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

[beattyfamily]

how does buying early save money? i thought it was the same price

You can buy up to the day before the party and still get the 'advance purchase' discount price...I believe that is what they are talking about.

 

[december14disney]

Do all the events usually sell out? What are the chances of buying tix at the gate the day of the party? Any help here will be appreciated...

I have the same question. We want to go 9/29 but there is a 10/1 party. Chance of waiting until a couple days before to see the weather forecast or is this dangerous??

 

[tink774]

Here is a question I haven't seen yet...Do you have to use the bags that are provided for trick o' treating or can you bring your own ? I was wanting my daughter to use the Jack O'Lantern I used as a kid.

I was just about to ask this! What a cute idea!

My sister and I were thinking about making our own bags with iron-on designs if you can bring whatever bags you want.

 

[beattyfamily]

You can bring/use any trick or treat bag/bucket that you want!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Loving all the tipsand tricks here! Extremely useful, and also helping to get me in to the party mood

I just wanted to ask one thing of all you wonderfully, lovely, kind people. I hope this doesn't start a big debate (I really like this thread, and don't want to get it shut down), but if you are changing in to your costume in the park, please can you use the regular sized cubicles if that's feasible, and leave the larger one free for those of us in wheelchairs? As I said, I really don't want to start any arguments here, and I understand that some people need to use the larger cubicle with grab rails, without a wheelchair; just if you can, I would be extremely greatful if you'd use one of the regular ones. I just know that I can get cranky when I need to pee Thank you!!!!!!


I'm still debating what to wear as my costume (we've not got the tickets booked yet, but I'm pretty certain we're going!). Whatever I decide to go as, I've already got my outdoor fairy lights to go on my wheelchair!!

 

[rdearth]

Thanks for the costume tips. I want to dress up in costume but I was debating to wear it in the park or change once we enter, mainly cause I didn't want any funny looks as too why I would be in a costume. But thanks! My dad and I are staying at the GF, and You have convinced me to ride the monorail in my costume to the MK for the party! Bring on the funny looks!

Interactions with CMs, characters, you say? Can't wait, I love any chance to interact more with the characters, and I love talking to the CMs.

Thank you!


We are attending Sept 25th (Our first party!) and already bought our tickets, can't wait to meet any fellow disers that are attending on that date!

If my family can ride the bus as Meriweather the blue fairy, Woody, Jessie and Boo, anybody can ride the Disney transportation as anything.

When I felt a little awkward, I told myself I was sort of an advertisement for the party. Clearly, not all the guests coming and going know about or what exactly the party is.

 

[carps09]

We are going to MNSSHP during our honeymoon. It's our first time at the party and we also have ADRs at Tony's that night. Our ADRs are for 7 - I was thinking this would put us in a good spot to see the parade when we were done eating. Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

[jcemom]

We have tix for MVMCP this year. But after reading this thread I'm wondering if we made the right choice. Is MNSSHP that much better than MVMCP? I know the kids won't be disappointed with either, but how do they each compare?

JMO, but I do think MNSSHP is much better than MVMCP. It seemed to me that MVMCP really didn't have much of anything I couldn't have seen on a regular MK night. MNSSHP has trick-or-treating, and while it may seem that I pay a lot of money for a bag of candy, well, I'm too old to trick-or-treat anywhere else and have been for many years, lol. So, to me, that is one of the more fun parts of the party. The special meet and greets with characters in costume is great if you're into getting character photos. And... I think the MNSSHP parade and fireworks are the best ever, better than any others I've seen.

Awesome thread. As a first time going to MNSSHP, I have a few questions for the more experienced attendees. lol

Do alot of adults dress up in costume for this? My wife and I aren't sure if we are going to bother and just dress up the kids.

Is it ridiculously busy ON Halloween night? We'll be there Oct 30th, 31st, and Nov 1st. So we could go any of those nights but we were planning on going the 31st.

Many adults dress up. You don't have to if you don't want to. You could even just wear some sort of t-shirts or something. Or you can just wear your regular clothes. I think wearing a costume gets you more attention, if you want that, and it can be fun. No pressure though, it's totally up to you.

Halloween night sells out. Often the night before does also. Whether or not it's too crowded is a matter of opinion. I've been on crowded nights that were not sell-outs and thought them too crowded, though I did still have a good time. Now I do my best to choose the least-crowded nights possible.

Haven't ever been, but I just had a thought. For the PP who said they got 12 lbs of candy between 5 people -- if you don't eat it all before you leave, do you really have enough space and weight left in your suitcase to bring it all home? Wouldn't want to get charged for overweight luggage for candy.

We put ours in our carry-ons.

I just had a quick question... is it very very crowded on October 31st? My gf and I would be attending out 1st party. Thanks!

It always sells out. Without small children along though, you should be just fine. I don't think most attraction lines are long, but walkways will be crowded.

BOO to YOU! And YOU! And YOU! Happy Halloween!

 

[jcemom]

Here's my Headless Horseman photo. It's not great, but it's the best I could get. At least all of him is in the picture. He goes by so fast, lol.

 

[KELLY]

It is the best. We love MNSSHP. We will be going to the party October 27th. My girls are little so we don't do anything during the day we may head to DTD for a bit of shopping and then the pool but that is it. We have a ressie at CP for 5:30. Then off to the activities. Last year I thought we would never make it to the end. We did my girls love the dance parties and all the characters. We did do a handful of rides. It is the best. Love the fireworks and the parade.

 

[mom2rtk]

Here's my Headless Horseman photo. It's not great, but it's the best I could get. At least all of him is in the picture. He goes by so fast, lol.

That's a great shot! What kind of camera did you use. How about ISO and flash?????

I'm dying to get a good photo!

