MNSSHP crowds?

[Elephantay]

We are debating about going to one of the parties next trip but really only because there are many nights we will be there that we would have to leave MK so early
What would the crowd number typically be, for comparison to a regular evening, for a sold out party?

 

[gottalovepluto]

All parties have sold out the last couple years, we have no reason to believe this year will be any different. MNSSHP is not know for low crowds, usually people are kinda surprised at how crowded it is. It’s like a medium park day to me, but everyone’s opinion will different.

I would skip the party and add park hopping to your tickets. The morning of parties at MK are the lowest crowds all year, golden! Clear out after lunch and select a new park for the evening. When you want to do MK at night do a different park during the day (because it’s opposite of party days, when there is no party the days at MK are much busier).

 

[Elephantay]

Yes we are looking at that option also. We've done the party years ago and aren't in a rush to return- plus it's ridiculously expensive (for our family it would be close to $1000!). But we enjoy park nights the most. MK closing at 6 is nuts!

 

[HopperFan]

All parties have sold out the last couple years, we have no reason to believe this year will be any different. MNSSHP is not know for low crowds, usually people are kinda surprised at how crowded it is. It’s like a medium park day to me, but everyone’s opinion will different.

I would skip the party and add park hopping to your tickets. The morning of parties at MK are the lowest crowds all year, golden! Clear out after lunch and select a new park for the evening. When you want to do MK at night do a different park during the day (because it’s opposite of party days, when there is no party the days at MK are much busier).

^^ ALL OF THIS!

We are HUGE Halloween fans, we've been doing parties since 2006 with the first ten years TWICE in one week. Our first party had 9000 per CM who was "insider" to ticket sales. She said they usually sell double that so round up 20,000. Parks were great, if felt private, felt intimate and you could do everything you wanted. POST-COVID we have done it twice, only once per trip. While we were aware of the growing crowds year after year I have no doubt there are 40,000 people at the parks aka not unusual for a regular night. Last year it was a struggle to do a wide range of things. I honestly considered not going this year because it is crowded, nothing has changed in years, characters were harder to meet, it was exhausting. BUT DS loves it and this year we are going August so price a bit lower. Unless it is a #MustDo I absolutely would not go to the party. That $1000 can go farther on dining or other fun. Do the hopper, enjoy the day!!

 

[Elephantay]

We went to a party about ten years ago and while we enjoyed it- it was crowded!
We've done a paid after hours event and the crowds were amazingly low, but unfortunately thats not an option for our next trip.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We went to MNSSHP last year for just the second time. We had a blast but it’s not something we choose to do each year.

While there was a lot of people in the park, it did not feel exceptionally crowded. We were able to do everything we wanted but we only wanted to do a few rides and no character meets. To me the character meets are the greatest time taker. The rest of the time we did other party activities.

One thing to be aware of is, since there are 3 or more parties each week, the parks are almost unbearably busy the other, non-party nights! We’ve been when it was 45 min waits for small world and Carousel of Progress!

During party season I would be prepared for busy evenings in the MK.

 

[lovethattink]

Unfortunately due to a medical concern with the heat, the days are not often an option.
We went to a party about ten years ago and while we enjoyed it- it was crowded!
We've done a paid after hours event and the crowds were amazingly low, but unfortunately thats not an option for our next trip.

Historically MK park days are so much less crowded before 4pm of a party day. Even going at a slow pace and finding ways to cool down, you should be able to cover more than you would at the party or a non-party day.

Some suggestions to help dealing with the heat. Use an umbrella. We have a cooling vest where the packs freeze at 56 degrees. First aid will store the extra packs in their refrig if they have room, otherwise they store our collapsible cooler and give us ice to keep the packs frozen, We alternate between outdoor and indoor attractions. You can get cups of ice water at quick service restaurants.

Carousel of Progress, Philharmagic, Hall of Presidents (if open), and quick service restaurants are places to sit and cool down. Shops and other indoor attractions are helpful. But shops usually won’t let you sit down on the floor (tripping or fire hazard).

 

[Narcoossee11]

The HUGE attraction is the meet and greets, and parade.
Go against the crowd. Skip the meet and greets, go to the 2nd parade.
after9:00, families leave and it is less crowded.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Unfortunately due to a medical concern with the heat, the days are not often an option.
We went to a party about ten years ago and while we enjoyed it- it was crowded!
We've done a paid after hours event and the crowds were amazingly low, but unfortunately thats not an option for our next trip.

Do realize it doesn’t even get dark until 7-8 so on party nights it will still be blazingly hot daytime when you have to leave at 6pm so you won’t even be there by that time most likely. Early morning or late night are your only options to avoid heat.

MNSSHP crowds now vs 10 years ago is a good q! Alas not one I can answer. This year non-party evenings at MK have the potential to be very slammed with the new night parade so maybe that will make the party feel less busy even if it is crowded? We just don’t know at this point.

Also keep in mind you are committing one night in MK, rain or shine. They will run the party in all weather up until a tropical storm is forecast. If you plan evenings that aren’t on party nights you will be able to change your mind if the weather isn’t cooperating.