Major 1st World problems...my dilemma...

[mummabear]

Just want to point out that the OP will see Hallowishes during MNSSHP. $50/ticket to hop is a lot of money and takes time to do but something OP will have to weigh and see if it's right for them.

Yes but they won't see Wishes.
That matters to some people and not to others

 

[Sarahbelle341]

Short trip first trip with a 7 year old I wouldn't waste the money on hoppers. If adding 3rd day base ticket is an option for your Thursday during the day in that case I would do HS first on the half day Thursday then to MK for MNSSHP. Then after the party and a full day at the MK you can do a day at Epcot or Animal Kingdom or simply return the Magic Kingdom again. I wouldn't bother with table service on such a short trip unless it was one character meal with characters my child wanted to meet.

 

[mousefan73]

Hopping is the only option money wise as I assume OP has only a 2 day park ticket.. Upgrading to 3 days is more expensive than an hopper.

I would consider this..

• Assuming the lower season and low party crowds ( when are you going?) Sleeping in a bit after the party ( no Rope Drop but late morning ) and....
• Do MK on the 7pm slow day IF you are able to give up like wishes etc.... IMO, the MNSSHP has an awesome evening Hallowishes and the Parade is the best.... I would think you would get your fill here. Knowing what I have experience I would do this.. Plus you would get home relatively early. Maybe plan a dinner at a hotel near MK or own resort. This gets you home relatively early.. Giving you......
• enough sleep to do rope drop at HS.... hit toy Story in the AM and then utilize FPs...

The MNSSHP passes will let you guys in at 4pm... I would keep ADR at whispering Canyon.. Are you driving or using Disney Transport?? I would keep sleep in on first day and then after the ADR you have a few hours to kill. I would take boat from WL ( experience in itself) back to MK and do a monorail tour, stop at Contemporary.. your son would like to check the monorail going thru there.. Also a nice ride is taking the monrail to epcot as it kida goes in the park when curving. nice picture op ( only negative is now son will see EP and might get excited you guys are going there!!) but its a nice trip. I think if this is your first trip. taking a monorail tour during this non-planned time is a nice ,relaxing, cool way of seeing things and wont tire son out before party.

 

[mousefan73]

If you have a limited time at Disney why are you sleeping in. Don't waste your money by going and sleeping in. Stay home and sleep in.

True and I tend to go this way.. but not all kids will play with this idea. Not sure where OP is coming in from, flying, driving, time changes etc.. I would not want to ruin a party night with a tired, cranky kid.. sometimes you have to play with time/sleep. Ex. we fly in from europe, so the first morning everyone wakes up at 5am with jet-lag.. this is our only RD day as once we get into our late night park days.. we all need to sleep in.

 

[Delirium]

Well I thought about doing hs on thursday but we're going to be getting to the resort very late on wednesday (like 12-1 am) and we're planning to go to MNSSHP thursday so we'll be up super late then too (and I'm all burning the midnight oil) but I don't know that I can do it both nights AND manage to get up early to do rp too...

Whatever you decide, do NOT do anything else on your party day. Trying to do too much, especially another park, will most likely kill your enjoyment of the party. I speak from experience over multiple years. Parties are best done by not arriving at the park until 4-5 that afternoon.

 

[mmouse50]

Unless you are planning on seeing alot of shows during the party - the lines should be relatively short and you should be able to get in quite of few rides.

 

[Disneymom1126]

We have three days and I've been considering hoppers as well. Once I look at the number of rides/shows my DD is actually wanting to do at Epcot, AK, and HS...I figure each of them is a half day park this time...so my plan is to do MK on day 1 (party day so it closes at 7 for us), do AK in the am of day 2 and hop to HS after lunch and stay for fantastic, and then on day 3 spend a few hours at Epcot in the am then take a break and head to MK for MMSSHP in the pm.

Having said that it's not our first trip so I know what DD's favorites are and can plan for that. I would talk with your DS and find out what he is most excited about and then prioritize those things. Definitely spend at least 1 full day at MK though!

 

[ilovecraigandcooper]

You guys are so great!!! We've tweaked our plans a little and even though we're only doing 2 day passes I AM going to add the hoppers...We're arriving Wednesday night (driving after work from Georgia so it will prob be at least midnight...) Thursday sleep in (just a little!!!), keep our wilderness canyon for lunch, check out one or two of the resorts, head to mnsshp. Friday do mk 1/2 day and Epcot that evening. Saturday rope drop hs and then after lunch prob mk again... I got fast passes for Peter pan, seven dwarfs and big Thunder mtn from 4-7 before the party so I feel like we'll get quite a bit accomplished eceb before the party...