How is October? MNSSHP ?, too

[Tigger&Belle]

I'm in the early planning stages for a trip for my 4yo and me. We went together last February (and bought APs) and would like to go sometime this fall or early winter (before the APs expire in early Feb).

I'm looking at possibly going in October since the weather would still be warm, but not too hot. Also, it would be fun to go to the Halloween Party.

Questions... how are the crowds, assuming that we avoided Columbus Day weekend? Do the Columbus day crowds begin early the week before Col. Day or extend into the week following Col. Day?

I can be fairly flexible with my dates since my son is not in elementary school yet, but he is in preschool so I want to minimize time away from his MWF preschool.

The kids have October 1 and 15 off from school (both Fridays). Does the Halloween party usually start running early in October?

I was thinking either Th 30 Sep-5 Oct or Th 14-19 Oct. Columbus Day is on Mon, 18 Oct. Both of those time frames would mean only 1 day off from preschool since both Fridays are in-service days.

What thoughts do all you people have? I really want to avoid crowds, especially since I will be there alone with him

Thanks, T&B

 

[LorraineH]

Hi there,

We're flying to WDW from the UK on October 10th, and we have been told that Columbus Day is Monday 11th (not 18th)!!!!

Can anyone please confirm!!

This would make a difference to our planning!


Thanks

Lorraine

 

[decker96]

Lorraine,

Columbus Day is being officially observed on Monday Oct. 11 this year.

Tigger & Belle

Does your school district have off the 18th instead?

We don't get Columbus Day off from school at all!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Don't know why I ended up with a triple post...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Says I'm not allowed to delete the message...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Oops, my mistake. Darn typo! I meant that Col Day is Oct 11 and I was thinking about us either going 30 September- 5 Oct or 14-19 October.

No, we don't get Columbus Day off from school, either. We also don't get Veteran's Day off.

I found the posted dates of MNSSHP. Is October a lot busier than September due to the Halloween party?

T&B

 

[BarbaraK]

We attended MNSSHP last year near the end of October. The crowds were not too bad. Disney celebrates the Halloween Party all through the month of October, but I would suggest you make your plans for the October 14 - 19 dates to be sure you make the party. Last year we saw The Headless Horseman ride down Main St., it was exciting to see. You and your four year will have a great time.
BarbaraK

 

[Tigger&Belle]

From what I understand the party isn't too scary, right? My 4yo likes haunted houses (my neighbor has a haunted garage for Halloween and last year Jake walked through it alone...) and doesn't scare easily, but I still don't want it to be too intense. Personally, I would love to go to the Halloween party at Universal, but I've heard that that one is a lot scarier.

T&B

 

[WDWguru]

There's a reason the name is "Mickey's NOT SO SCARY Halloween Party"... it's geared for little kids. There are lots of characters out in their own costumes for meet and greets, a special parade and trick-or-treat stations all over. It's nothing like Universal, which is geared to teens and adults and involves very scary characters who actually jump out at you, scare and chase people.

The only potentially scary part of the WDW party is the headless horseman makes a ride through the parade route just before it starts. It's very fast, but with advance warning your child should be fine. We took my two nephews (5 and 11) and they LOVED the party.

The best part is you get to dress up in costumes -- adults too! There is even a kids costume parade a few times a night. Do it, you won't be sorry!

 

[kilee]

MNSSHP is great-- I really want to do it again-- only not on a sold out night. I'm thinking of going around Columbus Day as well (to minimize missed school days). I actually didn't realize that all (U.S.) schools didn't have off for Columbus Day.

October last year was still really, really hot and muggy though-- so just be prepared for that and a lot of mosquito's. (don't forget the bug spray).

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Sounds like a fun time. Jake would probably be ok with people jumping out at him like at Universal, but I'll wait a few years for that.

Yes, true about the heat. Maybe the later weekend would be better since it might be a little cooler. Jake and I also might meet my 81yo mother (would be her first trip) and my sister at WDW in early December, so I wouldn't feel that I'd have to do it all during the October trip. In reality I would probably try to see as much as possible in October and have a very relaxed pace in December.

Kilee, what night did you go to have it sold out? I would try to avoid a Friday night since I read that it is more crowded. Do you think that it would be less crowded earlier in October?

T&B

 

[lindajo]

Tigger&Belle, you definitely want to wait a few years for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. Like maybe 10 years....They suggest no kids under 13 or 14.. I went last year, I do not like blood & guts-jump out and gitcha stuff, but DH was down there for work, and some coworkers were going to it. So I dumped the kids at Grandma's and flew on down-I was not about to turn down any invitation to get outta town!! Anyway, after another guest told me what to do to deal with the "jump-out atcha" guys (spot them first, look them directly in the eyes, and they will leave you alone.) we had a ball. Rode some of the rides, went into one of the haunted houses(one was enough) and mostly enjoyed spotting the ghouls and seeing who they could make wet their pants. Soooo funny. The effects and make-up/costumes were truly Universal Studios-nothing lame or amateur. (OK, maybe the guy with the LEAF BLOWER was kinda lame.) Another thing you wouldn't want to expose to the kiddies-there was WAAAAYYYY too much alcohol flowing in that park for that kind of venue. We went on a Saturday, and it seem like half the park was either in a drunken stupor, or about to kill someone else. Although it was fun, I think we will try the party at WDW this year....

Have a great time, we may see you there....

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Halloween Horror Nights soounds like it would be right up my alley!!! But, nope, not my 4yo's. lol I had so much fun riding the Mummy ride at US a couple weeks ago. I had a lot of staring contests with the cast members. I would believe the alcohol--last year we were there for Mardi Gras at US and there was a fair amount then, too.

I'm looking for any excuse to go to WDW this year (those darn APs are going to give me a workout) and MNSSHP sounds like a good reason to go down in October.

T&B

 

[princess lovers mom]

I recommend that you look at the dates that were posted...she if any fall on a Tue, thur at pick then for the party...it gets busier and more of a chance for a sold out party on fridays and closer to halloween....sold out however is still not packed by any means....

 

[Tigger&Belle]

If I went Oct 14-19 I could try to catch the Thursday, Oct 14 party. If it were to get rained out I could then make the Sunday, Oct 17 party.

Hmmm, sounds like a plan. Now to wait for AP discounts and to start watching the air rates.

I informed my DH of my plans last night. He doesn't really care since he's not into WDW and is more than happy to have me go instead of him.

T&B

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Now I'm second guessing myself and thinking that I should go the earlier time frame and get there on September 29th so that it will be value season. I could go to a Sunday Halloween party, which shouldn't be as busy as a Friday one. The savings on room rates should just about pay for the extra night, I would think.

Something to consider.

T&B