MNSSHP - please help me decide!!

[kaytieedid]

We are leaving for Disney in 9 days and really wanted to try MNSSHP this year, our boys are 4 ½ and 2. We’re having a really hard time committing to buying the tickets and hope people can help us out. We have AP’s so we are able to go to the MK any time during our trip.

I know people get really excited about the characters that appear at the party who aren’t “regulars” in the park. Trying to get pictures with the characters on any given regular park day can be a nightmare with the lines. Is it the same experience at MNSSHP? Some people say the crowds are great – walk onto rides etc. But other posts have stated the crowds were TERRIBLE and there were long lines for everything. Is there a rhyme or reason to certain days being better than others to attend? We’re very flexible and can pick any one of several nights of our trip to attend.

We really want to do the party, but if all we’re going to do is stand in line the whole time, we can do that during the day with our AP’s and not spend an extra $160+. Not to mention, I just saw the monorail will be out of commission starting around 10pm. This stresses me out just thinking about boats and buses. Does anyone have any advice??

 

[disneynutz]

If it were me I would wait until the kids are older. If you decide to go, weekdays are less crowded.

Bill

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If I had kids the ages of your's I would skip it.

Maybe in a few years, but honestly how late are they going to want to stay up?

party starts "techinically" at 7. But at 7 according to a friend of mine at an early party Disney was still "setting " up at 7. And trying to get the day guests out of the park. So really it's more like 8 when the party starts. For the lower crowds you need to stay late so your kids will probably only be awake during the most crowded part of the party.

IMHO the price is pretty high for a cute parade, fireworks and some so so candy!

 

[DenLo]

I think I'd wait at least 2 years if not 3 years before taking your kids to MNSSHP. Since the party begins at 8 and the fireworks are at 10PM it might be a little late for your youngest. The rides with height requirements do have shorter or nonexistent lines. But the children's rides like Pooh's Adventure can get long. And the character greet lines for popular characters are really long. I understand what you mean about not want to waste time in line.

However, this year we are getting in line to see Minnie and Mickey! Unless we're lucky and they use the FP at Town Theater.

 

[Kidanifan08]

We took my son when he was 2.5 and 3.5 years old. He enjoyed seeing the characters, but the lines were often long and he had as much fun seeing them during the day, so I am not so sure the Halloween costumes were the attraction. We treasure the photos we have from those parties, since we had him in a skunk costume in '08 and Nemo in '09. It was also nice to go on the Fantasyland rides with a smaller crowd. The parade is a little scary for little ones and we probably left after the parade was over both times.

Now that my son is 5.5, we are taking him again next month, and it should be more fun for him. He get's to be Captain Jack Sparrow this year!

We have AP's, too, and it kills me to spend the extra $$, but we won't be able to do Halloween at Disney again for a long time, since he will be starting school, so we think it's worth it. It is a steep price to pay for that little bit of time. I am not sure your 2yo would get much out of it.

Have a great time! We leave in 15 days and the suspense is killing me!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

It was a gigantic line to see the 7 dwarfs this year! None of us thought it was worth the wait. I would skip MNSSHP this year if I were you.

 

[mlacreta]

MNSSHP is a great event. But I have to agree with the previous posters. I would wait until your kids are older. I have 5 kids ranging in ages from 2-12. We go about every 3 years. I love the parade, shows, and fireworks but the first year we went we were lucky enough to leave the little one with a friend who had come with us and last time we went the ones on the younger side didn't want to watch the fireworks and were a bit timid of some of the parade charecters. (I found it more frustrating a night than fun actually. I am hoping next year's trip will be better!) There are alot more "villan" charecters out than just a regular visit to MK. I think your money would be better spent on a charecter buffet or two if your little ones would like that. I would wait till they are older to do MNSSHP. That way you can all have something to look forward to that you can all enjoy!!!

 

[Sammie]

I would wait, reports coming from recent guests have not been very favorable. Large crowds, long waits, melted candy and guests that were not suppose to be there going on rides etc.

Sounded very confusing on certain nights.

 

[JWG]

We were going to go as well, our DD is 5. We've decided to wait until she's older. It's not worth it if you can't stay for HalloWishes and the parade, which is ultimately why we didn't do it. It's a huge expense if all you'll get is the opportunity to stand in long lines and a couple extra hours on rides.

We'll plan to do MVMCP in 2012 instead.