Help a MNSSHP newbie!

[glohoffman]

So I'm pretty lost on mnsshp. The only thing I have set in stone is Jack and Sally will be our first meet and we will get in line way early for them. Other than that I have no idea as to a schedule and what to do when. We are going 9/15...first party I think. My DDs are 4 and 6. What are the most important things to accomplish? Would like to meet other characters but don't want to spend the whole party in line, and my kids would love the dance party type stuff. Also, my biggest concern... When should I get a spot for the parade/fireworks? Is there a good spot for both? Don't want to miss the horseman! Thank you in advance for any help!

 

[Missyrose]

So I'm pretty lost on mnsshp. The only thing I have set in stone is Jack and Sally will be our first meet and we will get in line way early for them. Other than that I have no idea as to a schedule and what to do when. We are going 9/15...first party I think. My DDs are 4 and 6. What are the most important things to accomplish? Would like to meet other characters but don't want to spend the whole party in line, and my kids would love the dance party type stuff. Also, my biggest concern... When should I get a spot for the parade/fireworks? Is there a good spot for both? Don't want to miss the horseman! Thank you in advance for any help!

This should help you with some of the basics.
http://www.magicofmainstreet.com/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-faq/

I would plan on doing your Jack and Sally meet and greet, the Boo to You parade and Hallowishes. Then have a list of things (like the dance parties, other characters) that you can sprinkle in between.

You are going to have so much fun!

 

[glohoffman]

This should help you with some of the basics.
http://www.magicofmainstreet.com/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-faq/

I would plan on doing your Jack and Sally meet and greet, the Boo to You parade and Hallowishes. Then have a list of things (like the dance parties, other characters) that you can sprinkle in between.

You are going to have so much fun!

Thank you I will check the link out!

 

[glohoffman]

OK, so if everyone says to go to the late parade because it is less crowded...is it best to find a spot for the fireworks then a seperate spot for the parade? I feel like if I try to do a multi purpose spot it will all be crowded by the people that are going to the first parade then staying there for the fireworks. Or am I wrong/overthinking this?

 

[vrajewski10513]

Will your kids make it to to the second parade? I'm just asking because it doesn't start until 10pm. Some kids don't have problems staying up late, other do. Since your kids are younger I'd also suggest you get around to do some trick or treating as well. Are you going to have other days at MK? If so I'd probably just hit up a few rides that normally have long lines during normal park hours, and spend most of your time on actual party activities. The lines for the characters are definitely pretty long, if I were you I'd do some research and pick out a few you can't do without and stick to those. Jack and Sally, and the seven dwarfs are going to be your longest meet and greet lines. The dance party in Tomorrowland is fun too, you get to see and dance around with the characters from Monsters Inc.

 

[glohoffman]

Will your kids make it to to the second parade? I'm just asking because it doesn't start until 10pm. Some kids don't have problems staying up late, other do. Since your kids are younger I'd also suggest you get around to do some trick or treating as well. Are you going to have other days at MK? If so I'd probably just hit up a few rides that normally have long lines during normal park hours, and spend most of your time on actual party activities. The lines for the characters are definitely pretty long, if I were you I'd do some research and pick out a few you can't do without and stick to those. Jack and Sally, and the seven dwarfs are going to be your longest meet and greet lines. The dance party in Tomorrowland is fun too, you get to see and dance around with the characters from Monsters Inc.

They are pretty good at staying up late, especially if we rest beforehand. Plus we are sleeping in the next day so they should be fine. If I sense they are tired early on, we will do the early parade instead. We have two other MK days, so if we do any rides it will just be to fill in time slots or do haunted mansion.
I planned on getting there early, grabbing some food, and eating it in line while we wait for jack and sally (probably getting in line by 530 or 6). I definitely want to focus on party stuff. Do you know what things usually get cancelled in the rain? (Besides the headless horseman) I want to plan since it is september after all!

 

[vrajewski10513]

The show in front of the castle before Hallowishes, and even Hallowishes could be postponed or even cancelled if the rain is heavy enough.

 

[scrapquitler]

Be sure to ride the Haunted Mansion at some point...the CM there dress with special makeup for the party.
And don't forget to do at least a little trick-or-treating, I'm sure your kids will enjoy that.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

Make sure to arrive for the preparade surprise which is 15 mins before the parade itself!

