl]

So on nights that the party starts at 6, I am assuming the pre party is at 5?

 

[laura&fam]

Just got back from our week long trip, boy am I exhausted but it was a blast. Went to the 9/30 MHP and it was great. It was probably the least crowded party that we have attended and we were able to strike a nice balance between trick-or-treating, catching the parade, meet and greets and rides. One bit of advice, at least from our experience, is if you have little ones who want to meet Mickey and Minnie, their meet and greet by Big Thunder Ranch was pretty empty later in the evening, plus Woody was also back there with no line at all.

Was the Woody meet during MHP or in the day? I thought they closed off Big Thunder Ranch at night. Since we're dressing up as Toy Story characters I'd like a photo with Woody but my family hates waiting in line for any characters. Kind of funny that they love MHP

 

[Diszona]

Was the Woody meet during MHP or in the day? I thought they closed off Big Thunder Ranch at night. Since we're dressing up as Toy Story characters I'd like a photo with Woody but my family hates waiting in line for any characters. Kind of funny that they love MHP

It was during the party. The restaurant was closed (not serving) but the meet and greet for Woody was inside (Mickey and Minnie was just outside). Sort of like how Village Haus was closed but had a trick or treat line running through it.

 

[Brancaneve]

Guests with MHP tickets only are allowed to enter DL three hours before the party starts (so, at 3:00 pm for a party that starts at 6:00 pm). You'll see an influx of guests at that point. I don't really think getting into DCA is an issue at the point. My guess is that the biggest crowds enter DCA start a little before 7:00 pm. So I would either plan to enter DCA before 6:30 pm or wait until the crowds thin out. Guests staying for MHP will be wearing a brightly colored wristband. They won't need them until the start of the party. It won't make any difference at rope drop because MHP tickets aren't valid until 3:00 pm (for a Tuesday party).

Thanks figment_jii!!

 

[Diszona]

Guests with MHP tickets only are allowed to enter DL three hours before the party starts (so, at 3:00 pm for a party that starts at 6:00 pm). You'll see an influx of guests at that point. I don't really think getting into DCA is an issue at the point. My guess is that the biggest crowds enter DCA start a little before 7:00 pm. So I would either plan to enter DCA before 6:30 pm or wait until the crowds thin out.

We spent all of last Friday at DCA. The crowds were small right up to 7 pm when there was a large uptick from people coming over after DL closed for the party. I think you are 100% correct based on being in the park during this time period.

Guests with MHP tickets only are allowed to enter DL three hours before the party starts (so, at 3:00 pm for a party that starts at 6:00 pm). You'll see an influx of guests at that point. I don't really think getting into DCA is an issue at the point. My guess is that the biggest crowds enter DCA start a little before 7:00 pm. So I would either plan to enter DCA before 6:30 pm or wait until the crowds thin out.

We spent all of last Friday at DCA. The crowds were small right up to 7 pm when there was a large uptick from people coming over after DL closed for the party. I think you are 100% correct based on being in the park during this time period.

 

[adudeinblue]

GF and I are all booked for MHP on 10/31! Everything is set and ready but our Halloween costume. We were split between costumes but I think we are planning to go as Glen and Maggie from the Walking Dead. I just wanted to be compliant with MHP's costume regulation and wanted everyone's opinion.

I don't think huge blood and gore would be appropriate, but GF just wanted to splatter a hint of color dye around our costume. Nothing over board, but I highly doubt that would be appropriate. Do you guys think a few drops around the sleeves would be a problem?

I know weapon is absolutely not welcomed, but I was thinking of using my air soft pistol leg holster (obviously not with the airsoft gun) and possibly using an Astro Blaster or or equivalent toy gun. Or even a stuffed pillow axe. Nothing serious, more kiddie than anything else.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Ok, this may brand me as weird, but that never stopped me before.

I love fireworks, but I hate to battle crowds.

I hear that you need to stand with a view of the left side of the castle to see the fireworks and the big floating head/ball. (Along with the other million people at MHP that night)

I guess I am wondering - is this REALLY necessary. I would rather not stand in a sea of people, fighting for a spot, and everyone bumping into me.

Is there any other spot where you can see the fireworks well, but it is less crowded? Is seeing the head/ball that important?

We have done the WDW MNSSHP and some villan talks during their fireworks, but there is no floating head. (OR wasn't last time I was there) Is seeing the head/ball that important?

For those who really don't do well in dense crowds or who don't want to wait in the Hub/Main Street areas, you can see the fireworks at IASW. The music plays and there are projections on the building. We have watched fireworks from both the Hub and IASW. The crowds at IASW were significantly smaller, and we walked right up about 10 minutes before the show. Both viewing spots have advantages and disadvantages, but it's nice to know you have options.

 

[figment_jii]

GF and I are all booked for MHP on 10/31! Everything is set and ready but our Halloween costume. We were split between costumes but I think we are planning to go as Glen and Maggie from the Walking Dead. I just wanted to be compliant with MHP's costume regulation and wanted everyone's opinion.

