Is Halloween party worth an entire trip?

[susykt4]

My mom is very into the sudden idea that my family of four should go to WDW in September for free dining and especially the Halloween party. My parents would join us. At first I thought this was an excellent idea but now I'm having second thoughts...

My kids will be in 1st and 4th grade and while I have no problem taking them out of school for a week, I do wonder about taking them out so soon after school starts. Also, we are big Jan/early Feb visitors. We like to go when the crowds and temps are low. I'm guessing the crowds may not be too horrible, but the temps and rain will likely be pretty high. We can also really only afford one major vacation per year and this will be our second of 2009. We'll be able to pay for it without going into debt, but then won't get a major vacation in 2010. That scares me. I can totally get into free dining, but is it really worth taking this second Disney trip of 2009 to go to the Halloween party one night? (We'd also be doing a "regular" week at Disney) Any thoughts?

 

[djblu883]

While the Halloween party is fun I'm not sure it would be worth a entire second trip. Its too hot in Sept. for costumes !!!!! ( Unless they are very light)Free dining would be the draw if anything and that is a bargin!

 

[powellrj]

We have been and while it was OK, I wouldn't take the kids out of school and miss next years trip for it. I wouldn't even use a park day for it. We have always used it as a park day and entered at 4pm. It fun to see and the candy is nice, but nothing you can't get at home.

 

[Avonlady1001]

Maybe schedule next years trip for Sept/Oct 2010 instead of doing another trip this year? Then you can do both!

We've been down in Sept a few times, and it IS hot. Crowds are generally low. We've done Free Dining, but this is the 1st time we're doing MNSSHP, so I can't comment on that. I've heard good things, but I doubt the one night is worth giving up next years vacation. I wouldn't do it, but that's me personally.

 

[ehrn]

I really love going at that time of year, we are going the first week of Oct and still getting free dining but have gone in Sept the last 2yrs. I love the MNSSHP, this will be our second time there. We'll also get to experience F&W this year.
Yeah, it's HOT but the low crowds are worth it for me. What I would be concerned about for you is getting good dining reservations at this point. It seems like a free for all this year for the popular places.
We keep going back to Disney but there are a lot of smaller trips I think would be fun if we couldn't afford a Disney trip next year, so I wouldn't worry so much about that. I love the weather and low crowds of Jan/Feb but I always have issues traveling at that time of year-- weather getting to and from, someone being sick, dealing w/winter clothing...but that's just me.
I also love the Autumn decorations in the parks. I def. enjoy seeing Disney at all different times of the year.
Maybe you should see what is available, see what ADR's you can get and then make a decision. Friends who have taken their kids out of school have told me that Sept is actually a good time to miss school because they aren't right in the middle of anything major yet, but my son is 4, this will be his last fall before starting school.
Happy Planning!

 

[daleswife]

I though about taking DD6 out of school for a week in september too. DH was against it until I talked to her teacher and they said the first couple of weeks are just a review anyways and she would be fine. so we are going september 12th through 19th!!!

 

[leblanat]

I cannot express how much we thanked ourselves for going in September and having MNSSHP tickets. It is after 7pm so not as hot as daytime. The park went (last year) from 35000 people to just over 9000. We stayed on rides like Splash Mountain and the other mountains instead of getting off because there were so few people. My kids got to do almost the entire park, at night, in the cooler air, and got treats with no lines. Mine were 4 and 6. We have never thought something was so worth the extra money. And All the villians are out and my son had so much time with Captain Hook that he got to swordfight with him and pose and goof off because it was just us. And the parades are excellent. Also it was hot, but we made sure to do pool breaks and naps. Good luck.

 

[crisi]

I won't go to MNSSHP when I'm already there - I don't think its worth it for us and we regularly go in October when its running. I've been once - and while the parade was cute, it sure wasn't worth what we spent.

 

[doodlesmommy]

We centered our entire trip around MNSSHP. I picked a week that the kids have a teacher work day so they will only miss one day that week. (We are going Wed-Sun) I bought my DD a Tinkerbell dress designed like a sundress so she can wear a tee underneath or be comfortable if it is still warm. We are typically Spring visitors but we love Halloween and just couldn't stand not going to at least one party. We can't wait! Of course, we miss free dining by one week but at least the kids won't miss too much school which was my major dilema.

 

[dvcmember00]

I pretty much go every October and make sure I attend MNSSHP! It's great fun, you can pretty much go on every ride, the lines are much shorter, the HALLO-WISHES fireworks are awesome, and the parade with the Headless Horseman is great! Two thumbs up! I recommend it!

Would I go if it meant NO vacation in 2010? Hm....like another poster said, I would maybe postpone it UNTIL my 2010 vacation, but I would definitely go see it at least once. Same with the Christmas Party.