MNSSHP WITH A 3yr old?!

[KGrogan2018]

My family and I are going to Disney in September. We’re only stay a few nights. The day we’re doing MK mickeys Halloween party is going on. I’m hesitant Bc my youngest will be just turning 3. Has anyone taken small children? If so how was it?! We’re they able to last?

 

[CMNJ]

We took our 3.5 year old a few years ago. However we were staying at the Poly so we went to MK for the morning then returned to the room for a long nap prior to returning for the party. He made it until just after 11 (saw the 2nd time the Headless horseman rose last Main Street but not the 2nd parade). We felt it was worth it but you know your kids best and what they can handle. I definitely wouldn’t suggest trying to stay all day and do the party with one that little.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I waited until my DS was 9 to take him. Even then, he only made it through the fireworks. The party is fun, but you would probably get more out of MK (in terms of rides and attractions) by just going during the day time.

 

[KGrogan2018]

We took our 3.5 year old a few years ago. However we were staying at the Poly so we went to MK for the morning then returned to the room for a long nap prior to returning for the party. He made it until just after 11 (saw the 2nd time the Headless horseman rose last Main Street but not the 2nd parade). We felt it was worth it but you know your kids best and what they can handle. I definitely wouldn’t suggest trying to stay all day and do the party with one that little.

Thank you!

 

[KGrogan2018]

I waited until my DS was 9 to take him. Even then, he only made it through the fireworks. The party is fun, but you would probably get more out of MK (in terms of rides and attractions) by just going during the day time.

Thank you!

 

[IceQueen182]

We did MVMCP with a 2.5 year old. We did a few rides from 4-6, ate dinner, saw the first stage show, and he was DONE! It was an expensive few hours. We may try again this year but I might not buy park tickets that day, rest, and use the party ticket as our "park ticket" for as much as we get out of the evening.

 

[disneyvoice]

Took my son at ages 2 and 3. He loved it both times!! We had no plans to stay until midnight since he was so young. He had a great time meeting characters and getting candy (even though he really didn't eat candy) and dancing in the dance area with characters. I do think we stayed for the fireworks and then left shortly after.

 

[KGrogan2018]

Took my son at ages 2 and 3. He loved it both times!! We had no plans to stay until midnight since he was so young. He had a great time meeting characters and getting candy (even though he really didn't eat candy) and dancing in the dance area with characters. I do think we stayed for the fireworks and then left shortly after.

Did you do the parks during the day that day?

 

[GillianP1301]

I think as long as you are you okay with not staying until midnight then a child that young can certainly really enjoy the party. I'm sure there are exceptions, but for the most part young kids (5 and under roughly?) can't really be pulled that far off of their normal sleep pattern. Even if you managed to make it through the late night, you'd likely completely throw them off for the next day or so.

I first took my son to the party at age 8 and he surprised me by making it through the whole thing that the next year we did it twice! I always plan a slower paced/later wake up morning the next day. I know with him specifically, there is no way at younger than 8 he would've lasted.

 

[JK World]

Took my just-turned-3 year old to MVMCP last year. We did AK from open until about 1pm, went back to the room for a nap and change of clothes (hot day, chilly evening), and did the party from 5-11pm. Was shocked that he lasted that long, even with a good nap, but he had a great time.

Trying to decide about MNSSHP for our October trip, but at over $200 for the 2 of us I'm leaning toward spending that money on other experiences like the Festival of Fantasy lunch and HEA dessert party so we can enjoy ourselves and not waste time staking out spots to view these things. We're already doing 5 straight park days, so I think adding the party wouldn't be worth is for us this time around...

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Took my DD last year when she was just a few months past her 3rd birthday. I had no intent on staying late and was totally fine going with the flow / her schedule - I think that mindset has a lot to do with success or failure.

We made it until 11ish (WAY longer than I expected).

Granted I’m a total homer for MNSSHP, but no regrets at all and would definitely do it again.

 

[lillyshula]

When my two oldest daughters were two and three we attended MNSSHP and they loved it. We are more like theme park commandos. We have never taken breaks back at the hotel midday and love to rope drop and stay until park closing (or close to it). We packed up the strollers with a few snacks, sippy cups, light blankets, and their costumes. We were able to ride some rides, meet characters, trick or treat, and watch both the parade and fireworks show. They were troopers and loved every moment of the party. When they were tired during the day, they would sleep in the strollers and we would continue. They held out until we were making our way out of the park. It was totally worth it for our family. We have great pictures and memories from the party and wouldn't hesitate to attend again even with younger kids.

