MNSSHP worth it with no character greets?

[Swimmergirl]

Happy fall (almost) y'all! My family is heading down next month, and were considering attending the Halloween party. We've been to Disney upwards of 10 times, but have never attended a party or special event other than the old e-ride nights. We aren't really interested in character meet and greets. Would the party still be worth it if we skipped those entirely? From reviews I've read it seems most people are really excited about meeting rare characters more than anything. We are more interested in low waits for some rides, the fireworks, and generally soaking up the atmosphere. It's a short trip for us this time (just 3 park days), so I want to make sure we're getting the must bang for our buck. Thoughts?

 

[Lights]

I am one of those that love being able to meet the rare characters + some of them being in costumes, but last year I went with my sister and it was her first time, I had gone before and done the characters I've wanted so I left it up to her, and we ended up agreeing beforehand that we wouldn't try for characters and just enjoy dressing up, the parade, the Hocus Pocus show, fireworks and getting candy.

It rained most of the night and they only postponed each of the Hocus Pocus show until they managed to do the last one, so we didn't see that but did all of the rest (it stopped raining for the parades and fireworks luckily!) and from my sister's perspective who had never been and didn't meet any characters, she says she had the time of her life and we would do it again with or without characters (although for me it doesn't hurt!) We only did The Little Mermaid ride and it was no wait but I saw the wait times and yes, they stay very nice and the atmosphere is what sucks me in! It is just a perfect time, and I am not even a Halloween person! And if you can, make time for the parade. It is the best one so far.

 

[mort1331]

I have been twice and heading down in 3 weeks for my third time. We have really never waited for the M&Gs. We love the parade, shows, fireworks, kids love the dance parties. and of course candy. Not that you cant get the candy a whole lot cheaper, but its the added cherry.

 

[boomgoesthemickey]

Me and the gf will be doing the party on the 23rd and have no intention of doing any of the M&G like the others have said between the parade, fireworks, rides later in the night and the special treats there is more than enough to entertain us. Also getting to dress up is always fun

 

[Govols1997]

1. I don't like Halloween and don't dress up.
2. We don't do character meets.
3. We didn't trick or treat.
4. We went last year and the most amazing time. The parades, fireworks, shows, atmosphere and low wait times made it a special night. We're doing it again in October.

 

[DizzneyDi]

We don't do M & Gs either, but for me the party was well worth what I paid for it last year. With the price jump, though, I'd have to think long and hard about doing it again. As much as I love Boo to You (best parade ever) and Hallowishes (spectacular!) I'm not sure I could convince myself to pay what they're now asking.

 

[jlsmith376]

We've been to 3 MNSSHP's and have never done M&G's. We're going again this year and have no intention of doing M&G's. We go for the low ride wait times, trick or treating, dance parties, and atmosphere, but most of all we go for the the Boo to You parade which is fantastic and so is Hallowishes. To us it's worth the money.

 

[Bete]

Meet and Greets are not our reason for going to MNSSHP. As others have stated we like the parade and fireworks the most. Waiting times for rides is ideal.
We can usually do enough at the party to skip MK for the rest of our days there.

 

[keishashadow]

Happy fall (almost) y'all! My family is heading down next month, and were considering attending the Halloween party. We've been to Disney upwards of 10 times, but have never attended a party or special event other than the old e-ride nights. We aren't really interested in character meet and greets. Would the party still be worth it if we skipped those entirely? From reviews I've read it seems most people are really excited about meeting rare characters more than anything. We are more interested in low waits for some rides, the fireworks, and generally soaking up the atmosphere. It's a short trip for us this time (just 3 park days), so I want to make sure we're getting the must bang for our buck. Thoughts?

RIP E-Ride nights!

There have been years when adult only in party have skipped the character pics. Already have pics with many of the regulars.

Of what you mention, I'd put in this order

*soaking up the atmosphere - fun, fun, fun and you get to trick or treat! Great to just people watch.

*FW - awesome show

*rides, seem to get shorter by the end of the night

Don't forget the parade, catch the beginning for the headless horseman!

 

[CampbellzSoup]

The characters are essential.

It's not halloween without meeting the special characters in their costumes!

 

[MataHari22]

When I went to MNSSHP, I only met with Cpt Jack Sparrow. The biggest things I wanted to experience were the Boo to You parade and Hallowishes, and both were excellent. I also was hoping that the wait times would be low, and they were. I went in 2014, and I went on 10/28. I loved the atmosphere, seeing lots of guests in cool costumes, and had a great time.

 

[kohlby]

We are not character people and had a blast when we went two years ago. We didn't do a single character meet. That being said, we decided against going this time because the price increase was too much when we multiplied it, as we are a family of five. I'm very glad we were able to go once though.

 

[lostmypooh]

I just left the first party and didn't meet a single character. Who I did meet were really awesome people all night and has a spectacular time! It was my first party.....ever......and I want to go again and again. Great night!!!!

 

[kappyfamily]

We've gone twice and have never stopped to see a character or parade. We only go for the candy line and rides and we love it! Have a good time!

 

[laura_<3]

For us the meet and greets aren't important. We love watching the stage show, parade and fireworks and wandering through all the lands visiting the trick or treat stops.

 

[leebee]

Last fall when DD22 and I went to WDW, we only had 3-day park tickets so we used MNSSHP as our 4th day. I made my FP+ for 4:20, 5:20, and 6:20. We were at MK at about 3:45 for a 4pm entry, but they let us in at about 3:50. Did our FP+ rides, grabbed a bite to eat, and were ready for the party to start at 7pm. We go to MNSSHP for the fun of being in MK late at night, the lower crowds, Hallowishes and the Parade, and of course the atmosphere of a fun party w/free candy! I'm not sure if we ever even saw a character all night!

 

[Disneylover99]

We went to the party last night. We did not go to meet any characters. We go for the parade, fireworks and trick or treating. We did end up meeting Buzz, Mickey and Lotso cause there was no wait.

 

[yulilin3]

If I had the money I would go for the parade and fireworks alone. They are awesome. Our last MNSSHP was 2 years ago and we entered the MK at 4pm and got in line straight away for Jack and Sally (btw there was already one family in front of us) they came out to meet and greet around 6:15pm so we were done with our priority characters even before the party even started.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

We went for the first time last year. We did not do any meet and greets. We loved it and plan to go again this year. The parade and fireworks were incredible. Loved the atmosphere. Loved trick or treating. I can't explain exactly why, but just seeing the huge orange globes that designated candy stops was somehow magical in the dark.

 

[squeezle]

This year will be my third MNSSHP and I have never done a M&G and I am not interested in the candy either. It's all about the atmosphere, fireworks, and short wait for rides. I will say that the parade is definitely worth watching, and I am not a parade person. The MNSSHP parade is the only one I will sit though.