Help please - booking the Halloween party?

[DLPDreams]

Hello all

I haven't been on here much since our last trip back in 2012 as life has been pretty full on and DH decided there would be no more DLP trips as we'd be saving for our 'once in a lifetime' trip to Florida next year .

Well, after much deliberation and lack of holiday abroad this year (we are in the middle of having major building work done to our house! ), we have just booked a spur of the moment, surprise trip to DLP for Halloween weekend. And, I have to say, I am so excited it's ridiculous !!

It will be quite different to what we've undertaken before as it's most definitely on a budget. In addition, I am having to fly with my two children on my own and meet my DH in DLP later on in the day on arrival (we arrive 9 am ish). I've never flown with them before, but hopefully all will be fine!

So, finally , my question is, is it worth doing the Halloween party on Oct 31st? Having read about it last year, it seemed more for adults. My children are 9 and 6. I am really unsure whether to give it a miss and then just get up early on the Saturday and try and do as much as EMH as possible?

Do you think they might try and tone down the party after feedback from last year?

It would be around £136 for the 4 of us, so we could use the money elsewhere for sure!

Thanks for any help.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Sorry, I can't help with the Halloween party, never been, just wanted to say congratulations on your trip

Where are you staying?

 

[DLPdaft]

As I understand it, the Halloween party on 31st October at DLP has always been more adult than child-orientated, so I don't think there will be a toning-down of the theme/activities etc this year.

My DD is now 13 and I don't think she'd particularly enjoy the Halloween party at DLP .

EMH starts on 1st November in the Studios, doesn't it? I think I'd be far more tempted by that than the party the night before, with children in your party .

 

[micksn]

Sounds lovely Don't forget the park closes at 7.00 pm if you are not going to the Party. It could be a good night for Cafe Mickey or dinner at one of the hotels.

 

[DLPDreams]

Sorry, I can't help with the Halloween party, never been, just wanted to say congratulations on your trip

Where are you staying?

Hi Julie - thank you for the reply! It is a total surprise that we've booked as we said no more until after WDW! I am still in shock that DH agreed . I see you are going soon too - for a special birthday .

We have booked a Golden Forest room at the SQL hotel. I have never stayed anywhere other than the DLH so I am really looking forward to it as I've wanted to stay in the hotel since the refurb and love the sound of the GF perks. Really pleased we are getting to try it out .

As I understand it, the Halloween party on 31st October at DLP has always been more adult than child-orientated, so I don't think there will be a toning-down of the theme/activities etc this year.

My DD is now 13 and I don't think she'd particularly enjoy the Halloween party at DLP .

EMH starts on 1st November in the Studios, doesn't it? I think I'd be far more tempted by that than the party the night before, with children in your party .

Thank you Elaine - not sure if you saw on a WDW post, but did I see you have a trip planned there too? It takes some organising - makes DLP trips look soooo easy!

I haven't booked the tickets and tbh don't think I am going to bother. We will be up 4.30 am ish on the arrival day as we are on the early flight. Although the girls will be excited, by 7 pm I think they'll be flagging. DH doesn't get in until around 6 pm so I think we'll just do as much as he can when he arrives, then head back to SQL have a quick drink in the lovely bar area (looking forward to the log fire!), and get an earlyish night to be up for EMH the next day. I am hoping it might be quiet for the first hour at least, due to the party the evening before.

Sounds lovely Don't forget the park closes at 7.00 pm if you are not going to the Party. It could be a good night for Cafe Mickey or dinner at one of the hotels.

I think we are going to keep our TS meal for the Saturday evening. We've always enjoyed Inventions so will probably go with that (if I can get booked!). As it's a budget trip, I can see us visiting EoS quite a few times .

 

[DLPdaft]

Thank you Elaine - not sure if you saw on a WDW post, but did I see you have a trip planned there too? It takes some organising - makes DLP trips look soooo easy!

I haven't booked the tickets and tbh don't think I am going to bother. We will be up 4.30 am ish on the arrival day as we are on the early flight. Although the girls will be excited, by 7 pm I think they'll be flagging. DH doesn't get in until around 6 pm so I think we'll just do as much as he can when he arrives, then head back to SQL have a quick drink in the lovely bar area (looking forward to the log fire!), and get an earlyish night to be up for EMH the next day. I am hoping it might be quiet for the first hour at least, due to the party the evening before.
.

yes it looks crazy - I'm not a mega-planner but I see from the WDW boards that I'd need to be meticulous otherwise we wouldn't do half of what we want to do. WDW is all very much pie in the sky at the moment for us, maybe next year, maybe 2016.

 

[DLPDreams]

yes it looks crazy - I'm not a mega-planner but I see from the WDW boards that I'd need to be meticulous otherwise we wouldn't do half of what we want to do. WDW is all very much pie in the sky at the moment for us, maybe next year, maybe 2016.

Unfortunately, due to the implementation of magic bands in WDW, if you are going at a busy time, you stand very little chance of getting decent FPs if you don't plan in advance. But there are advantages to the system too.

They say that once you have been, you will want to return time and time again. I hope not for us, our bank balance couldn't take it .

Happy to be getting a Disney fix at DLRP after two years away though. August 2015 is just coming around too slowly!

