MNSSHP or MVMCP?

[mckennarose]

Long story short, my family is being gifted tickets to either MNSSHP or MVMCP next year, our choice.

Having never been to either, I am looking for input from those who have done both. Is there one that you liked better? Why?

I have time to make our choice before next year, but I have to start somewhere. I have looked at some of the special parades online and the threads here and honestly can't choose yet.

We are a family with adult children and one late teen, no little kids. Things that are important to us: atmosphere, rides, the general experience. We're pretty laid back. We've been in WDW in September and October and have seen the Halloween decorations before, but not the Christmas ones.

We like to visit in late April/early May so this might warrant 2 trips next year! (at least that's what I'm trying to convince hubs. I do miss F&W but we do F&G so I wouldn't make a choice only on F&W)

TIA!

 

[warrenz1963]

Tough call. Both are fun if you haven't done them before. I prefer the Christmas party parade over the Halloween one, but I prefer the Halloween M&Gs (villains!) and I prefer Halloween candy over snicker doodles. I'd still go with Christmas though, it just feels more immersive to me.

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

I like both, but enjoy MNSSHP more. There's just something to be said for trick-or-treating, in costume, at the Magic Kingdom.

Boo-To-You is also my favorite Disney parade - the Headless Horseman never gets old, really - and I love the photo opportunities, especially the Hitchhiking Ghosts near HM.

Unlike the previous poster, I feel that MNSSHP is FAR more immersive than MVMCP!

 

[Indio]

I've been to both several times. While the Christmas decorations are pretty - they are pretty much just on main street. I prefer the Halloween party. To me, it feels like its more "all over the park", than the Christmas party. The atmosphere just seems more fun at the Halloween party.

 

[ktlm]

I love Christmas and am not that big on Halloween. That said, having been to both parties multiple times, I think MNSSHP is by far the better party There is just something to be said about even the adult guests running around in costume (which the rules are still going to allow at least this year- just with some limitations). The whole atmosphere is just special. The parade and the new Hocus Pocus stage show are terrific. The whole area around the Haunted Mansion with Carlotta and Renatta on the lawn spinning tales is fantastic. We love the magic photopass shots with the Hitchhiking ghosts. It is a whole lot of fun. It is my favorite thing in the fall at WDW.

The one thing that might change my mind as to which one you should attend would be the fact that you have never seen the Christmas decorations at WDW. WDW on the whole is beautiful at Christmas. Unlike fall where only MK is decorated, all the parks are decorated. Seeing the lights on the castle alone can take your breath away. WDW is great during the Christmas season. The Christmas parade during the party is fun, and I think I saw that they are getting a new stage show this year. BUT-- one of the things that made Christmas at WDW fantastic was the Osborne lights - and the loss of those is going to be a big hit to the Christmas season at WDW in our opinion.

I would say, if you don't have to make your choice until next year, then keep an eye on the DIS and the blogs this year to see all the reports about the parties as well as the reports about the holiday decorations and holiday goings on at WDW. I will say that last year, there were less characters at MNSSHP (most of the villains were removed from meet and greet- not even the paid one that the instituted the year before) and a dance party was also taken away. The ticket prices have gone up this year, so it will be interesting to see if there are any changes this year or if everything stays the same as last year.

 

[Laura's Dad]

Another vote for MNSSHP. The Christmas party castle lighting with Olaf, Anna, and Elsa was packed beyond belief and the cookies and apple juice are just not the same as the Halloween Trick or Treat stations. I think the parade is better as mentioned above. We went to the Christmas Party two years ago and it just didn't have the same vibe as the Halloween Party to us.

 

[Raeven]

I've only done MNSSHP and we loved it. Halloween is our favorite holiday though. We'll be going to MNSSHP and MVMCP too because we were curious to see Christmas, but didn't want to give up going for Halloween.

For now I'd vote for MNSSHP because I'd do it more than once, for now the christmas party is a one time thing for us. (We also found crowds were low and we loved HHN which is why we'd go again in September).

 

[HopperFan]

MNSSHP 2x per year for about last decade.
MVMCP a couple of times.

Halloween by far is the better experience and different from other nights at the parks. People in costumes, the trick or treat, the castle show is awesome, more special characters, the lighting and smoke really make the park look different, the Halloween music, the parade is awesome, the fireworks/light show make the castle look spooky. It transforms the parks and atmosphere to a real party.

Christmas looks pretty much like a normal night other than the snow on mainstreet. The parade is so much fun and festive but if you go late enough in year you can see it for free. The cookies are like store bought so we usually have one and pass. Some special characters but not a huge amount. It just doesn't really feel much different than any other night because the park and overall guests look the same.

 

[Baptist]

While we are specifically talking about the party, I think the overall Christmas experience at WDW is awesome (better than the overall Halloween experience). The Christmas stuff at Epcot is really special (especially the Candlelight Processional). Are we assuming you are going for one day only?

Like most posters, I would choose the Halloween party. The adult costumes are amazing! Some people go all out.

 

[mckennarose]

Thank you all for the replies!

...... the Hitchhiking Ghosts near HM.

....

I'm almost sold on this alone! LOL!

Hocus Pocus is drawing me too. Will they have the Sanderson Sisters every year now?

..... Are we assuming you are going for one day only?
....

No, not one day only. I HAVE to do at least two Epcot days anytime we go. We usually do 5 park days in a 7 day stay.
It looks like MNSSHP has more of what we're looking for. ?? I thought of another question...if we do either one, I'm assuming it's better to do the party night farther away from the actual holidays? Will it be less crowded, or doesn't it matter? Will parties be crowded regardless?

 

[RachaelA]

Halloween hands down!

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

Thank you all for the replies!


I'm almost sold on this alone! LOL!

Hocus Pocus is drawing me too. Will they have the Sanderson Sisters every year now?


No, not one day only. I HAVE to do at least two Epcot days anytime we go. We usually do 5 park days in a 7 day stay.
It looks like MNSSHP has more of what we're looking for. ?? I thought of another question...if we do either one, I'm assuming it's better to do the party night farther away from the actual holidays? Will it be less crowded, or doesn't it matter? Will parties be crowded regardless?

You can see the different photos available on Kenny's site here. I love them all.

The Hocus Pocus show has been confirmed for this year, too.

 

[Stan's MaggieMouse]

I don't even like Halloween and I love, love, love MNSSHP. We went twice in 2013 and we're going twice again this year. Went once each year for several years before 2013. Went to MVMCP once in 2002 and I didn't love it, granted it was cold and I don't like the cold.

 

[HopperFan]

DON'T MISS the Hocus Pocus show, they are top notch performers!!!!!!! One of Disney's best shows.