MNSSHP-what to do?

[brandi~momof3]

I told dh the Halloween party is scheduled for one of the days during our trip. We will only be there for 3 nights and have 3 days base tickets (we have a long drive home and will not be going to a park on check out day).
Well he really wants to go to MNSSHP and take the kids. We have planned to spend that day in Epcot. We have a 4:40pm dinner ressie at Coral Reef.
So.....if we decide to go to MNSSHP should we just keep our plans and head over to MK after our dinner? Switch our days and spend the whole day in MK? Keep the days the same and get an earlier ressie at Coral Reef? IDK what to do, help, lol

 

[kieras nana]

i would switch days & spend the whole day in MK.it is gonna be a long day,no matter which way,you choose to do it.
i think it would be better to have a long leisurely day,than a day where you maybe rushing epcot,to get to MK.
the reason i think,you could do MK,more leisurely,is because in 06,when we were there,we had breakfast at CRT,on the 31st & stayed all day.in the afternoon,most rides were walk ons,so you had more time,to do them all, as you weren't wasting times in queues.it was quite relaxing & it was nice to take our time,obviously things changed,when the party got in full swing.we rode all the rides,during the day & did all the party things at night.it was a long,but fantastic day!!!!
also you would be missing illuminations at epcot.
also the day you have chosen to do MK,maybe a MNSSHP night,so you will be required to leave early,so you miss out there as well.
tracy

 

[lugnut33]

We went to the MNSSHP last year and if I was doing it again this year, I would plan nothing during the day, except maybe swimming and messing around because the 5 hours you'll get at the MK will be more than enough to ride a ton of rides, as long as you can stay there until midnight. We went on a night were it was sold out and the crowds were still very manageable, especially after 10 pm. You will definitely want to dress up in costume. I went as Friar Tuck, DW went as Minnie, DD went as Minnie, and DD went as Belle (She got the princess makeover that morning at Bippity Boppity Boutique, which I highly recommend).

 

[brandi~momof3]

We went to the MNSSHP last year and if I was doing it again this year, I would plan nothing during the day, except maybe swimming and messing around because the 5 hours you'll get at the MK will be more than enough to ride a ton of rides, as long as you can stay there until midnight. We went on a night were it was sold out and the crowds were still very manageable, especially after 10 pm. You will definitely want to dress up in costume. I went as Friar Tuck, DW went as Minnie, DD went as Minnie, and DD went as Belle (She got the princess makeover that morning at Bippity Boppity Boutique, which I highly recommend).

I would do that if we were staying for a week, but we only are there for a few days......IDK maybe we will just skip it.

 

[mom2girlsn1boy]

Just my opinion I would just keep your day as planned and go to MNSSHP after your ressie, but I guess it really depends on how you and your children will handle it all.

 

[mamazaz]

If I can interject?? What goes on at the MNSSHP??? We've done MVMCP 2 times and are going to a P&PP in a couple of weeks.

I think it would be fun to take the kids dressed up, but what activities are there? What goes on??

Thanks.

 

[disneymyway]

I like to hop, so I always save the Magic Kingdom for the party. We do other stuff during the day, have dinner at the California Grill, and then go to a EMHs or a party if there is one.

Each to his own, but we like it this way.

 

[disneymyway]

If I can interject?? What goes on at the MNSSHP??? We've done MVMCP 2 times and are going to a P&PP in a couple of weeks.

I think it would be fun to take the kids dressed up, but what activities are there? What goes on??

Thanks.

It's really fun! There is trick or treating and a great parade! The costumes the guests wear are AMAZING!

 

[missj1975]

WWID? I would keep the original plans of spending the day at Epcot and going to the party after dinner.

I have done a party where I spent the whole day at Magic Kingdom 8am to 12. I was very bored and tired of Magic Kingdom by the time the party came around. The party didn't seem that special since I was at Magic Kingdom the whole day. Magic Kingdom seemed less crowded the day of the party so I had no problem riding all the rides numerous times.

I have also attended a party where I spent the morning at Animal Kingdom and then went to Magic Kingdom at 5pm for dinner and then to the party. I found that party more enjoyable and it seemed more special. I still had a full day but it didn't seem as long since I broke it up between two parks.

 

[DisFlan]

If you're staying onsite, you might want to go to Epcot then back to the room for a rest in the afternoon. The way you have it planned makes for very long day for small kids (I notice you have a 3 yo). MNSSHP goes until midnight. Even with a nap, our nieces, 6 & 4, were out cold in the stroller by about 10:30 pm. But your mileage may vary. I have to agree with the poster who said that all day, plus the party, at the MK can lead to MK overload.

