WOW!!!!! Thanks for starting this thread! I have a few questions:
1. Where is the face painting and how much does it cost? Face painting is free during the party, I think the locations vary from year to year and will be noted on the party map. It was in Toontown across from the bathrooms and in adventureland to your right as you cross over the bridge last year. Not sure if it was anywhere else
2. Where can we get pics with Snow White AND the 7 dwarfs?again, the location varies from year to year -- maybe even party to party? 2 years ago they were across from the SW ride, near Dumbo. Last year I saw them along the fence leading to Toontown -- teacup at 9 oclock, SW at 12 oclock, Speedway at 300 -- make sense?
3. My kids aren't that into costumes......will they feel odd if they DON'T dress up? boys ages 8 and 10No they won't feel out of place -- it is very hot in Sept and early Oct (not sure about later in the month) It is just too hot for a lot of kids to bother we costumes
>>as far as the costumes go, I was thinking of just doing some Halloween t-shirts and maybe their silly hats (goofy/stitch) Any thoughts??
We are excited about going at a different time of year and getting to do some new stuff like MNSSHP, haunted carriage ride and Mickey's Backyard Barbeque. We usually go in Jan. or Feb. and have missed out on this stuff. I do hope for a nice cool front though. We have had EXCELLENT weather during our previous visits!
Thanks again for this thread!
We have tickets for Oct. 2nd, just a couple of quick questions:
1) Best place to watch the parade and how early to stake out a spot? Well, I like Frontierland for lower crowds and later arrival. I arrive 45 minutes before, send the kids with DH for a few rides, or candy or bathroom, and have them back 20 minutes before - -I arrive earlier than most people. If you want to sit at the hub -- you pretty much have to sit down before the first villain show starts -- oh, I've only seen the first parade, apparently 2nd parade isn't as crowded
2) My daughter really wants to see the carraige and I understand it is a fairly long line. If I want to be in line at 7pm where does it start? Do you know where the stroller parking area is for Small WOrld - -the line forms at the entry. I have been to 4 parties in the past 2 years -- sometimes they start the photos before the party starts -- I think it was in 2007 -- we planned to start the party at the carriage - -we were finished with that photo and hightailed it over to Mickey's line before 7
3) Do they still do the story telling in Liberty Square?I don't know
4) How much busier is Friday compared to other days of the week?Again, I don't know first hand, but I have read here that Fridays are busier, more likely to be sold out
5) I know they don't change the ride but do the CM's do anything fun at the HM or PotC?
Thanks
I am all about pictures and discounts 
We have tickets for Oct. 2nd, just a couple of quick questions:
1) Best place to watch the parade and how early to stake out a spot?
2) My daughter really wants to see the carraige and I understand it is a fairly long line. If I want to be in line at 7pm where does it start?
3) Do they still do the story telling in Liberty Square?
4) How much busier is Friday compared to other days of the week?
5) I know they don't change the ride but do the CM's do anything fun at the HM or PotC?
Thanks
Since you brought it up, I'll share my tip - tho most may not agree. Last year we went to the party for the first time, and loved it so much we came back to a second party that same week.
The first night we did what a lot of DISers do - arrived early to do some attractions, had an early dinner at LTT (which was cool since the characters were in costume), then came out of the restaurant and headed straight to the Haunted Mansion! We had a great time trick-or-treating, seeing the parade (absolutely the best IMHO) and fireworks, getting photos, riding Space Mt and BTMRR over and over with no waits. Had the time of our lives -didn't think it could get any better!
But then we came back a couple of nights later. This time we had ADRs at Kona for 5:00pm so we just kept them then hopped on the monorail to MK. Wow - what a difference! The sun was going down and the entrance was foggy, the music was playing, the CMs were greeting everyone, the special lighting and effects were on the Main Street buildings. Just a wonderful atmosphere that we had totally missed the first night.
So my tip (tho it may be unpopular) is this: Tour the MK another day or even the morning of the party if you need to. But take an afternoon break elsewhere and arrive just in time for the party. You'll be able to get your wristband as you enter the park and you won't miss any of that special atmosphere that really adds to the whole experience. Just MHO
Not sure about PotC, but at HM the CMs are wearing spooky makeup. Here's a pic from 2007:
So far this is what I have: On 31st catch up on much needed rest during the day then get to MK about 4, get wristbands, take decoration pics and pretty costume pics (will have extra tshirt and shorts in stroller), dinner at Tony's or CP about 5 (will get ADR, haven't decided which). Then head over to Toontown area after 6 for 7pm pics with Mickey (and anyone else), then go to Mad Hatter's candy trail. After go to Fantasyland to try and get pics with SW+7 and Cindy's carriage. Get to Adventureland for Dole Whip fixand pics with whomever is room of Dole Whip stand. By then the first parade will have passed so go to Castle foyer for pics with villans. Now we can get faces painted, watch fireworks, dancy party, wait for second parade. Kids should be on a good sugar high by now but hopefully they will sleep in the stroller!
