MNSSHP 2017 - Strategy in the making.

[FoxC63]

I hate to bother you, but could someone check this and tell me what you think? I may have missed it, but I haven't seen any critique of it yet. I'm leaving the 16th and will be at the party on the 20th. Thanks so much! This post has helped so much!

I think this all looks totally doable. The one thing I will note, however, is that we have rarely been seated on time at BOG and dinner/meeting the Beast is normally a 90 minute experience for us. So I think being done by 8 is highly unlikely, 8:30 is much more realistic (and still may be a stretch). Other than that, I think your plan looks great - and I doubt you will spend 45 minutes waiting for Lotso. We met him after the fireworks last year and waited perhaps 15.

Oh, and yes, the bypass is a backstage-type area, used to divert the crowds away from Main Street.

I have to agree with @Cluelyss on all. You're plan looks great but BOG maybe an issue. You'll hear the announcements so be sure to listen for it.

EDIT: Removed a suggestion that isn't viable!

 

[FoxC63]

I'm starting to rethink getting in line for the 7 Dwarfs at 5pm. Should I wait until later in the evening? I plan to watch the fireworks & second parade. Possibly the 10:45pm Hocus Pocus show (not sure I can last till midnight). We plan to be at the Magic Kingdom at rope drop that day.

Hmmm, I don't see your itinerary on the main page did you post it here?

 

[FoxC63]

So I finally committed and bought tickets for the November 1 party. I'm assuming it will be sold out. Here is my plan so far!

Looking good! I added your itinerary to the Main Post!

 

[FoxC63]

Ok I'll do by best to help out for you just so you at least have a response.

You're absolutely brilliant! Love all the advise, enjoyed the photos and trip report! So much useful information thank you Bex!

 

[FoxC63]

Only adults, no children. No meet and greets. Attending the Sunday, October 22nd party. Plans listed without times because it’s too easy for one thing to not go according to plan and throw off all the times. Only scheduled time frame is fastpass. Itinerary is listed in the order that we plan to do the activities throughout the night.

• Arrive at 3:15 pm
• Wristband @ Main Entrance
• Might skip the bypass, don’t want to carry around candy.
• ‘Country Bear’ Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card at Main Street Fire Station
• Country Bears Jamboree
• Peter Pan Flight FP 4:30-5:30
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Haunted Mansion
• Haunted Mansion Hearse Magic Shot
• Haunted Mansion Cemetery Watchman Magic Shot
• Hitch Hiking Ghosts Magic Shot near pirate league game in Adventureland
• Worms and Dirt Dessert @ Pecos Bill
• HalloWishes (9:45) at Casey’s Area
• Hocus Pocus Villains Spectacular (10:25 pm)
• ‘Boo to You Halloween Parade’ prop photopass photo, pre-parade on Main Street
• ‘Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular’ prop photopass photo, pre-parade on Main Street
• Boo to You Parade (11:40 pm) on Main Street
• Dancing Ghosts Animated Shots on Main Street
• Grave Diggers Animated Shot with Pumpkins in Town Square
• Headless Horseman Magic Shot at Main Entrance

Rides, HalloWishes, Hocus Pocus, Boo to You, and Photopass opportunities...that covers what we would like to do during MNSSHP.

WOW that's a lot for one evening. Utilizing a time frame helps to put things into perspective so good luck you adventurous soul and your itinerary has been added to the Main Post for easier access.

 

[FoxC63]

Where is @FoxC63??? Everything okay?

I hope she's just busy sewing away!

I know she said she was going to be quite busy these weeks and was only going to get on the boards a bit at night. Hopefully she'll find time to bop on soon. (we miss her)

I'm here!!! Just "sew" busy!!! My serger is frozen which effects my zigzag stitch, in short my fabric is fraying, no button holes and no embroidery all on Kirk's White Rabbit costume, I've been hand sewing like a mad woman! We're leaving in 17 days and I haven't started my Queen of Hearts costume - this is maddening I should be the Mad Hatter instead!

 

[Bex258]

You're absolutely brilliant! Love all the advise, enjoyed the photos and trip report! So much useful information thank you Bex!

Thanks and no problem. I'm still working on my official full trip report so many other things to sort out now I'm back.

Good luck with your costumes!

