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

[MusiqChic99]

Question about costumes


This is our first year there. What kind of costumes are best for kids?? My son will be 3 and I just can't imagine him wanting to wear a costume for that long. Have you ever NOT dressed your kid up?? Maybe just a Halloween shirt??? What is the weather like normally? (End of Oct). I'm afraid he might get to hot in a costume if it's muggy.

 

[mimi'sgirl]

My daughter will be wearing a Dorothy(Wizard of Oz) costume that is light. My son(6) says he just wants to wear a shirt and shorts so he might just wear a Mike Wazowski tshirt that we bought in MK last year. I suggest picking a light costume that you can put clothes underneath in case it is cooler that night. I keep trying to change his mind since we will be there on Halloween night but bottom line I want them to be comfortable so it's enjoyable for all of us. Have a great time.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

I think you're mistaken. There is a map with all of the trick or treat locations. Those locations will be giving candy for the ENTIRE duration of the party. I don't understand your perception of "more" before the fireworks. It's exactly the same.

Okie-dokie.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

Question about costumes


This is our first year there. What kind of costumes are best for kids?? My son will be 3 and I just can't imagine him wanting to wear a costume for that long. Have you ever NOT dressed your kid up?? Maybe just a Halloween shirt??? What is the weather like normally? (End of Oct). I'm afraid he might get to hot in a costume if it's muggy.

It's perfectly fine to not dress your child up. But be forewarned he will be bummed big time when he looks around at every other kid who is all dressed up. And in the latter part of the evening, while it is still quite warm, it is not the ungodly humid heat that will dog you during the afternoon. It's tolerable.

 

[stitchineeyore]

Wow..this is a BIG thread. scuse if somebody already mentioned it, but I've read halfway through and haven't seen this. If you are an adult and going in costume, you cannot enter the park before 4 p.m. in your outfit. We have done the party three times, always on the 31st, and had a blast every time. First time just DH and me, second and third our adult kids and their friends have come along as well. Some families dress in theme costumes. Our favorite was three generations- guys as football players (even the baby in a stroller), girls as cheerleaders, and grandma was dressed as a referee, complete with whistle! which she would blow to keep the group together. Going in at 4 is also good because you can get some really great photo ops before the light goes. i was taking pix of my daughter and her friends all over the magic kingdom last year between 4 and sundown. This year we'll be at BLT and walking to Halloween! Can't wait!! Last year my daughter was Sora from Kingdom Hearts, and got recognized by Jack Sparrow from the top of his float. Awesome.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Everything I've read says the kids are about 50/50, dressed up versus not.

Is that true? We're going early October. I can see where more probably dress up on Oct 31, and less in early Sept, but what's it like in early October?

 

[maiapapaya]

... We have done the party three times, always on the 31st, and had a blast every time...

We're going on Halloween this year (couldn't imagine not going to the party on the day since we are there already). How insanely crowded is it right on Halloween? I'm hoping it's not wall to wall people.

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

for those kids at heart that are going in costume-where are you finding them in stock at-I am starting to stress out (we are mid Sept) because I am having a hard time finding the adult costumes in stock-just curious

 

[Beauty & the Best]

for those kids at heart that are going in costume-where are you finding them in stock at-I am starting to stress out (we are mid Sept) because I am having a hard time finding the adult costumes in stock-just curious

I was in a party store (iParty) the other day looking for glow necklaces for my upcoming trip and I saw that they have some adult costumes in stock already, so you might want to check your local party store.

 

[RedSox68]

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 picture. Questions: where in the park were you standing, and was this the first or second parade? Reason I ask is there seem to be so few people there! Thanks.

Incredible incredible thread. Since this is our first time going, I went page by page and wrote down every tip and printed it to carry with me! Thanks to all who took the time to post.

 

[RedSox68]

Agreed. The party doesn't start until 7:00. They have always allowed everyone in at 4:00 with the party ticket, but they do hold you outside the turnstiles until after 4:00. They do not let anyone in any earlier than that.

Sorry, you'll either need to change the time of your reservation, or use a day off your regular tickets to get in early. I hope you can work something out.

Don't want to burst anyone's bubble -- but was just talking to a cast member (about another facet of our trip) and this very subject came up. She said that Disney is well aware of the people that get in before the 7 p.m. party time and are re-thinking that policy for this year since it makes the hard close of the park more difficult. She said they may (only may) not allow that anymore. So I would call the week you are going to be sure they are still allowing that before you get all the way over there and are forced to wait three hours (although with how badly Disney is hurting -- I can't imagine why they wouldn't allow more customers in! )

 

[jcemom]

Don't want to burst anyone's bubble -- but was just talking to a cast member (about another facet of our trip) and this very subject came up. She said that Disney is well aware of the people that get in before the 7 p.m. party time and are re-thinking that policy for this year since it makes the hard close of the park more difficult. She said they may (only may) not allow that anymore. So I would call the week you are going to be sure they are still allowing that before you get all the way over there and are forced to wait three hours (although with how badly Disney is hurting -- I can't imagine why they wouldn't allow more customers in! )

I'm not saying that this CM is wrong, because it's always possible they could change it. But there are CMs who say this very thing every single year. It hasn't happened yet.

