MNSSHP crowds

[jandm]

I am debating doing MNSSHP - it would be either a Tues or Thurs night over Columbus day week in Oct. We have never done before, just wondering if it's worth the $230 tickets (family of 5)? I read some reviews on allears and people were saying that the crowds were awful and lines for candy were insane...Has anyone been that week and if so is it worth it? Or should we just go during the day and leave at 7?

 

[mesaboy2]

Crowds are heavy for parades, shows, and certain characters, but not really for rides. I read a lot of reports this year that candy lines were bad, but that was not my experience at the sold-out September 30 party. With research and planning, you can still have a great time.

It is what you make of it. If you've never been, I recommend going at least once.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We attended MNSSHP the Tuesday after Columbus Day this past October. We found the crowds to be higher than we previously experienced but manageable. We never had to wait more than 5 minutes for any attraction. The lines for characters were usually much longer. The crowds for the fireworks and parades were high, but we were able to find places to watch without too much difficulty.

 

[lugnut33]

If you have not gone, then you should go. Definitely worth going to. As for crowds, it seems every year they sell more tickets, so it's not really an exclusive party anymore. With some planning though you can have a great time.

Couple of tips:

1. Don't plan on going into the parks that morning. Wait until 4 pm when they let you into the party. I know the Party runs from 7-12, but they do let you in at 4. That way, you don't burn a day of tickets, plus everyone in the family will be charged up and ready for a fun night.

2. If you plan to eat, make a reservation at like 4:30 so you can get it out of the way before the party starts. Many rides are walk-on between 4-7 because day guests are exiting the park.

3. Talk to your kids and ask them what's important to them, shows, trick or treating, or rides. Your game plan will depend on how they answer that. Keep in mind, if you get there at 4 you can get many rides out of the way, which will leave you more time for the special Halloween stuff.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

We went in late Sept this year to MNSSHP and deemed it not worth it. It was fun and the special parade and wishes were neat but not worth the money anymore. It was really crowded (and super hot but we expected that) and difficult to get much done. The unique charecters were great but the 2 hour lines were not. We did 7 Dwarves pre party line up and still waited almost an hour into the party. The Princess line was out of control and the other unique charecters were in the 30+ min range. We got a spot for the 2nd parade half an hour beforehand and it was packed, couldn't even find front row. The charecter lines shut down earlier than posted that night and we didn't get as much candy as we had before at other parties (minor). All and all it wasn't worth the price tag to spend time in MK when it was more crowded than any other day of our trip.

We had friends that went Halloween night and as first timers they were overwhelmed with the crowds. They also said it was fun but not worth the price tag in the end.

On the other hand we did MVMCP over Thanksgiving weekend on a non discount night (MNSSHP was AP discount night and last night for CM's to get in discounted) and it was a completely different story. Lines maneagable and short, shows top notch, spots for the parade right up till time, lines for cookie and cocoa reasonable, etc.

If you want to ride rides then the parties are a good time to do it but you are paying a premium price to ride those things w/ little to no lines (and if you come in Sept w/ the short lines too). I can ride anything any day at MK, when I'm paying extra I want to do the unique things that are offered.

 

[tinytink22]

Its worth it! I went this year right before Halloween and the crowds weren't bad. The longest we waited for any ride was 10 mins. The lines for candy did look long, but once you got in line it took no time at all.