MNSSHP and Rain - History working against me...

[BradChristian]

Hello Friends,

I have been advised in the past to not pre-purchase my MNSSHP ticket in advance because of weather problems.

I have booked my trip for September 17th&18th with plans to attend MNSSHP on Friday the 18th which also is the same night that Halloween Horror Nights opens at Universal.

I was thinking that would reduce the crowd at the party, because many would be checking out HHN for the first time. However - I have learned that in the 25 year history of HHN... It has rained EVERY opening night.

Do they cancel the parades and hallowishes when it rains during MNSSHP?
Would I be better off skipping the party and park hopping over to EPCOT at 7pm if it is raining?
(I will not be eligible for the extra magic hours that night)
(Hollywood Studios closes at 7:30 that Friday)

-or-
Should I do the party and just enjoy being wet in a semi-private rain-emptied magic kingdom?

 

[mom2rtk]

Mother Nature doesn't care if it rained last year or the year before. I wouldn't worry about what happened in the past.

If it rains enough that major elements of the party are cancelled (FW, parade, shows) then be sure to stop by guest services before leaving. They have been known to offer tickets to another night, or other accommodations if you won't be in town for another party night.

 

[BradChristian]

Mother Nature doesn't care if it rained last year or the year before. I wouldn't worry about what happened in the past.

Indeed! Maybe this will be the year the trend breaks... and I had not thought about guest services if this is a wash out... sadly - this will be my last trip for years, so -

 

[mousehockey37]

We were at the 2nd MNSSHP last year. In fact, it was 9/9 of last year, lol, so almost to the day. Anyway, Central Florida was experiencing some weird weather pattern (as they said on the news) that didn't make the storms move. They would blow up in the afternoon and just sit where they were. On our party night we had this happen and it rained. It wasn't really heavy, but it was enough that it kept everything wet and was lightning all around. The 1st parade was done with the dancers and such doing modified routines (zombie dancers were just doing zombie things down the street, the grave diggers didn't do their dance routine, the cowboys/girls were just kind of greeting people along the route). Luckily, things dried up for the 2nd parade and it was on in full force. All the routines were in place and it was the "normal" parade. So in a way, even though you don't want it, it was kinda neat to see 2 different parades.

 

[BradChristian]

We were at the 2nd MNSSHP last year. In fact, it was 9/9 of last year, lol, so almost to the day. Anyway, Central Florida was experiencing some weird weather pattern (as they said on the news) that didn't make the storms move. They would blow up in the afternoon and just sit where they were. On our party night we had this happen and it rained. It wasn't really heavy, but it was enough that it kept everything wet and was lightning all around. The 1st parade was done with the dancers and such doing modified routines (zombie dancers were just doing zombie things down the street, the grave diggers didn't do their dance routine, the cowboys/girls were just kind of greeting people along the route). Luckily, things dried up for the 2nd parade and it was on in full force. All the routines were in place and it was the "normal" parade. So in a way, even though you don't want it, it was kinda neat to see 2 different parades.

From what I've seen they do try to make the parade happen if possible!

 

[mousehockey37]

From what I've seen they do try to make the parade happen if possible!

Like I said, the parade happened and so did the fireworks. They ultimately did have a backup plan, and since the ground was wet, and there was no immediate danger to the performers, the parade went on in a modified fashion (no routines). By the 2nd parade, the ground had dried up some and the routine performers had safe enough conditions to do the parade the way it was supposed to go.

 

[BradChristian]

I will definitely be skipping the Halloween Desert Party as well... because that can not be canceled even when Fireworks/Parades are...

 

[HappyDaisy]

The year before we moved here we went to the Halloween party and it poured; we tried waiting it out but it didn't stop. The parade was cancelled, the fireworks were cancelled. I think outside Trick or Treat was cancelled. Lines for Guest Services were hours long. We went back to the hotel and just as we were asking about a refund, word came through that they could offer a refund or tickets for another night to party goers. It was our last night, so we got a refund. So, it does happen that events are cancelled, but they will (eventually) accommodate guests.

