MNSSHP - Planning

[Emy'sMom]

We are attending MNSSHP for the first time this October. I just want to make sure I understand how things work so here goes (sorry this is so long!) ........

Our tradition is to visit MK on our first day at WDW. It just so happens that this year our first day is also the day we’ll attend MNSSHP. So, we’ll visit MK from opening (it’s a Sunday so we’ll do the “Magic Hour”) until around 11:30am. We’ll then head back to the Poly for a lunch/swim/nap (it’s gonna be a late night!).

OK – here’s where I need to check things:

OPTION 1 – Dinner in MK before the party
I’m going to try to get a LTT PS for around 5:30pm the night of the party. From what I can tell I have to wait for the normal 60-day period to make this PS.
There are currently no dining options available for MNSSHP that can be booked in advance of 60 days?
Do you think this may become an option?

If we get the ~5:30pm seating we will arrive back at the MK ~5:00pm (with our PS #). We’ll go exchange our tickets for wristbands before dinner.
Where do you exchange tickets for wristbands? How early can you exchange tickets for wristbands? Is it 4:00pm?
If we get done with dinner before the party starts at 7:00pm where do we go?
I thought I read a post that stated everyone gathers in Tomorrowland before the party starts.

OPTION 2 – Dinner outside MK before the party
The only reason we’d do this is if I can’t get a PS in the MK (for any restaurant) for before ~6:00pm.
We’d most likely eat at the Poly and then head back over to the MK.
What time would they let us in with our MNSSHP tickets? I know the park is closed from 6pm-7pm to prepare for the party.
Would we have to wait until 7pm to get in or would they let us in during that 6pm-7pm "closed" period?

Any other tips/info would be appreciated too!

Thank You!

Debbie

 

[donna in Oz]

Wear your lime green, Debbie . . . we'll be lookin' for ya!!!

I have exactly the same questions as you . . . I'm gonna be watching this post to see what responses you get. We want PS for the LTT, also, but our tickets for MNSSHP are for the 19th.

 

[Emy'sMom]

Our tickets are for the 19th too.

Debbie

 

[donna in Oz]

Garsh, I think we Midwesterners must think alike!!

Now I'll be checking out everybody extra-close at the LTT on the 19th!! 5:30 is our preferred time slot, too. I'll be wearin' lime green ribbons; hope to see yours!!

 

[ez]

I would recommend not eating in MK before MNSSHP. Last year we entered the park at 6:45 and it was awesome coming in the front entrance at that time, with all the decorations and sound effects in full splendor. I read a few bad reports last year of people who were already in the park, being made to wait in a huge crowd in one area before they were allowed access to the rest of the park.Just my 2 cents, good luck in your decision. Dinner at the Poly first sounds great!

 

[donna in Oz]

Thanks for your input, ez. Somehow I missed reading about that potential problem.

Hmmm . . . maybe this would be a good night to work in that dinner at Chef Mickey's . . . . .

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Emy'sMom

"I’m going to try to get a LTT PS for around 5:30pm the night of the party. From what I can tell I have to wait for the normal 60-day period to make this PS.
There are currently no dining options available for MNSSHP that can be booked in advance of 60 days? Do you think this may become an option?"

Doesn't look like it will be available this year as last year it was from day one of the sale of tickets....

"Where do you exchange tickets for wristbands?"

As you enter the park

"How early can you exchange tickets for wristbands? Is it 4:00pm?"

Last year it was 4:00p

"If we get done with dinner before the party starts at 7:00pm where do we go?"

When we ate at LLT with a 5:35p PS, we were done by 6:45p and we had to stand right outside the restaurant till 7:00p which was nice because there was a picture place right there so we were first in line...

"I thought I read a post that stated everyone gathers in Tomorrowland before the party starts."

That's only if you don't have dinner plans...

 

[Emy'sMom]

ez & beattyfamily -

Thank you for the information!

Now I'm not sure what we are going to do ... dinner in or out of the park. As I mentioned in my original post it is our tradition to do MK on our first day at WDW. Part of that tradition is to eat lunch @ LTT. Maybe we'll stick to that and do dinner @ the Poly then head back to MK at 6:30pm.

I just thought of another question:
Does anyone know approximately how many tickets they sell for each party? Is it wall to wall people during the party or is it a nice amount of people - not crowded, just enough people to make it festive?

Debbie

 

[kilee]

If you are not going to attend the park until the party begins, what time would be the best to get to the Magic Kingdom. 6, 6:30--- 6:45?

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by kilee
If you are not going to attend the park until the party begins, what time would be the best to get to the Magic Kingdom. 6, 6:30--- 6:45?

I've heard of people getting in before the park closes at 6:00p as early as 4:00p. At 6:00p they shuttle everyone going to MNSSHP to Tomorrowland till 7:00p unless you are in a restaurant.

I haven't got a clue if they allow anyone in between 6 and 7, while the park is officially closed and being setup and emptied of non-paying guests....

If I didn't want to get there early, and if I didn't want to eat there, I'd probably arrive at the MK around 6:30p. It will be very crowded. So will Main Street as everyone lines up early for the first parade. My advice is to do shows and rides during the first (very crowded) parade and see the second parade.

 

[spectro man]

You can get into the party well before 7pm. My family and I arrive usually around 5pm and they will give you a wrist band.

Once 7pm approaches, they will direct you to Tommorrowland and you can ride Buzz, Space Mountain and all your favorites with little to no wait!!

Also, catch the parade by the Liberty Bell and Liberty Tree Tavern. You will see the headless horseman!!!


Have fun!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by spectro man
Also, catch the parade by the Liberty Bell and Liberty Tree Tavern. You will see the headless horseman!!!

fyi...although seeing the parade by the Liberty Bell/LTT might be a great spot to catch the parade...it's not the only place to see the parade or the Headless Horseman. He'll run through the whole parade route...

 

[susan137]

We are also going on Oct 19 to MNSSHP. Our thoughts on dinner were to have a late lunch at a sit down restaurant, then just do counter service dinner at MK. I'm assuming that all the counter services place will be open for the party. Anyone know?

 

[kilee]

If we decide not to use a day on our park hoppers the day we attend MNSSHP, when can we gain entrance into the MK with the party tickets? At 7pm-- or alittle earlier and wait in tomorrowland?

Second scenario-- if we decide to go to the Magic Kingdom that day-- we can trade our tickets in at the front gates, get the wristband, and then either eat or go to Tomorrowland, right? This might be too long of a day though. Over 1/2 our group haven't been to Disney in 20+ years. So the Magic Kingdom will really need to a full day for us, starting at opening-- going right to closing. Since we can only have one day alloted for each park.

We are also contemplating going to Animal Kingdom in the morning, since this is usually only a 1/2 day park for us. Then we can go to our hotel (off site) and relax. However, we would of used a day on our tickets so essentially we could arrive back at MK around 5 get the wrist bands, possibly do a ride or 2 then go wait in tomorrowland. right?

I like to have all my ducks in a row, and know all my options so thanks for any help!