MNSSHP! Don't skip this...

[Disfor3]

MNSSHP is one of our family's favorite experiences while at Disney... There is a crazy amount of stuff to do and even after attending multiple times over the years we still haven't done it all! What is your one "don't skip this" thing to do while attending MNSSHP or your one insider tip about the party? If you asked our baby girl it would definitely be the dance parties (outdoor in Tomorrowland with the Monsters inc. crew and indoor with Woody and Jessie in Frontierland). It just doesn't get any better than watching your toddler bust a move in a cute costume at Disney!! Mommy's tip: sit in front of the train station to participate in the dance along portion of the pre-parade activities, this way your child can go dance and you have a good view of them and you won't lose your primo parade seat on the curb!

 

[smitch425]

MNSSHP is one of our family's favorite experiences while at Disney... There is a crazy amount of stuff to do and even after attending multiple times over the years we still haven't done it all! What is your one "don't skip this" thing to do while attending MNSSHP or your one insider tip about the party? If you asked our baby girl it would definitely be the dance parties (outdoor in Tomorrowland with the Monsters inc. crew and indoor with Woody and Jessie in Frontierland). It just doesn't get any better than watching your toddler bust a move in a cute costume at Disney!! Mommy's tip: sit in front of the train station to participate in the dance along portion of the pre-parade activities, this way your child can go dance and you have a good view of them and you won't lose your primo parade seat on the curb!

I can't name just one! Here is our basic party day strategy...

Hit rope drop at DHS. Head back to our resort after an early lunch (eat around 11 or 11:30) and then get dressed for the party.

2:45- Arrive at resort bus stop to head to MK
3:30(ish)- Be in line at the MK gate
4:00-5:15- Enter, get wristbands and bags. Meet regular daytime characters and do castle pics, maybe do a ride or two
5:15-5:55- Eat a QS dinner
5:55- Hit the restrooms
6:00-Get in line for our priority party headliner character

We are out of our first character line by 7:20 and on to other things. We grab a table (or just stand) near The Plaza for Hallowishes, and immediately afterwards we head to Frontierland for the second parade. Trick or treating occurs mainly after that, but if a line doesn't look bad we will hit it up anytime that evening. We stay until midnight.

My not to miss things are the fireworks, the parade, the Villain show, candy, the HM photo ops, and at least one dance party (but usually only for a few minutes).

 

[katt789]

I dont think I can name just one! Lol
-Line up for princesses early to avoid a HUGE line during the party
- set a few big priorities to do for the night & dont stress if you dont hit everything
-trick or treat at the end of the night so you **** have to worry about carrying it around of big lines!
-Dont miss the parade!!!

 

[smitch425]

Oh! Forgot to say that we always bring a backpack with us to throw our candy bags in while we are between candy stops. That way the bags are out of our photos (we just sit the backpack near the tripod or off to the side for each photo). Just be sure to have your candy bags ready during the parade because CMs will throw candy in there as they travel by, especially at the end!

Here is my guest list thread from last year. It is full of great costume ideas!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3104844

 

[JamesGarvey]

My brain was not prepared for Woody's Dance Party. Dropped in on Halloween night with my friends and their 2 year old (jessie being her favorite) and i couldnt stop laughing. Never thought I'd see Toy Story characters dancing to Vengaboys.

If your kids can last til the end, making a last run at a few of the candy stations equals near instant full bags.

 

[kanglo]

Thanks for the recommendations. We are going in October and have been waffling about going to the party. Our kids definitely won't last till the end. Two girls, ages 4 and 7. Do you think it would still be worth it to go if we leave by 8:30-9 pm? Thanks!

 

[smitch425]

Thanks for the recommendations. We are going in October and have been waffling about going to the party. Our kids definitely won't last till the end. Two girls, ages 4 and 7. Do you think it would still be worth it to go if we leave by 8:30-9 pm? Thanks!

Definitely not worth it. You would miss the fireworks, and only catch the first parade, which is always very crowded. Could you get up early and do rope drop somewhere? If so, maybe you could get them to take a solid nap? Have you been to Disney World before? Your kids may surprise you with how long they can go, go, go! My kids could last until 2am at those ages (actually, even younger). Disney tends to alter body clocks.

BTW, to the Disboards!

 

[mommyburns]

I have not tried the party with my youngest yet, but my oldest went at 5 and 6 and stayed awake until closing. At home she is a 8 o'clock bedtime. It may have helped that the party was always done on an early night of the trip so she wasn't exhausted from Disney yet.

 

[smec73]

What time are the fireworks?