I don't think huge blood and gore would be appropriate, but GF just wanted to splatter a hint of color dye around our costume. Nothing over board, but I highly doubt that would be appropriate. Do you guys think a few drops around the sleeves would be a problem?

I know weapon is absolutely not welcomed, but I was thinking of using my air soft pistol leg holster (obviously not with the airsoft gun) and possibly using an Astro Blaster or or equivalent toy gun. Or even a stuffed pillow axe. Nothing serious, more kiddie than anything else.

My instinctive answer when I saw "Walking Dead" is that it's not really appropriate for MHP in general. My rule of thumb is that if the costume would be appropriate for an elementary school gathering, then it will fit in at MHP. Otherwise, I would not wear it to MHP. The party is meant to be child and family friendly, so realistically, you won't see all that many gory, bloody or even slightly blooded, weapon wielding costumes at the party (you will see plenty of Jack Sparrow pirates and Jedi knights and they usually have some type of weapon - light a pirate sword or lightsaber). That's not to say that there aren't guests that do dress in a more adult manner, but they are in the minority and generally stick out (and not in a good way). So to answer your specific question about the blood, no, I do not think any blood is appropriate. In terms of the weapon (especially the axe), I think it depends on the overall look of the costume, but in general, I would forgo it.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

GF and I are all booked for MHP on 10/31! Everything is set and ready but our Halloween costume. We were split between costumes but I think we are planning to go as Glen and Maggie from the Walking Dead. I just wanted to be compliant with MHP's costume regulation and wanted everyone's opinion.

I don't think huge blood and gore would be appropriate, but GF just wanted to splatter a hint of color dye around our costume. Nothing over board, but I highly doubt that would be appropriate. Do you guys think a few drops around the sleeves would be a problem?

I know weapon is absolutely not welcomed, but I was thinking of using my air soft pistol leg holster (obviously not with the airsoft gun) and possibly using an Astro Blaster or or equivalent toy gun. Or even a stuffed pillow axe. Nothing serious, more kiddie than anything else.

I personally love the Glen and Maggie idea-huge Walking Dead fan here! But, it probably wont be well received at the party. We did not see one gory/semi gory/bloodied costume at Friday's party.
As far as the weapons go, I think as long as they are clearly fake looking, like the Astro blaster or a stuffed axe, I think you are ok!

 

[TulipsNZ]

We saw one slightly gory costume and the guy was quite sheepish looking as he got lots of stares and frowns. I think there is such a multitude of cool kid friendly costumes around why go for something that may be better received elsewhere.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We saw one slightly gory costume and the guy was quite sheepish looking as he got lots of stares and frowns. I think there is such a multitude of cool kid friendly costumes around why go for something that may be better received elsewhere.

We saw this sort of thing last year at two parties. The costumes that were better suited for Knotts or Six Flags didn't go over so well at MHP.

 

[CassieF]

I went to last night's party, 10/6 and it was a very different experience from the pervious one I went to on 9/30. It was sold out, yet we stayed in town square the whole night and it felt surprisingly empty. We lined up for the villains about 20 minutes before they started and got Dr. Facilier, Maleficent, and Cruella. One new villain down!

We saw the Tremaines and headed over...they had a mob of people and no line, just Lady T picking the next visitor (with the host helping direct if a family had been there a while). 3 more new characters down! We tried to see the Queen of Hearts again since my niece remembered walking around with her last week but she was wandering and it never seemed to work out. The line was too long to make it to see the second set of villains, including Hades who we "needed" to see, so we did the treat trail (it opened late, like after 7).

We saw the Tremaines again (my niece was rag dress Cinderella!), waved to Cruella and Maleficent (my niece could just watch them all night!) and got in line for the villains again, hoping to time seeing Hades right. We missed him by 5 minutes (they did a short set) and saw the Tremaines and Queen of Hearts. I was getting nervous about not seeing Hades and the only time they said he'd be back was right after the fireworks but it would be a short set and they'd close the line early. We watched the fireworks from midway down mainstreet, walked back to the pumpkin once Oogie took over, then ran to the line the second they were over and made it! We saw Evil Queen, Jafar, and Hades.

We walked the treat trail in between seeing characters all night and needed up with way more candy than last week...although there were two of us, so it was probably about the same per person. We finished the night off with the end of party show (super fun!) but my niece was asleep about 15 minutes before it started.

I had her in the carrier and took advantage of her being asleep to get great atmosphere pictures, mostly the castle, then took the tram out (at 11:30 lines were still 3 trams deep) and got her successfully transferred to bed , still asleep!

It was very different from before, running around the park and all the great trails. We saw 8 sets of villains tonight, plus two extra visits with the Tremaines, and got an assured amount of candy. It was more relaxed (except when trying to get to see Hades!) which worked well with my tired state!