Help with MNSSHP strategies

[discorsner]

I feel like an a WDW vet but I have never been to MNSSHP! Finally after much wait we are making it to our first MNSSHP! We are so excited!

I feel like a fish out of water planning this one! We will be there for 9 nights staying at POR. Our stay is 9/29- 10/8. We have a group of 7 between 2 rooms that include 4 adults and 3 kids ages 11, 8, and 1.

We are planning on doing MNSSHP twice. (would anyone suggest going 3 times? )

I originally was thinking of going with Friday September 30th and Friday October 7th for the parties (based on speculated dates). My line of thinking was once at the beginning of the vacation and once at the end. We will get in late the night of the 29th so 9/30 will be our first park day.

However, would you suggest changing to maybe Sunday or Thursday parties? (If they have them of course). I am wondering how much more crowded the Friday parties are?

Also looking for opinions on these things:

Which thing to start with first? Kids are into getting autographs and pics with characters they don't usually see such as villians or dwarfs.

Bother with costumes or not? Seems fun and festive but also hot and clumsy. What do you usually do?

What time to grab a spot on main street for parade or fireworks? (I know there is other places to see both but I am a main street girl. I love having a great view of the castle while seeing both parade and fireworks)

Any other tips and tricks appreciated!

Thanks so much dis- friends!

 

[Cherbear013]

My biggest tip is this:

A MNSSHP ticket is separate from your regular park tickets. So you don't need to use one of your days to go to the party. I would sleep in, go to the pool, resort hop, etc. on the days you have planned to go to the party. That way you are not wasting your tickets on 'half days'.

I found this out the first time I did MNSSHP. I was at MK at RD and stayed through the day into the party. I ended up walking around about 5 times and didn't need that morning there. I wasted a day on my ticket when I didn't need to. Granted, I was by myself and went on one of the first party dates.

Good luck! Its a fun time!

 

[2DisPrincesses]

Line up for the 7 Dwarfs early!!! We lined up about 6:15 and were 3rd in line. The line was LONG by 7:00. We were out of line by about 7:05- it was perfect!

We went twice last year, but never on a Friday, so can't help there. I do think going 2 times is great and necessary to be able to do/see everything.

 

[momtoejanda]

Line up for the 7 Dwarfs early!!! We lined up about 6:15 and were 3rd in line. The line was LONG by 7:00. We were out of line by about 7:05- it was perfect!

We went twice last year, but never on a Friday, so can't help there. I do think going 2 times is great and necessary to be able to do/see everything.

The line for the dwarfs was long starting at 6:30. So if that is important to you do that first.

I have the touring plan from last year that someone on here did. If you are interested pm me with your email and I will send it to you.

I didnt use it because it wasnt crowded enough, so I cant say whether it was good or not.

 

[matheke]

Just my two cents worth but I would never go on a Friday due to the increase in people from the local area attending. Pick a day during the week for lesser crowds.

Is there anything that you can't do at one party that would lead you to go to a second? One year we went to two MVMCP and the second trip was really a waste of time. The crowds were so small that we did pretty much all we wanted at the first party.

As far as costumes go, maybe for the kids, but it can be hot that time of year. Maybe take them along and if it cools down, find a family restroom and change the kids into their costumes.

Dan

 

[Never never been]

The line for the dwarfs was long starting at 6:30. So if that is important to you do that first.

I have the touring plan from last year that someone on here did. If you are interested pm me with your email and I will send it to you.

I didnt use it because it wasnt crowded enough, so I cant say whether it was good or not.

Is that the itinerary Berlioz70 put out last year? It really worked for me! I did go on Sunday and again on Thursday so I could get autographs first then parade(s) and fireworks, etc. to top it off. Line up for Dwarfs early, keep an eye out for the Dis folks telling you where they are meeting, it may change from last year. I did wait until 4PM to enter the park and spent my day sleeping in and primping for the party (built up a lot of anticipation). Coordinating costumes would be great if they can be comfy! I'd have to give that some thought before I'd make any suggestions, though. Oh, you are going to love it! Enjoy!

 

[liamkelly]

How long are the lines for characters? When i go I have a huge list of characters that i would like to meet, has anyone ever met a lot of characters in one night?

I also want to see Villain Mix and Mingle and the parade if i have time

With toon town gone I'm really wondering how it will effect the number of chaarcters out.

 

[NNPMom]

Hi,

Jumping on this post to ask when the Halloween Decorations come down? I will be there November first and have never seen the decorations for this holiday- will there still be anything to see on November first?

 

[mom2rtk]

Hi,

Jumping on this post to ask when the Halloween Decorations come down? I will be there November first and have never seen the decorations for this holiday- will there still be anything to see on November first?

Since there's usually a party the night of 11/1, you should be good.

 

[momto2js]

For us the most important thing is to have a lazy AM before and a large last lunch so we are not spending alot of time eating in the parks. We then take a heavy snacks for dinner in the parks. The other things is that the next day we need to sleep in but I have a 2 and 4 year old so the catch up on sleep days are a must when we are out late.