 

[smitch425]

What time are the fireworks?

Fireworks are typically at 9:30, with parades at 8:15 and 10:30.

 

[kanglo]

Definitely not worth it. You would miss the fireworks, and only catch the first parade, which is always very crowded. Could you get up early and do rope drop somewhere? If so, maybe you could get them to take a solid nap? Have you been to Disney World before? Your kids may surprise you with how long they can go, go, go! My kids could last until 2am at those ages (actually, even younger). Disney tends to alter body clocks.

BTW, to the Disboards!

Thanks for the welcome

It's our first trip to Disney as a family. The last time DH and I went, it was a family vacation with his family and I was 7 months pregnant with our first child during the week of Thanksgiving. I vowed never to repeat that mistake again so I'm in uber planning mode! My kids typically go to sleep by 8:30 at the latest. You're right, though, they might be on Disney time and be fine. I just want to avoid meltdowns if possible. Will take your advice into consideration! Thanks again!

 

[smec73]

Definitely not worth it. You would miss the fireworks, and only catch the first parade, which is always very crowded. Could you get up early and do rope drop somewhere? If so, maybe you could get them to take a solid nap? Have you been to Disney World before? Your kids may surprise you with how long they can go, go, go! My kids could last until 2am at those ages (actually, even younger). Disney tends to alter body clocks.

BTW, to the Disboards!

So, do you think it would be worth it if my DH takes the 3 yr old back to the room after the fireworks. We just got back from a trip in January, and DD had a hard time staying up late. We are thinking about a later Sept trip. And I am hoping the Halloween party will be at the beginning of our trip.

 

[smitch425]

So, do you think it would be worth it if my DH takes the 3 yr old back to the room after the fireworks. We just got back from a trip in January, and DD had a hard time staying up late. We are thinking about a later Sept trip. And I am hoping the Halloween party will be at the beginning of our trip.

If you can get in a parade and the fireworks, I think it would be worth it. Keeping in mind that you can enter at 4pm with just your party ticket, that gives you approx 6 hours of park time. If I were you, I would let your 3 year old sleep in a stroller and continue partying. Several people with small children leave after the fireworks, so your DH could easily spend an hour or more just trying to board transportation. Might as well spend that time in the park. The later you stay, the emptier the park gets. Also, the deeper into the park you are, the less crowded it is. Main Street and the hub are crazy all night, but Frontierland and Adventureland are great.

 

[jakmak]

Hi! We are hoping to go this October. I know you can get into Magic Kingdom at 4 pm with tickets, but are you allowed to go in earlier if you have an adr -- say 3:30? Thanks

 

[smitch425]

Hi! We are hoping to go this October. I know you can get into Magic Kingdom at 4 pm with tickets, but are you allowed to go in earlier if you have an adr -- say 3:30? Thanks

You would have to use a normal park ticket to enter prior to 4pm. It is best to make an ADR for 4:15 if you really want one, but it is a huge time suck when you are paying a premium to be inside the park for a party. I would do a resort ADR for lunch, and a QS dinner. My typical schedule for party day is in post #2.

It is important to note that if you are already in MK for the day, you do not have to go back to the gates. There will be two in-park locations to get your party ticket scanned and get your bags and wristbands. There will be one in Adventurland and one in Tomorrowland.

 

[Austinsmom068]

Hi. I'm planning on going to the party this September. This will be the first special event I ever went to at Disney. I was planing on making a ADR for my son at the pirate league. Do you feel it would be a total waste of party time? I wasn't going to go to the park during the day. Just use it as one of our down time days. Thanks

 

[smitch425]

Hi. I'm planning on going to the party this September. This will be the first special event I ever went to at Disney. I was planing on making a ADR for my son at the pirate league. Do you feel it would be a total waste of party time? I wasn't going to go to the park during the day. Just use it as one of our down time days. Thanks

Typically, PL closes at 4pm, but they have been known to extend hours on party days. They usually extend the hours in August. If you can get a decent time, such as 4:15, it would definitely be worth it.

 

[Austinsmom068]

Typically, PL closes at 4pm, but they have been known to extend hours on party days. They usually extend the hours in August. If you can get a decent time, such as 4:15, it would definitely be worth it.

. Ok thank you so much. I'm very excited! already picked out my sons jake costume. I found a lady who makes them and it's shorts.

 

[mguilford1]

Posting because I am hoping people can add some more tips for MNSSHP!

 

[Meetmeinmontauk]

Posting because I am hoping people can add some more tips for MNSSHP!

Me too!

DBF & I will be attending our first one in October.