MNSSHP HalloWishes Dessert Party - Post tips, helpful hints, and chit chat

[kmn952]

Looks good!
I apologize if you posted more, I scrolled back and didn't see anything.
Did you watch the castle show? And if so, what time did you catch it? That is my only schedule concern.

Yes we went to the one at midnight. We could see bits of it from the party, but not much.

 

[Jenni1026]

Hello everyone! We are going on October 6th and I am so excited after reading the reviews. I do have a question though. The check in time for the parade is 7:30 on the Disney website, however some of the people who commented said they didn't show up until after 8 for the parade. Do you have to be there at 7:30 or can you show up right before is starts?

 

[pilferk]

When I loo

Hello everyone! We are going on October 6th and I am so excited after reading the reviews. I do have a question though. The check in time for the parade is 7:30 on the Disney website, however some of the people who commented said they didn't show up until after 8 for the parade. Do you have to be there at 7:30 or can you show up right before is starts?

Here's the exact wording (and Disney being a little sneaky, IMHO):

• Starting at 7:30 PM, Guests will meet at the parade viewing area located by the flag pole in Town Square (inside the park after you pass under the train station) to see Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, which will start at 8:35 PM.

Note the "Starting at", there.

I suspected (and our CM sorta confirmed this when we asked during booking), and the posters here have confirmed, that you can ACTUALLY check in at any point AFTER 7:30 AND up to (and maybe a bit past, though it would be hard once the street is blocked off) the parade start time at 8:35. And the parade doesn't actually arrive at the viewing location til around 9:00.

We'll see if that continues for future parties, but I'm relatively sure that it will. We plan to check in around 8:15 or 8:20 for our party on Oct 13th.

 

[Jenni1026]

When I loo


Here's the exact wording (and Disney being a little sneaky, IMHO):



Note the "Starting at", there.

I suspected (and our CM sorta confirmed this when we asked during booking), and the posters here have confirmed, that you can ACTUALLY check in at any point AFTER 7:30 AND up to (and maybe a bit past, though it would be hard once the street is blocked off) the parade start time at 8:35. And the parade doesn't actually arrive at the viewing location til around 9:00.

We'll see if that continues for future parties, but I'm relatively sure that it will. We plan to check in around 8:15 or 8:20 for our party on Oct 13th.

That's what I was hoping for. I called and asked Disney and they didn't even know. LOL. Thank you!

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

Kenny the pirate posted a review. He wasn't impressed.
Helpful for us tho, he didn't show up to the parade until 8:45. I don't know if I can post a link..

 

[goofygal531]

Thank you so much for pointing this out! I saw "check in at 7:30" and was wondering WHY when the parade doesn't get down there until closer to 9pm! 8:15-8:20 sounds like a plan.

 

[pilferk]

Kenny the pirate posted a review. He wasn't impressed.
Helpful for us tho, he didn't show up to the parade until 8:45. I don't know if I can post a link..

I read his review...it's actually VERY good. Seeing his check in time, I'm more convinced than ever that our "plan" is going to work out best for us.

His objections are that he doesn't like the "offset" view of the fireworks (he prefers to be front and center around the hub). I don't share that objection. YMMV.

His other objection was that he'd just find a parade spot either 45 min before the first parade or 30 min before the second. I gotta tell you, with our family (we usually have 5, this trip 6) I've never found that to be possible. And, from reports for this party, other folks didn't either given the increased crowd levels that seemed to be at the first party.

His review, since there's so much context, actually further convinced me that this IS a good "fit" for us!

 

[PAdislover]

I 100% agree with you! I watched his video of the fireworks and I thought they looked great from that angle. I have no interest in trying to stand front and center on main street to see the fireworks. my husband would run the other way if I tried to drag him into a mob people standing there for fireworks. I know the whole thing is expensive but it's a once in a lifetime experience for us probably so I hope it will be worth it!

 

[Texas Mickey]

I'm on board also. It looks like a good deal for us. I'm not interested in staking out a spot for the parade. I like knowing I can just show up at the flagpole around 8:15 and we will have a good spot. The treats look good and not having a direct center view of the fireworks isn't a big deal to us either. Cant wait!

 

[NicholeB630]

I 100% agree with you! I watched his video of the fireworks and I thought they looked great from that angle. I have no interest in trying to stand front and center on main street to see the fireworks. my husband would run the other way if I tried to drag him into a mob people standing there for fireworks. I know the whole thing is expensive but it's a once in a lifetime experience for us probably so I hope it will be worth it!

My husband is the same way he can't stand being jammed in like that. A side view will be just fine for us!!!

 

[Aurora0427]

I 100% agree with you! I watched his video of the fireworks and I thought they looked great from that angle. I have no interest in trying to stand front and center on main street to see the fireworks. my husband would run the other way if I tried to drag him into a mob people standing there for fireworks. I know the whole thing is expensive but it's a once in a lifetime experience for us probably so I hope it will be worth it!

Yeah, based on his review I'm keeping our reservation. He showed up at 8:45 and got a curbside seat. In the comments he said people were just one row back. We watched the MVMCP fireworks from behind the castle last year, so an offside view from tomorrow land terrace has to be an improvement.

 

[jpeden]

I felt like the view for the fireworks was perfect. And it was a really awesome view when they shot the perimeters. This is the first time I've been and not seen the fireworks shot from the hub/main street. We watched Wishes from the GF Dock on Sunday and Hallowishes from Tomorrowland Terrace. I actually enjoyed both of those views over the hub/main street.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

After reading all the issues with the first party, I am feeling pretty confident knowing we have the dessert party for us.
This is our first MNSSHP (and may be our last, we shall see...) I don't want to spend my time sitting on a curb waiting for a parade. My 3 yr old would be completely bored! SO glad KTP said he showed up late, that's our plan as well!
And, now we don't have to hunt down cupcakes, we can enjoy them while watching the fireworks.
I don't need a straight on view, I just want a good spot, without fighting for it.
I know KTP went to the Villain MNSSHP dessert party last year, I am guessing that makes him slightly biased too.
Wish the castle show was included in our dessert party-that would make it perfect!

