MHP help and advice

[Ellie Mint]

Hey all!

Very excited to be going to Disneyland for the first time and finally grabbing a Halloween party to boot! I have a vague itinerary planned for our trip (just me and my partner) and I wanted to run it by some experts. We're from Scotland so we're going during our October week holiday since we both work in schools. Travel dates are Sat 13th and Sat 20th and we're looking at either a 2 or 3 day park hopper + MHP (looking to add maxpass as well).

Still deciding exactly which days to do parks but that doesn't need to be solid just yet anyway, but we do need to decide party night! I was initially thinking Tuesday 16th cause in my head I think weekdays are quiet, even though I know all the parties will sell out. I am tempted by the Friday 19th party though since it'll be our last night and could be a nice end to it all. I don't know. Help!

Possible itineraries are:

S: rest/sightsee
M: park
T: MHP
W: rest/sightsee
T: park
F: park

S: park
M: rest/sightsee
T: MHP
W: rest/sightsee
T: park
F: park

S: park
M: park
T: rest/sightsee
W: rear/sightsee
T: park
F: MHP

Friday park days are if we decide to do 3 day hopper and would be dropped if not.
Bleh. Long post is long.

Tl;dr should I Halloween party on a Tuesday or a Friday? Help!

 

[asunnydayinmay]

May i ask what your goal is for the Halloween party?

 

[Ellie Mint]

Can I say "everything"? =p
Character meet and greets/photos, parades (happy to stay for second one. Or see both!), hopefully fireworks. Merchandise probs. Mostly drink in the atmosphere. Very excited by the Cadaver Dans.
Would probably like to do a treat trail but mostly for the experience rather than the sweets.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

IMO, the best days to visit the parks from a crowd perspective are usually Wednesdays/Thursdays (especially Wednesday mornings at DL)... so I'd be wary of a Tuesday night party if that would put you out too late to enjoy Wednesday morning at the parks. I notice none of your itineraries have you in the parks on Wednesday; personally, I'd arrange for that.

I'd probably do the Friday night party either way because it seems like a fun way to end the trip.

 

[Ellie Mint]

IMO, the best days to visit the parks from a crowd perspective are usually Wednesdays/Thursdays (especially Wednesday mornings at DL)... so I'd be wary of a Tuesday night party if that would put you out too late to enjoy Wednesday morning at the parks. I notice none of your itineraries have you in the parks on Wednesday; personally, I'd arrange for that.

I'd probably do the Friday night party either way because it seems like a fun way to end the trip.

I think because I was initially so set on a Tuesday party and I wanted Disney spread throughout rather than one side of the week being very Disney heavy. I only recently started to consider the Friday party so thanks for the tip regarding Wednesday park days! =]

It was also bandied about to be around LA on the Friday to see about catching some overwatch matches or atmosphere. Hahaha. Then I figured I didn't want to be bummed out by no more Disney on my last day.

The other concern for Friday night party is our long travel day on Saturday/Sunday. Flying LAX - Manchester. Over night flight taking off around 17:00 and arriving 11:00 local time. Then the travel up north before going back to work Monday. Not too worried about me but think I'll have a very grumpy partner (will need to keep some pins by to cheer him up when we -finally- get home!)

 

[Ellie Mint]

I suppose I just really want to know what have people's experiences been regarding weekday Halloween parties Vs weekend parties. Is there any real advantage or difference? Is one more adults, one more small kids? Opening times?

 

[figment_jii]

In terms of the weekday versus Friday party, to me, there were some differences in terms of how the party felt depending on when it starts. There really wasn't any difference in terms of the vibe, both were very family friendly and both were sold out.

The general advice is that the lines are shorter at the end of the party (i.e., after fireworks). While both parties last five hours, the one starts at 7:00 pm has two hours after the fireworks for trick-or-treating, characters, entertainment, and attractions. The 6:00 pm parties only have one hour after fireworks (10:00 pm to 11:00 pm). So in that way, the parties that started earlier felt shorter even though the length of time is the same. It's hard to explain, but it felt like those first two hours weren't as "efficient" as having two hours after fireworks to trick-or-treat, ride attractions, meet characters, etc. I think some of this is because there are still day guests in the parks when the party starts, so attraction lines remain long for the first hour or so until the day guests are cleared from the parks. By the time the parade starts, the vast majority of the day guests are gone. After fireworks ends, there should only be MHP guests in the park, so the lines should be shorter (in theory, although the most popular Halloween attractions, like Space and HM, may still have fairly lengthy lines).

If possible, I would recommend going to a party that starts at 7:00 pm (unless you won't last until midnight, then it's probably better to go the party that starts at 6:00 pm). Don't get me wrong, overall, we had a lot of fun at MHP both nights and I would happily go back to MHP (on any night). It's just that the Friday parties felt like you could get more done.

 

[asunnydayinmay]

I’ve attended both types of parties and I agree with figment!

I would suggest do a break/sightsee on Thursday. That way, you can go all out on Wednesday and have basically a day and a half (since you have Friday morning before the party) of rest and that way you’re not exhausted during your flight back.

 

[Ellie Mint]

Sounds good! Think I'll go for the Friday party then!
I know I can decide the other park days closer to our trip since I want to have an idea of the programme available (to Sunday or not to Sunday...)
I'm beyond hyped about this trip. I'm the last one in my immediate family to go to DLR and my sister has done the Halloween party before (away back in 2010-11 or something). Fairly sure my partner is just a little bit afraid of how excited (unbearable) I'm going to be
Oh well, we've managed two Paris trips. This should be a breeze

Thanks for all your help. Expect more frantic posts from me in the future!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This thread has more info on MHP: Mickey's Halloween Party and Halloween Time Superthread 2018!!. If you have any more questiona about the parties, ask away there!

