How crowded is a sold out MNSSHP?

[TeamEvansGo]

Thinking about attending a MNSSHP on our next trip but it would have to be one of the last parties (oct. 20) and will most likely sell out.

So what can I expect from a sold out party in terms of crowds, and ride wait times. We won't be meeting characters so I'm not concerned with those wait times.

 

[minnie mum]

VERY crowded. One of the main reasons we won't be doing it again.

 

[Kelly014]

We went to a sold out MNSSHP last year and it was crowded but not a huge deal. Take that with a grain of salt though as that was our first MNSSHP and we focused on rides part of the time.

We did the second parade, the fireworks, and a lot of trick or treating too though. No stage show. And we got there at 4:00 or whatever early time they'll start letting party guests in.

We are going back over Halloween again next year and will definitely be doing MNSSHP again, I loved it!

 

[Disneylover99]

Crowded but fun! A very festive atmosphere with so many people dressed up.
We watched both parades, and both were very crowded.
But overall, worth it.

 

[MouseEars4Ever]

We went several years ago on Halloween and it was packed! The crowd seemed to affect the trick-or-treating stations and the special character meet-and-greets the most. Ride times were great- rarely a wait. It was tons of fun!! Loved it so much we planned another trip for this year.

 

[DWillowBay]

Sold out parties are far too crowded to call it fun for me. I used to like going right on Halloween. But, no more. We tend to do early parties now to avoid the intensity.

 

[Wackdawg]

Went to two sold out parties two years ago and had a blast! Going down again this year. The crowds are only noticeable in the hub and main street. Everywhere else is relaxed. Ride times are walk on with exception of 7DMT and Peter Pan.

 

[BethanyLynnFit]

We did a sold out party last year...can't remember the exact date, but I want to say Oct 17th or so. It was our first party, and I didn't know it was sold out until we left for the night. It was pretty busy, busier than I anticipated. Regardless, we had a great time. Front row for the first parade, great spot for Hallowishes. I'd have to say that we'd probably do it again. We are doing a Christmas party for the first time this year and really looking forward to it!

 

[Lulubelle17]

We went for Halloween night last year, and didn't think it was that crowded. It was a sold out party but most rides were walk in, and 7DMT was about 20-30 minutes wait. We loved it and will do it again this year!

 

[lovethattink]

We went to a sold out party last year and several in past years. We avoid the hub at all costs. That's where it's the most crowded. We watch the Boo to You parade either between Emporium and the Barber Shoppe or in Frontierland.

Prioritize what you want to do. There's no way to do everything at a party, and even less can get done on a sold out night.

If you want to do any hard to get M&G characters, plan on spending time in line well before the party starts. It's better to "waste" an hour or two before the party in line than it is during the party.

Last year Jack and Sally began meeting before the party ever started.

Be sure to read reports from party goers so you know things to expect beforehand.

Check out the Official MNSSHP thread for all the latest and chatter about the party!

 

[coasternut22]

Crowded but fun! A very festive atmosphere with so many people dressed up.
We watched both parades, and both were very crowded.
But overall, worth it.

We'll be going the same night as the OP. Very excited. We're also in it for the short wait times for rides and not there for the characters. But we still may want to catch a parade. I get conflicting reports that say to go to the second parade because it is less crowded. Is there any strategy for seeing the second parade?

Also, are the candy lines long like 15-20 minutes long, or just unreasonably long to get like two pieces of candy?

 

[Disneylover99]

We'll be going the same night as the OP. Very excited. We're also in it for the short wait times for rides and not there for the characters. But we still may want to catch a parade. I get conflicting reports that say to go to the second parade because it is less crowded. Is there any strategy for seeing the second parade?

Also, are the candy lines long like 15-20 minutes long, or just unreasonably long to get like two pieces of candy?

I had also heard that the second parade was much less crowded, but when we went, the second parade was just as crowded as the first parade. Both times we were in Frontierland watching. Mainstreet and the Hub were CRAZY CROWDED during the parade.

