MNSSHP - Convince me

[Frozen2014]

Hi,

Have been on this site for a few months learning lots about Disney and have been told how great the MNSSHP is and so have it in my plan to attend (unfortunately the best night is the last night of our trip which is the Friday before Halloween ...which I have been warned the crowds will be much higher, but that's the night that works for us).

Today the tickets are on sale and for the four of us to attend is close to $300. Yikes. (Guess I never did the math). Our plan was to spend the bulk of the day at Epcot and then head over at 4pm. I know the Halloween stuff doesn't start until 7pm and since our kids are youngish (DS9 and DD5), we probably will only last until 9:30pm or 10pm.

I know if we are going to attend then we should buy tickets soon.

So what exactly is at the Halloween event? Is it worth it?

 

[2DisPrincesses]

We go every year. We go in October just for the Party. We have gone twice in one week if our schedule allows- definitely worth it for us! The parade is awesome and the fireworks are the BEST! There are trick-or-treating stations all over and rare characters that you will only find at the Parties. If the characters are important to your family definitely get there early to line up and prioritize. I would not do another Park on a Party day with kids. We sleep in, have a slow day, and hit MK @ 4. That way the kids are able to make it until midnight or close to it. We sleep in the next day too. I'm not sure I would go with the schedule you're proposing. 7-9:30 not enough time to do the parade, fireworks, trick-or-treating, characters, ect

 

[ses1230]

Hi,

Have been on this site for a few months learning lots about Disney and have been told how great the MNSSHP is and so have it in my plan to attend (unfortunately the best night is the last night of our trip which is the Friday before Halloween ...which I have been warned the crowds will be much higher, but that's the night that works for us).

Today the tickets are on sale and for the four of us to attend is close to $300. Yikes. (Guess I never did the math). Our plan was to spend the bulk of the day at Epcot and then head over at 4pm. I know the Halloween stuff doesn't start until 7pm and since our kids are youngish (DS9 and DD5), we probably will only last until 9:30pm or 10pm.

I know if we are going to attend then we should buy tickets soon.

So what exactly is at the Halloween event? Is it worth it?

Here is a great explanation of MNSSHP: http://www.easywdw.com/worth-2/is-m...n-party-mnsshp-2010-worth-the-cost/#more-1571

Imo, the Halloween party is one of the best events that Disney does and well worth it if you will be able to stay and enjoy it until the end. However, if you really think your kids won't be able to stay up, then no I do not think it is worth $300 for 2.5 hours.

Fwiw, I have taken my kids to a hard ticket party every year since my 9 year old was 15 months old, and when we had our second DD, she comes every year as well. Once they were there they got caught up in the excitement and stayed until the end, it is really one of their favorite events as well.

Bottom line is you know your kids best.

 

[Raya]

We've gone every year since 2007. Here's why it works for us:
- no worries about sun and heat (our family is extra-sensitive to this)
- 8 hours in the parks for less than the cost of a one day ticket
- We *love* ghosts, villains, HM, & Headless. We don't care so much about princesses and other characters.
- The Hallowishes fireworks are the most amazing show in Disney.
- We can sleep late, play by the pool, take a nap, and then go into the park with lines that are shorter than if we arrived at rope drop.
- I can spend 6 months thinking about the perfect Disney costume.
- Magic shots with Ghosts.

TBH, we don't eat a lot of candy, and we don't do dance parties. It's more the feel of the park being open for just us and being filled with just our favorite things. Are ghosts your favorite things? Do you love playing dress up? Does escaping the sun and still getting in a full theme park day appeal to you? If not, you might not want to spend the $300.

 

[Frankiemack]

Hi,

Have been on this site for a few months learning lots about Disney and have been told how great the MNSSHP is and so have it in my plan to attend (unfortunately the best night is the last night of our trip which is the Friday before Halloween ...which I have been warned the crowds will be much higher, but that's the night that works for us).

Today the tickets are on sale and for the four of us to attend is close to $300. Yikes. (Guess I never did the math). Our plan was to spend the bulk of the day at Epcot and then head over at 4pm. I know the Halloween stuff doesn't start until 7pm and since our kids are youngish (DS9 and DD5), we probably will only last until 9:30pm or 10pm.

I know if we are going to attend then we should buy tickets soon.

So what exactly is at the Halloween event? Is it worth it?

I was in the same boat as you last year - never been to a holiday event at Disney and was debating the value. Now - the parties will be a staple in our holiday trips.

Last year, we did MNSSHP for the 1st time on October 29. The party was not sold out to the best of my knowledge and it never felt too crowded. As for how to offset the cost, we decided to not buy park hopper passes. The cost of upgrading to hoppers and the cost of the party itself were similar so this was an easier decision for us.

Your DS9 and DD5 will last later...trust me. It's just wayyy too much fun for them to run around and see everyone in their Halloween costumes...My DD5 lasted until a little after 11pm last year after a full day at Epcot. (It's a special event, an extra Halloween sugary treat or two also helps!)

As for the party itself - you get some unique opportunities. My DD5 still talks about the Headless Horseman and the parade almost every day. I can also say that meeting Jack and Sally was the highlight of her trip. She LOVES the Nightmare Before Christmas and the 1.5 hour wait to meet them was well worth the interaction with them. The fireworks are the best show of the year. The Monsters Inc and Toy Story Dance parties were also a ton of fun. We also rode BTMRR and the Haunted Mansion a few times that night with little to no wait.

