MNSSHP how many nights?

[gules]

I'm going with DH and a friend to Disney for around 5 days, which overlaps 3 MNSSHP nights. We have tickets for one night, but now I'm wondering if we should do 2? We want to dress up and I've wanted to do this for so long. We're all Disney enthusiasts and want to meet some of the villains and Jack and Sally (we're going as Lock, Shock, and Barrel), and of course the fireworks and parade are a must.

Here's the problem: I have pretty bad anxiety. It isn't crowd-triggered (thank goodness) but if I don't think I can see everything that I want in time I start to have anxiety attacks. I'm also not in the greatest shape and need relatively frequent breaks (every hour and a half or so), plus DH gets sleepy starting at around 10PM due to his normal sleep schedule. My friend and I are night owls so we'll be fine. Also, the part I have booked is for the day we land. (I promise it seemed like a great idea at the time).

We can afford the extra party night, but since I've never been I don't know if it'll be really worth it. Can we get everything done at a reasonable pace in just one night? Are we better off heading to another late-night park later in the week? I've been wanting to go to this for 3 years now, but keep chickening out since we usually go for our anniversary and we like to blow our vacation time over that. This year DH said, Go for it! So we are, and I just want to make the most (reasonably of course) out of our experience. We're not commando types (too stressful) but we like to get a reasonable amount done since we have to fly in and place tickets are soooo expensive.

So, MNSSHP vets, what do you think? All adults, no kids, but anticipatory anxiety is a factor.

TIA!
- G

 

[Robo]

Two nights.

 

[MataHari22]

Well, I also have anxiety, but mine is crowd triggered. :-/ So, I cannot relate to exactly what you mean, but I do understand anxiety and panic attacks.

For me, going the night that I arrive would be difficult, because I have to travel a long time and I'd be exhausted. If you can afford it, and if you are nervous about seeing everything you would like to, I would do two days. If you would like to see everything, then I think there's definitely enough things for two nights. One night you could ride some rides and to the fireworks and parade and the other you could meet characters.

I went to MNSSHP for the first time last year, on 10/28 and it was a sold out night. The Main Street area was crowded, and the meet and greets did have a lot of people queued up for them. My main focus of the night was the parade, fireworks and rides, I didn't do any trick or treat. I only wanted to do one meet and greet, Jack Sparrow, and I did, with a well timed hardly any wait experience. I thought it was a very enjoyable night, and had a lot of fun. Halloween is my favorite holiday.

 

[Becky925]

I would do the 2 nights. We do multiple parties every year we go. It really takes the pressure off and you find yourself doing some of the things that look fun but you think you don't exactly have time for when you're only doing one party. I too suffer from anxiety, so I feel where you're coming from. If the weather isn't perfect, but not bad enough for them to refund your money, then do the indoor stuff the rainy night and you have another chance. Lines too long? You have time to wait and then decide what you want to do the next round.

By the second party you'll have a feel for the flow of the place. I would also highly recommend if you're at all interested in the character meets, that you try to get in line around 6pm(maybe a little earlier if plans allow) for characters like the 7 dwarfs or Jack & Sally. That way you don't feel like you wasted an hour of party time. We always get a spot in line then I run somewhere and get a drink and come back and just wait it out during normal park hours.

I have also done a party the day we land. I had a blast and I'm the type that wouldn't go to bed early anyway, spending all the time and money planning for a trip I want to hit the ground running. That's just me though I know mileage my vary.

 

[Raenstoirm]

We do as many as fall within our dates. SO in your case 3. We will be doing 3 Christmas parties this December. The only exception to that is if EPCOT has a late EMH on a party night and isn't open late any other night of our trip since we love to walk around the world showcase at night with minimal people.

 

[gules]

You guys are great! Sorry I haven't responded sooner. My alerts don't seem to want to work.

Part of me is tempted to do 3 nights. XD But I think I'll stick with two. It sounds like I might get too stressed if I try to cram everything in just one night. Thanks so much for all the advice!