 

[jcemom]

That's a great shot! What kind of camera did you use. How about ISO and flash?????

I'm dying to get a good photo!

Thank you. It's just my little Canon Powershot A610 -- nothing fancy. I did have it on manual but I'm sorry I don't remember which settings I used. I took three photos of him -- or tried to -- that trip, and this is the only one that came out. He goes by so fast you only get one shot at it.

I'm going to try again this time. We're doing two parties again so I figure I have three more shots (we'll see the parade twice one night, once the other). Hopefully I can do better. This time I'm going to write down the settings I use. I just wish I had something to practice on here at home, but I can't think of anything that would be similar.

ETA: bradk takes amazing photos. I wonder if he has one of the headless horseman on his site? He probably does, I should go look.

 

[Carri]

Great thread! My family will be experiencing our first MNNSHP in 2010. Wish it was this year! Does anyone have any good costume ideas for families? I usually sew my kids' costumes and I'm already dreaming up ideas! Is it usually HOT in the beginning of October?

 

[Carri]

One more question - do they do more special stuff closer to Halloween, or are the parties in Sept. and early Oct the same as Halloween night?

 

[beattyfamily]

One more question - do they do more special stuff closer to Halloween, or are the parties in Sept. and early Oct the same as Halloween night?

All parties are the same. Just the crowd level can vary.

 

[grace&philipsmom]

We are going to MNSSHP on Sept. 4. I have booked the pirates league for 5:30 pm. We wanted to eat in MK at Tony's for dinner. The only time we could get for Tonys was 5pm. Is 30 minutes enough time to eat at Tonys and make it over to Pirates League?

 

[jcemom]

We are going to MNSSHP on Sept. 4. I have booked the pirates league for 5:30 pm. We wanted to eat in MK at Tony's for dinner. The only time we could get for Tonys was 5pm. Is 30 minutes enough time to eat at Tonys and make it over to Pirates League?

No. You would need at least an hour, probably an hour and a half would be better. It's a 5-10 minute walk, and a TS meal takes about an hour.

 

[dismom73]

Great thread! My family will be experiencing our first MNNSHP in 2010. Wish it was this year! Does anyone have any good costume ideas for families? I usually sew my kids' costumes and I'm already dreaming up ideas! Is it usually HOT in the beginning of October?

We went the first week of October in 2007 and it was VERY hot! We are going to MNSSHP this year on Oct. 1st and then getting on the 7 day cruise on the 3rd and we are expecting it to be hot again. HTH

 

[jenndla]

Hi all!

My first party will be October 2. We are driving in from Tennesee during the day (just my DH and me - no daughter this time around!), switching off driving duty along the way. We will get there just in time to check in, freshen up, and get our costumes on to head to the party.

Although I have never been, I would safely bet that there will be a lot of buzz around the Alice in Wonderland/Mad Hatter stuff this year, since Tim Burton's version comes out in March 2010 (WOOHOO!). I know where I am headed to first!

Anyone else in for October 2?

 

[gonesaleing]

Ok, I read this whole thread, cut out all the tips that I thought were important, put together into one document and will be adding it to my trip planner.
Feel free to cut and paste yourselves.

We are going on Halloween night.. mom, dad and 2 teenagers. It will be a great start to our 'NJ week' vacation.
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You can get into the park at 4pm with your MNSSHP ticket. This is a great way to avoid the 7pm rush of people coming out of the park! None of the party activities begin until 7pm. The reason to get in at 4pm is to get your wristbands, candybags, settle in, get something to eat, map out your game plan and you will be ready at 7pm to participate in the festivities. If you get there at 7pm, you will have to wait in a long line to get in and get your wristbands and candybags and you will be later starting the party. If you don't plan to get to MK at 4pm when you can first get in, still plan to go somewhat early if you are traveling via buses from the resorts. Many, many, many families go back to the resorts for their children to change into their costumes and then catch the bus to return to the MK for a 7pm party.
Candy- Do not waste time early in the party waiting on lines for candy. Towards the end of the party, the lines disappear, and the cast members give out candy by the handfuls. They actually will try to fill your candy bag to the top if you let them.

Photo Op- There is a large room next to the Dole Whip stand that is opened up for the party. Historically, they have had Tarzan and some other characters in there. Hardly anyone goes in there. As you exit, they give you special candy.It's on your right as soon as you cross over the bridge to Adventureland, through doors that are adjacent to the little dining area. There are castmembers stationed there inviting people in, and there is a small sign identifying the area.

Make sure you stick around after the Villains show, they come down and you can get pics with them! They don't do autographs, because of time constraints, but you can meet Malifecent, the Evil Queen, Cruella DeVil, the Queen of Hearts, Frollo, Captain Hook, and Jafar. AWESOME!!!!

Last year the meet and greet in Adventureland had Tarzan, Jane, Terk, Rafiki, and Baloo. Between Toontown and Tommorrowland. Alice, Tweedle Dee and Dum, the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts on the trail Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Mickey and Minnie in their Halloween Costumes were at the beginning of Main Street, in a Gazebo, between Exposition Hall and the Train Station

Just outside of the Carousel of Progress, they have a candy station set up where you walk through some illuminated hoops, and end at barrels where castmembers are stationed to distribute the candy (I guess this is a futuristic candy station?). Early in the evening, you will be waiting on line to get candy. Later in the evening, you will be able to walk right through and get the candy. If you wish, you can continue looping though as many times as you like. In my experience, toward the end of the evening, the castmembers will give you handfuls of candy, until your bag is full.
Face painting is free during the party
Best place to watch the parade and how early to stake out a spot? Frontierland for lower crowds and later arrival. Apparently 2nd parade isn't as crowded.