Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Central 2004!!!!!! =0)

[akghutton]

fairytinkerbell:
I posted this earlier in the thread concerning the official Disney policy for MNSSHP 2004; I hope it helps ease your nerves; I know it made me feel better:

While ordering another MNSSHP ticket two nights ago, I asked the CM what the official policy was regarding entering MK before 7pm on MNSSHP nights with only the party ticket. My in-laws are joining my family on the 26th for the MNSSHP and dinner at LTT at 5:30. They have purchased the party tickets, but do not want to us a park hopper that day just to go to dinner at 5:30. After reading many postings on this board about being allowed in as early as 4pm with the party ticket on previous years, I wanted to get the official policy that will be used by CMs this year. (I don't think having my in-laws wait for an hour and half outside the gates, while we eat dinner, will help family relations

So, after waiting for close to 15 minutes on hold, the CM told me that she spoke with her boss, who verfied that MNSSHP ticket holders will be allowed into MK starting at 4pm on the night of their party. I was relieved to get this straight from Disney, as I was picturing my in-laws being turned away at the gate and told to return at 7pm.

Excellent deal in my opinion: 8 hours in the park, plus all of the party perks for $30+

 

[jtjarvis]

Originally posted by Colmenares3
Hi All,

This is my first post to this forum- need thoughtful advice on what's best for our short trip in Oct.

Here's my dilemma. My sister and I are going to WDW with our two 7 yo sons over Colombus Day weekend. My sis and I haven't been since 1975 (!) and it will be a first trip for our sons. We arrive in the aft of Sat., and leave Wed. AM. So, we have three full days, and an extra park evening on Sat (I think for MK and SpectroMagic). I am the "planner," and feel a responsibility to come up with the best itinerary, cost-wise and parks-exposure-wise.

I keep going back and forth between doing MNSSHP and not doing it. Here's my dilemma. If we do the party on Tuesday the 12th, we definitely will take the AM off from the parks, toodle around and rest. So we "lose" a park AM. But if the lines at the party aren't too long, maybe it's worth it? The Unofficial Guide says not to do it for the attractions, to do it for the extra stuff. But as it's our first visit, maybe we don't need the extra stuff? And then others say the lines are short, so it *would* be good for the attractions. Hmmmm.

If I knew the boys could last til the end (skip the first parade and just do rides then, and catch the second parade, for example), I'd be more willing to give up the AM park. Ahrg, I know this isn't a big decision, but somehow I can't make it!

Thanks for any advice,

Erica

Hi Erica,
We were in a similar situation this past January—mnsshp not part of the picture of course!—but just going for a few days, first trip since about 1975 for me too! And DH and DS's 5 and 7 had not gone at all. I can understand the pressure of being the planner!

First off, before mnsshp ideas, I want to recommend a site to add to UG just to get some additional info. It's www.tourguidemike.com . You get painstakingly detailed advice and sample itineraries, and he's got a good feel for what families with children (and in-betweens too like ours; not preschool and not really big kids) want. He rates things so you can make sure to hit the most important things on short trips.

When we went in Jan. we focused on MK only so when we go to mnsshp (over Columbus Day weekend too but we're going to the Fri. party) we do know our way around. But what I would do to help make the decision about going to mnsshp or not, is to ask yourself if the mnsshp will "make" or "not matter so much" for your first family WDW visit. I do think it's true the rides are easier to get on, from what I hear, but probably it should come down to how important the party would be to your experience overall. There'll be other parties other years. But if y'all really like Halloween, and you want to focus on MK for your trip, the party offers a lot of punch, getting in before 5 p.m. It seems to easily stand in for an entire park day.

If you're going to EMH on Sunday at MK, you could do that, get in and out before crowds hit and do the "must-rides" at MK so you're not under the gun to "get it ALL done" mnsshp night (which might be pretty stressful, particularly since it would be your last night).

I had to realize, since our trips will always be brief I'm afraid, that making choices is the only way around WDW! Tough choices! Heartbreaking choices! I learned no one way may be truly best, I just have to use the yardstick of my family, what we might like BEST and what we can handle!

Keep us posted!!

 

[Colmenares3]

First off, before mnsshp ideas, I want to recommend a site to add to UG just to get some additional info. It's www.tourguidemike.com . <snip>

but probably it should come down to how important the party would be to your experience overall. There'll be other parties other years. But if y'all really like Halloween, and you want to focus on MK for your trip, the party offers a lot of punch, getting in before 5 p.m. It seems to easily stand in for an entire park day.

