MNSSHP - undecided

[FairyGodmotherJen]

We went to the World in 2005 during MNSSHP and opted out of the tickets, mainly because we were spending so much already. Once we got there and saw the extra decorations, and had dinner at Chef Mickey's on a night this was happening in MK and saw all the excited families in their costumes, DH and I looked at each other and wondered why we hadn't done it! When else would our kids get to trick-or-treat at Disney, for pete's sake??? We probably wouldn't be back during this time again.

Well, it turns out we're headed back during free dining this year, and could do it again. But again, I'm looking at the price and wondering if we really need to do this - especially after reading a few trip reports where people weren't as excited about it (mainly felt that they HAD to stay in the parks despite bad weather). We'd be going on the first day of the promotion. DD will be 7, DS #1 would be 4 1/2 (DS #2 would only be five months old, so not as much of a consideration). I just don't know - I know it's a very unique experience, and we'd love to ride things without crowds. But I also don't see us staying out till midnight!! Can anyone help me out? What are the hours (I can find the dates everywhere, but not the hours)? How miserable is it when it's raining (and in Orlando in September, it could very well be!!)? Anyone that's done this before have any advice? Thanks in advance!

 

[mommytoone]

Well, we did this in 06 for the first time. Yes it is expensive, and it did rain for about 15 mins, and it's hot, but the look on my DD face was absolutely priceless, she was 5. We loved every minute. We are actually going again this year. Now there are alot of mixed feelings about this, people love and people don't, I Love it. I agree when do you have a chance to trick-or-treat at Disney? I was just as excited as my DD, and am looking forward to doing it again. All the characters are dressed up and the lines for the rides are not as long, we got right on some. If you deceide to do it, Have a great time. If you deceide against you will still have a great time, your in DISNEY.

 

[mjhd]

The kids LOVED it 2 years ago when we went. There are lots of unique characters out, you can easily ride the rides, you get lots of yummy candy, the parade was magnificent. I got teary eyed I loved it so much. The kids really enjoyed it too but we did not attend last year since we were a couple weeks too early and the kids have decided not to this year. I am really disappointed but understand they would rather save their money. I think you should go though - a very unique opportunity.

 

[twinspluscade]

We went this past September, and were disappointed. It was neat getting to T and T in the park--but other than that, I didn't think it was much different than a regular evening in the parks. The decorations were kind of cool, but they were up already at 4 pm when we entered....in other words, you can see them without having to buy a party ticket. And really the blow-up decorations are the only ones they don't have up during the day.

One thing I had heard raved about on here was the Alice and Wonderland treat path. I suppose it is neat, providing it isn't mobbed by dozens and dozens of people like it was when we went. The only character I saw on it was Alice...found out when we got home there were a few other characters on it as well, but it was so crowded we hadn't spotted them. . We went shortly after the party started too, so it's not like this was later when things really get packed.

Dance parties would be fun if you have kids that will dance in public. Mine won't. . We stood and watched for about five minutes and moved onto the next thing.

And as for it being less crowded...the party was almost as crowded as Saturday afternoon the next day. So I wouldn't buy tickets based on it maybe being low crowds; at least not in September (low crowd time anyway).

 

[GoofyFairie]

I have never been to these seperate ticket events- it is too expensive for me and I know I can't keep my kids out late enough to get my money's worth. I thought I read somewhere on here that you could T or T at DTD for free. Maybe that is only on Halloween?

 

[Fingerpaints]

We went last Sept and LOVED it! I mean loved it.

We found it less crowed. We walked right onto rides. The characters were awesome. The parade and fireworks were so cool.

My kids are still singing the parade song randomly almost a year later. When we booked our trip this year we knew we would do the Halloween party again. This time dh and I are dressing up too. We think it is well worth the extra cost.

 

[o2bacelt]

We think it's worth every penny, we've done MNSSHP twice, MVMCP once and just came back having done the P&PP.

DD loves the dance parties, the extra characters, the treats, I love the parades and fireworks, each one has something special. The Halloween party has the headless horseman come down first (providing it didn't rain too hard.)

My one suggestion is to do the special events that the party has and not push the rides unless you're just there for rides. We do the characters because they are all dressed differently for example Mickey and Minnie are in Halloween costumes during MNSSHP. The parade and fireworks, I think they are fabulous, if you can the parade is usually offered twice a night, skip the first parade, then go watch the fireworks and then do the second parade, often after the second parade the park really thins out.

The extra shows are cute, there is one in the castle forecourt with the villians at Halloween, and then even if your kids aren't big dancers, stop by the dance parties, my DD decided to dance once the mice from Cinderella stopped by at the dance party.

We had a great time trick-or-treating, it's the only place a grown up can go without getting looked at strangely.

Go and have a good time!

 

[hmdavid]

We did the P&PP in March and I felt the same way. We were on the fence until the day of the party when we finally bought our tickets. It rained the entire night, but it was the highlight of our trip! we even stayed until midnight and it was magical walking past the castle with no one else on the bridge, watching our little girls dancing to the party music!