 

[GenGen22]

I would do a Tuesday party as you will be out late and if your travelling the next day after a Friday party you would have to get up early and be pretty tired I would think.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

One reason you might want to consider the Tuesday party is that 10/19 was supposed to be the UEA convention (a very large educators convention in the state of Utah). Normally that convention happens every year, giving many students two days off school, so many parents take the kids to DLR. This year, UEA was cancelled, but parents had already planned trips. The Friday party will probably be quite crowded. In the past, the UEA party always sold out. It will still be lots of fun, but if you do choose the Friday party, buy your tickets early.

 

[Ellie Mint]

One reason you might want to consider the Tuesday party is that 10/19 was supposed to be the UEA convention (a very large educators convention in the state of Utah). Normally that convention happens every year, giving many students two days off school, so many parents take the kids to DLR. This year, UEA was cancelled, but parents had already planned trips. The Friday party will probably be quite crowded. In the past, the UEA party always sold out. It will still be lots of fun, but if you do choose the Friday party, buy your tickets early.

Yeah, I had heard about this as well. But if all the parties sell out, are they not all crowded? This is definitely what's bugging me and getting me all twiddled about. That plan is (was) to buy today now they're on sale for general release.

I would do a Tuesday party as you will be out late and if your travelling the next day after a Friday party you would have to get up early and be pretty tired I would think.

This is also a concern but our flight isn't until around 4:45pm so plan to be at LAX for about 1pm so not a super early morning (compared to park days). Would probably spend some of the day of Friday making sure we were all packed and ready to go. But it's a valid concern. One which is keeping me second guessing and stressed out!

Because I'm crazy, I'm also slightly worried I might put too much pressure on the Halloween party to be the best Disney experience since i'll be closing the holiday with it.

If I was doing the Friday as a normal park day, I would probably get there earlyish, plan to hit my favourite rides, enjoy the park atmosphere (lots of photos) and plan to grab some fast passes for DCA during party time, and then maybe chill in DD for a while. I am concerned about how busy DCA might get during the party which is why it wasnt originally a park day at all (until I remembered who I am as a person!)

More coin tossing today I think!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Yeah, I had heard about this as well. But if all the parties sell out, are they not all crowded? This is definitely what's bugging me and getting me all twiddled about. That plan is (was) to buy today now they're on sale for general release...

While the exact number of tickets sold for each MHP is not disclosed, it is definitely fewer tickets than the number for DL at capacity on a regular day with a gate closure! So even the most crowded, sold out MHP we've ever attended was crowded, but not nearly as sardine packed as DL on NYE. And no matter how many party tickets are sold, the party offerings remain the same -- so you will still be able to ride all rides that are available, wear a costume (as long as it abides by Disney's costume rules), trick or treat, do M&Gs, etc.

 

[GenGen22]

While the exact number of tickets sold for each MHP is not disclosed, it is definitely fewer tickets than the number for DL at capacity on a regular day with a gate closure! So even the most crowded, sold out MHP we've ever attended was crowded, but not nearly as sardine packed as DL on NYE. And no matter how many party tickets are sold, the party offerings remain the same -- so you will still be able to ride all rides that are available, wear a costume (as long as it abides by Disney's costume rules), trick or treat, do M&Gs, etc.

I agree with luckyrabbit on this one. I will say this this will be my 5th year going to MHP and I go to this specific Friday party every year and the first year it didn't sell out but the last three years it did sell out so, I would assume the Friday party on 10/19 will definitely be a sold out party because it has in the last 3 year's. And yes it will have a lot of people but not at capacity as lucky rabbit as stated.

 

[Ellie Mint]

I'm definitely tempted by the longer post fireworks time on the Friday. Get a final walk round to soak it all up.
My partner is being his usual helpful self, saying it's up to me and he'll be fine with whatever. He'll enjoy it while we're there but he's not about all this planning nonsense!!

 

[GenGen22]

I do have a tip for you. For the parade I would wait to see the second parade. I have been able to walk up 30 minutes before the parade and get a spot on main Street with no issue as people with small children tent to leave early. So I would highly recommend this.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Sounds like Friday may be busy with UEA people anyway, so I’d definitely make that a party day and not a park day in that case... all of the October parties will sell out, so you’re not going to see a big crowd difference for the party itself.

I mean, you’ll have a good time no matter which party you pick, but I’d really lean toward the Friday party based on all the info you’ve shared.

 

[Ellie Mint]

Sounds like Friday may be busy with UEA people anyway, so I’d definitely make that a party day and not a park day in that case... all of the October parties will sell out, so you’re not going to see a big crowd difference for the party itself.

I mean, you’ll have a good time no matter which party you pick, but I’d really lean toward the Friday party based on all the info you’ve shared.

That's such a good point actually. Too busy thinking about how busy the party will be, not remembering to check my park days. I was worried about everyone flooding to DCA on the Friday but you're right that the day might be busier than usual with the UEA folk. Nice!

I do have a tip for you. For the parade I would wait to see the second parade. I have been able to walk up 30 minutes before the parade and get a spot on main Street with no issue as people with small children tent to leave early. So I would highly recommend this.

Oh don't worry! Fully intending to catch the second parade. Might try for both since I'm a crazy person but will see how much we get done pre parade time since I know that will draw the crowds away from other areas.

Thanks again for all your help!