MNSSHP - Hints and Tips

[Pegasus928]

MNSSHP will soon be in full swing, and as there are a lot of you going/coming back during the months of September and October I thought it might be a good idea for those that have been to share their expereinces.
So if you have any advice, hints or tips from your night at MNSSHP that may help those that are still to go enjoy theirs even more then please feel free to post them on this thread

 

[Pegasus928]

Here's something to get us started.

MNSSHP park map

 

[Lisa1976]

Thanks for posting that, I am soooo excited now. Hubby and I have tickets for 31st October

 

[orangetiggs]

We are hoping to go, just had a look at map last night and think its doable woth the girls being as hallowishes is at half nine! Was hoping for 31st oct but think it will be too busy for girls

 

[dixonsontour]

I was looking at the pics from the first party last night - looks very similar to last year.

Tips from me

You can enter MK from 4pm on a party ticket alone but the party starts at 7pm.

People were ready and waiting when lines for characters opened at 7pm. We were one of the first to see Mickey and Minnie. Line for the dwarves stayed long all night.

Not all food places are open/stay open during the party so check the map.

Last year they were doing free face painting during the party - hope someone can confirm if they are doing it this year.

The headless horseman rides a few mins before the parade starts so make sure you are waiting.

If you can stay til the end do - the crowds thin and there aren't the same lines for candy.

 

[Disneymad]

*Subject to members of your party having the stamina, aim for watching the 2nd parade which is quieter (lots of people with little ones leave after Hallowishes) so skip the first parade and ride the rides when they are quieter!

*Absolutely make sure you don't miss the Haunted Mansion, even if you're not usually a fan as it's one attraction that gets an extra special make over for Halloween.

*Don't be shy or embarassed about Trick or Treating as an adult! Remember, this is part of what your ticket is paying for, you're expected to do it - grab your treat bag, visit the trick or treat stations on the maps (the one at Splash Mountain is actually pretty cool to visit too as it's a windy path that takes you around the back of the ride, in all my trips I'd never even noticed that path before) and load up, it's actually good fun!

*It's a chance to get imaginative with costumes if you like but don't fret about feeling left out if you don't. I see a lot of people worry whether they will look out of place without costumes, the answer is no, no you won't - it'll be fine, lots of people don't dress up so relax and have fun!

*Look up! Look down! There are tons of 'little details' added around the park many of which are up at rooftop level or down under your feet which can easily be missed in the excitement and bustle of the party.

 

[orangetiggs]

I lived trick or treTing last time i went! Just me and the hubby then, came away with two bags full of sweets, still have some now cant eat them but in the disney cupboard

 

[ukool]

Im planning on taking my brother, can you get tickets on the day? or do you need to get them online?

 

[Bonniec]

Are the fireworks over the castle?

 

[Disneymad]

Im planning on taking my brother, can you get tickets on the day? or do you need to get them online?

It depends. Halloween itself nearly always sells out, normally the day before at the very least too. Other nights close to Halloween can sell out occasionally, especially if Halloween is on a weekday, then the weekend parties closest to it tend to sell out.

Are the fireworks over the castle?

The main display still takes place over/behind the Castle and the Castle does feature in the show, however the finale (assuming they don't change it this year) goes off around the whole park.

 

[ukool]

It depends. Halloween itself nearly always sells out, normally the day before at the very least too. Other nights close to Halloween can sell out occasionally, especially if Halloween is on a weekday, then the weekend parties closest to it tend to sell out.

Were going a week on monday, so was thinking the 30th sep, which is the friday. Ill try my luck and buy when were thier. Thnaks.

 

[Sarah28]

Thanks for setting up this thread, think it's going to be very useful we're going to our first ever MNSSHP 27th October and I'm so excited!

 

[fairytale]

I was looking at the pics from the first party last night - looks very similar to last year.

Last year they were doing free face painting during the party - hope someone can confirm if they are doing it this year.

If you can stay til the end do - the crowds thin and there aren't the same lines for candy.

Sadly I read across on the US Board that the Face Painting has been axed this year

 

[dixonsontour]

Sadly I read across on the US Board that the Face Painting has been axed this year

It was in toontown fare so thought it might have been.

 

[joolz1910]

I'm getting excited reading this thread...and I'm not even going until next October.

 

[orangetiggs]

Thanks for setting up this thread, think it's going to be very useful we're going to our first ever MNSSHP 27th October and I'm so excited!

We may see you in there, thats the date we want if we go

 

[Disneymad]

Were going a week on monday, so was thinking the 30th sep, which is the friday. Ill try my luck and buy when were thier. Thnaks.

You should be fine then.

Will just mention though, just in case you're not aware - tickets are $6 per person cheaper if you buy them in advance rather than on the gate that night. Not sure the reason why you don't want to commit in advance but if you can then you can get those discounts even up to the day before so worth considering imo.

 

[Disneymad]

In other news, I just noticed on that map that there's a Werther's candy station this year!

Omm nom nom nom nom

 

[Pegasus928]

One thing that was definitely on my 'to-do' list when we went was to get the picture with the 7 Dwarfs.
I had heard that this is one of the only times of the year when they all come out together so was pretty determined.
However if anyone else wants the same then you must prepare yourself for a wait, and also the possiblity that you may miss one of the parades or -as we did - Hallowishes. For me it was worth it but for others maybe not.
They may have changed the process but when we went (2009) the Dwarfs would come out for 30 minutes then go for 30 minutes, hence the lengthy queues.

 

[2Tiggies]

One thing that was definitely on my 'to-do' list when we went was to get the picture with the 7 Dwarfs.
I had heard that this is one of the only times of the year when they all come out together so was pretty determined.
However if anyone else wants the same then you must prepare yourself for a wait, and also the possiblity that you may miss one of the parades or -as we did - Hallowishes. For me it was worth it but for others maybe not.
They may have changed the process but when we went (2009) the Dwarfs would come out for 30 minutes then go for 30 minutes, hence the lengthy queues.

We are definitely meeting them this year! With 2 parties we have no excuse not to. Reports from those who attended the first party confirm that the Dwarves are now located outside Splash Mountain and not in Fantasyland as they were last year. There have been some reshuffles with character locations with the closing of Toontown, however the good news is that they appear to have added a few additional characters this year.

I am watching for reports on subsequent parties as apparently on Tuesday night the Dwarves meet and greet had no Photopass Photographer so guests had to rely on their own cameras and pass it to the character handlers if they wanted a full group shot. I'm hoping that this was just a one off due to an unforeseen difficulty the first night