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

[dizzi]

 

[MCK588]

We went to the party on 10/31 and I have to say it wasn't quite what I expected. I do admit that for the first time I didn't obsessively research this trip, but still don't think that had much to do with our disappointment. Don't get me wrong, it was fine and I would probably do it again on a night other than Halloween. My family consisted of me, DF70, DH, DS8 and DD6. In the future, I think it would have been more fun for the kids to trick-or-treat at home with their friends. I guess I thought that the trick or treating would be at each ride as the kids got on...didn't realize they had to stand in a line at random spots just to get that shabby candy (IMO). We did stand on the Snow White line and watched the fireworks from there so maybe we missed some of that magic? Once I saw that the lines were so long for characters and candy and they were completely different lines, we were torn as to what to do first...characters? candy? rides? We chose to go on some of the rides and get candy at a few places and then it seemed like the night was over in no time And I also agree with PP about the inappropriate costumes, and I thought it wasn't just women, it was the men too! The heat didn't bother us, so we weren't cranky...just didn't feel the magic happening. Like I said, seemed like fun for another night, but wouldn't have the kids miss out on TorT with friends at home. Anyhoo, great thread...helped me with alot of things I wouldn't have otherwise known.

 

[LindaOwl1]

Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread!! My DGD (7) & I went to the party on 11/1 and had a wonderful time. We arrived at MCO at 2:30, took ME, checked in, got our fridge swap fridge, changed into costume, and got to MK in time to catch the end of the 5:15 Dream Along With Mickey Show. We rode Tea Cups, Carrousel(2X), HM, BTMRR (2X), and Speedway. We got DGD's Pic with Cinderella's Coach (this opened at 6:15), and got pics and autographs with: Tarzan, Jane, Terk, Rafiki, Baloo, Cinderella & Prince Charming, Sleeping Beauty & Prince Philip, Fairy Godmother, Stepmother & Step sisters(they were a riot!), Mickey in costume, Tigger & Piglet in costume, Aladdin, Genie & Abu, Lilo & Stitch, Captain Hook & Mr. Smee. We did not stand in line for a pic with Snow White & Dwarfs, but were able to get a photo of them from the side between guests. We saw the Fireworks, Villain Show & the 2nd Parade - these were all amazing! DGD also got her face painted in TT, and danced with Daisy at Ariel's Dance Party. We did a few trick or treat trails, and really liked the Alice one - got almost a full bag of candy (I agree with PP- not the best, and some was pretty stale, but this was not a priority for us).

All the great info on this thread really helped us develop a plan of action and get a lot done. We stayed til Midnight, and made rope drop the next morning (Yes, we were very tired; but happy).

 

[mommykds]

We attended the party on 10/29 & had a great time. We got a good spot by Liberty Square about 40 minutes before the party. It was empty when we got there except for 1 family. My kids went trick or treating. We got alot of candy but I agree that it is not what it used to be. Not really that important to us but I figure I would mention it.

The parade was fabulous! We manged to get to the front of the castle for the fireworks which were awesome. It was crowded on Main Street so we moved over towards Tomorrowland & had a nice viewing spot.

I didn't think the crowds were bad & the lines moved along rather quickly.
We saw so many fun costumes which to me is part of the fun of these parties. It was great to see so many adults being a kid again & dressing up & of course the kids are adorable too.

This was my 3rd party (2005, 2007,) & we tried to get the most out of it by arriving early. We also did not book an ADR during the party so not to waste time eating. Now if they bring back the characters at LTT then I would love to have dinner there with the characters dressed up..we did miss that.

Hope to come back again during Halloween again.

 

[mpbest]

How long did it take for you to start the line until they came out??

ok--in other words-- what time did you start waiting?

It was sometime between 6:15 and 6:30. I was standing there debating what to do, when three different couples came up to ask if I was in line for Snow White. Obviously I decided very quickly I was going to wait. The line grew very fast. I will say the time went by fast. I ended up chatting with the two groups behind me and my DS played with a cast member and another little boy. Would I do it again, probably not, but it was worth it to do it at least once.

