MNSSHP--worth it for us? Thoughts?

[twinspluscade]

We'll be in WDW September 8-16. Originally I had planned on getting us tickets to the Halloween party on the 14th (which is when it's rumored to be). However I'm now re-thinking it and debating whether or not it would be worth it for us to go.

It will be Me, Dh, twin DD's who will have just turned 5, and DS who will be 3.5 years old. Tickets for the 5 of us will be $174.42 (including tax)**I believe this is based on 2006 rates though so it's possible cost could go up.**

The reasons I'm now re-thinking going:

** The kids are always up early every morning (even on vacation) and thus ready for bed early at night. Current bedtime at home is 7:30. Obviously we'll be up later at WDW, but I don't think any of them could make it past 11:00, and my son probably even earlier. When we went to WDW last Sept, I think the latest they were awake was 10:00 (and they were quite grumpy by that point). Add travel time to POR that means quite possibly leaving the party by 10:00 or 10:30. Would it be worth it to get tickets for those 3 hours?
(I should also add although I'm planning on having a long rest the afternoon of the party, I doubt they'd actually nap--they didn't even once on our trip last year).

**One of my twins last summer was scared of fireworks, so we never went to any at WDW (our trial run at our local 4th of July fireworks was kind of a disaster). I'm hoping she'll have outgrown it by this summer--and we'll be bringing earplugs just in case--but theres always the chance we won't be able to see the fireworks this year either. Again, not sure the $174.42 would be worth it if we're skipping the fireworks too (I suppose we'd have to go on rides or something during the show).

**We already have lots of time scheduled at Magic Kingdom during the begining of our trip. In other words, we wouldn't have the need to ride the rides during the party.

On the other hand, I know the kids would love getting the candy and meeting the rare characters. Plus the parade looks awesome. Just not sure if we should spend the money for a parade and some candy ?

What would you guys do in my situation? Buy the tickets, or finding something else to do that night?

Kelly

 

[bgirl29]

I do not know how to answer your question that is a tough decision, but I wanted to give you a couple more things to think about. You are able to get in earlier than the hours of the party, I believe it is ususally 4:00, so that is a few more hours of park time.

Also the fireworks last year were shot up from many different locations, so I am thinking any of the rides in Fantasyland would not be ones to ride if you are trying to avoid the fireworks. Hopefully your little one will out grow her fear of fireworks by then. My oldest daughter used to be terrified of them also. Do you think it would work to step inside one of the stores and watch them from underneath the roof overhang? or would that still be too close for comfort? Also I think my kids were better with the disney fireworks than the 4th of July ones at home with the music and everything I think they are more interested in the whole show.

Good luck deciding!

 

[Enchanted]

Also the fireworks last year were shot up from many different locations, so I am thinking any of the rides in Fantasyland would not be ones to ride if you are trying to avoid the fireworks.

Last year, when the fireworks first started to go off, we were near Haunted Mansion and Liberty Tree Tavern and it was LOUD. I'm not usually nervous about fireworks, but I was squealing like a total geek every time there was a loud BANG overhead. Hee! They didn't seem nearly as loud if you watched the fireworks from the front of the castle though.

Personally, my family LOVES MNSSHP, but admittedly, the youngest person in our party just turned fourteen, so we don't have issues with early bedtimes and such. Last year we stayed until closing and even past that as we stayed on Main Street and waited for the bus and monorail lines to die down, and we were still jazzed when we got back to the resort. It took us a couple of hours just to wind down and go to sleep.

As much fun as it is, I can understand where you're coming from, not wanting to spend the money and then end up having your kids sleep through most of it! You could always try to get the kids to take a midday nap (Maybe take them swimming beforehand? That always tuckered me out when I was a kid.) and then enter the MK at four or five when party guests first start to arrive? Just a thought.

But if your gut is saying that it's a bad idea, go with it. MNSSHP isn't going anywhere. Take the plunge in a couple of years when the kids are able to stay up later.

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip!

 

[pl'smama]

I think that you could spend that money better elsewhere and I speak from experience. Last December we visited WDW with our DD who was three and a half. I bought tickets to myself, DD and DH for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. I was so hyped about it and nothing would sway me from getting the tickets. Well, it poured rain most of the night and I do mean pour. But that alone would not deter me. The show was cancelled due to rain and even though I was upset about that I could not blame them. I mean we were soaked so the dancers would be to!

Thankfully the parade and fireworks went off okay and the fireworks were truly amazing. We even taped it in between rain drops!! The hot chocolate and Christmas cookies were good to. But, I found that it missed something. I guess I expected the whole evening to be different and other than the rain it wasn't. Don't get me wrong. The whole place is magical no matter what is going on, but it was not worth it to pay all the extra money. We stayed at MK a few nights earlier for the EMH and it was wonderful! But we did not have to pay the extra money for it.

What ever you decide have a wonderful time!!

