How does Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween work?

[pearljammer]

can someone explain more about how these nights work? We were planning on hitting the park before our cruise but realize it's the same day as the Halloween party. We're not thrilled about our day being cut short when we're paying a lot for tickets. Don't really want to pay a lot more money to be able to stay either, especially for the fireworks. I understand you can get into the park at 4 with the Halloween bands but do you also have to have a park ticket? In other words, could we only purchase the Halloween party tickets, get in at 4 and just do it that way or do you have to also purchase the park ticket? I feel like I'm getting ripped off a bit. It would be an expensive and Long day to get our money's worth when we're hitting the Disney cruise the next day for a week? Can you guys help provide more insight into how this works and why I shouldn't be a bit miffed our day will be cut short if we don't spend more money? Thanks all.

 

[chartle]

If you're just going in at 4 you only need a party ticket.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's correct. You can get in at 4 with just a party ticket.

I think the party gives you a great chance to do something unique before your cruise.

But the short day isn't a bad thing either. Many hesitate to spend a day's ticket on a park that closes early, so crowds are typically lower those days. If you do decide to just go for the day and leave early, there are places you can watch Wishes from outside the park.

 

[verleniahall]

The Halloween Party is a seperate Hard ticket event. No, you do not have a park admission and party ticket. Bt you WILL have ot have a party ticket to get in at 4 and to stay past 7pm. You will get a special wrist band that shwos you can be there durin gthe party. If you don't have the wristband, you will be escorted out of the parks at 7pm - and the cast members DO check for them.

 

[mom2rtk]

Another option is to do the park during the day, but make a TS reservation in the park at 6:55. You will then get to stay and eat at your leisure, thus prolonging your day. You will be escorted to the exit after eating, but they won't rush you through dinner.

 

[pearljammer]

So it may be okay to just do the mickeys Halloween. Anyone ever done just the party and did you feel it was enough? Perhaps we should think of entering at 4 and enjoying that time an experience? Is it worth it? We're so excited about hitting the park, we've not been in a few years!

 

[kiford]

We've never been to MNSSHP but we do the Christmas party which is the same concept (i.e., hard ticket after 4 pm). We find that the crowds aren't as bad as a normal day and then really thin out after the fireworks. Depending on the ages of your party and how late you can and want to stay up, you can really do a lot after the fireworks, or at least that's been our experience. We don't normally stay up too late or stay in the parks really late but we do find that during MVMCP that we end up staying until almost close. The lines are so much shorter than normal that we keep thinking that we'll just do one more attraction (or do Buzz Lightyear one more time) that the next thing you know it's midnight or later. We typically don't do MK much so we leave it for the party night and are usually able to do pretty much everything we want and more that we hadn't intended.

 

[kmoore7]

IMO, the party is worth it. Characters that you never see are out. The kids got a kick out of trick or treating in MK

 

[mom2rtk]

You won't be able to do it all. But ride lines do tend to be shorter, so you can certainly hit the highlights and have time to see the parade as well. I would do it.

 

[SillySallySews]

So it may be okay to just do the mickeys Halloween. Anyone ever done just the party and did you feel it was enough? Perhaps we should think of entering at 4 and enjoying that time an experience? Is it worth it? We're so excited about hitting the park, we've not been in a few years!

I've taken my daughters to do the party without spending the beginning part of the day in the park. They were not interested in characters (except for Tarzan and Jane, and the line for that was very short) so we took advantage of the short lines and rode a lot of rides with little to no wait. They also loved the parade and the fireworks are awesome. For us it was definitely worth it, and the cost of the party is less then one day tickets to MK. We got there a little after 4pm and stayed until maybe 11 something and it felt like plenty of time.

 

[TheDisGuy]

I have often wondered how they clear people out of the parks for these hard ticket events ? Does something happen so they can do this ?

 

[siskaren]

I have often wondered how they clear people out of the parks for these hard ticket events ? Does something happen so they can do this ?

People with party tickets are given wristbands. At 7, CMs start checking for them, and anyone who doesn't have one is asked to buy a party ticket or leave.

 

[TheDisGuy]

People with party tickets are given wristbands. At 7, CMs start checking for them, and anyone who doesn't have one is asked to buy a party ticket or leave.

Ah ha ! That's actually quite simple, funny how you can over think things. I definitely was over thinking it !

 

[chartle]

Op what were your plans before you found out about the party and also where are you staying and how are you getting the port the next day?

No matter what you do its kind of a Win Win situation but my choice depends on early you have to be out the next day.

Get the park at rope drop, spend the day at a less crowded park and leave at 7:00 PM or a tad earlier to beat the crowd. I would then go to maybe the Poly for Dinner and then maybe stay there to watch the fire works. You then can get back to your hotel at a semi early hour to get ready for the next day.

If you can sleep in a bit you can hang around your resort for the day, maybe go to DTD and get to the MK at exactly 4:00. Do the party but here is the issue, you are probably going to want to stay late to get the full experience and maybe not get to your hotel until 1 am.

Also if you are not into M&G or Trick or Treating the only thing you are going to miss not going the party is the parade and the fireworks.

But there is no bad choice.

ETA: I saw in one of your other posts that you have an 8 year old. Not sure you want to be up until 1.

 

[pearljammer]

So is there a parade for those who leave at 7 like there is for those who have party tix? My husband wants to do both but i cant say it would be worth a 500+ sort of day. What time are the fireworks? Ugh. What to do.

 

[pearljammer]

One thing i need to keep inind is rhere will likely be a halloween party on the cruise. Vso i think wre just doing the day at the park. Bstill feel like im getting ripped off a bit. Disney should charge a bit less for these days if they are maki g you leave early.

 

[siskaren]

So is there a parade for those who leave at 7 like there is for those who have party tix? My husband wants to do both but i cant say it would be worth a 500+ sort of day. What time are the fireworks? Ugh. What to do.

There's the normal Festival of Fantasy parade at 3:00; the Halloween party has the Boo To You parade. The fireworks are at 9:30.

 

[chartle]

Disney should charge a bit less for these days if they are maki g you leave early.

There are better responses but here goes.

These parties were traditionally held at slow times of the year when the park would normally close at 8:00 PM and there wouldn't be an evening parade anyway. Also since a lot people avoid party days because they feel they aren't getting a "Full Day" the lines should be shorter.

The only time we did a party (Xmas) it was our first full day and we could have gone to a park for an extra $40 or so but we decided to take our time, have breakfast at WCC, tour the resorts and hit the park at around 4:30.

But I wouldn't do RD to the end of the party. Particularly with an 8 year old.

 

[verleniahall]

So is there a parade for those who leave at 7 like there is for those who have party tix? My husband wants to do both but i cant say it would be worth a 500+ sort of day. What time are the fireworks? Ugh. What to do.

The only parade that you migh tsee is the Festival of Fantasy and if they have the move it shake it celebrate it street party. Otherwise, the parade in the evening is for party goers only

 

[swashy]

I read somewhere (can't seem to find it as fast I want to right now!) that there is a discounted pass holder ticket price. Would anyone happen to know what it might be? Looking at going sometime late September. Also, where do I need to go to purchase said tickets.