Mickey's Halloween Party is soooo expensive!

[twoplustwins]

Just another reason I will never stay in a condo! I never understood having a vacation where mom has to cook and clean. But given that my family says that when God was handing out the cooking genes, I got back in the sewing line........... everyone is much happier that way!

Staying in a condo is the only way we can afford to go to Disney. With a family of six, there are not any lower cost options for us. It's okay though. We really like having the extra space, having a table to eat at, and having a washer and dryer is great! In the future when it is just DH and me, I'm sure we will stay onsite.

 

[cvjw]

My DW and I had to make a decision after we lost the break also tried to change the dates to later but could not afford to almost triple the costs so we are going in Sept for our 1st MNSSHP and cant wait. I jist hope my boys will be okay with missing week of school. Dont you just hate the CCSB sometimes?

Yes, I do hate the CCSB right now, and I used to work for them! I wish I could take my boys out of school for a Halloween party, but I have one starting middle school, and one who attends the magnet school at KMHS, so missing school isn't an option for us anymore!! Nice to know that someone else from Cobb feels the same way. I am so tired of hearing people talk negatively about all of us who fought to keep the fall break. Have a great time at your first party - it will be amazing!

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Wow this thread sure blew up! Really I was just complaining because I had decided it was not worth the money...which made me sad. because like everyone, I want to give my kids what they want...but know I can't (or shouldn't) always do it.

We are AP holders and the 5 of us are me, DH, DD(8), DD's friend, and Grandma. We do kind of go all out on DD's birthday every year, but she gets a choice of a birthday party at home with her friends/classmates or a long weekend at Disney with one friend (we cover expenses). We stay at a value resort and go to a park for a day, maybe 2...and spend most of the time hanging out at the pool (her choice). We also go to the HDDR, and she would rather do that than the party when given the choice.

Why not worth it? We have been to one MNSSHP when DD was 4 and I thought it was just ok. Of course she remembers it differently and wants to go again. She is not big on characters, is probably too old now to participate in the dance parties, gets bored watching fireworks, and doesn't eat candy really. She definately wouldn't want to go without the rest of the gang, so it would be 5 tickets.

So...the $275 on top of the rest of the trip just isn't worth it. I wouldn't have to sell a kidney to do it (thanks PP for the idea though! ) but it isn't a value for us.

I think they charge too much for the hard ticketed events in general.

Anyway...thanks for all the advice!

Based on this information it sounds like there isn't much reason not to go, other than your own personal bias against the event.

 

[tmarquez]

Yep, I'm just a meanie!

Based on this information it sounds like there isn't much reason not to go, other than your own personal bias against the event.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I'm struggling with the value of the party as well. Our trips for the last 12+ years have always been in November/December and we really enjoyed the holiday decorations. On my last trip, just my oldest dd and I went to the MVMCP and it was a total waste of money - the day we went it rained, all of the outside shows were cancelled, the parade was delayed for an hour and you couldn't see the fireworks because of the smoke from the rain/freezing cold weather. Last year my oldest dd took dd7 back to WDW for her birthday trip as a do-over from the previous year (long, long story). They went to the party again and although their experience was better, she said dd7 didn't want to watch the parade or the fireworks so she felt like they really didn't get the whole party experience.

This year we are going in October. Fall is my favorite time of the year - I love the fall colors and Halloween decorations. "I" really want to go to the party - but the ticket price for the 4 of us for 5 extra hours in the MK is hard to swallow. Since we don't know how my oldest dd will do with the warmer temperatures (heart condition, not supposed to be out in the heat) we may not get a chance to go back at this time of the year. We will probably in the end suck it up and buy the tickets.

 

[StitchSpawn]

The parade is worth the hard ticket price ALONE.
QUOTE]

From what I've seen online, the parade isn't much better than SWW parade and I got to see that parade for free, so I will have to disagree.

Plus, I got to see C3PO do the robot for free too, so I really think Disney is overcharging. And SWW has characters you don't normally get to see and M&G for free too, so...overcharging they are overcharging! Or, make people pay for SWW, which I don't think they can because of how it's scheduled, so this should be for free too or lower the price!

 

[dcarjn]

My 16 year old daughter, who is a Disney fanatic, kept saying how much she wants to go to the party when we are there in Sept. I told her I wish we could, but we just couldn't afford the extra $300 plus for the 6 of us to go, and that we are lucky we are able to go on this once in a lifetime trip in the first place. Well, she decide she wanted to go enough that she was willing to earn the money to pay for it herself. So she has been working really hard the last couple of months babysitting and doing whatever jobs she can find to earn enough money. And sure enough, she has done it! She is so excited to be able to go, and so proud of herself that she has been able to do this as a gift for her family. She can't wait to surprise her siblings with it. Can you tell I'm a proud mama? And now that I know we can go, I've been looking up info on it and am so excited, it sounds like a blast!

