MNSSHP crowd question

[Mambo Junkie]

During my trip there are only 2 dates (besides Saturday) which are not party or EMH nights, which should make the park super crowded. I may break down and buy tickets since there are only 2 of us going. What, on your experience, has been the LEAST crowded night? I DO NOT want to go when it is sold out. It's too crowded to be fun but we may benefit from a slower day. I just don't want to be limited to 7 pm.

 

[mom2rtk]

No way to tell which day will be best. Start by choosing something other than a Friday. Then look at the prices. If one night is more expensive, that could mean 1) Disney has reason to believe it's going to be busier or 2) People will shy away from the more expensive night making the less expensive night more crowded. Honestly, flip a coin.

Party days are great days for touring the parks. If you need to see Wishes and MSEP though, choose the non-Saturday, non-EMH night to go.

 

[BrianL]

I think that last year every single MNSSHP sold out, some of them on the day-of. If you don't care about party activities though and just want rides with short-lines, then you'll do just fine. The backs of the parks don't feel crowded and many rides are walk-on. Watch the later Boo to You if you are wanting to do that for a pleasant and uncrowded viewing experience. Honestly, sold-out parties aren't all that unmanageable.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think that last year every single MNSSHP sold out, some of them on the day-of. If you don't care about party activities though and just want rides with short-lines, then you'll do just fine. The backs of the parks don't feel crowded and many rides are walk-on. Watch the later Boo to You if you are wanting to do that for a pleasant and uncrowded viewing experience. Honestly, sold-out parties aren't all that unmanageable.

No they didn't. Only 11 of 24 parties sold out.

The Halloween party in Disneyland traditionally sells out nearly every party, but that has never been the case at WDW.

From the first page of the MNSSHP thread:

2015 Sold Out Dates: 9/15 (Sold Out 9/15), 9/22 (Sold Out 9/22) 9/25 (Sold Out 9/23), 9/27(Sold Out 9/26), 10/9, 10/23 (Sold Out 10/20), 10/25 (Sold Out 10/22), 10/27 (Sold Out on 10/19/15), 10/29 (Sold Out 10/14/16), 10/31 (Sold Out on 8/3/15) and 11/1 (Sold Out on 10/5/15) --- 24 Parties in 2015

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I think that last year every single MNSSHP sold out, some of them on the day-of. If you don't care about party activities though and just want rides with short-lines, then you'll do just fine. The backs of the parks don't feel crowded and many rides are walk-on. Watch the later Boo to You if you are wanting to do that for a pleasant and uncrowded viewing experience. Honestly, sold-out parties aren't all that unmanageable.

Yes, plus we have the good fortune to not be going with DS and family, so we don't have any meet and greets to do. I really don't like crowds and try to avoid them, but I think the 2 non party, EMH days will be just as crowded.

 

[BrianL]

No they didn't. Only 11 of 24 parties sold out.

The Halloween party in Disneyland traditionally sells out nearly every party, but that has never been the case at WDW.

From the first page of the MNSSHP thread:

2015 Sold Out Dates: 9/15 (Sold Out 9/15), 9/22 (Sold Out 9/22) 9/25 (Sold Out 9/23), 9/27(Sold Out 9/26), 10/9, 10/23 (Sold Out 10/20), 10/25 (Sold Out 10/22), 10/27 (Sold Out on 10/19/15), 10/29 (Sold Out 10/14/16), 10/31 (Sold Out on 8/3/15) and 11/1 (Sold Out on 10/5/15) --- 24 Parties in 2015

Hmm, I could've sworn it was more. I just remember seeing all the notes on my news feed when one would sell out and everyone making a big deal about all of them selling like that. Maybe I'm living in a parallel universe.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Maybe he Christmas party?

 

[terri33inne]

We're going Sept 2nd (my bday )... I'm wondering how crowded it will be... it is a Friday, but it's also the first party for the year.

 

[alliecat523]

Crowd levels are so subjective. We visit during high crowd times normally so the parties don't feel that crowded to us. If you are use to low crowd visits, you probably won't be happy with a sold out party crowd.

 

[jpeden]

You can get more done from 9-7 on a party night than 9-10 on a regular night. If you want a great touring day for MK, go on a party night. A lot of people feel "short-changed" and won't go b/c it's not a "good value" since the hours are shorter. However, it depends. If the value is fireworks/MSEP, then no it's not. If it's efficient touring, riding a lot of rides, and having minimal crowds, then it's your best value. Just realize that 4-7 will be busy as party goers are allowed entry into the park.

 

[jpeden]

We're going Sept 2nd (my bday )... I'm wondering how crowded it will be... it is a Friday, but it's also the first party for the year.

