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

[Trep72]

Just checking in to see of anyone else has called and spoken to a CM about party availability? We are hoping to go Sept 4 too...

I'm also curious to know if anyone else, besides me, has spoken with a CM about the Sept. 4th party.

The guy sounded pretty confident, but I suppose it's possible that he could've been instructed to say that to get a "sale". Oh well, either way, I got my tickets online and via the e-ticket system and everything worked out. They're saved in a PDF file and already printed out.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

I,m a board newbie, only wish I had discovered this place before my last few trips it's great.
Can I ask if you think the MNSSHP would be too scary or overwhelming for a 20 month old boy? I,ve been before and loved it but I'm in two minds about how my youngest will cope with it all.

it's not scarey at all!!
There are a LOT of very little ones. Everything is very geared towards the kids. The dance parties are the characters dancing around and getting the kids to dance with them (think the WIGGLES).
I can't think of anything that would be scarey for kids really.

Maybe the Dapper Dans? They are dressed like dead people (one has an axe in his head) BUT they are singing fun songs, so it kinda negates any potential scares.
I didn't see a single kid crying scared or anything. Just crying from being super sleepy.

 

[Joolish1313]

I cannot wait for this year's party. My fave part is the headless horseman at the beginning of the parade...and of course Captn Jack in the parade

 

[Jeanieblue114]

we did the eticket option last year.
It was really easy. Just printed it out at home and scanned it at the turnstile.
easy as pie!

 

[that's nice]

Still working my way through this thread, sorry if this has already been said...

When we first got to the World last year, these exact tote bags were more expensive. But one night right before Halloween they did reduce them to $5.00 if you made a purchase (no minimum $ amount though, I believe we only spent $4 at the POC store and were offered this deal). DH thought it was a silly thing for me to buy, but now that we're planning our first ever MNSSHP (after 8 trips over Halloween), it's looking like a great bargain!

We used our bags for the party and DD used hers on Halloween trick-or-treating. Plus we will bring them back for this year's party! Who knows.. if there are different bags this year and they are fairly cheap.. I can see DW picking up a few more! LOL

 

[Singinglizzie]

In read somewhere here on the Dis threads that they sell 20,000 tickets per night. Can anyone confirm that this is correct? Thanks. If Sept. 4th is 90% sold, that would mean crowds of 18,000. I was hoping for super low crowds as we were going to consider the MNSSHP as our MK visit and I'm more interested in riding than getting character autographs. Part of the reason I talked my Sis into going is that I read that many of the rides had no waiting. I do hope this is the case, but I'm afraid the Labor day with free dining is gonna draw the crowds.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Ok, this is all just pure speculation, but wouldn't it be awesome if Jack Sparrow was out for meet and greets since he only ever showed up at the Pirate/Princess parties and now those are supposedly over?

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

In read somewhere here on the Dis threads that they sell 20,000 tickets per night. Can anyone confirm that this is correct? Thanks. If Sept. 4th is 90% sold, that would mean crowds of 18,000. I was hoping for super low crowds as we were going to consider the MNSSHP as our MK visit and I'm more interested in riding than getting character autographs. Part of the reason I talked my Sis into going is that I read that many of the rides had no waiting. I do hope this is the case, but I'm afraid the Labor day with free dining is gonna draw the crowds.

I was at the infamous December 9 MVMCP party, and while there was a huge crowd (possibly sold out, I don't recall), lines were ridiculously short. We walked on several.

 

[MarkinNM]

In read somewhere here on the Dis threads that they sell 20,000 tickets per night. Can anyone confirm that this is correct? Thanks. If Sept. 4th is 90% sold, that would mean crowds of 18,000. I was hoping for super low crowds as we were going to consider the MNSSHP as our MK visit and I'm more interested in riding than getting character autographs. Part of the reason I talked my Sis into going is that I read that many of the rides had no waiting. I do hope this is the case, but I'm afraid the Labor day with free dining is gonna draw the crowds.

When I called back in June to get my tickets, I was told by the CM on the phone the party was capped @ 25K, and yes seeing its LD weekend I think its going to be busy......

 

[CharmedLife]

BTW: the only place that I found that sold child meds in MK was the tent in toontown

FYI - I have found children's meds in the past in the Child Care Centers in each park. The one in the Magic Kingdom is near the Crystal Palace. They sell all kinds of good stuff in there for kids, and there is also a nice nursing room and diaper changing area if your kids are still young enough to need those.

 

[jcemom]

In read somewhere here on the Dis threads that they sell 20,000 tickets per night. Can anyone confirm that this is correct? Thanks. If Sept. 4th is 90% sold, that would mean crowds of 18,000. I was hoping for super low crowds as we were going to consider the MNSSHP as our MK visit and I'm more interested in riding than getting character autographs. Part of the reason I talked my Sis into going is that I read that many of the rides had no waiting. I do hope this is the case, but I'm afraid the Labor day with free dining is gonna draw the crowds.

I haven't been to a sold out party, but I have to been to a couple of pretty crowded Friday night parties. While the walkways could be difficult to navigate, the rides still had very short lines. The parades were crowded, the character meets had long lines, etc. I don't think most people do the attractions during the party. The longest lines were in Fantasyland, especially Dumbo and Peter Pan.