 

[McIntoshTx]

My 16 year old daughter, who is a Disney fanatic, kept saying how much she wants to go to the party when we are there in Sept. I told her I wish we could, but we just couldn't afford the extra $300 plus for the 6 of us to go, and that we are lucky we are able to go on this once in a lifetime trip in the first place. Well, she decide she wanted to go enough that she was willing to earn the money to pay for it herself. So she has been working really hard the last couple of months babysitting and doing whatever jobs she can find to earn enough money. And sure enough, she has done it! She is so excited to be able to go, and so proud of herself that she has been able to do this as a gift for her family. She can't wait to surprise her siblings with it. Can you tell I'm a proud mama? And now that I know we can go, I've been looking up info on it and am so excited, it sounds like a blast!

Awesome story! Way to go kid, you all will love it

 

[virge]

My 16 year old daughter, who is a Disney fanatic, kept saying how much she wants to go to the party when we are there in Sept. I told her I wish we could, but we just couldn't afford the extra $300 plus for the 6 of us to go, and that we are lucky we are able to go on this once in a lifetime trip in the first place. Well, she decide she wanted to go enough that she was willing to earn the money to pay for it herself. So she has been working really hard the last couple of months babysitting and doing whatever jobs she can find to earn enough money. And sure enough, she has done it! She is so excited to be able to go, and so proud of herself that she has been able to do this as a gift for her family. She can't wait to surprise her siblings with it. Can you tell I'm a proud mama? And now that I know we can go, I've been looking up info on it and am so excited, it sounds like a blast!

Thanks for sharing! This made me smile. Yeah for your daughter & big kudos for the mom who raised her

 

[miprender]

I am actually so jelous of everyone that gets to go. Due to DH work schedule we can not go in the fall except for maybe a long weekend, which right now is too expensive due to the flights.

My 16 year old daughter, who is a Disney fanatic, kept saying how much she wants to go to the party when we are there in Sept. I told her I wish we could, but we just couldn't afford the extra $300 plus for the 6 of us to go, and that we are lucky we are able to go on this once in a lifetime trip in the first place. Well, she decide she wanted to go enough that she was willing to earn the money to pay for it herself. So she has been working really hard the last couple of months babysitting and doing whatever jobs she can find to earn enough money. And sure enough, she has done it! She is so excited to be able to go, and so proud of herself that she has been able to do this as a gift for her family. She can't wait to surprise her siblings with it. Can you tell I'm a proud mama? And now that I know we can go, I've been looking up info on it and am so excited, it sounds like a blast!

That is such a wonderful story. You should be a proud mama

 

[dcarjn]

You guys are sweet, thank you. Yes, I am a very proud mama and I am so grateful for such a hardworking and loving daughter. Right now the kids all think think we are going to Disneyland, which we've been to many times and they are really excited about, but they REALLY want WDW. So I can't wait for the big reveal. When we do it, I'll show her the messages you all have written. Thanks!

 

[Patience]

Adding little "extras" to a trip can really blow the budget. A hundred dollars here, two hundred dollars there, and before you know it, your vacation has become way more expensive than you thought it was going to be. I don't know about the rest of you but when we go on vacation we have a budget. Some years it is bigger than others depending upon what we have going on. This year for us we have a tighter budget because we have a teenager who will be starting college next year (fall 2012) and we will be paying for it. We don't want her to graduate with tons of debt to pay off and, because we have been saving for her to go to college since she was a baby and because we work hard to be financially responsible, we can afford it. I know it is SOOOOOOOO easy to say, "what the heck, we are on vacation, what's another $300 when you are on vacation" but then you get home and have to face the music when you get your credit card bill. We have a few "extras" budgeted (doing BBB with my 4 year old is important to me- with a dress purchased from the Disney store when it was on sale a couple of months ago-and surprising my teenager with parasailing is also important to me so we budget for those things). But we are determined not to go over our budget on this vacation, especially during a period of uncertain economic times. When we get home, I know we will all have had a wonderful time because we were all together and at Disney. I also know that I won't regret NOT spending over $200 for us to attend a halloween party, especially since Christmas will be right around the corner at that point.

Just my two cents.

 

[Scraper]

Based on this information it sounds like there isn't much reason not to go, other than your own personal bias against the event.

Wow I think she gave lots of good reasons. Like the trip was her daughters birthday gift and she could not afford to dish out more money to the mouse right now. When I take my kids to Disney for their Birthday that is their gift. I would be disappointed if my DD would want to go and leave her family behind.