I have not yet done MNSSHP, but we are doing it in September with DH'S family. I can't wait!!! Hope you have a wonderful time if you decide to go!

 

[buckeyebill1995]

We went last Sept and LOVED it! I mean loved it.

We found it less crowed. We walked right onto rides. The characters were awesome. The parade and fireworks were so cool.

My kids are still singing the parade song randomly almost a year later. When we booked our trip this year we knew we would do the Halloween party again. This time dh and I are dressing up too. We think it is well worth the extra cost.

Us too! ....as I am singing "Boo to you and you and you and you" in my head... Definitely not to be missed!

 

[Fingerpaints]

I wanted to add that we use the MNNSHP ticket as one of our park tickets. We only get 5 day passes, but have 6 park days because of it. So it's doesn't seem all that bad of a deal for us. We just hang out at the resort until the party starts at 4pm and then head over to start our MK day.

 

[iheartdisney]

I'm undecided too. I was really excited to go during free dining, as we go to Mickey's Halloween Treat the last 3 years when we were in Cali and the kids LOVED it. I'm back on the fence, however, given
A. The price of tickets is DOUBLE what MHT tickes at DCA are.
B. We'll be there the first week of September...a little early for Halloween.
C. We'll be pulling my kids out of school (K and preK) so I'm assuming they'll be on an early bedtime schedule by then.

So we are playing it by ear. I've heard that the tickets won't sell out too early, I am probably going to wait. If the tickets are still avalible, we'll give it a go. If not, it wasn't meant to be! LOL!

 

[Jenvenza]

We wanted to do it, but our DD is only going to be 13 months when we go this time, so we figured we would wait until our next Disney trip when she is 3. I think she will be able to enjoy it more.

 

[thymed]

We went two years ago while on vacation and had so much fun we went a second night before we left. This year we are going on a cruise and I picked it for the end of September so that when we get off the Magic we can spend a few days in the park and attend MNSSHP!!!
It is our favorite party they ever had we love the villains and I must say yes it is the same park but the music is new, the parade is new, the fireworks are new there are tons of people in costumes, the atmosphere is different, the rides are pretty much walk on, they have all kinds of fun events, free face painting, candy by the bucket loads and you get to party with the Villains!!!!

Call me crazy but I wouldn't miss it!!!

I hope you go and have a wonderful time!

 

[mommy2lt]

I too can't get that song out of my head, it's so catchy !!! We went last year for the first time and had a BLAST !!! For me it was the highlight of our vacation !! We are going back this year on October 21 and let me tell you I am counting the days !!

me (27)

DH (30)

DS (3)

 

[drinkme]

I went last year with my 2 kids (7 & 8). We loved it! We didn't focus on rides (though we did ride 1 or 2 of them). We trick-or-treated, watched the fireworks & parade, and visited the characters.

I ended up dropping our park hopping and that paid for our party tix.

We said we would do it again.

HTH

 

[DISNEYFOS]

We went last year on Oct 30th and the kids loved it. My daughter keeps asking if we are going back this year so she can see the parade again. We arrived early, walked on a whole bunch of rides..stayed for the parade...met a lot of characters that you don't see and did some trick or treating We left at the fireworks.

I was also pouring rain at times. We had a huge umbrella and our double stroller had a rain cover so they could go "in the tent".

I thought it was well worth the money...We are going again this year.

 

[gottagodisney]

Ok. so all of you that have gone in the past (in particular, Sept.)-


Did you wait to buy tickets at the resorts (taking into consideration what the weather would be like)or did you get them in advance?

 

[VanessasMom]

I've thought about it too. We didn't do it last year when dd was 3.5 years old and I don't think we will be doing it this year when she is 4.5 either. Last year she was zonked out by 9:00 every night. I don't think we will get our money's worth on this one yet. Maybe in a couple years when she can fully enjoy it and stay up for it. I'm not putting out $125 for 2 hours of fun. We can buy alot of candy for that! It also makes me think if I would rather stay an extra day at Disney instead of paying the $$ for a party while we're there. My dd doesn't even know about it and doesn't ask. Everytime we go I like to show her something new and that will be something she gets to do when she is around 6. This year we are doing character meals for the first time.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you will have a blast. It's Disney, how couldn't you?

 

[Fingerpaints]

Ok. so all of you that have gone in the past (in particular, Sept.)-


Did you wait to buy tickets at the resorts (taking into consideration what the weather would be like)or did you get them in advance?

We went last year in Sept and will be going this year in Sept and we bought tickets ahead of time. I didn't really worry about the weather. We are pretty easy going people and figured if it rained we would just roll with it. Last year we prepaid and picked them up there, but this year we had them mailed to us.

 

[DVCsince02]

Simple answer... You are always going to wonder until you try it, so go and have fun.
HalloWishes is awesome (fireworks). The parade is cool too. You will also come home with a ton of candy.
Go dress up and enjoy!