Help with Planning Mickey's Halloween Party In October

[Princess Snow White]

Hi, I wanted to ask for some help on planning the 2014 Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party. I have never been, and this will be my first time attending. Where is the best place and time to eat dinner that night? Is it at the Magic Kingdom, before the party starts? Which place, do you think is best? Any tips on attending this night time party would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

Make sure you eat your major meal BEFORE the party starts. It's suggested that you don't want to be wasting party time sitting in a restaurant. If you want to use your party ticket as park admittance at 4, you can use that time to do attractions or have a meal in the park before 7, your choice. If you have in mind that you will wait to meet rare characters like the 7 dwarfs, you may have to get into that line even before the start of the party if you want to try minimizing your time in line, so plan accordingly. I'd recommend late lunch and a counter service dinner. If you can't get into the MK restaurants (there's only 5 sit-down lunch restaurants in the park) you can try the restaurants in the nearby resorts. Might be much easier to get into.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I wouldn't waste my time during the party sitting down eating dinner. You've already paid the ticket for the parade, fireworks and shortened lines, don't spend the party sitting down at Pecos Bill.

If you do not have tickets the day of the party and just plan on attending the party, you can enter Magic Kingdom at 4 pm.

If you want a sitdown lunch, try one of the restaurants on the monorail. Chef Mickey's perhaps.

 

[kneedeep]

We attended both MNSSHP and MVMCP last year. We ate subs on the drive over around 3:30 p.m. so we would not have to use valuable time for a sit-down meal. A little Halloween candy (or cookies from the Christmas party) held us over until later in the evening when we grabbed some food from Casey's to eat while we waited for the parade and fireworks. Of course, this may not work as well if you have younger children who prefer eating at regular times!

 

[siskaren]

If you want a sitdown lunch, try one of the restaurants on the monorail. Chef Mickey's perhaps.

Chef Mickey's isn't open for lunch.

 

[dotcomgirl18]

My main suggestion is make sure you buy your party tickets in advance. We went in 2012 during what we thought was a less crowded day (and not popular day). We didn't buy our party tickets in advance (because we were non-revving the flight out and there was a chance we would get bumped). When we tried to buy our tickets the day of, they told us that they had just recently sold out. It was so stressful checking the website, calling customer service and running around trying to get tickets. By the way, we did end up getting tickets in the end just hours before the party. Turns out that the ticket booth outside of MK keeps tickets on hand long after other places are sold out (hotel counters, online orders, other ticket counters)! Avoid our type of hassle and get your party tickets in advance!

 

[jimandami]

For MVMCP, we did Pirate's League at 2, rode a couple rides, then went to BOG for an early dinner (4:50 I think). It worked out really well.

 

[ShannonMB]

This fall will be my first MNSSHP, too, and I'm excited!!!

I think the strategy for the party is different depending on who you are travelling with. My DD is 13 now and up for staying up late, so I think we are going do the later parade. When she was smaller and we went to the Christmas party, we had to go to all the earlier stuff because I knew she wouldn't have the stamina - which is what pretty much everyone with little kids will be doing. Friends who travel with older kids or adults only have recommended this.

We will definitely be eating a big meal elsewhere before we enter the MK at 4pm.

 

[BrianL]

Just eat candy for dinner there'll be plenty!

But, yes, do eat before the party starts. If you enter MK at 4, a CS place should work out for you to have plenty of time. I like Pecos Bills, Ray's Starlight, or Columbia Harbor House.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Just eat candy for dinner there'll be plenty!

But, yes, do eat before the party starts. If you enter MK at 4, a CS place should work out for you to have plenty of time. I like Pecos Bills, Ray's Starlight, or Columbia Harbor House.

We ate at Ray's Starlight last MNNSHP, it was quick and easy. We stayed until the very end of MNNSHP and felt like we could have gone for a couple nights to see it all. We only did two character pics and autographs, lots of trick-or-treating and tons of rides, later parade, Villains mix-n-mingle and fireworks.

Hallowishes was amazing! Boo to you parade was fantastic! The lines for rides was very small. Totally worth the cost of the tickets.

 

[Princess Snow White]

My main suggestion is make sure you buy your party tickets in advance. We went in 2012 during what we thought was a less crowded day (and not popular day). We didn't buy our party tickets in advance (because we were non-revving the flight out and there was a chance we would get bumped). When we tried to buy our tickets the day of, they told us that they had just recently sold out. It was so stressful checking the website, calling customer service and running around trying to get tickets. By the way, we did end up getting tickets in the end just hours before the party. Turns out that the ticket booth outside of MK keeps tickets on hand long after other places are sold out (hotel counters, online orders, other ticket counters)! Avoid our type of hassle and get your party tickets in advance!

Thank you so very much for this advice, I will be taking it!!

 

[Princess Snow White]

I have two small children, 2 years old and a 6 year old, so hopefully we can get in at 4pm for an early dinner and then start the party when it starts, as long as my kiddies can handle. Thanks so much for all the replies!!

 

[Davey Jones II]

Does anyone know when the first parties are usually held in September?

 

[siskaren]

Does anyone know when the first parties are usually held in September?

http://www.easywdw.com/calendar/september-2014-walt-disney-world-crowd-calendar/

 

[Davey Jones II]

Thanks, siskaren.

How reliable is the info on that site, for example the most recommended parks on a given day?

 

[LSUfan4444]

Thanks, siskaren.

How reliable is the info on this site, for example the most recommended parks on a given day?

It's as reliable as any "guess" will be. Until Disney announces it, that's all it is, but the writing is on the wall.

 

[DLo]

We have been several times and really enjoy it ! The last couple if years we have eaten at crystal palace around 4:30. Before the Christmas party one year , we ate at the Plaza. I agree with others - eat before - you will want to spend the party time enjoying the parade , rides, characters and most important trick or treating !
Are you wearing costumes ? We usually got a locker when we walked in the park and changed right before the party . There are plenty of people dressed up before so you don't need to do this - just what we preferred .

 

[siskaren]

Thanks, siskaren.

How reliable is the info on that site, for example the most recommended parks on a given day?

I haven't had a chance to test it out yet, but I think his reasoning for which park is most recommended each day makes a lot of sense.

 

[tattooed princess]

The one thing I'd note that people haven't covered is: it's hot if you're not used to it being hot in October, so if you want to dress up, keep that in mind. We were dressed as pirates when we went and looked great, but could have done without the velvet and hats. Saw some people dressed in togas - GENIUS.

 

[Sphinx610]

Thanks, siskaren. How reliable is the info on that site, for example the most recommended parks on a given day?

Very reliable. I would go w Josh's suggestions. He is very knowledgable and he is actually in the process of writing a wdw guidebook!