 

[mom2rtk]

So can you rate how busy it was that night?

Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread!! My DGD (7) & I went to the party on 11/1 and had a wonderful time. We arrived at MCO at 2:30, took ME, checked in, got our fridge swap fridge, changed into costume, and got to MK in time to catch the end of the 5:15 Dream Along With Mickey Show. We rode Tea Cups, Carrousel(2X), HM, BTMRR (2X), and Speedway. We got DGD's Pic with Cinderella's Coach (this opened at 6:15), and got pics and autographs with: Tarzan, Jane, Terk, Rafiki, Baloo, Cinderella & Prince Charming, Sleeping Beauty & Prince Philip, Fairy Godmother, Stepmother & Step sisters(they were a riot!), Mickey in costume, Tigger & Piglet in costume, Aladdin, Genie & Abu, Lilo & Stitch, Captain Hook & Mr. Smee. We did not stand in line for a pic with Snow White & Dwarfs, but were able to get a photo of them from the side between guests. We saw the Fireworks, Villain Show & the 2nd Parade - these were all amazing! DGD also got her face painted in TT, and danced with Daisy at Ariel's Dance Party. We did a few trick or treat trails, and really liked the Alice one - got almost a full bag of candy (I agree with PP- not the best, and some was pretty stale, but this was not a priority for us).

All the great info on this thread really helped us develop a plan of action and get a lot done. We stayed til Midnight, and made rope drop the next morning (Yes, we were very tired; but happy).

 

[DCDisney]

We also went on 11/1 and I didn't feel like it was terribly busy. We did line up for Cindy's coach at 6:20 and waited 25 minutes for that. We then did hitch hiking ghosts with no wait and the ghost hearse with about 10 minutes wait. The candy lines were long early on but that was also when they had the better candy. From watching then bring candy out while we were waiting for the coach it appears that they barrels are nearly full with the non melting candy like the generic lolli's, smarties, tootsie rolls and then they have boxes of the "good stuff" that they pour on top every so often. At some point in the party we realized there was no more good stuff being added and we stopped collecting. They did also have a few bins that were 100% chocolate too. They did not have candy at the exits at all unlike other nights so they must not have had much extra. We left at about 11:30. The lines for rides were bad from 6-8 and then they were all fine. We had no problem finding places for the parades (ended up seeing most of both by getting stuck near BTMR). The line for Pooh in costume was nearly as long as Snow White's line before the first parade. We had a very nice time except for getting about 6 TERRIBLE no see um bites sitting on the curb near the castle before Hallowishes. Did see a good number of slutty Disney costumes many of the same ones so they must be something you can buy that I didn't think should be allowed at a family event but otherwise the crowds were very nice and considerate. Also saw a number of bundled up type costumes where I felt very sorry for the kids because it was stifling hot and humid with no breeze.

 

[KimRaye]

Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread!! My DGD (7) & I went to the party on 11/1 and had a wonderful time. We arrived at MCO at 2:30, took ME, checked in, got our fridge swap fridge, changed into costume, and got to MK in time to catch the end of the 5:15 Dream Along With Mickey Show. We rode Tea Cups, Carrousel(2X), HM, BTMRR (2X), and Speedway. We got DGD's Pic with Cinderella's Coach (this opened at 6:15), and got pics and autographs with: Tarzan, Jane, Terk, Rafiki, Baloo, Cinderella & Prince Charming, Sleeping Beauty & Prince Philip, Fairy Godmother, Stepmother & Step sisters(they were a riot!), Mickey in costume, Tigger & Piglet in costume, Aladdin, Genie & Abu, Lilo & Stitch, Captain Hook & Mr. Smee. We did not stand in line for a pic with Snow White & Dwarfs, but were able to get a photo of them from the side between guests. We saw the Fireworks, Villain Show & the 2nd Parade - these were all amazing! DGD also got her face painted in TT, and danced with Daisy at Ariel's Dance Party. We did a few trick or treat trails, and really liked the Alice one - got almost a full bag of candy (I agree with PP- not the best, and some was pretty stale, but this was not a priority for us).