 

[Tk0021]

It depends on your child. We took our 4 year DD last year and she is not easily frightened but my 6 year old DD was a little scared of the parade with the glowing skeletons and the grave diggers. It was our arrival day so we did not got the park during the day. We swam at the hotel and took it easy and got to MK at 4:00

 

[ArielSRL]

We are doing it with our 4 and 6 yr old this year but we aren't doing anything park-wise the morning of. We will sleep in and hit the pool before heading to the party.

 

[TJA]

We took our kids to MNSSHP lots of times when they were under age 4 and loved every single trip!! We have twins, for reference. I'd pack their PJ's (which actually looked like princess dresses) and when they were at the point of very tired, I'd change them into the PJ's and they'd relax in the jogger while we strolled around and enjoyed the festivities some more. Sometimes they'd get a 2nd wind and want to do a few rides, etc. Other times they'd fall asleep and DH and I would enjoy some snacks and just being at the party. Either way, those parties made some great memories for us. Enjoy!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We are doing it with our 4 and 6 yr old this year but we aren't doing anything park-wise the morning of. We will sleep in and hit the pool before heading to the party.

Lol... FWIW, that “sleep in and spend time at the pool” strategy has backfired on MNSSHP day before for me. My DS just cannot “relax” by the pool... he’s on the slide, swimming, burning through all his energy, etc. Last time we did this, I watched our chances of making it to midnight slowly slip away with each passing trip down the slide.

 

[coast2coastmickey]

I think it depends on the kid.

Our kid is able to nap with chaos around her, so we just strap her into the stroller, recline her seat back, and she passes out, as long as we stay away from startling loud noises like Parades/Fireworks. Doesn't matter if we're moving or if we pull off into a shaded are.

Even then though, she likes an early bed time. We skipped MNSSHP last year for that reason. It stinks because the characters have been the thing she gets most excited about, and there are a ton there on party nights.

 

[Quellman]

Our 4 year old didn't make it to fireworks this year, but did make it through the parade. This was a non-park day for us. Still had fun, but we knew it was going to happen. So we did adult stuff after, watching shows, shopping, etc. We go at least once a year and this wasn't our 4 year olds first trip, so we didn't think we were missing anything by our more casual approach to the parks. But I know not all are like that.

 

[ArielSRL]

Lol... FWIW, that “sleep in and spend time at the pool” strategy has backfired on MNSSHP day before for me. My DS just cannot “relax” by the pool... he’s on the slide, swimming, burning through all his energy, etc. Last time we did this, I watched our chances of making it to midnight slowly slip away with each passing trip down the slide.

The good thing is that I keep my kids up late on the weekends...lol. We are night owls any time we can be...so I'm crossing my fingers. Also, we are driving down after work on Wednesday and we may wait for traffic to pass so it could very well be 7pm before we take off. So we will definitely try to sleep in most of the morning if possible. But I am fully prepared that they don't make it to midnight....double stroller for the win! HAHA.

 

[ktlm]

It really depends on your child. I had a high energy night owl toddler. In the pre-school years we did MVMCP when she was 2, 3, and 4. At age 3 and 4, we went to more than one MVMCP. She always loved them and did great. At age 2, we wound up going to the late parade due to crowds at the earlier one, and she fell asleep waiting, woke up for the parade and loved it, and immediately after the parade ended went to sleep in her stroller- we weren't even out the park gate yet and we were at the front of the park. At age 3, near the end of the night, she rode Barnstormer 14 times in a row without getting off because there was no line-- I gave up after 11 times, and DH couldn't take it again after 14. It was 11:30 so we decided it was time to call it a night and she was NOT at all pleased. She was not done, wanted to ride it again, wanted to do something else if not that, and did NOT want to leave the park. She definitely had more energy than we did that night. We always went to a park that day before the party also. We either went to AK, went back to the room for an hour or so and changed and headed to MK, or we just started at MK that morning and never left. MK is typically lower crowds on party days so it is nice.

As far as MNSSHP-- we did not switch and start taking DD to that one until she was 7. I thought the parade and headless horseman and villains might scare her. She was pretty sensitive to some of that stuff as a toddler. You can always watch the parade online and see what you think. We prefer MNSSP to MVMCP- it is a really fun party and not really scary.