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

[beattyfamily]

DH and I attended this years MNSSHP on the Friday before Labor Day this year. We loved it. I can't wait to go back and take my kids. (Adults only trip for 15th Anniversary in Sept)
We want to go over Labor Day week next year as well. My question, Does the MNSSHP always start the Friday before Labor Day? We would be there the next year from the Saturday before Labor Day until the next Saturday. Would we be able to attend a Halloween Party?
Thanks.

Last year was the first year they started that early in September. So I'm guessing they'll continue to do that next year but you never know. It depends on sales, of course.

 

[amycishere]

In front of the HM carriage! I bought this pic because they told DD & DS to 'act' scared, and it turned out cute!

Ok, thanks!

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

In front of the HM carriage! I bought this pic because they told DD & DS to 'act' scared, and it turned out cute!

There is also a spot by the entrance to the Riverboat where you can get pictures with the hitchhiking ghosts. They have you hold your thumb out to hitch hike with them. It turned out really cute! I actually liked this better than the one with the carriage by the HM.

 

[jc040404]

We did last night's party. The candy is terrible!

Here's ours' from the same night. Missing are three snickers, two twix, a couple tootsie rolls and two of the sassy sours. Luckily ds was sooo excited to see the sassy sours so we're okay on those. I heard soooo many people complaining to the CM's about those candies. I felt bad for them.



Overall, I thought it was great even though I was FREEZING! It was much more crowded than I expected. We did all the party stuff except a couple characters and photopass stuff. We didn't do any rides during the party except Buzz as we left. (ds was begging!) We did get pulled to the very front of the line for Peter Pan when we went for fast passes earlier though! My little Peter Pan thought that was AWESOME! Hook was great with him later that night, too. He spotted ds back in the line and came running over. My little guy didn't back down though! It was awesome. I wasn't impressed with the fireworks or the Villians show that much. The parade was great (minus one rude lady) and the dance party with Chip & Dale was sooo much fun. We're considering MNSSHP again for next year maybe.

 

[GoHerd1028]

I too noticed that the kids were getting more candy. That is ok though...it is for the kids! Ours all went into one pile anyway so our kids got what we had anyway LOL. We ended up not doing a lot of trick or treating and riding more. The kids enjoyed being able to get in line to ride things with little or no wait better. To each his own!

 

[beattyfamily]

It doesn't bother me in the least if kids get more candy than I do. They get so excited so it's alright with me.

 

[SoScary'09]

I won't mind if I don't get tons of candy. I'll just be there to show off in my costume!XD

 

[jc040404]

I too noticed that the kids were getting more candy. That is ok though...it is for the kids! Ours all went into one pile anyway so our kids got what we had anyway LOL. We ended up not doing a lot of trick or treating and riding more. The kids enjoyed being able to get in line to ride things with little or no wait better. To each his own!

Oh, I'm not complaining. I just noticed it a few times. An adult going alone to trick or treat might feel cheated because of this. It is "for the kids" but many adults go expecting the same fun & attention!

My little guy was excited to do the treats and went nuts everytime we saw that Goofy Candy Co. glowing ahead! I've never been a big fan of trick or treating around here at halloween and it was huge treat for him. We do WDW at least once a month, so rides weren't the reason we were there sunday night. We wanted to focus on the special halloween themed stuff instead of rides we can do anytime.

Now to start thinking about the Christmas party!!!!

 

[firecracker11976]

ok first off...not so dumb question...did i understadn right that getting photos taken is free for the photopass and then you can decide later if you want to purchase? if so then there is no reason not to take adantage of the service..plus I think we get two 5x7s of our choice because we have two rooms at the pop...
now for the dumb question....does it cost anything to ride the monorail? is it something we can do with the kids without having to enter a park? we are arriving tomorrow night and I wanted to let them ride since they have never been...thought i would be a good activity....

 

[TronkoMouse]

Overall, I thought it was great even though I was FREEZING! It was much more crowded than I expected.

We were also there on the 18th and didn't think that it was too crowded for a little under two weeks until Halloween.

It was disappointingly cold for an October night in Florida but was fun to see the cast members shivering in their winter coats, hats, and gloves as I toughed it out in shorts and short sleeve shirt.

 

[JoAnnPan]

They are out of a lot of pins. They confirmed that they are selling them until they are out and not releasing a certain number each night. There is no merchandise in Tommorrowland like it says on the map. They sent us to the pin store on Main St for "all remaining merchandise.... if there is anything left." My DH got the spiderweb Mickey Head pin and I got the very last Tink pin. They took it off the board. They had the Chip and Dale pin, the AP pin, that spider Mickey pin, and the Stitch pin. So, with only 3 general public pins left, I doubt they will have anything left for that last week of parties. This was hugely disappointing.

Really bummed to hear this...are these the specific party ones or all the Halloween ones? I picked up a couple of Halloween Limited Edition pins at the World of Disney in NY a couple of weeks ago for my upcoming trip...now I wish I would have bought one of each. I am going to MNSSHP on 10/29 and was really looking forward to getting a party pin Any one else have any pin news that has gone to the party this week?