 

[samara]

We went to the party on 10/5 and had a great time! We didn't really follow our itinerary though! I had thought about meeting Mickey in Town Square, but decided to ditch that, and due to DHs unexpected interest in getting photos and the kids unexpectedly wanting to meet up, it threw everything out of whack. Even so, was had so much fun and really got everything I wanted done.

DH and I arrived about 6:45 (DS14 and DF15 were already there). The whole atmosphere seemed so festive and Halloweeny We got in line for the pumpkin shot in the middle of Town Square. The line looked long but moved quickly and it was fun looking around at everyone's costumes while we waited. Afterward, the bypass was still open so we meandered that way and got several pictures, including the poison apple magic shot. We headed over to HM from there and only waited about 15 minutes to board. When we were leaving the ride, we got a fun surprise - Madame Leota was heading towards the ride and we were able to get a picture with her. Really fun interaction. When we were saying goodbye, she told us to go out and enjoy life because she didn't have one

While we waited in line for the carriage magic shot, we got another surprise...the kids texted to suggest we meet up! I really hadn't planned on seeing them all night They were just getting on a ride though, so we wandered around Liberty Square for awhile and ran into a Photopass photographer standing on her own near Columbia Harbour House. She did the hitchhiking ghost magic shot with us. I went back later to look for her to get one for the kids but she was gone, so I don't know where she ended up. We also checked the line for Jack and Sally around 8 before meeting the kids. It was about 1.5 hours long, which was longer than we wanted, but shorter than it's been on other party days I think. We checked back about an hour later and it was about the same.

After meeting the kids, we all went to ride BTMR, which was a walk-on. We then went around the park trick-or-treating. I didn't find that the CMs were overly generous with candy, just a few pieces per person. But it was still pretty early and I know they get more generous the later it gets. The Philharmagic stop was really neat and we stopped to watch the Sleepy Hollow cartoon for a few minutes. At this point, the kids went back to ride HM and get the carriage picture. DH and I did a little shopping and wandered to Main St to get a spot for the fireworks. I hung around while DH went to get a pumpkin waffle sundae (he loved it.) The kids were going to join us, but decided they wanted hot dogs from Casey's, so while the did watch, it was not with us. The fireworks were great. Lots of music from Nightmare, which I love.

After the fireworks, I was planning to head to Frontierland to find a spot for all of us to watch the second parade together. DH really wanted to watch from Main St though, so we headed toward the castle to look for spots in the loop. BAD IDEA! I had forgotten that there was a Hocus Pocus show between the fireworks and the parade, so there were lots of people rushing toward the stage. We did manage to find a spot, though, and like good rule-following guests, we sat behind the tape. Of course, three people came and sat in front of us. I was annoyed, but I shouldn't have been because CMs made them move. The parade was wonderful. Our kids were so impressed with the Headless Horseman riding through and we all just loved the grave diggers.

After the parade, it was our turn to rush the stage for the Hocus Pocus show. We got great spots only a couple of rows in. The show was probably my favorite thing about the night. It was just so, so good. It almost felt like being a part of the movie. After the show we started heading out. I was still hoping to get the Headless Horseman magic shot, but it was pretty late and we were all tired since we'd been in the parks since 8am. So although I saw some photographers taking photos where I think it would have been we skipped it. We really wanted to get a Minnie van, but apparently they stop running at midnight, so we waited for about 15 minutes before a bus came for the beach club. By the time we got back to our room and got settled for the night, it was almost 2am.

I didn't end up getting either of the two Magic Shots I had planned on but somehow managed to get all the ones I hadn't planned on! Totally fine, although in retrospect I wish we had stopped for the Horseman. I definitely want to do this party again. I think as a second-time visitor, I would do a few more rides. As first-timers, DH and I were just so taken by the atmosphere and we found ourselves just wanting to wander around and take it all in!

 

[MrInfinity]

Only adults, no children. No meet and greets. Attending the Sunday, October 22nd party. Plans listed without times because it’s too easy for one thing to not go according to plan and throw off all the times. Only scheduled time frame is fastpass. Itinerary is listed in the order that we plan to do the activities throughout the night.

