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

[karacarter]

Is the line very long for the free face painting????

 

[RedSox68]

We went to a MNSSHP first and loved it. The next year, we attended a MVMCP and were not as impressed. We decided the MNSSHP was a much better party and worth more. We probably won't do another MVMCP but will definitely do another MNSSHP when the opportunity presents itself. Each year could be different but we couldn't possibly drink enough hot chocolate and eat enough sugar cookies (not my favorite type of cookie) at MVMCP to make it worth the cost of the party. We also thought the parade for MNSSHP was far better. Fireworks were great at both parties.

I TOTALLY agree -- while I have never done the MNSSHP (this October will be our first time), we did do the MVMCP in 2007 and did not think it was worth the money. The parade was great -- but never experienced the atmosphere or much promised "snow" as much as we did at the Osbourne Family Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. A MUCH more Christmas-like experience that you don't need an extra ticket for!

All of your tips are going to be incredibly helpful when we go for the first time this October to the party! Thanks all.

 

[beattyfamily]

Is the line very long for the free face painting????

YES! And it will start to form probably around 6:30p but they won't start doing them till 7:00p.

It dies down later since most want them for their 'costume'...its busiest the first 2 hours.

 

[RedSox68]

You CAN dress as Disney characters. But if you look TOO much like the real thing, they will WARN you not to sign any autographs or you will be asked to change or leave.

NO ONE -- including adults -- are allowed to wear full head pieces (for any character -- Disney or not). You can wear masks, eye coverings, but not full head gear. Those who do will be either asked to remove it or asked to leave if they refuse.

 

[jcemom]

YES! And it will start to form probably around 6:30p but they won't start doing them till 7:00p.

It dies down later since most want them for their 'costume'...its busiest the first 2 hours.

Agreed. The line gets very long, very quickly. We have found it best to actually block out time for it right at the beginning of the party if we're going to do it at all. Last time we got in line at about 6:35 and there were only 4 people in front of us (in Toontown). We were finished by 7:15. Although I didn't enjoy standing in line, knowing the party was starting around me, lol, it was far better than wasting an hour or more of our party time. We only lost 15 minutes of the party, not bad really, and not much longer than you would need if there was no line at all.

 

[brockash]

Is the line very long for the free face painting????

We went last year, and I didn't think the line was very long at all. We went towards the begining of the party, and I'd say couldn't have taken longer than 15 minutes, and we had a total of 4 ppl. that got there faces painted. We did it at the Adventureland one, and it was the first party of the year, so I'm sure not as crowded as in Oct. Good luck!

 

[tamlav]

I wanted to double check. If we go to a Animal Kingdom earlier in the day and MNSSHP later that day. We only have to pay for parking once, correct?

 

[AlternateEgo]

I am getting so anxious for september.

We arent sure if we are going to do the party... i really want to.

We are going to wait until we get there and see if it looks like rain, if so, we will skip, if not we are on

 

[cassiez76]

thanks for all the great info! i'm a newbie for this party so all the tips are handy!

big bag for candy - check
lightweight costume for me and ds - check
catching the 2nd parade - check
pictures with the villains - check (wish they were out ALL the time)
riding just a few rides (HM) - check

i'm guessing we want to get there for 4, so i'm going to make dh be ready for 3 and just hang outside so we can be in for 4. are the buses more crowded around that time (we'll be at POP)?

the one thing i'm iffy on...do i need a separate photopass card for the party or can it be on my regular card that i've had for the week?

i dunno what day we're going, hubby didn't tell me, so i can't say! lol

 

[we3are1]

lanasboys, we will be staying at POP 9/11-9/21, and going to the party 9/15! What a coincidence!!

Ok so after reading all the tips and comments here I am convinced to go to the MNSSHP. Still waiting till we get there to purchase tickets. Son is 9 and this is 1st trip to WDW. He is a huge Star Wars fan so we were planning on getting a costume while there so we will use for the evening too.

Oh we'll be at POP 9/12 - 9/18 going to MNSSHP on 9/15 too. Hope to see you all there. It will be me and my mom (both pooh size) and 9 yr old son (a little pooh sized too) and mom will be in ECV. If you see us say HI!

Wendy from VA

 

[TheDisneyBunch]

Great thread! We will be there Sept 18th. I am excited. This will be our 4th party but the first real party for ds2.

I can't think of much more in the way of tips to add but I thought I would share a few pics from last year...

ds after having his face painted... we washed this off after about an hour though b/c he smeared it and it was just not looking right with the Capt Hook costume he was wearing..haha Cute while it lasted though...