Last year's first party was on a Sunday, was a sell out, and was a nightmare. It was so bad we got refunds. They were not ready at all for that crowd. On the flip side, the park was great before 4PM so if you're going for the day and not the party, go for it! If going for the party and you can go another night, I'd advise to switch dates.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We're going Sept 2nd (my bday )... I'm wondering how crowded it will be... it is a Friday, but it's also the first party for the year.

Don't let what I write get you down but the reports on here from last year's first party were pretty ugly. Seemed like a lot of it had to do with improper clearing of non-party guests and short-staffing. There was a thread on here that went on and on about it. Now, the first party was a lot later last year, for whatever that is worth. I'd like to think going back to having it so early in September gives more time for the event to ramp up a bit. Although I'm sure that first party will still be crowded, if not a sell out again. If it were me, I'd still go regardless. Have a great trip!

 

[Disneymom1126]

Yes, plus we have the good fortune to not be going with DS and family, so we don't have any meet and greets to do. I really don't like crowds and try to avoid them, but I think the 2 non party, EMH days will be just as crowded.

We were at a sold out party last year - aside from the area around Main Street and the meet and greet lines, it didn't seem that crowded for us - all the rides we rode were virtually walk on with the exception of SDMT. The park was also great from rope drop till about 6 when main street was rough from people leaving and coming for party. Last year's first party isn't a good one to gauge because in addition to inviting media people, it was well-known that they didn't do what they needed to do to get day-park guests without party tickets to leave. They fixed that for the parties after that. If you are mostly looking to ride rides, you will be able to do that. MK is slammed in the fall on non-party nights though- you might better just do MK till 7 then have a nice late dinner at one of the monorail resorts that has a view of the fireworks if you're not interested in the party-specific stuff.

 

[terri33inne]

Thanks all... Switching dates is not an option as it's the only party during our dates. We'll go & make the best of it.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Crowd levels are so subjective. We visit during high crowd times normally so the parties don't feel that crowded to us. If you are use to low crowd visits, you probably won't be happy with a sold out party crowd.

I agree. I judge crowd levels by how fast I get a Mickey bar at MK and a Beer at EPCOT.

Thanks all... Switching dates is not an option as it's the only party during our dates. We'll go & make the best of it.

It will be the "best" alright. You will have fun. If you don't I hope you have tasty adult beverages cold at the room.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

We were at a sold out party last year - aside from the area around Main Street and the meet and greet lines, it didn't seem that crowded for us - all the rides we rode were virtually walk on with the exception of SDMT. The park was also great from rope drop till about 6 when main street was rough from people leaving and coming for party. Last year's first party isn't a good one to gauge because in addition to inviting media people, it was well-known that they didn't do what they needed to do to get day-park guests without party tickets to leave. They fixed that for the parties after that. If you are mostly looking to ride rides, you will be able to do that. MK is slammed in the fall on non-party nights though- you might better just do MK till 7 then have a nice late dinner at one of the monorail resorts that has a view of the fireworks if you're not interested in the party-specific stuff.

I'm going on a party night o have fps for SPace, 7DMT, and Splash from 4 to 6:30 then a 6:10 reservation at Skippers while we wait for the crowd to thin out then whatever we want to do. I also booked a non party evening with 2:45 Tony's Main St package then Space again (our party night fp is 3:20-4:20 so we will be pushing it. If we get to ride with little hassle we will drop the Space fp. Then I have Peter Pan then a 7:20 SDMT so we can see it at night (once again, depends on whether riding it works out for the party night. If so, I will drop this one as well. Then we plan to just watch Wishes, Celebrate the Magic and MSEP. That's my only reason for going that night. We may go to another park earlier in the day. I am finding in hard pressed to fill the gaps without kiddos. The M&Gs and kid rides really take up a lot of time. With kids, we spend 3 (2 1/2) days at MK and the only reason I'm going back on day 2 is because I have an extra ticket I have to use somewhere.

 

[Disneymom1126]

I'm going on a party night o have fps for SPace, 7DMT, and Splash from 4 to 6:30 then a 6:10 reservation at Skippers while we wait for the crowd to thin out then whatever we want to do. I also booked a non party evening with 2:45 Tony's Main St package then Space again (our party night fp is 3:20-4:20 so we will be pushing it. If we get to ride with little hassle we will drop the Space fp. Then I have Peter Pan then a 7:20 SDMT so we can see it at night (once again, depends on whether riding it works out for the party night. If so, I will drop this one as well. Then we plan to just watch Wishes, Celebrate the Magic and MSEP. That's my only reason for going that night. We may go to another park earlier in the day. I am finding in hard pressed to fill the gaps without kiddos. The M&Gs and kid rides really take up a lot of time. With kids, we spend 3 (2 1/2) days at MK and the only reason I'm going back on day 2 is because I have an extra ticket I have to use somewhere.

Sounds like fun! I haven't done a non-kid trip, but if I do in the future I would look forward to spending time at food and wine and at Disney springs!