MNSSHP has parade and fireworks - What else?

[Frozen2014]

We've already bought tickets to go see MNSSHP in October as I keep hearing how great the party is, (we bought for a Friday night, which I know will be a busier night, but it's just the one that worked out best in our trip). We have a son who is 9 and daughter who is 5.

We're starting our day at Epcot and then plan on heading over to MK for 4ish to take advantage of some rides before 7pm. I know the party has a pretty cool parade and fireworks, which we'll attend, but exactly else do you do there? I don't think we'd bother with meet and greets since we have character meals already booked for the princesses and the fabulous five.

I think maybe there is trick or treating, but what else do you do?

 

[Spunky946]

There are special meet and greats that are not to be missed. The seven dwarfs, princes with their princesses, jack sparrow, we saw Mickey and Minnie together in their costumes, two dance parties and trick or treating.

 

[starsweeper]

Character dance parties, trick or treat lines, tons of characters throughout the park, villians show/meet in front of castle and special merchandise to buy. My older kids are 7yo and we schedule character breakfasts too, but they did enjoy popping into the dance parties for 5-10 minutes each and I took pictures of them. My kids wanted to ride lots of rides since they were finally big enough to ride roller coasters, but we did stop for pictures with some characters that had really short lines. We found the best time to ride and visit characters was after the first parade. We also avoided Main Street for the parade (Frontierland) and fireworks (watched these from in front of Casey's) because the crowds were horrendous.

ETA: We really enjoyed our first party last year. It reminded me of WDW as a child in the 80s. Every CM we encountered for rides, parties, asking questions, etc. was super friendly, enthusiastic and in a Halloween mindset--it was like Disney booked only it's A++ CMs for the party. The fireworks were by far the most spectacular I've seen anywhere.

 

[trara1375]

don't forget the special photo op with the hitch hiking ghosts...

We went to MNSSHP before boarding our 7-day Disney Cruise and LOVED it. We had SOOO much candy, had some GREAT photo ops with characters not regularly out as well as Pooh and Friends in costume. Loved the special parade and the Fireworks are awesome. Add to that the change in lighting on the castle (there were ghosts flying across the castle while we were there), and the Villians take over (do they still do their party?).

We hope to do a similar trip sometime down the road! We couldn't have asked for a better experience.

 

[ses1230]

Trick or treating
Boo to You Parade
Hallowishes
Character greets with rare characters
Character greets with characters in Halloween costumes
Celebrate the Magic Halloween theme
Dance parties
Villain mix and mingle
Photopass magic shots (hitchhiking ghosts, ghost carriage driver)

 

[Missyrose]

I don't think we'd bother with meet and greets since we have character meals already booked for the princesses and the fabulous five.

I think you're selling the character M&Gs at the party woefully short. There are special characters you can't see in the parks the rest of the year. There are regular characters dressed up in Halloween costumes. The character meals can't compete with what you get to do with characters at the party.

 

[caroluau]

I think you're selling the character M&Gs at the party woefully short. There are special characters you can't see in the parks the rest of the year. There are regular characters dressed up in Halloween costumes. The character meals can't compete with what you get to do with characters at the party.

I agree, DD was in awe of Jack & Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas and we had so much fun interaction with the 7 Dwarfs!

Not to mention, MNSSHP is the only time you get to dress up as adults!

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you all for the comments, and for explaining the characters at the party. We won't skip them then. It sounds like a fun night overall with everyone dressed up, etc. and best part, is we can take one last ride of our favorites before...boo hoo..heading home the next day.