Have you considered getting a dinner reservation that night closer to the MK? Like Chef Mickey's or 'Ohana? 'Ohana is a short boat ride to the MK and Chef Mickey's is only a short walk from the Contemporary to the MK. Any of the other restaurants at the Grand Floridian, Poly or Contemporary would work, as well. This way, if you do take a rest, you wouldn't have to go back to Epcot, then to the MK. MNSSHP is a hard ticket event - you don't need to use a regular park ticket to get in. If you have hoppers, switching parks isn't an issue, but this plan will save time and energy.

And if your kids do wear costumes, you might think about taking a change into regular clothes. The Princess costumes got to be scratchy and uncomfortable for my nieces by about 8 pm. They wanted to change and were glad they could.

I hope you do go. We've been to the MNSSHP twice and had a blast both times. It's well worth the time and money.


DisFlan

 

[lugnut33]

Last year at the Not So Scary, we had out picture taken with Tarzan and Jane!

 

[beattyfamily]

Personally, I would cancel Coral Reef and eat inside MK.

With that ADR I would think you won't get to MNSSHP probably till 7:00p. I'd rather be in the park before it starts at 7:00p.

 

[DisFlan]

Personally, I would cancel Coral Reef and eat inside MK.

With that ADR I would think you won't get to MNSSHP probably till 7:00p. I'd rather be in the park before it starts at 7:00p.

Good suggestion! That's what we did last year with small kids, and I'm glad we did. We got to the park about 3:30-4:00 and had a 6pm ADR at Liberty Tree Tavern. The kids loved it. I was unsure if the OP is going to have hoppers and didn't want her to possibly have to use an extra day of tickets. How early can you get in with just the MNSSHP tickets?

DisFlan

 

[beattyfamily]

Good suggestion! That's what we did last year with small kids, and I'm glad we did. We got to the park about 3:30-4:00 and had a 6pm ADR at Liberty Tree Tavern. The kids loved it. I was unsure if the OP is going to have hoppers and didn't want her to possibly have use an extra day of tickets. How early can you get in with just the MNSSHP tickets?

DisFlan

Starting at 4:00p you can get in with just your party ticket.

 

[elg_s]

Starting at 4:00p you can get in with just your party ticket.

I thought I remember hearing that in the past as well, but when I called today and asked, I was told that you can't get in until 7pm. Can anyone verify?

thanks!

 

[beattyfamily]

I thought I remember hearing that in the past as well, but when I called today and asked, I was told that you can't get in until 7pm. Can anyone verify?

thanks!

It has been the case for several years (since 2001) and is the case right now for the Pirate and Princess parties going on. It is so not everyone attending the party enters right at 7:00p. It would be completely insane and take guests forever to enter the park.

It is, however, an unwritten and unofficial perk for party goers and many CMs on the phone do not know about it.

I can (just about) guarantee you that they will do it again this year for MNSSHP and MVMCP.

 

[elg_s]

Awesome! I will plan on it and keep my fingers crossed!! I am so excited! We are going in October for the 3rd time in as many yrs, but this will be the first time we are going to do the MNSSHP! I can't wait. Thanks for the info!

 

[DIZBOUND]

Good suggestion! That's what we did last year with small kids, and I'm glad we did. We got to the park about 3:30-4:00 and had a 6pm ADR at Liberty Tree Tavern. The kids loved it. I was unsure if the OP is going to have hoppers and didn't want her to possibly have to use an extra day of tickets. How early can you get in with just the MNSSHP tickets?

DisFlan

Were the characters dressed up at Literty Tree? Tyring to decide where and when to eat on the 31st before the party this year.

ANyone know what the crowds are like there at the party on the actual day of Halloween?

 

[beattyfamily]

Were the characters dressed up at Literty Tree? Tyring to decide where and when to eat on the 31st before the party this year.

ANyone know what the crowds are like there at the party on the actual day of Halloween?

The characters wear Halloween eye masks and Pluto wears a pumpkin on his head. Sometimes Goofy wears a Happy Halloween apron.

Halloween night always sells out as do a few other nights. It will be crowded but manageable. The worst crowds are on Main Street and character meet and greets.

 

[dizzy203]

Oh don't miss the party! We've gone the past 2 years and stayed until midnight both times. The costumes the guests wear are amazing. I'm not that creative so seeing what other people think of always astonishes me! We saw the whole Flintstone family in 2006. (My husband would never wear the over one shoulder spotted outfit that guy had on and I hope he had shorts on underneath !) The parade is awesome and you'll be singing Boo To You for days. The lines aren't long at all and I think all the candy that we got put my suitcase over the 50lb weight limit when I checked in at the airport the next day.

We don't do anything the day we go to MNSSHP but if I had to go to a park I would go to Epcot. As the pp said, I think I would get bored in the same park all day and all night.