 

[BradChristian]

The year before we moved here we went to the Halloween party and it poured; we tried waiting it out but it didn't stop. The parade was cancelled, the fireworks were cancelled. I think outside Trick or Treat was cancelled. Lines for Guest Services were hours long. We went back to the hotel and just as we were asking about a refund, word came through that they could offer a refund or tickets for another night to party goers. It was our last night, so we got a refund. So, it does happen that events are cancelled, but they will (eventually) accommodate guests.

This is comforting... It may encourage me to go ahead and purchase the day before even if rain is in the forecast.

 

[PhoenixWright]

We made the mistake of doing a MNSSHP party the last night of our trip in 2012, and it rained all night and we all got sick afterwards. =/

Plus, we made the mistake of not picking up our tickets from will call (this was before magic bands) So we had to wait over an hour in the rain with all the people trying to get rain checks JUST to get our tickets to get in for our pouring rain event

They still did Hallowishes after about a 45 minute delay but they cancelled all the Parades.

We're doing MVMCP for the first time this year and we're making it our first night there in case we need to cancel or get a rain check. xD

 

[dkrauss]

It rained on our MNSSHP last year around the 'exact' same time you're going this year.....................it happens but not guaranteed. The rain really didn't effect us at............had a really good time. Its always a risk waiting to the day of to buy the tickets........costs more too But it's not like your going on Halloween..........right

Doug

 

[nanaka]

I am also going to the Sept 18th party. Last year I was at the Sept 19th party and it was pouring. The parade and fireworks still went on, but I had heard that there were elements of the parade that didn't happen that night (it was my first party so not sure what I missed but I enjoyed it anyway)!

 

[Dax]

Shhhhhh.....I'm doing a no rain dance...don't talk about it...and it won't happen..also going the 18th...

 

[BradChristian]

Good to see others who are joining me on the 18th! Awesome.

 

[crostorfer]

A lot of the September parties last year were wash outs. It was an unusually wet and cool September.

The weather isn't something to worry about, its going to do what its going to do. Unfortunately, WDW hasn't figured out a way to FP sunshine.

As for HHN drawing part of the MNSSHP crowd, that doesn't happen. To totally different demographics. That said, mid-September parties are traditionally less crowded than their October counterparts. Opening night will attract a fair amount of people though. Lots of press and bloggers.

 

[patfan1972]

That said, mid-September parties are traditionally less crowded than their October counterparts. Opening night will attract a fair amount of people though. Lots of press and bloggers.

I hate to hear this....Our only option this year was the 1st night, 9/15. I was actually hoping to get most of our MK stuff done that night and thought the 1st night would be the least crowded, plus it's a Tuesday....oh well, maybe bloggers don't ride many rides....

 

[BradChristian]

I hate to hear this....Our only option this year was the 1st night, 9/15. I was actually hoping to get most of our MK stuff done that night and thought the 1st night would be the least crowded, plus it's a Tuesday....oh well, maybe bloggers don't ride many rides....

I would think the rides would still be good... The parade and fireworks may have a few more people, but not as many as on one of the nights the party sells out.

 

[muenginerd]

It poured before and during our party last year. Just poured and poured, like water was ankle deep at some areas of the park. But it stopped alittle after 7 and things started to dry out. It wasn't bad. They could do a lot of the character things during the rain. The only thing with our party. I believe they cancelled the first parade, pushed back fireworks a bit. But we still had all the fireworks and the 2nd parade. The headless horseman was the only thing we didn't have.

I would buy tickets if you want to go ahead of time. DH and I decided we wanted to go back to the party a second night because we had fun. By day of the party later in the week was already sold out and that was still in September.

 

[BradChristian]

Thanks for all the encouraging stories about it pouring rain during the party, but still being able to have the second parade or fireworks later in the night!