Having second thoughts on going to MNSSHP - It's the price

[Delirium]

We've done it several times in the past and loved it. This year? Nope. The price has just become too insane. Last time we went it was about $240 for the 4 of us. This year, it would have been around $400. We're already there for 12 nights (10 park days), so we can do everything we really want. While special, the extras for the party are not $400 special.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I took my daughter for the first time to the party when she was six and we had an outstanding time. She was very tired by 11:30 or so, but we had a blast. Rides were walk on and character lines were short.

That being said, the party has gradually gone downhill for us due to the crowds. Our party last year was sold out (a Tuesday in September), and the character lines were so long that we did not bother with them. The parade and the atmosphere were still very special.

What I have done in the past is buy a two day park ticket and then added one or two Halloween parties. It was about the same price as a four day park ticket. If you already have a four or more day park ticket with at least two days at the MK, then you may be able to see a lot of the park without needing the Halloween party. The parade is great, but probably not $500 great.

 

[scard192]

I debated if I wanted to go to MVMCP in November. prices are increasing a huge amount every year, posts from members are that the parties are more and more crowded so I decided not to do it. I have Disney Visa rewards I could use, but just because I can afford it, as a consumer I am choosing not to pay such outrageous prices.

 

[rznhal]

My kids loved it...they asked to go back to the party this year...since it's cheaper than a one day ticket we are actually saving a little money...but a couple days in the park is enough for us....if i was still buying the 4+ day tickets there's no way i would fork out the extra for the party!

 

[BattyKoda]

Cost is def a factor. If we were going to one of the later parties, instead of the much less expensive first party, we would most likely not be going.

 

[Disneylover99]

If the price bothers you, don't go. It's hard to have a good time when you're thinking about if the experiences are worth it.

 

[DonJ123]

We skipped it the last two trips because of the cost and because of how late it is. We have a 4 and 5 year old and like to keep them on somewhat of a sleep schedule. That said, if we were planning on staying out late every night anyways, I would probably rest in the morning and then go that night. You can get in a 4:00 I believe.

 

[Missyrose]

Not quite the same thing, but we'd been doing two parties a year in recent years because it made it so much easier to do all the party things we wanted to do. But the price increases this year have us cutting back to just one party.

 

[linzbear]

Went last year and spent $250. We also had APs, so it was our only ticket cost for the trip. No way would I fork over $500 on top of park tickets though. It was fun, but not that fun!

 

[IrishNYC]

My DH loves Halloween, and my 7 year old, of course, loves candy. We've been wanting to go to the Halloween party, and wanted to go when DD was younger so school wasn't such an issue, but we realized the price wasn't worth the fact that she is ready for bed by 7 or 8 most nights. We're going next year when she's 8 so that she'll have a better chance of staying up later, making it a better value for us. We're so excited about it, and I think it will be well worth the price.

 

[Srbright]

I'm firmly in the camp of "spend the money". We are going to two MNSSHP this year and one dessert party.

2A + 2 kids over 10 = 4 adults in Disneys eyes. So we paid $306 twice.

It isn't just the access to the rides. My DH loves to have the kids and I dress up and do the character meet and greets. Also there is the SOTMK card, the party specific souvenirs and Hallowishes.

Stacy

 

[TavieP]

Holy cow, I went in 2007 and I don't remember it costing that much! Has it really increased to over $100 pp??

Glad I went when it was still cheap!

 

[Tiki Sean]

We are taking some time off from the parties for the foreseeable future. We also don't have trips planned that coincide with the parties either. I also don't think there is enough new things to justify the cost and larger crowds on most nights. I don't think the parties are worth no more than $60 or so IMHO.

Our last trip we did the Early Mornings at MK, while that was a bit pricey ($20) too high I felt I got better value out of that since my son rode 7DMT 9 times in less than an hour and we had breakfast included.

 

[gsp4ever]

We are taking some time off from the parties for the foreseeable future. We also don't have trips planned that coincide with the parties either. I also don't think there is enough new things to justify the cost and larger crowds on most nights. I don't think the parties are worth no more than $60 or so IMHO.

I agree. We went in October 2012, 2013 and 2014 and the crowds were noticeably larger each year. After 2014 we said, "enough". Those years (at least for our days) it was really hot in October as well. Actually, we almost caved last year (in spite of the bad, early reviews) but then the dates that would work for us (later in Oct) sold out so we cancelled flights and rooms. In the end I was glad we didn't go.

 

[crazedprincess]

We did it on our last trip and it's our favorite memory! It was one of the best times we have ever had in WDW. We all dressed up and met so many rare characters. The parade and fireworks were both amazing and there were no crowds. All the rides were walk on. I would do it again but I know... the price is a hard one to swallow!

 

[kyomagi]

We went in 2014 and doing it again this year. well worth it.

 

[minijeanie]

I totally understand! We are going to WDW late Sept and I haven't bought party tickets yet as I just haven't decided how I feel about cost /benefit.

let me know what you decide . I think we can wait until day before so as not to pay the upcharge price for the same day

 

[minijeanie]

We are there for only 6 days. We bought 5 day park hoppers. The Halloween party was going to be on a Tuesday October 4th. The original plan was to stay at hotel and swim until afternoon then hit the halloween party around 4pm
The other alternative was to just stay at the resort and take a trip to DTD (springs) (marketplace) .. uggh I hate how they keep changing the name . We are staying at WLV. Possibly we can see some fireworks from the beach there or boat to Poly to see them there? Just a thought

 

[Missyrose]

let me know what you decide . I think we can wait until day before so as not to pay the upcharge price for the same day

Just be careful, you run the risk of the party selling out a few days before.

 

[Accident]

I am having a hard time swallowing the $500 plus cost for one evening. I realize that there is different shows and parades plus the ride lines are very small but is it really worth the price?
We will be seeing fun shows, parades and characters throughout the week so what are you really getting??? some candy

If you've never done it, enjoy halloween and have younger travelers with you it's worth doing at least once, even at the current price. The memory of Trick or Treating in magic kingdom will last a lifetime and the characters not commonly out, lighting and background music for the holiday, main street with it's halloween color scheme in the evening. Street performers dressed up.. It will be something special you'll talk about forever...

Now having done it, I'm also on the fence of if I want to go at these prices.. We love halloween but when you have an AP and look at how much more your spending on tickets over the AP cost it has a different impact and meaning. We'll ultimately end up going, just not sure when..