MNSSHP-Tips, Tricks, Secrets newbies should know (from the 2009 party!)

[copperbrick]

The cast interaction depends on the cast member. I have been on the ride many times and have seen the cast sneaking up on people and really putting on a good show and I've been on other times where nothing happens. I think they also play to their audience if it's a more adult crowd they will be different then with a group of small children.

That's what I was hoping to hear! Thank you.

 

[GoHerd1028]

We went to the party on 10/8. It was our first time and it was a blast!!! We dressed up as the Flinstones and received a lot of attention. Almost every ride was a walk on. I couldnt belive it, when do you ever get to just walk on to Peter Pan and Winne the Pooh at 7:30 at night???!!! That night was my son's birthday, and it was really special. The parade was wonderful and so were the fireworks. We didnt stand in line to take any pictures, but the lines didnt look that bad. We hit all the trick or treat stations. Candy was not all that great, but it still was fun to collect it. It was an awesome time.

We were there the same night as you and I think we might have seen you. My son who is 4 was also dressed up as Fred Flintstone for the party.

 

[cherry-pops]

We learnt a lessons with the 10:30 parade. If you want to watch it leave before it's fully finished then watch in Frontierland and follow the end of the parade. Stay to the left hand side, do not cross the road and cut through the Christmas Shoppe - you'll end up stuck on the island in the middle of Town Square while the whole parade passes you by, again! Remember, stay left and hot foot it, weaving in and out!

Although we got trapped on our exit we found the crowds to leave not too bad - there's something about waiting in line at Disney which makes you feel like you're not waiting that long at all.

 

[bjakmom]

I've heard reports that Ariel is NOT at the party - only at her Grotto until sometime before 7. DGrD is going as Ariel and was hoping to see her in her princess dress- can anyone confirm or deny?

I can't wait to read reports and see pics from the 8th!! We are going to two parties next week - our favorite things are pictures with the characters and she LOVES the dance parties, parade and fireworks!!

 

[dawnmarie2320]

This is my first post but I have read most of this thread and have been following for a few weeks. Can some of you that have attended the party on a Sunday night this year share what the crowds were like? I am atttending on October 19 and taking my Nana with me for her 77th birthday! We are both very excited!

 

[DisneyObsessive]

do you mean 18th dawnmarie? I'll be there that day too! only 2 1/2 days until im in disney and 6 days til im at MNSSHP!

 

[dawnmarie2320]

Yes we are going to the party on the 18th... will be getting back to the room on the 19th
We are are leaving on Friday and we are both so excited!

 

[jennipherf]

My 5yr old DD is obsessed with the Nightmare Charcters, are they at the MNSSHP or anywhere else in the parks?

 

[Dustmouse]

DS16 and I attended the Oct 2nd party and have a great time!!! We were dressed as the Mad Hatter and Alice and is was SO MUCH FUN! DS got lots of comments on his costume and was eating it up. I would not hesitate recommending to adults and teens to dress up for the party.

We mainly focused on trick or treating, rides, parade and fireworks. We were VERY successful on all fronts. We got lots of candy, rode plenty of rides, and had grade A seats for the fireworks and parade.

I would definitely do the party again!

 

[Nutz4Dizney]

OK everyone I have posted a character report.
I am pretty sure I saw every character during my parties.

You will find my report here
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2307331

 

[Nutz4Dizney]

I've heard reports that Ariel is NOT at the party - only at her Grotto until sometime before 7. DGrD is going as Ariel and was hoping to see her in her princess dress- can anyone confirm or deny?

I can't wait to read reports and see pics from the 8th!! We are going to two parties next week - our favorite things are pictures with the characters and she LOVES the dance parties, parade and fireworks!!

Ariel is NOT out during the party

 

[jc040404]

do you mean 18th dawnmarie? I'll be there that day too! only 2 1/2 days until im in disney and 6 days til im at MNSSHP!

Yes we are going to the party on the 18th... will be getting back to the room on the 19th
We are are leaving on Friday and we are both so excited!

We'll be there, too! I'd love to know how crowds run sundays, as well. It was the only party dh could really plan around work to go up this month so we're making a long weekend of it. It's our first MNSSHP and I'm soooo excited!! I can't wait!

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

We were at the party Friday night (Oct 9) and had a great time! Thanks to everyone here for all of the information, tips, suggestions, etc.

We arrived at 4 pm and went right in and got our wristbands. We walked right on to several rides, which was really neat for us since we usually go in July when it's much more crowded. We rode a few rides and got some dinner before the party started.

It was SO hot! We decided to take costumes in our backpack so my DDs could change into their costumes when it cooled off a bit. It never really did cool off much but they changed into their costumes right before 7 pm. Although the maps for the party say that Merchant of Venus is the official location for party merchandise, they didn't have the pins (nor did I see any official party shirts/sweatshirts, etc.) and said we had to go to Uptown Jewelers on Main Street to get the official pins. We got there about 7:10 and three pins were already sold out (not sure if they were sold out entirely, or just the quantities available for that night?). We waited in line for about 10 minutes and each got one of the Tinkerbell pins. They're really cute.