The candy lines were long, but they moved fast and we got lots of candy! It was actually one of our favourite things to do. Rides did not seem busy at all, but we really did not do the rides. We went for the candy, parade, fireworks and a few character meet and greets.

 

[cgattis]

We have been to three Halloween parties, same week each year. This past one may be our last Crowds have increased to the point where rides are certainly NOT walk-on, and not just 7DMT and HM--like 30 min for Buzz and 15 min for Tea Party. Candy lines were much, much longer and the three of us total had less than a sandwich bag of candy, where in years past we'd have a couple of gallon ziploc bags. And we watched them rolling boxes of candy offstage at seconds past midnight rather than offloading it to folks leaving the park (like we were ON the old Alice trail and they took it away as we were walking up). We also found a massive crowd at the second parade, which is my favorite part. Got caught up in crowds just trying to get to our favorite spot on the hub and had an awful view by the time we got any spot. The atmosphere is awesome--I adore the party--but it's just soooo overcrowded now, IMO. But if you've never done it, I'd still say go for it, but go into it for the special party stuff, not as a super ride FP because it really just isn't that way anymore.

 

[tomatecerise]

We did A Christmas party In november, not sold out but i find it very crowded. It Was long wait to see the characters And the only attraction without 20 minutes or more wait Was People Mover!

Main Steet Was packed.

 

[Missyrose]

Thinking about attending a MNSSHP on our next trip but it would have to be one of the last parties (oct. 20) and will most likely sell out.

So what can I expect from a sold out party in terms of crowds, and ride wait times. We won't be meeting characters so I'm not concerned with those wait times.

The more you stay away from Main Street and the hub, the less crowded it will feel. From about an hour before the first parade until after the fireworks, Main Street and the hub are wall-to-wall people, a crush you likely have never experienced before. Staying on the left side of the park (Adventureland and Frontierland) will keep you clear of much of the crowd.

 

[Kelly014]

We'll be going the same night as the OP. Very excited. We're also in it for the short wait times for rides and not there for the characters. But we still may want to catch a parade. I get conflicting reports that say to go to the second parade because it is less crowded. Is there any strategy for seeing the second parade?

Also, are the candy lines long like 15-20 minutes long, or just unreasonably long to get like two pieces of candy?

We went two days before Halloween last year. Second parade was very crowded but the timing worked better for us anyway. It's really neat and I'm glad we watched it.

We did maybe 3-4 trick or treat lines and never waited more than 5-7 minutes and had a half full bag. Then we went through one more by Splash Mountain right before midnight and my 6 yo DD was the last trick or treater, so they dumped the rest in her bag! It was overflowing and a really fun moment. So hop into a line right before midnight and they'll be super generous

 

[GATORinaZ28]

I went to three sold out Halloween parties last year and they were all manageable. Sure it was crowded on the parade route and Main street for the parades, but that should be expected. The candy lines moved fast and most of the rides were nearly walk on. For reference, I went during the second week of October.

 

[Misha72683]

We went to a sold out party last year and it was fine. My husband hates crowds and he was generally ok, though he found trying to get through the Hub a little overwhelming. We saw the fireworks and the parade and did a lot of trick or treating and went on rides. It was pretty perfect. We never waited more than 2-3 minutes to get candy and got a ridiculous amount (4 giant Ziploc bags worth) and never waited more than 5 minutes for a ride.

 

[mort1331]

Maybe its been our luck, or the fact that we go mid Sept. Never had issues with crowds. Rides never more than 10mins, meet and greets yes some longer than others, candy lines we walked thru the same ones 2-3 times sometimes, no issues. We will be back Sept 25. |The latest we have been, hoping for the same.

 

[kaymil]

We went to the last MVMCP last year (sold out). We had a blast. It was definitely crowded, but we easily found a spot to watch the first parade in Fronteirland, and the waits for rides were lovely. 10-15 minutes for pretty much everything. It was awesome. I can't speak on the trick-or-treating since it was the Christmas party, though. If your focus is rides and seeing one of the parades and fireworks, I think you'll have a great time. Just don't expect it to be empty.