Can you imagine the logistical nightmare of holding everyone outside the turnstiles until 7:00? They would have thousands of guests standing there waiting to get in, all needing wristbands. (Yes, there could be thousands waiting to get in for rope drop, and they handle that, but generally when it's crowded they do start allowing people into the courtyard and even into the park prior to opening, holding them at ropes elsewhere. Also, those guests do not require a wristband.) My guess is that it will never happen. If they are having issues getting everyone out then they need to go back to the way it was -- shooing non-party-goers out at 6:00, leaving those with tickets inside a designated 'land' and starting the party at 7:00.

 

[RedSox68]

Nope, you can use any bag you want, the one they hand out or one that you bring with you.

No, not anyone can collect candy. After 7:00p only those with wristbands are there (hopefully) and the CMs will check for them. Doesn't matter what bag you use. They'll check for wristbands, not bags.

THANK YOU. I was wondering how they distinguish!

and JCEMOM, I agree with you and hope you are right. This is our first time and we wanted to get in early to do the attractions (like Tom Sawyers Island) that aren't open at night!

 

[Magalex]

Great info. about the Halloween party. We are planning a trip to Sea World/Universal next year (2010) arriving on OCT 30th. We might just decide to attend the Halloween party during that weekend. I do want to hear reports or past experiences about the parties closer to Halloween(the crowds). I am happy to hear the attraction times are not long during the event. I was telling my 9 yr old about the party and he said he would like to go and see the parade and see our favorite attractions. We won't be concentrating on the candy. He wants a few pieces but that is it. We all agree we just want to see the sights of Halloween. Also hoping that WDW will still allow entrance of guests at 4PM.

 

[jcemom]

That's a GREAT picture. Questions: where in the park were you standing, and was this the first or second parade? Reason I ask is there seem to be so few people there! Thanks.

Incredible incredible thread. Since this is our first time going, I went page by page and wrote down every tip and printed it to carry with me! Thanks to all who took the time to post.

Gosh, I can't remember exactly where I was standing. I try to get this photo every year and this is my only good one, lol. Usually we watch from Frontierland, somewhere between the Diamond Horseshoe and Pecos Bill's. And it's probably the second parade. I can tell you that it's from October 2006, and it was a weeknight party. Sorry for not being more specific.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm not saying that this CM is wrong, because it's always possible they could change it. But there are CMs who say this very thing every single year. It hasn't happened yet.

Can you imagine the logistical nightmare of holding everyone outside the turnstiles until 7:00? They would have thousands of guests standing there waiting to get in, all needing wristbands. (Yes, there could be thousands waiting to get in for rope drop, and they handle that, but generally when it's crowded they do start allowing people into the courtyard and even into the park prior to opening, holding them at ropes elsewhere. Also, those guests do not require a wristband.) My guess is that it will never happen. If they are having issues getting everyone out then they need to go back to the way it was -- shooing non-party-goers out at 6:00, leaving those with tickets inside a designated 'land' and starting the party at 7:00.

ITA!!

There is no way they will stop letting party goers in at 4:00p UNLESS they start closing the park (again) for an hour to clear it out and then re-open it.

It would be a BIG nightmare if the park closed at 7:00p AND the party started at 7:00p and party goers were only let in at 7:00p....they'd be stuck at the turnstyles for at least 2 hours trying to get in while day guests were trying to leave.

I remember when they used to close for 2 hours before MVMCP and the only way to stay was to have an ADR. Then it was a ghost town when you got out of your meal and was way cool too.

 

[tink774]

Also hoping that WDW will still allow entrance of guests at 4PM.

I hope so, too! I'll keep an eye on the boards pretty anxiously until we know for certain. It would be horrible if they changed that policy. As a previous poster said, it would make 7:00pm pretty chaotic.

 

[Tink313]

Oh God I hope they let us in at 4pm. I made adrs for 4:30pm at the plaza and PL for 6pm because I was told we were allowed in at 4.

 

[jenndla]

for those kids at heart that are going in costume-where are you finding them in stock at-I am starting to stress out (we are mid Sept) because I am having a hard time finding the adult costumes in stock-just curious

I bought mine and my husband's at buycostumes.com. We buy from them every year...even for dd. Cute stuff and lots to choose from.

DH and I are going as Hansel and Gretal. Lederhosen is shorts, so he won't get hot, and Gretal wears a short skirt (not too short - it is Disney!) and short sleeves, so I won't get hot. Hopefully it will work out - early October is hit or miss in Florida. Could be hot, could be cold. Either way - should make for cute pics!

 

[Terk-1]

Here's two tips for you:
2. Photo Op- There is a large room next to the Dole Whip stand that is opened up for the party. For the past couple of years at least, they have had Tarzan (my teen DD's are big fans) and some other characters in there. Hardly anyone goes in there. As you exit, they give you special candy. The year before last, it was full-sized bag of Hershey's Kissables candy. Last year it was something less impressive, but it was different from the candy being distributed elsewhere.
TCD

Awesome!! Thanks for this tip!! I'm going for the first time on my upcoming trip (actually am going twice during my trip) and really want to get pictures & autographs with as many hard to find characters as possible.