<snip>
I had to realize, since our trips will always be brief I'm afraid, that making choices is the only way around WDW! Tough choices! Heartbreaking choices! I learned no one way may be truly best, I just have to use the yardstick of my family, what we might like BEST and what we can handle!

Keep us posted!! [/B][/QUOTE]

Thanks so much for your response- it helps alot. I actually have joined TGM- and love his advice, and his writing style. I read through his info on MNSSHP, and it sounds like fun. But maybe, as it's our first time AND ds wants to go to all four parks, we'll skip it. In Dec 2005 we'll be at WDW for MVMCP, I hope, so we'll at least get a party night in, some time in the not too distant future.

RE using the EMH for Sunday at MK, I plan to, but if they institute the evening EMHs, there won't be an MK morning EMH while we're there So I've planned on the Sat PM for Spectromagic, then Sunday and Tuesday AMs. So that's a good bit of time. Only poor Epcot gets slighted, with a brief IllumiNations evening.

Thanks again,

Erica

 

[Maridw]

We just bought tickets for MNSSHP for the 29th. I can't wait. This trip will be my Birthday present (10/31). I have always wanted to do one of these since I heard about them and we never did.

DH decided to change our Play 4 tickets to Seasonal Annual passes so we could go over Halloween.

 

[jdkdorn]

What transportation is available after the night is over. We are staying at BCV and want to know what will be available to get back there. Would we be better off using a car or is the transportation okay? I am worried about the wait and how crowded they are

Thanks

we are also going on the 26th

 

[SamanthaL]

Originally posted by jdkdorn
What transportation is available after the night is over. We are staying at BCV and want to know what will be available to get back there. Would we be better off using a car or is the transportation okay? I am worried about the wait and how crowded they are

Thanks

we are also going on the 26th

People seem to leave in small waves. We never had trouble on the bus. If you are leaving at the end I would bet you would be fine on the bus. People with small kids leave early so the park does get less crowded. We will be there on the 26th too and eating at LTT. We are staying at the BWV so we may be on the bus together!

 

[twoeeyy]

Hi. on a whim last night after reading this thread I decided to call and buy tickets for the 12th. ( That is our daughters 12th birthday ) I thought this would be a nice surprise since we are not doing Disney on this trip. We are staying onsite at Universal and doing the whole IOA thing.

I also got PS at LTT for 5:25.

Do most people get dressed up ? and also if I choose not to keep PS where else can we eat or shoud we eat before heading over to park ?

Thanks in advance

 

[SamanthaL]

Originally posted by twoeeyy
Hi. on a whim last night after reading this thread I decided to call and buy tickets for the 12th. ( That is our daughters 12th birthday ) I thought this would be a nice surprise since we are not doing Disney on this trip. We are staying onsite at Universal and doing the whole IOA thing.

I also got PS at LTT for 5:25.

Do most people get dressed up ? and also if I choose not to keep PS where else can we eat or shoud we eat before heading over to park ?

Thanks in advance

Alot of people do dress up. You would not be out of place to where a costume by any means.
As far as eating goes, there will be counter service available in the park and the castle and CP will be taking ressies at the 90 day window. You can also eat at a monorail resort. That will make it easy for you to get into the party. If you don't want to keep the LTT ressies just be sure to cancel it when you are sure. As things get closer those Ps's will be hard to come by and it would be a shame for someone to miss out.

 

[Alice28]

Okay, this is something I did NOT want to have to post. Anyone ever buy MNSSHP tickets and then have to cancel your trip? It looks like I will have to cancel my trip due to DH getting activated with the army to go to Iraq....I may have someone who will buy 2 of the 3 tickets, but I wouldn't want the third to go to waste. Do these ever get put up on ebay???? I am so bummin right now....

 

[bajanswife]

We don't plan on having a sit-down meal during MNSSHP, we're eating high tea before we arrive - but since that will be about 3 p.m., we will need a snack later. I thought that since we will be corralled in Tomorrowland between 6 and about 6.45, that might be a good time for a snack. Is this a good idea? Are there enough counter service places open, or will they all be mobbed? What do people usually do while corralled - the rides? Does it make for long lines everywhere, or are the crowds not to bad at that hour?

 

[Baloo]

What transportation is available after the night is over
The resort buses will be running for quite sometime after MNSSHP is ended.We always leave as late as possible and never had a problem catching a bus to our resort!

Do most people get dressed up ? and also if I choose not to keep PS where else can we eat or shoud we eat before heading over to park ?