 

[KimRaye]

ok first off...not so dumb question...did i understadn right that getting photos taken is free for the photopass and then you can decide later if you want to purchase? if so then there is no reason not to take adantage of the service..plus I think we get two 5x7s of our choice because we have two rooms at the pop...
now for the dumb question....does it cost anything to ride the monorail? is it something we can do with the kids without having to enter a park? we are arriving tomorrow night and I wanted to let them ride since they have never been...thought i would be a good activity....

Exactly on the Photopass! Do It!! And, NO, it costs NOTHING to ride ANY of Disney's transportation, buses, monorail, boats, ferries, once you're IN the World! Do it!!!
To get the monorail tho, you'll have to find a spot where it 'lands'. MK or one of the resorts on the monorail are good starts. Start at MK, w/o entering the park. Walk to the monorail and go wherever it takes you! Hope you read this in time before you leave! Have a Magical time!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

ok first off...not so dumb question...did i understadn right that getting photos taken is free for the photopass and then you can decide later if you want to purchase? if so then there is no reason not to take adantage of the service..plus I think we get two 5x7s of our choice because we have two rooms at the pop...
now for the dumb question....does it cost anything to ride the monorail? is it something we can do with the kids without having to enter a park? we are arriving tomorrow night and I wanted to let them ride since they have never been...thought i would be a good activity....

You can also exit the Monorail at the Polynesian and watch Wishes from the beach, all for free!

 

[kristilew]

We were also at Sunday's party. Brrrrr! We had a great time and got ok candy. Still more than we can ever eat, even if not a ton of chocolate. Certainly they weren't being stingy with it due to melting concerns that night!

I didn't think crowds were too bad. The people watching was great! There are some truly creative people out there.

One tip I haven't seen yet: be sure to take your own camera and be sure the battery is charged. We wanted to take pictures of tons of people in their cute costumes, plus all our character encounters. I had assumed there would be photopass photographers with the characters, but there were surprisingly few. I know the more organized lines, like Cinderella's coach and Mickey had them, but most of the time we were on our own. So have your camera ready!

I was a little disappointed at all the adults/young 20's who were apparently dressed up for a p*rn shoot. I saw at least 8 versions of sl*tty Alice in Wonderland, among others. Poor DH spent half the night saying, "no dear, I didn't notice her at all, I was looking at the castle!"

All-in-all we were very impressed, and appreciated all the Dis tips. I liked this soooo much better than the Christmas party, mainly because any waiting time had built-in entertainment with the people watching. Also, the cm's seemed to be in a jollier mood, and DD12 loved all the attention she got in her costume. Guests too seemed friendlier and happier. Everyone complimenting everyone else, and making jokes about costume themes. DH and I were playing cards to DD's Queen of Hearts, and we got a ton of card jokes...all of them actually funny. We hadn't planned to do rides, but found we had plenty of time for everything we wanted, and ended up riding quite a few, just because we happened by them and there was no wait. We never felt crushed by people like we have at MVMCP.

We will definitely go again.

 

[maiapapaya]

We are leaving in two days. Our DD18 is away at college and coming with us. A few weeks ago I had offered to make her a Halloween costume (like the rest of the family) and she politelly declined and said she would just buy something. Well guess who called a few hours ago desperate for costume ideas and not too subtley begging for help! I'm trying to think of something easy and Disney-themed. She has very dark coloring (long dark hair & darkly complexed), so I had suggested Jasmine or Pocahontis, but she doesn't want to spend the $$ on an adult pre-made costume. Any of you Diser's have any creative ideas for a last minute costume?!

 

[maiapapaya]

Never mind ... the costume dilemma is solved - she's going as Lilo: sundress, lei (we're staying at Poly, so easy to come by!), flipflops and a stuffed Stitch.

 

[stearnes@heartnet]

We are going to the party!! We can't wait. Thanks for all the great info!!

 

[onelilspark]

One thing one of the Photopass people told us (and sorry if it's already mentioned) is that once you get the special MNSSHP photopass card, keep using it. Any picture on that card you can then get 40% off when you order it online, even if the pictures weren't taken the night of the party!

I've yet to try it, but this weekend we're ordering a shot or two. I'll post back if it worked!

 

[That'sNotVeryMagical]

Never mind ... the costume dilemma is solved - she's going as Lilo: sundress, lei (we're staying at Poly, so easy to come by!), flipflops and a stuffed Stitch.

If she wants another suggestion; my sister and I are going to the party as princesses - we're wearing our old prom dresses and getting tiaras, gloves, etc. on eBay.

 

[TronkoMouse]

We were also at Sunday's party. Brrrrr!

I was a little disappointed at all the adults/young 20's who were apparently dressed up for a p*rn shoot. I saw at least 8 versions of sl*tty Alice in Wonderland, among others. Poor DH spent half the night saying, "no dear, I didn't notice her at all, I was looking at the castle!"

I noticed this too on Sunday night (even though *I* was also trying to keep my "eyes on the Castle" ). Have to admit that I didn't see anyone behaving "badly" despite the suggestive costumes.

Actually, you have to give some of them credit for sticking with skimpy outfits all night... I saw more than one "sl*tty Alice" give up the look for a hastily purchased sweatshirt.