MNSSHP - Will I regret not doing it?

[vindwyn]

We are taking our kids (8, 5, 2) in October. The party tickets are pretty pricey, and this will be the first time that the kids have been at WDW. My husband and I feel pretty sure that we aren't going to do the party, but do you think I'll regret this? The kids scare pretty easily. I just don't want to miss out on magical memories!

 

[StacyStrong]

It isn't scary at all, but I don't think you'll be missing out if this is your kids first trip to WDW - especially with kids that young. You don't know how long they will make it into the night.

There will be plenty of experiences for you all to enjoy as first timers. They won't miss it so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[nkereina]

Its called Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party, so there is nothing that they should get scared over.

My SIL and BIL took niece and nephew to the party on their first trip last year as a splurge, and it was their favorite thing they did. They're doing the Christmas party this year. They loved it.

But that said, DH and I have done the party twice and don't feel the need to go back. We are skipping it this year. if you've never been, you don't know what you're missing so you shouldn't have any regrets. There's a lot to see and do other than the party that will keep you busy. If its not in the budget, don't stress about missing it.

 

[mco65]

its not scary at all.. its really a just a candy grab with fewer folks in the park. Fewer folks might make it worth while for 5 hours. We have done it once, was not super impressed but not disappointed either. I seem to recall the cost then was closer to $50 and now its closer to $100. oouch. We had planned on Rope Dropping MK the morning of the party (EMH).. and leaving at 6pm when the park closes for everyone but the party goers... Having 2nd thoughts now about Rope Dropping MK that morning and instead, simply relaxing all day and going to the party at 6 and using our park tix on either our arrival day or departure day, or perhaps arriving a day earlier or leaving a day later... either way, its more money..

 

[nkereina]

its really a just a candy grab with fewer folks in the park. Fewer folks might make it worth while for 5 hours.

That's not really true anymore. Recent reports are that they are selling more tickets than ever, and some of the first parties have had wait times greater than those during the normal park hours. Lately, the true benefits of the parties are being able to go to MK in costume, trick-or-treating, unique character meets and shows, and the special parade and fireworks. No longer having the low crowds and wait times makes it not worthwhile for us anymore.

 

[KittyKitty]

There will be so many things your children will want to do on their 1st trip, they will not miss this. I usually suggest the 1st trip to not do all the extra($$) activities. There is enough without them for everyone to get tired!

 

[nacho113]

We are taking our kids (8, 5, 2) in October. The party tickets are pretty pricey, and this will be the first time that the kids have been at WDW. My husband and I feel pretty sure that we aren't going to do the party, but do you think I'll regret this? The kids scare pretty easily. I just don't want to miss out on magical memories!

For the kids first visit, we'd just focus on enjoying the parks. There is so much to do and see already. Save the party for a future visit.

 

[YesterDark]

Like others said, not scary.

If it's your first time and in your budget. Do it. I also suggest, because of the cost, do it on a day you're not going to a park and just do the party in the evening.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I don't think you'll miss it at all. We go to Disney in September annually and this was the first time in 8 years that we went to the party. While we enjoyed it, after experiencing it I don't regret the other years that we chose not to go.

We have done the Christmas party in the past (when we were in the Orlando area but not doing any other park days) and enjoyed it but again, I would not choose to add it to a normal Disney trip due to the additional cost. We are going to Disney for a week this December and I am not adding the party purely because of the additional cost.

With 2 of your children being 5 and 2 you would also probably want to be okay with spending the money for the 5yo (2yo would be free) to go and possibly sleep through the party.

 

[BebopBaloo]

I think it's perfectly fine to skip it. The party is pricey and can be extremely busy. The waits for rare characters can be hour(s) long and the ride wait times aren't as low anymore either. The trick or treating part is a lot of fun, but the candy is the same candy you can get anywhere outside of Disney. We did it once a couple years ago and while we had a lot of fun, we opted not to do it this year even though we had the opportunity. It just wasn't worth the price tag in our opinion. There's so much to do and see at Disney without paying for any of the extra events. You could spend two weeks there and not do everything. Main Street is still decorated for Halloween all day every day (Mickey Pumpkins!) and your kids can come dressed up to the parks any day of the week. If you have parkhoppers Magic Kingdom may be less busy on a party day before the party starts, so I recommend hanging out there until about 2pm and then hopping to another park.
Have a great trip!

 

[mco65]

That's not really true anymore. Recent reports are that they are selling more tickets than ever, and some of the first parties have had wait times greater than those during the normal park hours. Lately, the true benefits of the parties are being able to go to MK in costume, trick-or-treating, unique character meets and shows, and the special parade and fireworks. No longer having the low crowds and wait times makes it not worthwhile for us anymore.

I was worried about that..

 

[vindwyn]

Good. All these responses make me feel better. Plus, I don’t think our kids would make it to midnight for us to get the most bang for our buck.

 

[gharter]

If this is the kids first time there, they will have enough other things to do, they won't miss the party. If you are at another park the nights of the party, they may not even know its going on.
With kids that young, the praty goes late, making the next morning mre difficult for kids to get up if you have a full day planned.
Let the kids enjoy the parks and not worry about the extras. As they come back more, you can start adding the extras.