All the great info on this thread really helped us develop a plan of action and get a lot done. We stayed til Midnight, and made rope drop the next morning (Yes, we were very tired; but happy).

Sounds Magical!

We attended the party on 10/29 & had a great time.

GREAT close up pics!

We had a very nice time except for getting about 6 TERRIBLE no see um bites sitting on the curb near the castle before Hallowishes.

What does this mean? Mosquitoes?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

We attended on 10/25 and loved it! We went in 2008 as well and it was the highlight of our trip. I agree that if you are going for candy, save your money and hit the store for a bag of your favorite!

We got there around 4:30 to enjoy some rides and then we did some characters, more rides, saw Hallowishes & the 2nd parade and THEN got candy later in the night when there weren't any lines. I love MNSSHP and can't bring myself to plan a trip that isn't around Halloween b/c of it!

Here are some shots from the 10/25 party, there are more in my trip report:

 

[ougrad86]

Great pics everybody! Waiting for our new computer to arrive before I download mine.

Went on 10/31, arriving earlier in the day. We got there later than 4 because our friend's flight was delayed and we needed to be there when they checked in (we sponsored them at SOG)...plus we had their shirts for the party!

I didn't think it was terribly crowded. We avoided Fantasyland for the most part, and concentrated on Frontierland and Adventureland, wandered over to Tomorrowland later in the night. Only thing we hit in Fantasyland were the Teacups since they were going to be closed later in the week. So we were not in the thick of things so to speak.

Got a great view of Hallowishes near the Hub. Caught a bit of the parade, and were planning to stay for the second, but our friends felt the day catch up with them. Since they had never navigated the way back to SOG, we went with them, so missed most of the parade.

Had a great time tho! Want to do it again, preferably on a non-arrival day so we can take in the whole thing. Already looking to next year. DS will be in high-school then, so will just be a long weekend when he is out for the elections.

 

[twokids0204]

Sorry to bump this old thread....

I (clearly) haven't read through this whole thing. But I have a easy question, that I am sure is answered 100 times in here.

What time do they close MK before MNSSHP?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

They close it at 7pm to those that do not have tickets for the party. If you have a ticket for the party though, you can arrive at 4pm.

 

[twokids0204]

They close it at 7pm to those that do not have tickets for the party. If you have a ticket for the party though, you can arrive at 4pm.

Thanks.

 

[spider0215]

They don't actually physically close, they just start working everybody out that doesn't have a wrist band.

 

[kayleesmomxo]

I know this is a silly question, but where can I find the dates & ticket information for MNSSHP? We are going for 10 days in September and this looks like a lot of fun Thanks

 

[beattyfamily]

I know this is a silly question, but where can I find the dates & ticket information for MNSSHP? We are going for 10 days in September and this looks like a lot of fun Thanks

The dates don't come out till at least March. The tickets will go on sale May 1.

Unless you are talking about last year's info. You can find that info right here on the DIS at the top of the page under 'Events' and then under October.

 

[kayleesmomxo]

The dates don't come out till at least March. The tickets will go on sale May 1.

Unless you are talking about last year's info. You can find that info right here on the DIS at the top of the page under 'Events' and then under October.

Thank You so Much

 

[twokids0204]

The touringplans.com crowd calendar has dates listed for the event. (It's been up for quite some time now)

How likely is it that it would be correct?

 

[mom2rtk]

The touringplans.com crowd calendar has dates listed for the event. (It's been up for quite some time now)

How likely is it that it would be correct?

Those are assumptions based on prior years. Likely to be fairly accurate, but no guarantees whatsoever.

 

[beattyfamily]

Dates have been guessed and unofficial by various Disney fan sites for years and sometimes they are dead on and other times there have been some wrong and I've seen people upset that they made their vacation plans around those wrong dates....