MNSSHP - A first-timer's thoughts

[Turk February]

We went to our first MNSSHP last night (myself, my wife and our 5yo daughter) and absolutely loved it!!! I really do not understand any of the "hate" I've seen it get this year on the board. I'm writing this review because I know how helpful these were for me when planning so hopefully I can help someone else going for the first time either tomorrow or next year.

We went in with broad strokes of a plan (start off with 7 Dwarfs, watch the fireworks and 2nd parade, and meet Jack and Sally) and we did everything I felt we "needed" to do. Even with this being a sold out party I never felt overwhelmed by the people there.

We got in right after 4 and did our Buzz FP (10 minute standby...oh well). After that we went to BTMR for our 2nd FP and rode that (again 10 minute standby!). We then rode Haunted Mansion because I was afraid the wait would be too long during the party and after that headed over to the 7 Dwarfs line.

We got in line for them at 6:15 and there was probably 50 people waiting already. They came out about maybe 10 minutes early and we were done by 7:15, which put me ahead of my planned schedule.

From there we went right over to the Witch and then Gaston and then a quick candy stop across from Ariel (those lines look long but they move quickly). We then did Minnie over at Storybook Circus which took up more time than I had imagined. While waiting both my wife and I took turns taking our daughter on Dumbo since it was a walk-on.

After Minnie we walked over to HM to do the Magic Shot and check out the Madame. This was while the first parade was going on. Right after that parade ended we went over to Splash and hit the candy lines there (long but you get 3 barrels so it's worth it and the kids love it). Then we did the Magic Shot where Woody and Jesse normally are and then we booked it to Main Street for the castle show and the fireworks.

The fireworks are AMAZING. I know everyone says they are the best Disney does and I have to agree. Simply a wonderful show and there was plenty of room on Main Street to watch.

Afterwards we grabbed a seat on the curb to wait for the 2nd parade and I went to get my daughter a snack. I decided to check Jack and Sally (my original plan was to get them at 11 right after the parade). Well imagine my surprise when I walked up and there was just 3 families waiting for them! I called my wife and they came over. Jack and Sally were SO GOOD. What a great meet.

We found a new spot right at the end of Main Street outside the Confectionary right before the road bends and it was PERFECT. The Halloween parade is AWESOME. We loved it so much. Again, everyone says this is the best Disney parade and they're right. It's really great. Between this and FoF, it was a good few days of parades for us.

Immediately after the parade ended we walked over to Mickey and were pleasantly surprised to see he was talking. Talking Mickey twice in one trip. I can't get enough of it. I think this is one of the coolest things at WDW. There was no wait right after the parade but once we got out and went back in for Tink, he was up to a 20 minute wait (this was around 11:15). We saw Tink and then our daughter asked if we could ride Pooh.

Walking over to Pooh we hit the 2 candy spots in Tomorrowland (boy do they just hand over fistfuls of candy when it's almost over). Pooh was a walk on and we finished at 11:55.

5 minutes before park closing...let's ride 7DMT! It was a posted 30 minute wait at park closing but it only took 20.

Afterwards we headed down Main Street and got a few photos from the photopass workers that were still out. By the time we got to the last one near the entrance of the park, Main Street was completely empty and we got some nice shots in front.

We waited about 15 minutes for a bus back to Pop and got in around 1:30am. An amazing night. I can't recommend this party enough.

Sure, there were things we didn't have time for but this party isn't designed to have time to see all the shows and meet all the characters. I would've loved to have gotten Pooh and friends in their costumes. And Jack Sparrow. And maybe Lotso. And check out the dance parties. But you have to pick and choose and prioritize and I think we chose wisely for what we wanted to accomplish.

I would without question recommend this party to everyone. After 8 trips with my wife this was probably the best night we've ever had in a park.

 

[Ninja Mom]

Great write up! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I had the chance to watch Jack and Sally last year at MNSSHP and I thought they were excellent in the way they related to the guests. It was magical to watch!

~NM

 

[aacvacation]

I went for my first time last week, and I completely agree with everything you said! We, of course, prioritized other things-- but it worked out perfectly for us as well! Easily the best time I've ever had at Disney, and if these last nights hadn't been sold out, I've gotta say I probably would have impulse purchased another ticket! So happy you and your family had so much fun, I hope you get to experience it again!!

 

[dizzwizz]

We went to our first MNSSHP last night (myself, my wife and our 5yo daughter) and absolutely loved it!!! I really do not understand any of the "hate" I've seen it get this year on the board. I'm writing this review because I know how helpful these were for me when planning so hopefully I can help someone else going for the first time either tomorrow or next year.

We went in with broad strokes of a plan (start off with 7 Dwarfs, watch the fireworks and 2nd parade, and meet Jack and Sally) and we did everything I felt we "needed" to do. Even with this being a sold out party I never felt overwhelmed by the people there.

We got in right after 4 and did our Buzz FP (10 minute standby...oh well). After that we went to BTMR for our 2nd FP and rode that (again 10 minute standby!). We then rode Haunted Mansion because I was afraid the wait would be too long during the party and after that headed over to the 7 Dwarfs line.

We got in line for them at 6:15 and there was probably 50 people waiting already. They came out about maybe 10 minutes early and we were done by 7:15, which put me ahead of my planned schedule.

From there we went right over to the Witch and then Gaston and then a quick candy stop across from Ariel (those lines look long but they move quickly). We then did Minnie over at Storybook Circus which took up more time than I had imagined. While waiting both my wife and I took turns taking our daughter on Dumbo since it was a walk-on.