 

[glohoffman]

What time do you guys suggest getting to the parade/fireworks?

 

[Missyrose]

What time do you guys suggest getting to the parade/fireworks?

First parade or second parade?

 

[glohoffman]

First parade or second parade?

I'm planning on doing fireworks/second parade if my girls seem up to it. But I will have to play that be ear.

 

[vrajewski10513]

For really good seats I'd say an hour, you can get away with a half hour if you dont need to be right on the curb. We like watching in Frontierland, it seems less crowded than the Hub and Main Street.

 

[Ava]

If your kids usually do alright staying up late, I'd plan for the second parade. To get a good spot for the first parade, you'll likely need to stake one out by 7:15-7:30, which doesn't leave you much time to do any party activities beforehand. We ended up staying for the second parade last year just because we accidentally missed the first one. We were busy meeting characters and I completely didn't realize the time - I had no idea it was so late until we were in line at Sleepy Hollow and I heard Celebrate the Magic starting! We bailed on the waffle and hurried over to the Hub to find a spot. We ended up on the right side (the side closer to Tomorrowland), a bit off center and with a tree partially in our line of sight, but it was still a good view especially for walking up at the last minute. Then we just did some shopping on Main St and found a spot for the second parade down at the flagpole. Made for an easy exit afterwards.

(All that said, our party ended up being more crowded than I thought it would be. I heard people saying it was sold out, which was unusual for the end of September.)

 

[glohoffman]

So will it be fairly easy to get a seat an hour before the fireworks and stay there for the second parade? Or will it still be crowded due to the first parade viewers?

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

This should help you with some of the basics.
http://www.magicofmainstreet.com/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-faq/

I would plan on doing your Jack and Sally meet and greet, the Boo to You parade and Hallowishes. Then have a list of things (like the dance parties, other characters) that you can sprinkle in between.

You are going to have so much fun!

I completely agree. This is also a great time to ride Fantasyland rides that normally have long lines (i.e. Peter Pan's Flight).

 

[stpats317]

Another MNSSHP newbie. We're considering buying tickets for the final party on 11/1/15. Since we've not been to this party at all, we're wondering how crowded this final party will be, especially since it's after Halloween. We get in that day and won't be able to get to any of the parks until after 6 p.m. and wanted a little extra time but we don't want to spend that much if it's going to be a mob scene.

Any help?

 

[crostorfer]

So I'm pretty lost on mnsshp. The only thing I have set in stone is Jack and Sally will be our first meet and we will get in line way early for them. Other than that I have no idea as to a schedule and what to do when. We are going 9/15...first party I think. My DDs are 4 and 6. What are the most important things to accomplish? Would like to meet other characters but don't want to spend the whole party in line, and my kids would love the dance party type stuff. Also, my biggest concern... When should I get a spot for the parade/fireworks? Is there a good spot for both? Don't want to miss the horseman! Thank you in advance for any help!

What does "way early" mean to you? Just know that what you think is early, and early by party standards, may not be the same thing. Are you prepared to stand in a line, in pretty intense heat, for up to 2 hours with a 4 and a 6 year old? Its not cool in Orlando in September, the heat is still an issue.

The first party can go one of two ways, mid-September is technically slow season, but it is the first available party. It may be mobbed. If it is, you need to adjust your expectations to fit with a massive crowd level. Every year we have gone the party has felt more and more crowded to me, I think they are raising the cap on attendance each year.

 

[TinaLala]

Newbie here as well. I'm bringing 13 people with me. I'm already planning to sit with blankets to hold spots for the parade. I was thinking we would watch both parades but I like your idea of fireworks first then second parade so we can get to some rides and meet and greets.

 

[Missyrose]

Newbie here as well. I'm bringing 13 people with me. I'm already planning to sit with blankets to hold spots for the parade. I was thinking we would watch both parades but I like your idea of fireworks first then second parade so we can get to some rides and meet and greets.

Blankets holding spots doesn't fly at WDW the same way it does at Disneyland. You likely won't be able to hold more than a spot or two beside you.