Mickey's Halloween Party is soooo expensive!

[tmarquez]

DD wants to go for her birthday but I just can't justify the cost of 5 tickets...it makes me sad.

 

[ars0525]

Don't be sad. You are taking her to Disney. During her birthday. Many people of all ages never get to experience either.

 

[JimmyV]

DD wants to go for her birthday but I just can't justify the cost of 5 tickets...it makes me sad.

How old is she? If she is of the age where she could only last until 9:00 or so, then I agree, it isn't worth it. But if she is older and can party until midnight (or later) then I think it is worth it. I see that you are from FL, but can't tell if this would be a "pop in and pop out" day trip, or would require travel and hotel. That could factor in. Also, were you planning on having a party for her with her friends? If so, is that going to be out of the house at some place that charges $15 or $20 per child, with a guest list of 15 kids? If so, give her the "either or" option. 5 tickets to MNSSHP would be about what you would spend on such a birthday party.

 

[TheNotSoGreatGonzo]

so split up the family and just take her. It's a birthday gift, and $50 doesn't seem like that absurd for a birthday gift.

 

[WTP]

so split up the family and just take her. It's a birthday gift, and $50 doesn't seem like that absurd for a birthday gift.

I agree! If she wants to go, just take her.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I agree! If she wants to go, just take her.

And mommy/daughter time would make it extra special. Leave dad behind with the other kids!

 

[DustyPixie]

I agree that the cost of 5 tickets would be prohibitive. My son and I are going in October. We've been a couple of times before and I've got to say that we absolutely love MNSSHP. That said, I cringe every time I purchase those tickets on top of our regular park tickets. Seems extravagant at the time, but when we're there, it's SO worth it!

What we normally do is plan for one extra event beyond the WDW park tickets. Sometimes it's been Universal, other times it's been MNSSHP (our favorite!) or the MVMCP. I just make the extra tickets part of the budgeting and planning and justify it that way. I feel for you, though. I guess the best bet is to take the DISer's suggestions, look at all of the options, and decide if it's do-able. I'd say it's definitely worth doing once when and if you can swing it!!

 

[mrsz06]

You could possibly do MNSSHP in the place of a park day or two. Or just take your daughter yourself.

 

[humboldthny]

We took dd for her birthday last year - it was a surprise so it was a little hard convincing her that her b-day party at home should be cupcakes at the park since she didn't know we were going!

We do love it tho', so much so that we are going twice on our next trip (granted, there are only 3 of us...)

 

[McIntoshTx]

I think it is very much worth the cost as well

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

If that is what she wants then it is worth it. Who says everyone has to go? Take your daughter! Make matching costumes. Have fun.

 

[DeaverTex]

Why are so many of us telling tmarquez to go ahead and spend the money on MNSSHP? Not everybody has the disposable income to just say "Oh, what the heck! It's worth it!" to another $300 or so bucks for a child's birthday on top of real life AND a trip to WDW.

ars0525 said it best:

Don't be sad. You are taking her to Disney. During her birthday. Many people of all ages never get to experience either.

 

[Evi]

Why are so many of us telling tmarquez to go ahead and spend the money on MNSSHP? Not everybody has the disposable income to just say "Oh, what the heck! It's worth it!" to another $300 or so bucks for a child's birthday on top of real life AND a trip to WDW.

ars0525 said it best:

Actually most people here are saying that she should take her Daughter alone so as to save money and have a smaller get together at home with her friends.

 

[McIntoshTx]

"Why are so many of us telling tmarquez to go ahead and spend the money on MNSSHP? Not everybody has the disposable income to just say "Oh, what the heck! It's worth it!" to another $300 or so bucks for a child's birthday on top of real life AND a trip to WDW."


She can always sell some blood or a spare internal organ for the money

 

[Scraper]

maybe you could go to the Poly beach and see the MNSSHP fireworks show. They pipe the music in.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

You can always cut the trip a day or so short if you feel you must do it. I will say it has been so much fun over the years but we have skipped it here and there due to timing or funds... The park wil still be decorated and the trip will still be special even if you don't go.

 

[kaligal]

so split up the family and just take her. It's a birthday gift, and $50 doesn't seem like that absurd for a birthday gift.

It's not $50. Assuming there is no AP discount, it's going to be $114 - $131, depending on the night.

Disney is expensive all the way around. If you want to do the holiday parties, it gets even more expensive.

Not everyone can afford it.

OP, if it makes you feel any better, lots of parents are never able to afford a trip to WDW.

 

[TheNotSoGreatGonzo]

It's not $50. Assuming there is no AP discount, it's going to be $114 - $131, depending on the night.

Disney is expensive all the way around. If you want to do the holiday parties, it gets even more expensive.

Not everyone can afford it.

OP, if it makes you feel any better, lots of parents are never able to afford a trip to WDW.

It's around $50 for the child to go to MNSSHP. I know the adult has to pay for a ticket, but you are giving her a $50 ticket for her birthday. Obviously, the OP has to factor in that adult ticket cost into the budget.

Still, I stand by my $50 concept. If I tell my daughter I'll give her $20 for her birthday or take her to the movies and spend $10 on her ticket and $10 on my ticket, she's not stupid. She'll pick the $20. The $50 ticket price is her birthday present.

 

[kaligal]

It's around $50 for the child to go to MNSSHP. I know the adult has to pay for a ticket, but you are giving her a $50 ticket for her birthday. Obviously, the OP has to factor in that adult ticket cost into the budget.

Still, I stand by my $50 concept. If I tell my daughter I'll give her $20 for her birthday or take her to the movies and spend $10 on her ticket and $10 on my ticket, she's not stupid. She'll pick the $20. The $50 ticket price is her birthday present.

It may be $54-63 for the kid's ticket, but since the OP would have to spend $114-$131, that's the price she'd be basing her decision on. That's the cost of taking the kid to the party.

Plus, not everyone can afford $54-63 for a kid's birthday. Many people would find that to be extravagant. Many people would find that reasonable. Many people would find $1000 reasonable. It's all about how much you have to spend.

And if you can't afford the $114-$131, you can't. It's not cheap, that's for sure.

 

[TheNotSoGreatGonzo]

It may be $54-63 for the kid's ticket, but since the OP would have to spend $114-$131, that's the price she'd be basing her decision on. That's the cost of taking the kid to the party.

Plus, not everyone can afford $54-63 for a kid's birthday. Many people would find that to be extravagant. Many people would find that reasonable. Many people would find $1000 reasonable. It's all about how much you have to spend.

And if you can't afford the $114-$131, you can't. It's not cheap, that's for sure.

It could be as low as $102+tax for the two tickets.

$48+tax may be extravagant to some people for a birthday, but odds are that isn't going to be the case for most who pay for their family to go to Disney World.