 

[Singinglizzie]

When I called back in June to get my tickets, I was told by the CM on the phone the party was capped @ 25K, and yes seeing its LD weekend I think its going to be busy......

Thanks for the response. I spent about an hour last night trying to google search for an answer to the question on how Disney limits attendance and the only reference I could find was a Rough Guide notation from 2005 that stated Disney limits ticket sales to 20,000. Its annoying (at least to me) that Disney doesn't actually clarify what limited ticket sales is, so that we would know what we are really purchasing? I guess I'd better prepare for the crowds. Its my first MNSSHP (going w/o my kids) and what sold me on the party was the low crowds. There probably will be better dates for low crowds, we just happend to pick a popular night
if 25,000 K is true, and it is true that 9/4 is 90% sold we should expect crowds of 22,500. Still at 22,500 the Unofficial guide to WDW would classify that as a 4 in terms of park attendance, maybe it won't be so bad!

 

[mom2rtk]

I haven't been to a sold out party, but I have to been to a couple of pretty crowded Friday night parties. While the walkways could be difficult to navigate, the rides still had very short lines. The parades were crowded, the character meets had long lines, etc. I don't think most people do the attractions during the party. The longest lines were in Fantasyland, especially Dumbo and Peter Pan.

I was at a sold out Christmas party last December. What we found is that Main Street was insanely busy and hard to navigate. The outer areas were easy to navigate and ride lines were still short.

They only thing I would say is that you should definitely see the last parade. And if you want to see the villains show, go to the last one of those too. If there's something special you want to do (see Mickey or Minnie or Snow White with the dwarfs) be in line prior to the party starting. Those special photo op things stay really busy on a sold out night.

 

[addicted2dizney]

Thanks for the response. I spent about an hour last night trying to google search for an answer to the question on how Disney limits attendance and the only reference I could find was a Rough Guide notation from 2005 that stated Disney limits ticket sales to 20,000. Its annoying (at least to me) that Disney doesn't actually clarify what limited ticket sales is, so that we would know what we are really purchasing? I guess I'd better prepare for the crowds. Its my first MNSSHP (going w/o my kids) and what sold me on the party was the low crowds. There probably will be better dates for low crowds, we just happend to pick a popular night
if 25,000 K is true, and it is true that 9/4 is 90% sold we should expect crowds of 22,500. Still at 22,500 the Unofficial guide to WDW would classify that as a 4 in terms of park attendance, maybe it won't be so bad!

I believe that that "4" is reffering to the normal days crowds for that park. Many guides sites rate the MK very low during the normal business day because so many people don't like to hop from park to park. They may choose another park that day since MK closes at 7 rather than at 9 like a normal day.

However, Keep in mind that everyone that number includes everyone that attends with a ticket. Little one, and older folks. Many will not ride the faster longer lined rides. I'm sure you'll be fine. Take the advice of staying to the very end of the party and you will easily do all you want.

 

[serene56]

if 25,000 K is true, and it is true that 9/4 is 90% sold we should expect crowds of 22,500. Still at 22,500 the Unofficial guide to WDW would classify that as a 4 in terms of park attendance, maybe it won't be so bad!

i think the reason they dont publish numbers is because if someone saw numbers they might not buy tickets. These parties are expensive for a family to attend-- 25,000 people on paper seems to many for me- I'd rather go in blind and not know and be pleasantly surprised when I get there.

They only thing I would say is that you should definitely see the last parade. And if you want to see the villains show, go to the last one of those too. If there's something special you want to do (see Mickey or Minnie or Snow White with the dwarfs) be in line prior to the party starting. Those special photo op things stay really busy on a sold out night.

I would like to get in line for Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs. How far in advance would we get in line-- and is there a marker telling us that that is the line? Do thy meet in the same place each party?

 

[Terk-1]

I was at a sold out Christmas party last December. What we found is that Main Street was insanely busy and hard to navigate. The outer areas were easy to navigate and ride lines were still short.

They only thing I would say is that you should definitely see the last parade. And if you want to see the villains show, go to the last one of those too. If there's something special you want to do (see Mickey or Minnie or Snow White with the dwarfs) be in line prior to the party starting. Those special photo op things stay really busy on a sold out night.

Thanks for your tips. I'm going for the first time on my upcoming trip and do want to see SW & Dwarfs, as well as the villians.

You mentioned lining up ahead of the party starting for SW. Where are they located and is there a sign indicating where to wait for them? Do they come out right at 7pm?

 

[39CINDERELLA]

where can I find info on what days are sold out and/or % filled? TIA~

 

[yolie912]

Just wanted to say ....I hate long lines at rides.......

 

[JDBlair]

I just wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you to those of you who contribute your knowledge to this forum. The benefit of having this knowledge going in to these events is priceless. I want to ensure my family has the best experience we can while at MNSSHP and so I thank you for helping me in planning that.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Years ago, I remember seeing a chart that showed average daily attendance at MK, but I can no longer find it. IIRC, at the busiest time, Christmas week, 70,000 were in the park. Average attendance was something like 40,000, slow times were 20-25,000.

If my memory is correct and they limit MNSSHP tickets to 25,000, it shouldn't be very crowded in the park during the party. On top of that, people will be doing the party-specific stuff, so it makes sense that ride lines would be pretty short.

I hope I'm right!!