 

[discorsner]

Thanks for all the tips so far! Yes I would really like a copy of any touring plan that people have created or have used that have worked well for them.

I really appreciate all the help!

Also, what about the strategy of waiting to buy tickets when there because of possible rain? I've heard this as a tip and it sounds like good advice except for the fact that I would worry about not having the tickets. I know Halloween is usually the only sell out typically but I still worry!

Also, I am a big planner so having days for MNSSHP not set would alter all my other plans and ADRs. Wish I could go more with the flow but I am not sure I have it in me!

All advice considered and appreciated! Thanks!

 

[heathernfrankie]

We are planning on doing the MNSSHP also. I think we're thinking a Tuesday if they have one b/c of the early closing. If someone has an itinery, could you pm it to me, please? I would appreciate it.

 

[Robin K]

1. I would not do anything the day of the party. Sleep in, swim, go DTD, resort hop anything that can be considered relaxing.
2. We usually go to 2 parties during our trip too. We do Tues and Fri. We find the Fri only to be more crowded when on Main Street at the beginning. The crowds each go do their own thing and we didn't notice them much.
3. Enter as close to 4 as you can. Eat a late lunch or early dinner so you don't interupt party time. OR eat a big lunch then get a CS meal.
4. We go to the first party to do rides and characters. The second party is for candy, rides and characters we missed or really liked. I suggest having a plan for how you/family want to handle this so its not an issue at party arrival.
5. Snow White and the Dwarfs have a huge line by 7:00. They are not scheduled to come out til 7 so line up before then. I would suggest being in line by 6:15-6:30 at the latest if your family can wait in line without issues. We are not big line waiters..it bugs us to think of time being wasted. They do not sign autographes..just pictures. Same with the villains..no autographs. The villians do a mix and mingle thing which is a song and dance type show then they come down to do pictures. The only show they don't come down after is the one right before fireworks.
6. We do costumes. It's part of the fun! I will tell you its hotter than H. So try to keep that in mind when planning. We have seen people do everything from Halloween shirts to full out costumes. I have heard you can not do masks but I am not sure about that.
7. Many people will tell you the 2nd parade is less busy-we have found it busy either time no matter what night. We are not big waiters (see #5). We usually find a spot maybe 15 minutes before it all starts. That works for us.
8. I LOVE talking about MNSSHP. It's one of my favorite things (well just talking is my fave too ). Let me know if you have any more questions. We have been to 5 Halloween parties. I am not by any means an expert but I will help in any way!
Have a great trip!

 

[pktbMouse]

Oh I second Robin on her comment about halloween costumes....when we went it was high 80s and very humid....we were dying on our costumes it was sooo hot...we saw poor kids with their hair absolutely sticking to their heads soaking with sweat...I ended up taking my kids off after 30 mins as I thought he was about to pass out...just a heads up...try and pick something really cool and wear very little under it!

 

[lysahester]

I would also love to have a touring plan, if someone does mind sending it to me! We are also going to our first MNSSHP this September, and I want to utilize every minute we can! Thanks!

 

[DISMiss85]

For the costumes I suggest going with something cool(temperature wise). Last year my sister went as Perry the Platapus by wearing the shirt with his picture on it, shorts, and a fedora. It really turned out great!!

 

[squirrel]

I have been to 3 MNSSHP. I take one of my nieces each trip. For costumes, we just have been dressing in a halloween dress. The first party my niece dressed in her snow white dress. She was so hot. She got changed into shorts and a T-shirt later in the evening.

I made dresses by attaching a skirt (I sewed it out of Disney Halloween fabric) to a T-shirt.

If I have time this year, I will make myself a Disney princess dress. I already have a bunch of fabric for my niece to have a couple of princess dresses. She has a Belle dress from last year's trip.

 

[seadd67]

We did MNSSHP in 2009,and did it twice. It was well worth it for us, we hit all the chacters and tric or treat areas,parade(the frist one) the frist night then just kind of wing it the second night takeing in the second parade.You will have a great time.

 

[RMulieri]

If Snow White and the 7 dwarves interest you...GET THERE EARLY.Lines form for them starting about 630pm and it the line never seems to get shorter.Also picture Ops at Cindys Carriage and the Haunted Mansion hearse also generate HUGE lines all night long.It seemed to us that the crowds are heaviest for trick or treating,character meets and photo ops.As for costumes, I echo alot of the PP.It can be VERY VERY HOT AND HUMID...last time we went it was 85 degrees and 100% humidity in the evening.We bagged the costumes last minute.I saw so many little ones that were drenched in sweat and even some trying to wear those furry Winnie the pooh costumes.Go lightweight with the ability to layer if it turns out to be cooler

 

[OhThePain]

I hate to hijack, but my question has to do with strategies and perhaps others have the same question. How long do the villains hang around after the Mix and Mingle? Is it just long enough to see 1 villain maybe 2? or is it long enough to see most of them after 1 show? My 1 goal is to get pictures with as many as I can, so how many shows should I expect to see?