MK - Best Strategy for MNSSHP Party Days

[Hitchhiking Ghost]

So, I haven't been on these boards for about three years, feels good to be back. Wife and I are doing a first trip without kids, staying onsite (POFQ) and will be down there end of Sept to first week of Oct, 6 nights. MNSSHP falls on three of our days. My simple question being, is it the best strategy to avoid the MK on those party dates? We currently have no plans to attend MNSSHP. I'm just wondering if the best strategy is to go to MK during early hours, then park hop (we have the hopper) sometime in the afternoon before 4:00 or should we avoid MK altogether on those days. It would be strange not to be at MK on our first park day, but that also happens to be a MNSSHP night. Thanks for the help.

 

[HeiHei2018]

Rope drop MK, and then hop before 4. We find the MK lines don’t build on party days until after lunch.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Yes go and park hop.
No reason to avoid going to MK those days.
In fact with the shorted hours the park tends to be less crowded because those that don't have park hopper would rather have more park hours and many that go to the party may decide to no go to MK until the party.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Complete opposite - if you have park hoppers or, more than one day in the MK, GO to MK on a party day! The crowds will be much lower until late afternoon and you can get a lot more done than you would be able to do on a non-party day.

 

[Marthasor]

I always like to go to MK on a party day and then revisit on a non-party day. I try to get most or all of our rides in on a party day and then see the fireworks/parade, shop on a non-party day. We usually get some ice cream just before 4 pm and sit outside of The Plaza to watch the party-goers coming in with their costumes on - it starts getting pretty festive as they come in. We then leave MK after that and hop or tour the MK resort area.

 

[Scott McDuck]

Does it really start filling up at 4pm on party days? We were planning on staying until almost closing time (6pm) and hopping afterwards. But maybe we will leave a little earlier if it starts getting crowded sooner.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Does it really start filling up at 4pm on party days? We were planning on staying until almost closing time (6pm) and hopping afterwards. But maybe we will leave a little earlier if it starts getting crowded sooner.

Yes, it will quickly start filling up at 4PM as party guests arrive. As @Marthasor said, it's fun to see all the costumed guests arriving but you will see a marked difference once 4PM hits.