 

[scrappinginontario]

That's not really true anymore. Recent reports are that they are selling more tickets than ever, and some of the first parties have had wait times greater than those during the normal park hours. Lately, the true benefits of the parties are being able to go to MK in costume, trick-or-treating, unique character meets and shows, and the special parade and fireworks. No longer having the low crowds and wait times makes it not worthwhile for us anymore.

With the exception of the very first party, I'm not sure this is true.

We were at the third party (8/28) and the rides were almost all walk-ons with the exception of 7 Dwarfs which we chose to do immediately after the rain stopped at 7pm, in case it started again and the ride was closed. Space Mtn was 13 mins from the moment we entered the queue until we got on the ride. Tea Cups we waited 2 rides and then were on. Aside from this our waits for Buzz, Under the Sea, Big Thunder, Pooh, People Mover, Splash were all walk-ons.

Reports from Monday night's party were that wait times were even less than ours.

Yes, the waits for characters can be crazy long (talked to someone who chose to wait 3+ hours for Jack and Sally) but the longer waits are not for rides.

 

[matheke]

You can head over to Fort Wilderness for a wagon ride. The second one of the night leaves around 8:30 so it could be darker by then.

You can also see what activities there are around your resort, if you are staying on-site.

 

[gharter]

With the exception of the very first party, I'm not sure this is true.

We were at the third party (8/28) and the rides were almost all walk-ons with the exception of 7 Dwarfs which we chose to do immediately after the rain stopped at 7pm, in case it started again and the ride was closed. Space Mtn was 13 mins from the moment we entered the queue until we got on the ride. Tea Cups we waited 2 rides and then were on. Aside from this our waits for Buzz, Under the Sea, Big Thunder, Pooh, People Mover, Splash were all walk-ons.

Reports from Monday night's party were that wait times were even less than ours.

Yes, the waits for characters can be crazy long (talked to someone who chose to wait 3+ hours for Jack and Sally) but the longer waits are not for rides.

It must vary by the night. We went last year and wait times for rides were worse than during the day. We went mid-October on a Thursday night.
The parade, show and fireworks were great. The lines for characters were 30 minutes plus (2 hours + for Jack and Sally and the 7 Dwarfs) and ride wait times ridiculous.

 

[nkereina]

With the exception of the very first party, I'm not sure this is true.

We were at the third party (8/28) and the rides were almost all walk-ons with the exception of 7 Dwarfs which we chose to do immediately after the rain stopped at 7pm, in case it started again and the ride was closed. Space Mtn was 13 mins from the moment we entered the queue until we got on the ride. Tea Cups we waited 2 rides and then were on. Aside from this our waits for Buzz, Under the Sea, Big Thunder, Pooh, People Mover, Splash were all walk-ons.

Reports from Monday night's party were that wait times were even less than ours.

Yes, the waits for characters can be crazy long (talked to someone who chose to wait 3+ hours for Jack and Sally) but the longer waits are not for rides.

To be fair, this time of year is generally low crowds. I think these parties you reference are exceptions, and it will only get worse from here as crowds ramp up and we get closer to Halloween. My statement was also based off podcast reviews, of which the reviewers attended the first two parties, as well as my own experience last year where wait times were the same as during the day, which was disappointing. I don't think a blanket statement of "low wait times" is accurate with regards to the parties anymore. Its just not reliable.

 

[Lanie]

We are going in December, and the way I decided we were going to the Chrismas party is because we want to experience as much Christmas-y stuff as possible as we are unlikely to go back at this time of year... So while I love MNSSHP, I suggest you ask yourself if you are likely to go back during this time of year. If you are, skip it and see if you can swing it another time.

 

[OhhBother]

I can't imagine being there during the fall and not going to MNSSHP. I think it's one of the most magical things Disney does all year. What kids wouldn't love getting to wear costumes and trick or treat at Disney? It's magical even for adults. I guess I'm in the minority of people responding on this thread, but I do think you'll regret it if you don't go. Every kid we've ever taken -- nieces, nephews, etc. -- have LOVED it. Like it was the highlight of their trip.

 

[Nancyg56]

We are taking our kids (8, 5, 2) in October. The party tickets are pretty pricey, and this will be the first time that the kids have been at WDW. My husband and I feel pretty sure that we aren't going to do the party, but do you think I'll regret this? The kids scare pretty easily. I just don't want to miss out on magical memories!

AS others have said, this is not a scary party.

We do not recommend parties on a first visit. There is already so much to see and do, I think it just adds expense and maybe anxiety to what may already be a stressful and overwhelming vacation. You could set up shop one party night somewhere on the monorail line or at the Ticket and Transportation center and watch Hallowishes. This is what we do when we have newbies with us. I generally schedule dinner at CG or Narcoossees, however you do not need to do so. You could sit by the Marina at the Grand Floridian, wander to the beach at the Poly, or from what I understand get the best effect at the TT&C. I guess they pipe the music in.