MNSSHP - opinions?

[New England Eeyore]

I know a lot of you have attended MNSSHP and I'm looking for opinions. This year will be my 3rd trip in October and I'm leaning toward doing it this year. Have any of you done it without kids? Did you think it was worth it? I know the parade and fireworks are supposed to be great and that would probably be my main reason for going, plus the characters in costume. How were the lines for the characters? Are the stage shows worth seeing? How do you scrapbookers do with taking pictures at night? I have a good camera, but I have not yet figured out the trick to good nighttime shots. Tripod?

We're going Halloween week and I know I do NOT want to go Halloween night, so I'm thinking the 11/2 date would be good (and let me use my AP for a discount!)

I've never gone before because my October trips are with my Dad (for Food and Wine.) This is not exactly his cup of tea (he goes to Disney for the food) but I've realized that as long as I keep him stuffed with delicious delicacies he will happily go along with anything I ask. The fact that there will be candy there will likely seal the deal. He's a 6 year old in a 60 year old body when it comes to candy.

 

[kaddjr]

We went in 05 and had a blast! The kids were with us, however, there were many adults w/o children attending. DH and I were talking to an older, local couple. They said love it and attend at least one a year. We all dressed up but you don't have to. Every ticket holder gets a treat bag. We hit most of the candy stops, and our bags were full. So full in fact, I handed out most of it out at home on Halloween night.

Let's see, the character lines weren't too bad- they moved fairly quick. Not sure about the stage shows- we did the candy spots, characters, fireworks, and rides.

What kind of night shots are you talking about? Fireworks you will need a tripod for. Otherwise, I haven't had too much trouble getting general night shots. I was using my father's HP point and shoot that night (I now have a S2IS). My pictures came out really clear.

I would encourage you and your father to go. I'm sure you would have a really good time!

 

[New England Eeyore]

Thanks!

I have not yet been able to get a good picture of the castle at night. And the last time I saw a nighttime parade (Spectro a few years ago with my old 35mm) none of the pictures came out. Same thing with the MVMCP parade. Ironically, I have gotten some decent fireworks pictures with my cameras over the years. Not crisp and clear, but kind of cool effects.

 

[YodasMom]

I've gone without kids and had a great time! I enjoy the fireworks and parade as well as trick or treating, etc. I haven't done much with character greetings. I've gotten some great shots of the parade and of the fireworks even without a tripod and I'm pretty picky. There are also photographers in front or to the front side of the castle taking night shots ( and a few other places if you're interested in those). I also love the Haunted Mansion then, too. I've never dressed up, but a lot of people do. If Nov 2 is on a weekend, it will be very crowded...don't know if it is. But, you're right about Halloween being the most crowded. WDW has limited the nights that they sell AP discounted MNSSHP tickets to those times when they expect to be less crowded, so maybe Nov 2 will be fine. I would not miss going, if you haven't gone before.

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

DH & I went last year (just us), and we LOVED it! In fact, I'm upset b/c it's not going on one of the days we'll be there in September (we leave the day before the 1st one). We didn't dress up, and we were glad we didn't because it rained like crazy that night. It stopped just long enough for the Headless Horseman to ride, and then it started again.

The parade and fireworks were phenomenal--they were the best I've seen! The lines for the characters were slim to none, too. And we were able to get a pic with Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs. I loved it!!

 

[Faerie]

my BF and I went last year and had a blast. We dressed up (Geek and Cheerleader) and took a TON of photopass pictures. Our candy lasted for weeks and there were no lines for anything. The parade is Sooo cool and Hallow-wishes is enough for me to go alone

 

[New England Eeyore]

Great! This is just the kind of feedback I was looking for. It's a definite now!

 

[lewdyan1]

We go every year!!! I would absolutely go without my kids, in fact I wish I could!!! My favorite part is not being too old to trick or treat again!

 

[Faerie]

Here is my favorite picture from that night. I was so excited to get all 7 dwarfs!

 

[calanniebu]

My DH and I went on our honeymoon last year and had a blast! We, too, had A LOT of photopass pictures and we found that the later it was the shorter the ride lines are.

 

[Queenie]

I've been the last two years and we're going this year too on Oct 16th. Never with kids (obviously) and I've always had a blast, the fireworks are probably my favourite show and the parade is great too, especially the Haunted Mansion and Pirates floats! We got so much candy we're still eating it now!!! I've never bothered too much with charcters so can't say anthing about them. If you're going in costume make sure it's comfy, easy to wear and will keep you warm as the party goes on late.