Finish character meet/greet and fill up candy bags thru neon hoops in Tomorrowland. Did I sum everything up?
Hey everyone! We're thinking of going to the party on our trip this year! I'm an old pro at Disney, but I've never been to one of the ticketed events before, so I'm doing a bit of research to find out some more. Loving all the tips here, so thank you to everyone who's posting them!!
I was wondering if I could get some opinions from all you wonderfully clever people. We're going to be there for my Birthday, and one of the parties falls on that very day. Now, I think it would really cool to go to a party with my birthday badge on, but I'd also like to see the parks during the day. Unfortunately, because my body is falling apart at the seams (fun with Fibromyalgia), I only have a limited amount of energy. So, here's the bit I need opinions on:
Should I go to the party on my Birthday, and have limited park time during the say, or should I go to another party, and spend the whole day in the parks? Also, will I be able to hold up through the evening, if I spend some of the morning in the parks (think of me as a three year old, but without the hyper periods)?
My plan at the moment is to go to the parks (probably MK) at or around opening, spend a few hours kicking about there and having fun, then head back to the hotel (POR) for a nap and some down-time. Hopefully this should recharge me enough to let me go to MK for around 6ish, and party on through the night. I'll be using my wheelchair, so if the energy levels get low I can always ask my beloved fella to push me for a bit. Do those of you with kids reckon you could manage this with your younger little'uns?
Whichever party we decide to go to, we'll not be too worried about getting on the rides, as we'll have plenty of other park days on our trip. Just so excited!!!
Oh, and for all the adults out there who aren't sure about wearing costumes - go for it!!! We'll both be in costume, and we're 20somethings with no kids!
) Since you brought it up, I'll share my tip - tho most may not agree. Last year we went to the party for the first time, and loved it so much we came back to a second party that same week.
The first night we did what a lot of DISers do - arrived early to do some attractions, had an early dinner at LTT (which was cool since the characters were in costume), then came out of the restaurant and headed straight to the Haunted Mansion! We had a great time trick-or-treating, seeing the parade (absolutely the best IMHO) and fireworks, getting photos, riding Space Mt and BTMRR over and over with no waits. Had the time of our lives -didn't think it could get any better!
But then we came back a couple of nights later. This time we had ADRs at Kona for 5:00pm so we just kept them then hopped on the monorail to MK. Wow - what a difference! The sun was going down and the entrance was foggy, the music was playing, the CMs were greeting everyone, the special lighting and effects were on the Main Street buildings. Just a wonderful atmosphere that we had totally missed the first night.
So my tip (tho it may be unpopular) is this: Tour the MK another day or even the morning of the party if you need to. But take an afternoon break elsewhere and arrive just in time for the party. You'll be able to get your wristband as you enter the park and you won't miss any of that special atmosphere that really adds to the whole experience. Just MHO
I too have Fibro and have been to both MNSSHP (2001) and MVMCP (2008).
For MNSSHP I went straight through from early morning to the end of the party. I was whipped not only that night but for the next 3 days too!
Definetly take a BIG break in between if you are planning to go in the morn.
Last year we went to MVMCP on my son's actual birthday - but being that we had been celebrating the whole week in Disney he just felt every day was his birthday. And he managed to last the entire night - which was amaing for a newlyturned 6 yo. For this trip/party being older and wiser I rented an ECV and was able to keep up with DH and DS no problem (my only complaint was the pouring rain
We will be there on Sep 4 for MNSSHP - I cant wait!!
. 
It sounds like you are using a manual wheelchair. Have you considered renting a powerchair or ECV from a medical equipment company in Orlando? They will deliver to your hotel.Thank you for all the advice, very useful indeed!! Yes, I've learnt the hard way not to push too hard, and I certainly don't want to be knocked out for some of our Disney trip! Maybe we'll have a late start instead, and get to the parks a bit after lunch. That way we can sleep in, and would only have to do one bus journey each way, rather than having to load the wheelchair on to four different buses
Have fun at your party and don't forget to dress your ECV up too!
Liberty Tree Tavern