 

[StitchSpawn]

My 16 year old daughter, who is a Disney fanatic, kept saying how much she wants to go to the party when we are there in Sept. I told her I wish we could, but we just couldn't afford the extra $300 plus for the 6 of us to go, and that we are lucky we are able to go on this once in a lifetime trip in the first place. Well, she decide she wanted to go enough that she was willing to earn the money to pay for it herself. So she has been working really hard the last couple of months babysitting and doing whatever jobs she can find to earn enough money. And sure enough, she has done it! She is so excited to be able to go, and so proud of herself that she has been able to do this as a gift for her family. She can't wait to surprise her siblings with it. Can you tell I'm a proud mama? And now that I know we can go, I've been looking up info on it and am so excited, it sounds like a blast!

Well, I do hope ya'll have an awesome time. She's a great sister for that.

 

[d-r]

I'm going to agree with the OP. I think the price has gotten absurd. You can get some good candies, see some different characters, a parade. But it is hard to justify as much as it costs now really. Unless you just tell yourself that it is the whole shebang for Halloween. I think they've overpriced it, imho. And I like it, and will go this year, but I think it is overpriced and I can understand why someone wouldn't.

Just IMHO.

DR

Star Wars Weekends 2011

 

[Eddie75]

It isn't much more than the average cost per person going out to dinner, plus it's Disney!

 

[StitchSpawn]

At $15 dollars at my local rave theatre, I could see 3 IMAX movies, regular movies too, not just the informative ones, for less the cost than this ticket. I could get a really good meal at a TS in Disney. I could buy a nice souvenir. There are a few tours that cost less than this ticket at Disney.



Behind the Seeds
$18 adults
$14.00 children (3-9)

Disney’s Behind the Magic of Our Steam Trains
$52.19
per person

Disney's Family Magic Tour
$34 ages 3 and up

and a few more too.

 

[Nature Mom]

My DW and I had to make a decision after we lost the break also tried to change the dates to later but could not afford to almost triple the costs so we are going in Sept for our 1st MNSSHP and cant wait. I jist hope my boys will be okay with missing week of school. Dont you just hate the CCSB sometimes?

I did hate them. Now I feel pity for them. That board is going to implode upon itself!

Wow this thread sure blew up! Really I was just complaining because I had decided it was not worth the money...which made me sad. because like everyone, I want to give my kids what they want...but know I can't (or shouldn't) always do it. True that!

So...the $275 on top of the rest of the trip just isn't worth it. I wouldn't have to sell a kidney to do it (thanks PP for the idea though! ) but it isn't a value for us. Doesn't sound like it.

I think they charge too much for the hard ticketed events in general. Agreed!

Anyway...thanks for all the advice!

Yes, I do hate the CCSB right now, and I used to work for them! I wish I could take my boys out of school for a Halloween party, but I have one starting middle school, and one who attends the magnet school at KMHS, so missing school isn't an option for us anymore!! Nice to know that someone else from Cobb feels the same way. I am so tired of hearing people talk negatively about all of us who fought to keep the fall break. Have a great time at your first party - it will be amazing!

Another hater, here! I went to school in this system over 25 years ago, my kids were all in EC schools until the end of this last year, but no more! The system is so changed, definitely losing their focus on what is important...our children!

My 16 year old daughter, who is a Disney fanatic, kept saying how much she wants to go to the party when we are there in Sept. I told her I wish we could, but we just couldn't afford the extra $300 plus for the 6 of us to go, and that we are lucky we are able to go on this once in a lifetime trip in the first place. Well, she decide she wanted to go enough that she was willing to earn the money to pay for it herself. So she has been working really hard the last couple of months babysitting and doing whatever jobs she can find to earn enough money. And sure enough, she has done it! She is so excited to be able to go, and so proud of herself that she has been able to do this as a gift for her family. She can't wait to surprise her siblings with it. Can you tell I'm a proud mama? And now that I know we can go, I've been looking up info on it and am so excited, it sounds like a blast!

Oh wow, that is fantastic! You should be so proud. She should be so proud of herself! That is the kind of thing I needed to hear today.

Adding little "extras" to a trip can really blow the budget. A hundred dollars here, two hundred dollars there, and before you know it, your vacation has become way more expensive than you thought it was going to be. ALWAYS happens to me. Always. Curse of the overspending Mommy.

Just my two cents.

 

[despina]

Yes it would be nice to take her and the family, but if you dont want to spend the extra maybe you can do something else special for her. Get her a birthday cake after the park and have a little celebration for her with maybe a gift from the park...a souvenier of some type she has had her eye on, or a gift card she can use in the park and she can pick out her own gift....

 

[StitchSpawn]

extra cost $$$$$

http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/halloween.htm
_______________________________________________
Free with admission:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/mgm/events/st-starwars-weekend.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1bEiYIM5_U

I'm in the front row of that video, even if you can't see me
____________________________________________________________
Don't count the stuff at the resorts for Halloween, that's all free and not part of MNSSHP.