• Arrive at 3:15 pm
• Wristband @ Main Entrance
• Might skip the bypass, don’t want to carry around candy.
• ‘Country Bear’ Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card at Main Street Fire Station
• Country Bears Jamboree
• Peter Pan Flight FP 4:30-5:30
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Haunted Mansion
• Haunted Mansion Hearse Magic Shot
• Haunted Mansion Cemetery Watchman Magic Shot
• Hitch Hiking Ghosts Magic Shot near pirate league game in Adventureland
• Worms and Dirt Dessert @ Pecos Bill
• HalloWishes (9:45) at Casey’s Area
• Hocus Pocus Villains Spectacular (10:25 pm)
• ‘Boo to You Halloween Parade’ prop photopass photo, pre-parade on Main Street
• ‘Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular’ prop photopass photo, pre-parade on Main Street
• Boo to You Parade (11:40 pm) on Main Street
• Dancing Ghosts Animated Shots on Main Street
• Grave Diggers Animated Shot with Pumpkins in Town Square
• Headless Horseman Magic Shot at Main Entrance

Rides, HalloWishes, Hocus Pocus, Boo to You, and Photopass opportunities...that covers what we would like to do during MNSSHP.

You don't need a plan with times. It's more flex and go since the lines are variable. You'll get thru all that and more. We just got back. WITH kids, and we did pretty much everything you have listed there, plus trick-or-treating at every big orange kiosk! You have more magic shots than us, but we met the characters you're not doing. The Mine Train will have a long line around 5:30. I would probably skip that or do it late at night.

 

[Cluelyss]

I have to agree with @Cluelyss on all. You're plan looks great but BOG maybe an issue. You can pre-order your food there so that should help then get in line to meet the Beast. You'll hear the announcements so be sure to listen for it.

Can't preorder at dinner, unfortunately.

 

[sah95]

Hmmm, I don't see your itinerary on the main page did you post it here?

No, I didn't want to do one. I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread!

 

[sah95]

In line for wrist bands at PhilharMagic. Thank goodness we are in the shade!!!

 

[FoxC63]

Can't preorder at dinner, unfortunately.

I thought they added BOG, hmm I'll have to look for that. sure that one was on the list!

 

[FoxC63]

You don't need a plan with times. It's more flex and go since the lines are variable. You'll get thru all that and more. We just got back. WITH kids, and we did pretty much everything you have listed there, plus trick-or-treating at every big orange kiosk! You have more magic shots than us, but we met the characters you're not doing. The Mine Train will have a long line around 5:30. I would probably skip that or do it late at night.

Just a reminder, that's what this thread is all about otherwise the Official Main Thread is perfect for just planning.

 

[sah95]

Waiting on the 7 Dwarfs w/ another disser from London

 

[CMNJ]

It's the big night

I'm here in line for Pooh and friends....they are fashionably late

 

[CMNJ]

So we didn't make it until midnight-DS refused to take a nap today and fell asleep at the end of fireworks-we walked around a little more and got some pics but then called it a night because he was so exhausted. We actually did get to see Cruella, Pooh and friends, Minnie, and Goofy in addition to TOT, several photos/magic shots, front row seats for the parade/horseman, and fireworks plus 7DMT and HM before the party started.

 

[FoxC63]

So we didn't make it until midnight-DS refused to take a nap today and fell asleep at the end of fireworks-we walked around a little more and got some pics but then called it a night because he was so exhausted. We actually did get to see Cruella, Pooh and friends, Minnie, and Goofy in addition to TOT, several photos/magic shots, front row seats for the parade/horseman, and fireworks plus 7DMT and HM before the party started.

I bet your little one was too excited to take a nap. Sounds like you still accomplished a lot. Planning on going next year?

 

[CMNJ]

I bet your little one was too excited to take a nap. Sounds like you still accomplished a lot. Planning on going next year?

I'd like to but we will have to take into consideration DS school schedule. Missing a few days of 1/2 day kindergarten isn't that big a deal but not sure if they are more strict with 1st grade.

 

[FoxC63]

I'd like to but we will have to take into consideration DS school schedule. Missing a few days of 1/2 day kindergarten isn't that big a deal but not sure if they are more strict with 1st grade.

We've been taking our son for a week during the school year since he started 3K and he's now in 8th! He does get excellent grades so we just don't worry about it. 9th thru 12th is a whole other story!