My girls didn't want to do any character pictures or the dance parties. All they wanted to do was rides, trick or treating, and see the fireworks and parades. We got lots of candy (a decent amount of chocolate, although it was so hot that much of it melted -- but it's still edible! LOL) and rode every ride they wanted to ride at least once. We watched the fireworks from the bridge from Liberty Square (?? I think that's where we were) and then made our way back to Frontier Land for the second parade. We loved the parade!! It's wonderful.

Although we weren't looking for characters specifically, we didn't see many as we went through the park. We saw Alice and the Mad Hatter on the trick or treat trail -- in fact, they were taking pictures with one family and so the CM urged us to get in line to see them since there was "no line" and so we did...and then another CM came and told Alice she had to leave. I was disappointed...my girls didn't really care because they didn't want to do pictures anyway (LOL), but they had a fun little chat with Mad Hatter. We saw Snow White with some of the dwarves, but those were the ONLY characters we saw. Again, we weren't looking for them but I kind of expected to see them since we went to or by several of the locations where they were posted as being. Of course, we were probably just walking by at the wrong time.

All in all, we had a GREAT time and we're already planning to go back next year!

 

[snykymom]

My 5yr old DD is obsessed with the Nightmare Charcters, are they at the MNSSHP or anywhere else in the parks?

Nope. But they do have some merchandise in DHS and I believe near the Haunted Mansion.

 

[bellaDisneydncr]

Hey everyone! This is a question for those of you down there now or there recently.

Has this shirt sold out yet?

Last year, we went to the party and my mom LOVED this shirt, but she waited to buy it (our families curse... we do that way too often). Then when she finally went to get it, they didn't have her size. We're going to the party next week, but I'm afraid there won't be any left. Thanks guys!

 

[jc040404]

All in all, we had a GREAT time and we're already planning to go back next year!

Thanks for sharing & I'm so glad you had a great time! The hot weather really sucks for costumes. We have that issue every year and only end up doing inside parties and trick or treating in costume. My older son wanted to be a lion last year, full body suit, nice and fluffy on top. What a mean costume to even sell in Florida, if you ask me! I didn't think he was going to make it. I couldn't imagine trying to do that outside at WDW!

Thank goodness it looks like the weather is going to cool down this weekend!! I'm getting more excited by the minute!

 

[DaniTaylor]

I know they still have that shirt at Downtown Disney and at the Boardwalk resort. I didn't look at sizes though but they seemed to have a lot

 

[The Disney Dad]

We did the 10/8 party. They actually let us in about 3:50 p.m. That's when the turnstiles started recognizing MNSSHP tickets. We immediately ate dinner at Columbia Harbour House (my wife insists they changed the french fries) before it closed. Upstairs seating was closed but we managed to get a window seat. The Jungle Cruise was broken down so we rode Pirates & Small World, saw Philharmagic, rode Pooh & the Tea Cups. Pan had a 20 minute wait but a nice CM let us in the Fast Pass line. It was now 7 p.m. so we went in search of MNSSHP pins ... tip, go to Uptown Jewelers on Main Street. Next, I rode Haunted Mansion and saw the ghost lady out on the front lawn. We did some treat trails, took the HM "magic" photos, rode BTMR (bummed that Brer Rabbit & Brer Bear weren't there), got more candy and saw Tarzan, Jane, Baloo, Abu & a few others. We watched the fireworks from our garbage can on Main Street and the parade from our secret spot in Liberty Square. Captain Barbosa stopped for a photo with DD after we screamed his name (we noticed in the photo that he was actually holding a green apple!) We watched the last Villains Mix & Mingle, got photos with all the villains we wanted & all of their autographs (thanks to a CM who wishes to remain anonymous). We ended the night on Splash Mountain. There were many things we wanted to do but did not have time (Dance Party in Tomorrowland, 7 Dwarfs, Alice's treat trail, face painting, etc.). You can't do everything ... we only rode 2 rides during the party (BTMR & HM ... and they were walk ons ... I'm not counting Splash since we did it at the stroke of midnight). If you have any questions, let me know!

 

[kristilew]

Yes we are going to the party on the 18th... will be getting back to the room on the 19th
We are are leaving on Friday and we are both so excited!

We'll be there, too! I'd love to know how crowds run sundays, as well. It was the only party dh could really plan around work to go up this month so we're making a long weekend of it. It's our first MNSSHP and I'm soooo excited!! I can't wait!

We'll be there on the 18th as well! It is DD's 12th bday that day and that is how she wants to celebrate. I'd also love to hear about the Sunday night crowds.

 

[bellaDisneydncr]

I know they still have that shirt at Downtown Disney and at the Boardwalk resort. I didn't look at sizes though but they seemed to have a lot

Thank you!