After Minnie we walked over to HM to do the Magic Shot and check out the Madame. This was while the first parade was going on. Right after that parade ended we went over to Splash and hit the candy lines there (long but you get 3 barrels so it's worth it and the kids love it). Then we did the Magic Shot where Woody and Jesse normally are and then we booked it to Main Street for the castle show and the fireworks.

The fireworks are AMAZING. I know everyone says they are the best Disney does and I have to agree. Simply a wonderful show and there was plenty of room on Main Street to watch.

Afterwards we grabbed a seat on the curb to wait for the 2nd parade and I went to get my daughter a snack. I decided to check Jack and Sally (my original plan was to get them at 11 right after the parade). Well imagine my surprise when I walked up and there was just 3 families waiting for them! I called my wife and they came over. Jack and Sally were SO GOOD. What a great meet.

We found a new spot right at the end of Main Street outside the Confectionary right before the road bends and it was PERFECT. The Halloween parade is AWESOME. We loved it so much. Again, everyone says this is the best Disney parade and they're right. It's really great. Between this and FoF, it was a good few days of parades for us.

Immediately after the parade ended we walked over to Mickey and were pleasantly surprised to see he was talking. Talking Mickey twice in one trip. I can't get enough of it. I think this is one of the coolest things at WDW. There was no wait right after the parade but once we got out and went back in for Tink, he was up to a 20 minute wait (this was around 11:15). We saw Tink and then our daughter asked if we could ride Pooh.

Walking over to Pooh we hit the 2 candy spots in Tomorrowland (boy do they just hand over fistfuls of candy when it's almost over). Pooh was a walk on and we finished at 11:55.

5 minutes before park closing...let's ride 7DMT! It was a posted 30 minute wait at park closing but it only took 20.

Afterwards we headed down Main Street and got a few photos from the photopass workers that were still out. By the time we got to the last one near the entrance of the park, Main Street was completely empty and we got some nice shots in front.

We waited about 15 minutes for a bus back to Pop and got in around 1:30am. An amazing night. I can't recommend this party enough.

Sure, there were things we didn't have time for but this party isn't designed to have time to see all the shows and meet all the characters. I would've loved to have gotten Pooh and friends in their costumes. And Jack Sparrow. And maybe Lotso. And check out the dance parties. But you have to pick and choose and prioritize and I think we chose wisely for what we wanted to accomplish.

I would without question recommend this party to everyone. After 8 trips with my wife this was probably the best night we've ever had in a park.

Agreed. Great write-up. We were there the same night you were. We went to the MNSSHP last year and this year, so we can compare them a bit. Last year, we went in late September and it was nowhere near as crowded as it was this year in late October. Many of the rides were walk-ons (except for 7DMT), but the parade and fireworks crowds were way worse this year in late October. We also saw quite a few more rude guests pushing to the front of the parade lines in the last few seconds before it started. One woman shoved her daughter to the front of the line and shouted to another woman that "it's for the kids." Excuse me lady, but it's for whomever has staked out their "earned" place 45 minutes to an hour beforehand. Those two women made a unfortunate scene. Nice.

 

[DaisyNY]

We have been to MNSSHP twice including Halloween last year...love the parade and fireworks. This year we will visit in Dec and have tickets for MVMCP...glad you had a great time!

 

[Alice Sr.]

Thanks for sharing your experience glad you had a great time!

 

[lustergirl]

We went to this party once and had a great time. I think the parade is the best part.

 

[Grumpy92]

So glad you enjoyed the party. I think Disney finally got the message that they sold too many tickets for this event and cut back the numbers this year. It has made an affect in the crowds.

 

[LBIJim]

I went for my first MNSSHP on Tuesday night too. But I went primarily for the rides, most of which had very short lines. After 10pm, practically everything was a walk on, with the exception of 7DMT, which still was about a 25 minute wait until midnight. (Posted wait time 30 minutes).

Walked thru Liberty Square while the fireworks were going on. Nice, but after seeing fireworks 100+ times in my life, no big deal. Caught a far glimpse of the second parade from the BTMRR area. Again, not a priority. Didn't care about meeting any characters.

Rides and candy were the main objectives, and both were overwhellmingly successful. IMO the Halloween party is the best way to visit MK to meet my goals. Glad it was a success for OP with a different set of goals.

 

[PEC]

I went for my first MNSSHP on Tuesday night too. But I went primarily for the rides, most of which had very short lines. After 10pm, practically everything was a walk on, with the exception of 7DMT, which still was about a 25 minute wait until midnight. (Posted wait time 30 minutes).

Walked thru Liberty Square while the fireworks were going on. Nice, but after seeing fireworks 100+ times in my life, no big deal. Caught a far glimpse of the second parade from the BTMRR area. Again, not a priority. Didn't care about meeting any characters.

Rides and candy were the main objectives, and both were overwhellmingly successful. IMO the Halloween party is the best way to visit MK to meet my goals. Glad it was a success for OP with a different set of goals.

I think for you and OP it shows that if you set realistic goals and then consider anything more than that a trip quickly becomes a great experience.

 

[luulu1999]

Thank you for this!! we have never been but I just started planning for us to go next year....its a whole year away but I am SOOOO excited I have always wanted to go to Disney at Halloween time this will be our first Disneyworld experience and our first Halloween party exp

 

[Texas Mickey]

Agreed, great write up! Disney has so much fun and magic if you just take the time to enjoy it. Glad you had such a wonderful time!

 

[Turk February]

I'm glad you guys liked my report! I hope everyone who goes to this party has as much fun as we did! On our way home now