Most children are in costume but the majority of adult are not.Although the adult trick or treater has grown over the last 8 yrs that my family has attended!

You could try one of the restaurants at the MK resorts.Maybe Chef Mickey's they start serving at 5pm. or Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary,Ohana's (not sure when they start serving) or Kona Cafe at the Poly.At GF 1900 Park Fare starts serving around 5pm.There's also the Grand Floridian Cafe there.

We've eaten at RFC several trips then went to the party.If you get there around 4pm you can get seated pretty quick!

Tomorrowland between 6 and about 6.45, that might be a good time for a snack. Is this a good idea? Yes it is and by 6:45,maybe a few minutes earlier, you'll probably be able to get released into the other lands.

Are there enough counter service places open, or will they all be mobbed? There are PLENTY open!


What do people usually do while corralled - the rides? We people/costumed watch!!!

Does it make for long lines everywhere, or are the crowds not to bad at that hour? 6-6:45 isn't too bad as the majority of the guest are still arriving then...alot of people still don't read the DIS and know that you can enter earlier...TG for those of us that do! We've walked right onto Hm,SplMt and BTTMT at this time of the evening.

Alice28 .... Anyone ever buy MNSSHP tickets and then have to cancel your trip? Do these ever get put up on ebay????Well that REALLy stinks!! You and yours are in my prayers.I've had a couple extra tickets when my ex left me but that's a whole other story.I sold them before the party to someone I was talking to at DTD about MNSSHP and they decided to go.I sold them for what I paid.And yes there's been MNSSHP tickets on Ebay...that would probably be the place for you to sell them.

 

[ontariodisneywoman]

Originally posted by Alice28
Okay, this is something I did NOT want to have to post. Anyone ever buy MNSSHP tickets and then have to cancel your trip? It looks like I will have to cancel my trip due to DH getting activated with the army to go to Iraq....I may have someone who will buy 2 of the 3 tickets, but I wouldn't want the third to go to waste. Do these ever get put up on ebay???? I am so bummin right now....

I'm so sorry for you. Prayers and Pixie dust going out to you and yours.
I have seen these on ebay before. Good luck selling them!

 

[judyfromkansas]

Originally posted by kilee
We had 2 little girls in our party last year. One 5 the other 16 months. They both wore the "princess dresses" (Cinderella for both). Neither had a lot of netting-- which can get really really itchy in the heat. They also both wore sneakers (even the toddler) w/ really cute lacey anklets. The 5 yr old even wore her dress again later in the week (her choice). She went on everything--- she didn't have a problem. Just look at the fabric of the dress and the length. If it's too long, then tripping could become and issue. I think we saw dozens upon dozens of little girls as a Disney Princess. Their smiles were priceless!!

My sis and I saw those dresses in a store at WDW and she nearly bought one for her niece-by-marriage, but couldn't remember her size. We both agreed that the Little Mermaid dress was the prettiest!

 

[hazwar]

yippeeeeeeeeeee I got booked today for the MNSSHP for oct 22nd and I just cant wait, I am driving my Dh nuts by jumping up and down cos I am sooo excited and its still 4 months away
hazel

 

[jeleebeene]

Hey Hazwar, that is the night we are going...maybe we will see you there!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I just booked MNSSHP for the 31st! While I was on the phone, I also booked MVMCP for the 17th!

Now, about my costume?....

MG

 

[hazwar]

it would be really cool to see some people from the board there, I have just been a member for a short time but have gained some great advice and information
thanks everyone hazel

 

[judyfromkansas]

Originally posted by Maistre Gracey
I just booked MNSSHP for the 31st! While I was on the phone, I also booked MVMCP for the 17th!

Now, about my costume?....

MG

I wouldn't dress up as Mickey if I were you - otherwise you'd have squealing little kids - and their mommies - chasing you all over the park!

OH, and, uh, given recent events, I'd forget Tigger too...

 

[t-roy]

Help -- I can't decide which night would be better, Tuesday the 12th (day after Columbus Day) or Thursday the 14th. Any suggestions?

 

[hygienejean]

We plan on going to MNSSHP early (around 4:30 or 5:00) on the 12th. My question is about Wishes for the regular park guests. do they do Wishes every night? Should we expect they will do it that night? If so where is a good place to see it? Since we will be arriving at a time when many regular park guests are leaving should we expect many of the rides to be easily available? Like betwwen 5:00 to 6:00. Any recommendations on what to see at that time? I know we will be coralled in Tomorrowland between 6:00 to 7:00 so I imagine anywhere but there(Tomorrowland) before that time???? thanks!