Mnsshp 2006-tips Only

[mommystieg]

DH and I just booked a parents-only trip and want to get tickets to MNSSHP --we will be there for the Sept 15th MNSSHP--this will be our first time. What advice do you have for "kidless" touring? And when you say stake out a spot early for the parade, how early is early? We always visit in June and we usually stake out our Spectro spots almost 2 hours in advance.....

 

[DisneyWisher]

I've got my minnie costume (top part is velvet - I'll probably be a puddle by the end of the night LOL).

DH & DS are more of the shy types, don't like to draw attention to themselves. Will they be more comfortable in or out of costume?

Last year we were Hurricane Wilma escapees (meaning as soon as she was out of South Florida so were we). Thank Goodness for Disney and FL rates. Because we left so soon after Wilma, we didn't bother with costumes. At first my DD12(at the time) wanted me to buy her one. I bought her a HM t-shirt and then we discovered that they were offering free face painting. She had her face painted as a Jack-O-Lantern. It was so cute. We went to the one booth leading to ToonTown. They wouldn't even accept a tip. But they do limit on what they will paint. You have about 7-10 different choices. I'm sure its because they take the least amount of time and more kids can get their faces painted.

 

[mickeysaver]

Where are the "special" pins sold? I've yet to find where the AP ones are available, everywhere I asked they were sold out in June.

Last year, they sold the MNSSHP pins at Exposition Hall and over in Frontierland at the Trading Post. There is a new limited edition pin for each party night. Any pins left over at the end of the night are offered for sale at Uptown Jewelers during the MNSSHP's that follow, until they are sold out, or until all the parties have come and gone. Any pins leftover at the end of the MNSSHP's are sold to the general public.

Since the pins are LE's, each MNSSHP goer is limited to being able to purchase only 2 pins. They mark your wristband to keep everyone honest. There is also a framed set of all the MNSSHP pins that is offered for sale during the parties and there is a limit of 2 per ticket holder on these also. They limit the AP holder pins to 2 per AP/ticket holder. Early on, there is a limited edition jumbo pin that is limited to 1 per ticket holder, since these are more limited than the normal party night pins, they tend to sell out during the first part or two. The jumbo pin is usually also on the pricey side at about $25/pin.

I hope this explains it all well enough. Maggie

 

[keishashadow]

mickeysaver & iwynlea - thanks for the info on the pins.

BTW, @ MVMCP, they were letting folks in slightly before 4:00 p.m. w/just the tix.

 

[Iluvthemouse]

Sept 15th will be our first MNSSHP...

Subscribing.

 

[Michele]

Thanks for all the tips. Sept. 29th will be our first MNSSHP. I will really have to take the heat and need for lightweight costumes to mind when deciding what we will wear. Hadn't thought of that before.

 

[2nd childhood]

These are some great tips to know. I hope it continues to grow.

 

[Dimap]

This is our first itme too! We will be there 10/2. We have reservations at 5:40 at 1900 Park Fare. Do you think this is a good time? Also, we are staying off site. Would it be better to drive to GF or to MK or anywhere else??? Thanks

pam

 

[maddhatir]

Don't forget about the trail of treats behind toon town (the path that leads to Space Mountain). Last two times it has been Alice in Wonderland characters. Great photo ops and wasn't too busy the times we went.

I have read about this! I can't wait to get my pic taken with the Mad Hatter!

also

Get a good spot for the parade, the headless horseman is awesome...but if you arent in position you just might miss him as he thunders by (man that horse is HUGE!!!!)

is the headless horseman a real person riding a horse well- (ok not a real headless person, but you know what i mean!)?? and why does everyone say he goes by so fast that you might miss him???

where is he riding to??

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Remember to have an easy day before going to the party. If going to a park in the morning, be sure to head back to your room and rest a few hours before the party. Go early to the park, early ADRs if you have them or do CS before 6PM-some CS places are closed during the party. Plan to stay late (til the end of possible). The later it gets, the less crowded it is. Catch the 2nd parade after the fireworks-it's less crowded. Avoid Main Street and getting caught in the crowds exiting the park after the fireworks (wastes valuable park time). We went end of October 2004 and it was still in the 90's so plan for it being warm and bring a light jacket just in case. Have heard the free photo is being replaced by a 50% off of photopass for the event night instead. Not sure if this is true or not. Go to laughingplace.com and go to the LP section on left of the page and then to Oct 2005 WDW and you can view a video of the fireworks and the parade from last years' party along with several pictures. There are also dance parties with the villians, storytelling, fortune telling, face painting, along with the trick or treating and parade and fireworks. Our kids made it till the end of the night, but without the afternoon nap, they would've crashed for sure. Trick or treat lines, while they look long, they always moved quickly. And be sure to check back here after the 1st party Sept. 15th as any of the people attending that first party will post all the updated info they can for all of us going later. We thank them for that ahead of time!!!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

This is our first itme too! We will be there 10/2. We have reservations at 5:40 at 1900 Park Fare. Do you think this is a good time? Also, we are staying off site. Would it be better to drive to GF or to MK or anywhere else??? Thanks

pam

We have ressies at 5:30 same night, same place. I think it's an Ok time. There isn't much to do between 6 and 7 as they are setting it up. The Drawback is if they run late, you're late. But I'm given to understand the candy stuff has lines early anyway. So if we're late and walking in about 7:15, no biggie. We just step into a shop, get our pins, then set up for the parade and go from there. We're going to see the rare characters, do some trick or treat trails, and see the fireworks. We have no interest in the rides as we have other days allocated for them.