 

[SillySallySews]

Last year I drove all the way down to FL just to take my girls to MNSSHP. My parents live close enough to Disney that I just stayed with them, but I specifically went to FL for the weekend just to go to the party. So for me, yes it's totally worth it! There are special character M&G, trick-or-treating, the rides are pretty much all walk on or very low wait times. It's also really fun to dress up in costume or just look at the costumes other people come up with. Some people really get crazy with them. My favorite part of the party is the special fireworks and the parade. My girls watch the parade on Youtube a lot and are always asking me how many days until we go back and see it again lol.

I agree with not spending the whole day at another park before the party, especially with younger kids. If you give them a chance to rest and relax that day they'll probably be able to stay at the party a lot longer than you think. My daughter was two last year, we stayed until closing time, and she was still wide awake all the way to the car.

 

[Wendybird55]

My family loves the Halloween party - in fact we book a special trip just to go. DS LOVES villains and this is the best chance for him to see them and meet with them.

The even is what you want it to be. There are many rare characters hot that night for M&G and some people spend most of the night waiting on lines and getting photos with these characters. It's the one time you can get a photo with all the Dwarves. Some people use it as extra park time to get on some rides as lines tend to be shorter while people are doing other things.
There are different "parties" - usually a dance party in Tomorrowland. Of course you can trick or treat..there are stations throughout the park.

Our favorites are the Villains Mix and Mingle (a chow at castle with villains and after show the villains come down for awhile to meet with people) we usually see this twice so DS can get his picture with all the different villains.
The Boo To You parade...it's FANTASIC...I think the best Disney parade! And then of course Hallowishes Fireworks are amazing.

So it all depends on what your family enjoys doing. Put there is plenty and it's fun. Plus it's a hoot to see the costumes people wear.

I would suggest, especially with kids that you take a break in the afternoon. Give them some time to rest and get into their costumes before you go because you'll probably want to stay for most of the party to enjoy it. We found the first year we went we watched the early Villains show parade and fireworks and then when everyone was getting ready for the later shows, we were able to trick or treat easily through park.

You need to decide what's best for your family and budget, but I think this is one event definitely worth trying at least once. I just bought our tickets for our September trip.

 

[MrsLanduyt]

You're going to Disney... you only live once. Do it

 

[Grand Admiral]

Here is my post from way back in 2007 when we went to MNSSHP and it got pretty much soaked with rain.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=20848202#post20848202

I would make very sure that you really want to attend before spending the money. Make sure to check the weather! Check it twice!

We didn't know so many things would be closed. The heavy rain meant that the characters weren't out. When the rain finally let up, characters, restaurants and everything were mobbed with people.

Guest services offered us a one day pass for MK, which was nice, but it was only good for one year, and we couldn't return within that timeframe.

I'm sure it's great when weather cooperates, but a 3 hour rainstorm can make it a very unpleasant experience.

 

[MuddyTires]

You know your kids best, but I would think it would be a challenge to spend a long day at EPCOT and then do the party in the evening.

 

[Momof2Singers]

IF you only plan to spend an hour or so, NO I would probably not pay the money. My girls were 9 and 14 when we did this AND, we only did a few hours in one park and went back to our room to relax and get dressed.

If you don't get the whole experience I personally think it is a waste of your $300. We stayed until closing and did everything. If you love Disney, you will probably be back at some point and you could plan so that you would have more time.

HOWEVER:The one thing I do want to mention: After that visit we could no longer bring our girls back during October due to school obligations. When they get to middle school age, it is impossible to take them out of school for any length of time.

You may also be surprised how long they can make it when having fun. The darkness is fun, especially at the HM, BUT, it also makes for sleepy young ones.

I would weigh the pros and cons. My girls have never forgotten the great time they had (and by the way, I guess they are still doing this, you go to one of the picture areas with characters dressed in Halloween costumes, get your pix taken, and ours was waiting for us in your mailbox when we returned home, pretty cool, a reminder of the great time had by all)

 

[lustergirl]

We enjoyed it one year. The parade is the best part. Would we do it again: probably not considering the cost.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks for the replies. Doesn't sound like an obvious answer right away.

I'm sorry for the person that ended up getting rained on. That really sucks and its one of those things we have no control. If we decide to go, then was planning on buying soon as to lock in tickets. i.e. so can't check the weather beforehand

AS for timing, we would for sure wait until the 9:30pm fireworks, then perhaps head out. We are leaving the next morning with an 8:30am ADR so can't make it super late (then again, they can sleep on the plane).

We currently do have a 9:15am ADR for breakfast in Epcot. Perhaps I should move that out a bit (if I can) so we won't feel so rushed in the morning and they can sleep in (chances are slim they would do so as they are early risers)??? We do plan on hitting Epcot that day...otherwise we will just have 3 full Disney days (one day off is insisted by DH)...so want to maximize our time there.

 

[Frozen2014]

Got convinved Bought tickets tonight...for the Friday night as planned. Hopefully no rain, and the rest we'll enjoy and just see how long the kids can last. Will for sure though wait for the fireworks to end, and try to catch the 8:15pm parade. Looking so forward to it!
Only bad thing about the party ... is that it also represents the end of our trip