 

[twinspluscade]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

We've decided not to go to the party this year. Instead we're going to catch the afternoon parade at AK, have dinner at Boma, and then have an early night. Then we're going to take the kids to one of the Disney miniature golf courses in the morning--much cheaper than the Halloween party!

We are planning on going back September 2010, and can do the party then.

Kelly

 

[surfer_ed]

I think it is a good value for money if you do not plan on going to the park that day. Spend the day at the pool, waterpark etc and you can still go into the park at 4:30ish until after midnight for a much reduced price.

AND the line ups are much reduced so you get good value for your money.

If you use a parkhopper that day and then add the cost of MNSSHP on top of that it is an expensive day.

The fireworks and parade were awesome.

We just went to Princess and Pirate night and dd (2.5 years) lasted until about 10:30. We had he take a long nap in the PM before we went to the park. We rode Dumbo 2 or three times and after she fell asleep, I rode Thunder Mountain 3x without even getting off. MNSSHP is more crowded but after the second parade the rides are more or less walk-on.

 

[HopperFan]

Went for the first time last year, and in your place, I would say wait until they are alittle older. We had a character breakfast then spent the afternoon napping and resting. We were there the entire time and returned to our room at 2 am.

The party was lots of fun, but it was way more crowded than I expected with lots of adults. The CMs told us that Friday nights are always crowded because all the locals come. There were lines for everything from food, to rides to candy.

I was surprised at how dark the park was. Many lights seemed dimmed or replaced with eerie lights and smoke. The fireworks and lighting are huge part of the night. Treat lines were very long and the parade, was jammed. All of that could damper a young ones enjoyment. I would save it for a trip when they can hang in longer and enjoy the Hallo-effects more !!

 

[surfer_ed]

Good point about the Friday night, when we go in this year I will look at one of the Monday dates.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Me, my husband and kids have been attending MNSSHP (and MVMCP ) for the past 5 years. We LOVE it, however, we do it in place of spending a whole day at the MK during our trip. We had found after the first year that we can manage to get on mostly every ride we want in that one evening (along with watching the parade, awesome fireworks and getting candy). Sometimes just to see the MK during the day, we will spend 1/2 a day there later in our trip...but for us, the party is a chance to get on all the rides with little to no wait. For the most part, I don't think the parade has changed much in the years (that we have been attending), although we do always take the time to watch Hallowishes.

I have to say I agree with going early in the week too. We learned our lesson after our very first MNSSHP-we went on a Saturday night and the crowds were just insane. We have found that going on a Monday or Tuesday is the best.

Now you may be selling your kids short with being able to stay awake. Some kids will fall asleep during anything, no matter where they are. However, I have rarely seen any kids sleeping through MNSSHP, in fact, most are still wanting to GO GO GO well after the party ends!

 

[mom2aredhead]

We had a blast - my son was just shy of his 3rd b-day he loved it.
The first time we went, we stayed at the resort during the day, went for a swim, then conveniently put him in the car after lunch, thinking he may fall asleep (he was, and still is, very anti-nap if you suggest it to him, but if he happens to doze off in the car he'll sleep for hours....)
We went to the party (all 3 of us in costume as Minnie, a big Goofy and little Mickey) at 4:00pm. He made it until midnight. Second time we went to (gasp) Universal for a few hours in the morning, but he still konked out in the car in the afternoon, That night we left a little earlier, but it was still probably 11:00-ish. Got there around 4:00 that day too.
It was very fun. We were able to walk on nearly every ride that was open w/no wait and in some cases ride several times in a row. We loved the Boo to You Parade - we're still singing the music at home. We stayed for both the early and late one. I would consider the fireworks a plus too, but my little one is not bothered by them. They were very loud and could be heard inside a lot of the rides in Fantasyland. We also liked seeing the characters dressed up in their hallloween costumes. Keep in mind we 2 adults and my son had not turned 3 yet, so it was not nearly as much of a financial investment.
There were a few cons - treat lines are long, so we skipped a lot of them. We figured, why stand in line 20 mins in MK for a candy bar - we'll go on a ride instead and buy a candy bar at home. Also it's pretty dark, but we had heard that ahead of time so brought a flashlight and some glow sticks so problem solved.
We did not have park hoppers and bought tickets to 2 parties and used that as our evening entertainment in lieu of hopping to another park for f/works etc. We knew we wanted to spend the majority of our time in Magic Kingdom so it worked for us. Don't know that I would invest $175 for 1 night though...

 

[hrsmom]

We personally LOVE MNSSHP. We've gone the past two years and are going again this year. Our kids love it too. On our last trip we actually went twice, once the whole family and then again just my DH and I (kids stayed in the hotel with grandma that night).

My DD is not fond of fireworks, but still really enjoys the Halloween party.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Is it just me, or has anyone noticed that over the past few years, there seems to be less people dressing up for the party? I admit that we are crazies over here and get a kick out of picking a theme for each year and dressing our group up. I'm always a bit sad that a lot of other people don't seem to share that sentiment. Possibly we are picking the wrong nights to go each time and not seeing all the other fun seekers?