I totally missed Main Street lit up last year but I have a pic that I love from the year before. Let me see if I can track that down.

 

[we3are1]

I don't know if anyone else has posted this yet, but we just found a great deal at the Disney store in Hershey, PA. They had a bunch of tote bags on sale for $2.50 a piece, including super cute halloween ones! They are nice a big so can fit TONS of candy!

Yeah we went to the Disney store in Virginia Beach and they had them there as well. One of them was really big. I didn't plan to use them for the MNSSHP but I am now.

Wendy in VA

 

[utkscvol1]

Ok so after reading all the tips and comments here I am convinced to go to the MNSSHP. Still waiting till we get there to purchase tickets. Son is 9 and this is 1st trip to WDW. He is a huge Star Wars fan so we were planning on getting a costume while there so we will use for the evening too.

Oh we'll be at POP 9/12 - 9/18 going to MNSSHP on 9/15 too. Hope to see you all there. It will be me and my mom (both pooh size) and 9 yr old son (a little pooh sized too) and mom will be in ECV. If you see us say HI!

Wendy from VA

We'll be @ pop from 9-11 to 9-20. Planning on going to the party either 9-15 or 9-18 whichever looks like it's gonna have the best weather! This will be our 2nd party! Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[snykymom]

I wanted to double check. If we go to a Animal Kingdom earlier in the day and MNSSHP later that day. We only have to pay for parking once, correct?

Yes. That's true even if it's not a party, but just normal park hopping.

 

[Tweevil]

Would it be wrong of me to dress like Santa and carry a sack that big to carry all of my candy? hmmm....

Just kidding - I don't eat candy but could do the with no padding. My son doesn't do candy but we are bringing his step siblings and they DO candy so we will be in the lines.

I am making tote bags for them and personalizing them - with a draw string so they can carry it.

I can't wait to go - still undecided on the costume because of the possible heat and my size - I can't figure out what to wear that would be "flattering".

Anyhoo - great tips on this thread - thanks so much!!

 

[jmkford4]

Great pics!

 

[laurainsem]

Yeah we went to the Disney store in Virginia Beach and they had them there as well. One of them was really big. I didn't plan to use them for the MNSSHP but I am now.

Wendy in VA

I can't take the credit for this great find. My younger sister found them and we both thought they were perfect. They are both adorable and huge!

I'm taking the kids to the park next week. We'll have to check it out.

Just noticed that it looks like we will be there at the same time. We're celebrating my sis's bday on 10/13 with the party that night.

How cool! What part of PA are you from? I used to live in Gettysburg but am now in the boondocks, just outside Huntingdon. It looks like we will be there about the same time. We arrive on the 12th and are staying through the 20th. Maybe we'll see each other!

 

[jessrose18]

I bought the disney store trick or treat bag on Sat at the Mall of America store and the lady said they will be sold out fast. I was going to make our bags, but for 2.50 you can't beat that and they are cute! So if anybody wants one better hurry!

Side note: Love this thread, however, I don't agree w/ the don't waste your time w/ rides idea....it was so awesome to walk on every single ride! We got to ride almost everything, see the 2nd parade, fireworks, stage show, meet some characters and fill our trick or treat bags on a Friday night party all before 11 pm (i know w/ no kids its easier), it goes by fast but there is time for it all! We were the only people in line for pirates in the whole building and the only people on the ride at like 8 pm! Also we went to MK at 4 pm w/ our party pass and the place was dead! We went on all the tomorowland rides as walk ons and the place was starting to clear out well before the party started. Maybe not always the case, but it was awesome.

 

[choirchic]

Great thread! We will be there Sept 18th. I am excited. This will be our 4th party but the first real party for ds2.

I can't think of much more in the way of tips to add but I thought I would share a few pics from last year...

ds after having his face painted... we washed this off after about an hour though b/c he smeared it and it was just not looking right with the Capt Hook costume he was wearing..haha Cute while it lasted though...

I totally missed Main Street lit up last year but I have a pic that I love from the year before. Let me see if I can track that down.

Awesome shots! Love the one of the Haunted Mansion Float! We hope to get a good view of the Grave Diggers this year!

 

[mom2faith]

It is awesome to see these pics!!

I was scrapbooking MNSSHP 2008 last night and I was getting pretty excited for this year!!

We did not do that many photopass/character meets last year, so this year we are doing that for sure!! I want to meet Snow White and the Dwarves, that is really my #1!!

3 weeks and 1 day until our trip!! Starting to get exciting!!

Amy