 

[Aurora0427]

After reading all the issues with the first party, I am feeling pretty confident knowing we have the dessert party for us.
This is our first MNSSHP (and may be our last, we shall see...) I don't want to spend my time sitting on a curb waiting for a parade. My 3 yr old would be completely bored! SO glad KTP said he showed up late, that's our plan as well!
And, now we don't have to hunt down cupcakes, we can enjoy them while watching the fireworks.
I don't need a straight on view, I just want a good spot, without fighting for it.
I know KTP went to the Villain MNSSHP dessert party last year, I am guessing that makes him slightly biased too.
Wish the castle show was included in our dessert party-that would make it perfect!

Regardless of whether or not the party sells out, if you want a good spot for the first parade, you have to camp out. We went to MVMCP last December, and I held a spot for two hours and still didn't get curbside. That's why, for us, the dessert party is so appealing. Our daughter is 4 and I don't think she'll make it to the late parade.

 

[patrickpiteo]

Kenny the pirate posted a review. He wasn't impressed.
Helpful for us tho, he didn't show up to the parade until 8:45. I don't know if I can post a link..

Kenny isn't a fan of any desert party really...

 

[pilferk]

Kenny isn't a fan of any desert party really...

And, to be honest, if i was a single, doing the party solo, i probably wouldnt find value here, either. Its a lot easier for one adult person to find a desirable spot/wedge into a hole for the parade and fireworks on "short notice" vs 2...or 3....or 6.

In his mnsshp review, he concludes you should avoid the dessert party because it takes away from other party offerings. I disagree, for us. It actually ADDS party time, since we are not staking out a parade soot at 7:30 and either holding it til the fireworks OR staking out another spot Right after to watch the fireworks.

but, at least for us/me, since the value is really dependant on finding value in the parade view and fireworks view (the sweets and swag are a nice bonus)....i'd calculate differently if it was just me. So i can see why he does.

Again, i thought his review gave enough info to completely obliterate his conclusion (that he's not a fan) for us. Everything he said basically validates our reasons for purchasing.

 

[patrickpiteo]

And, to be honest, if i was a single, doing the party solo, i probably wouldnt find value here, either. Its a lot easier for one adult person to find a desirable spot/wedge into a hole for the parade and fireworks on "short notice" vs 2...or 3....or 6.

In his mnsshp review, he concludes you should avoid the dessert party because it takes away from other party offerings. I disagree, for us. It actually ADDS party time, since we are not staking out a parade soot at 7:30 and either holding it til the fireworks OR staking out another spot Right after to watch the fireworks.

but, at least for us/me, since the value is really dependant on finding value in the parade view and fireworks view (the sweets and swag are a nice bonus)....i'd calculate differently if it was just me. So i can see why he does.

Again, i thought his review gave enough info to completely obliterate his conclusion (that he's not a fan) for us. Everything he said basically validates our reasons for purchasing.

I agree and have been to a desert party before and have no problem with that location to view the fireworks.

 

[Aurora0427]

And, to be honest, if i was a single, doing the party solo, i probably wouldnt find value here, either. Its a lot easier for one adult person to find a desirable spot/wedge into a hole for the parade and fireworks on "short notice" vs 2...or 3....or 6.

In his mnsshp review, he concludes you should avoid the dessert party because it takes away from other party offerings. I disagree, for us. It actually ADDS party time, since we are not staking out a parade soot at 7:30 and either holding it til the fireworks OR staking out another spot Right after to watch the fireworks.

but, at least for us/me, since the value is really dependant on finding value in the parade view and fireworks view (the sweets and swag are a nice bonus)....i'd calculate differently if it was just me. So i can see why he does.

Again, i thought his review gave enough info to completely obliterate his conclusion (that he's not a fan) for us. Everything he said basically validates our reasons for purchasing.

I agree completely- he also advocates doing the second parade in his strategy. Most families with toddlers and preschoolers can't do the second parade.

 

[NoMoneyThanks2Disney]

Hmmm. I haven't read his review yet, but waiting for the 2nd parade can be dicey. For one, from the reviews I read of the first party, the 2nd one seemed to be just as crowded as the first. Two, last year during one of the parties we went to we skipped the first, and went to the 2nd. It got cancelled due to lightning too close by. I was so glad we saw the parade at our other party, but I would've been upset if that had been our only chance.

 

[JessLyn]

Quick question about arriving at the reserved parade area for the dessert party If I arrive around 8:15pm, will I still be able to see the Headless Horseman? I'm not sure what time he will ride past that area. Also, we will have a double stroller and 2 adults - arriving at 8:15pm, we shouldn't have too much problem getting curbside seating, right? After reading the reviews, I'm happy I booked the dessert party (Oct. 18th).

I think my plan will be:

4-6:45pm Tomorrowland attractions
7pm-8pm: Haunted mansion/photos, if we have time PotC/photos, and browse merchandise
8:15pm: find spot for parade, then dessert party
10:30pm: dance party in Tomorrowland, followed by some trick or treating
Anything after that is bonus (rides/characters?)
*We are making the decision to skip the castle show and character meet/greets due to high crowds and the need to prioritize

I'm happy that we can just walk back to the hotel afterwards (Bay Lake). Our Fantasmic! day won't be fun getting back, but at least the super late party night will be easy.

Edit: I'm not sure how I got the dancing guys/balloons in this post...??