 

[micksn]

Unfortunately, due to the implementation of magic bands in WDW, if you are going at a busy time, you stand very little chance of getting decent FPs if you don't plan in advance. But there are advantages to the system too.

They say that once you have been, you will want to return time and time again. I hope not for us, our bank balance couldn't take it .

Happy to be getting a Disney fix at DLRP after two years away though. August 2015 is just coming around too slowly!

I think we might miss our magic bands during a busy Halloween week
We went to WDW for our "Once in a lifetime" trip in 2008 - Just came back from 4th trip
Fortunately for the bank balance DH doesn't like DLP so that saves a bit! GF rooms at SL sound lovely - We stayed there last August and the newly refurbished rooms were great

 

[DLPDreams]

I think we might miss our magic bands during a busy Halloween week
We went to WDW for our "Once in a lifetime" trip in 2008 - Just came back from 4th trip
Fortunately for the bank balance DH doesn't like DLP so that saves a bit! GF rooms at SL sound lovely - We stayed there last August and the newly refurbished rooms were great

Yeah, but my point was, booking at this late stage there would be very little advance FPs left (decent ones anyway), if we were going to WDW. At least at DLP everyone is still on an even 'playing field' with legacy FPs - a good thing if you are booking last minute (although appreciate most people book WDW way in advance due to cost etc)!

I am really looking forward to the SL GF - the photos of the lounge look lovely .

DH isn't a huge DLP fan actually, part of the reason why we haven't been for a few years. I think WDW will be a different matter though .

Good luck with your planning!

 

[Lolsmum]

We did the Halloween party last year with our kids, who were 6 and almost 8 at the time. It was fun, but we didn't get to meet half the characters we wanted to because adults were quite literally pushing kids out of the way.

 

[DLPDreams]

We did the Halloween party last year with our kids, who were 6 and almost 8 at the time. It was fun, but we didn't get to meet half the characters we wanted to because adults were quite literally pushing kids out of the way.

What a shame . I am all for Disney being for everyone but it makes me cross when I hear about adults (who should know better) pushing children out of the way. I mean, what example does it set. I have to say, when I read about the Maleficent corner I was so excited but once I had digested it, I wondered how much chance we actually stood of getting to see the characters, if it's not a scrum (which hopefully it won't be), then the queues will be SO long for young children to stand and wait.

We have decided to save the money and get up early for EMH the next day instead! I am also looking at some Halloween goodies to put in the room for them - so this, with their Disney Halloween costumes should make it exciting enough! .

 

[DLPdaft]

isn't Maleficent's corner there for the whole of Halloween season? I mean, you'll be able to meet at least some of the characters there in the daytime won't you?

 

[DLPDreams]

isn't Maleficent's corner there for the whole of Halloween season? I mean, you'll be able to meet at least some of the characters there in the daytime won't you?

Yes, you are correct Elaine . I had thought the Maleficent thing was just for the Halloween party but have since realised reading somewhere today that it's for the whole season. We will try subject to queues, but honestly, I think it will be crazy .

We will try and meet Sally & Jack though - to this day, our experience with Jack at Christmas a few years ago is the best character interaction we've ever had. He was tremendous and spent ages with the girls - so lovely to watch!

Getting very excited as there are a few sneak photos starting to be released on twitter - the Pumpkin men are back but mainly in Frontierland with an autumnal overlay - this may be similar to last year - I didn't follow.

 

[Ms Poppins]

I like the look of the GF rooms at SL too - look really lovely

And, me too also loving the photos showing the Halloween decs starting to appear

 

[DLPDreams]

I like the look of the GF rooms at SL too - look really lovely

And, me too also loving the photos showing the Halloween decs starting to appear

Yes, the photos look great. My DDs were 3.5 and 6 months when we last went at Halloween (beginning of the season so didn't see any Halloween parades or anything, but did see all the decs). My eldest still talks about the Pumpkin men, despite her age at the time, and it was her saying how much she'd love to go at Halloween that prompted this surprise trip! Bless, she is now 9 - I don't know where time is going .

Are you staying at your fave, HNY for your special birthday? Lovely to see all the family can make it for you! It's mine next year, hence our trip to Orlando/WDW!

 

[jillrobinson]

We are going to the party, thought we might as well as we may not be there on Halloween night itself again, but there's only the 2 of us me and Liam who's 15 and it is my intention to queue up all night if I have to, to get my photo taken with the UP characters. lol
EMH is in the Studios from 1st November, in case you didn't know, I imagine it's to give them a little extra time to take the Halloween decs down and get the christmas ones up

 

[DLPDreams]

Jill - if I were going with a 15 year old and hadn't been up at 4 am ish to get our flight that morning, I would probably have booked too. But I know the girls, in particular DD2 will be getting tired by 8 pm ish. So, I think we can use our time better by getting a reasonably early night (well, that's the plan!).

It hadn't registered that the EMH were both in the Studios on the weekend - that's a bit of a pain! I had hoped to get one in MK. Nevermind, MK is open until 10 pm on the Saturday so we shall nap in the afternoon and try and stay out until closing!

You can't beat BTM in the dark - it is truly amazing - we love it!