 

[beattyfamily]

I have read about this! I can't wait to get my pic taken with the Mad Hatter!

also

is the headless horseman a real person riding a horse well- (ok not a real headless person, but you know what i mean!)?? and why does everyone say he goes by so fast that you might miss him???

where is he riding to??

Yes, it's a 'real' person on a real horse. It goes down the parade route right before the parade starts. He goes by fast because horses are fast. Much fast then lets say a parade float. Yes, you could miss him if you aren't paying attention. Especially with your cameras.

They do dim the lights and make an announcement so you should be prepared for it unless you are late getting a parade spot to watch.

 

[nrsldy]

We did not do costumes last year. I bought us t-shirts from Old NAvy. The spot we ended up at for the parade was not very good so we will be looking for a better one this year.

 

[disneyaggie]

DH and I just booked a parents-only trip and want to get tickets to MNSSHP --we will be there for the Sept 15th MNSSHP--this will be our first time. What advice do you have for "kidless" touring? And when you say stake out a spot early for the parade, how early is early? We always visit in June and we usually stake out our Spectro spots almost 2 hours in advance.....

Hi mommystieg!

I will be going to my first MNSSHP on the 15th, too! I think I might wear my Dis Board t-shirt and a tiara and go as a Dis Board Princess. What do you think?

Look forward to seeing you at our Dis Meet this month on the 19th!

 

[javaonline]

Subscribing...we're going on 10/6.

Is there an agenda of activities during MNSSHP? The 6th will be our first evening in the park, so we'd like to explore, and get the lay of the land for our first full day in the park on 10/7.

Is there a set time the parade begins, then another set time the fireworks begin?

Like others have said...if we can explore, see the parade and fireworks, I'll consider it a successful trip into the party. My kids will consider it successful when they have a sack full of candy.

 

[beattyfamily]

Subscribing...we're going on 10/6.

Is there an agenda of activities during MNSSHP? The 6th will be our first evening in the park, so we'd like to explore, and get the lay of the land for our first full day in the park on 10/7.

Is there a set time the parade begins, then another set time the fireworks begin?

Like others have said...if we can explore, see the parade and fireworks, I'll consider it a successful trip into the party. My kids will consider it successful when they have a sack full of candy.

The fireworks have always been at 9:15p. The parades were 8:00p and 10:00p last year but can vary from year to year by 15 minutes to half an hour so we'll know after the first party Sept 15 what the times are.

 

[scrappinmom]

Last year was our first MNSSHP...what a blast! My only tip abotu costumes is make sure your kiddos can really be comfy for a logn time! Oldest dd was tink & she was itchy and those darn wings!!!!!! This year I think we're going to wear matchign tee's and be cool & comfy!

We're also doing 2 parties this year to make sure we see/do everything!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Last year was our first MNSSHP...what a blast! My only tip abotu costumes is make sure your kiddos can really be comfy for a logn time! Oldest dd was tink & she was itchy and those darn wings!!!!!! This year I think we're going to wear matchign tee's and be cool & comfy!

We're also doing 2 parties this year to make sure we see/do everything!

scrappingmom, was it the sheer long sleeved Tink? That is what my DD is wearing this year and I was afraid of this. And she is a bit whiney if she get the least bit uncomfortable.

 

[CathrynRose]

This is our first itme too! We will be there 10/2. We have reservations at 5:40 at 1900 Park Fare. Do you think this is a good time? Also, we are staying off site. Would it be better to drive to GF or to MK or anywhere else??? Thanks

pam

We'll be there the 2nd, too!

Honestly - I think the 5.40 time is a bit late. I'd try for an earlier time, and Id probably park at GF.

 

[scrappinmom]

scrappingmom, was it the sheer long sleeved Tink? That is what my DD is wearing this year and I was afraid of this. And she is a bit whiney if she get the least bit uncomfortable.

Sorry, it was. She said the bodice part was really itchy. now it was raining on our night, and then it was humid and hot. I'm sure that had a lot to do with it. Maybe have her wear a undershirt?Dressing up is fun....I'm sure my youngest will still dress up...just me & my "too big" 12 yr old will wear fun t's.