Mnsshp?

[suetoo]

Is MNSSHP worth doing with our 8 & 10 yr olds who have been to WDW many times(6-7)??? Looking to try something new and want to get some opinions. When do they post party dates?

 

[Lumiere Lover]

DH and I did this fall 2010, and it was a great time. I believe the tickets go on sale May 1, but I don't know when the dates are announced. We dressed up, trick-or-treated, enjoyed the special parade, and had a great time.

 

[ToddyLu]

Yes, it is lots of fun. The kids will enjoy dressing up. These would be my tips. I would make cool comfy costumes, it can be very hot in October. We were there in 2009 and I almost melted in a linen shirt. We were there for Halloween nights in 2009, 2011 and will be this year. So we like MNSSHP a lot. You also want to go during the week. They typically have them on Tuesday and Thursday nights in addition to Friday and Sunday nights. I would stay away from a weekend night. Even whern it is sold out for 10/31 it is very doable. Ride rides and trick or treat during the first parade and watch the second parade then do more stuff. People will leave in droves after the second parade.

Be on the look out for special t-shirts, pins and souvenirs that only come out for the parties.

What ever you do DO NOT MISS THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN. He is spectacular and really starts the parade perfectly. He will ride down Main Street at a slow to fast trot and sometimes will rear the horse up on its back legs when he crosses the wooden bridge into Liberty Square.

Also this time of year the other parks can close early. AK will close at 5, DHS 8, EPCOT 9...so if your kids want to stay up and play it is nice to be able to stay out at the party. Don't forget that F&W will be going on too so plan to avoid EPCOT on Sat and Sun if possible.

I would eat dinner around 5p.m. If you eat at Plaza Restaurant you can come out and almost be ready for a parade. They do a good job of escorting guests out at 7 p.m. If you plan on going I would get that ADR first.

Have a great time--we will be there I know on 10/31 this year and maybe 11/1 we will see. Can't wait to buy our tickets.

If you choose not to go. The camp fire, sing along and carriage ride at FW is fun. You can also see Headless leave on his horse from there from what I understand.

Hope this helps!!

 

[AnjieNet]

Is MNSSHP worth doing with our 8 & 10 yr olds who have been to WDW many times(6-7)??? Looking to try something new and want to get some opinions. When do they post party dates?

I think they'd have a great time. Opportunity to dress up and trick-or-treat at the happiest place on earth. My DD loves it! Take a look at the operating hours calendar and the dates where MK closes at 7:00 is more than likely going to be the MNSSHP dates. Actual dates will be announced mid-April and tickets will go on sale on or about May 1st.

 

[OKW Lover]

I think MNSSHP is too expensive for what you get. Yes, they do have candy, a special parade and fireworks but IMHO not enough to make it worth my while.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

FWIW, Disney starts admitting MNSSHP guests at 4:00PM and the party lasts until midnight, so you can save one day's park admission. (Six hours of madness in a costume is a full day of park-trekking for me!) There will be a ton of rare meet-n-greet opportunities as well that you won't be able to get on a "normal" day. The fireworks are wonderful, the parades and dances are magical and something you can't get in the daytime.

Candy shouldn't even count into your considerations, unless there aren't any lines to get it - there are just too many other things to do to waste time on what amounts to about $10 of candy (if you're dedicated and hit all the candy spots).

We went to the first MNSSHP party last year. We got photos with Jack Sparrow; Alaadin, Jasmine and Genie; the Mad Hatter; Cinderella's evil stepsisters and stepmother; and the Seven Dwarfs. In addition, we had a BLAST bouncing around the park watching the shows and the parades.

DH was skeptical about MNSHP until he went to one; now he's eagerly waiting for MNSHP on our next trip!

 

[suetoo]

FWIW, Disney starts admitting MNSSHP guests at 4:00PM and the party lasts until midnight, so you can save one day's park admission. (Six hours of madness in a costume is a full day of park-trekking for me!) There will be a ton of rare meet-n-greet opportunities as well that you won't be able to get on a "normal" day. The fireworks are wonderful, the parades and dances are magical and something you can't get in the daytime.

Candy shouldn't even count into your considerations, unless there aren't any lines to get it - there are just too many other things to do to waste time on what amounts to about $10 of candy (if you're dedicated and hit all the candy spots).

We went to the first MNSSHP party last year. We got photos with Jack Sparrow; Alaadin, Jasmine and Genie; the Mad Hatter; Cinderella's evil stepsisters and stepmother; and the Seven Dwarfs. In addition, we had a BLAST bouncing around the park watching the shows and the parades.

DH was skeptical about MNSHP until he went to one; now he's eagerly waiting for MNSHP on our next trip!

SO I can go at 4:00 and only use my party ticket, not a park day? When do the parades...and headless horseman start? I would hate to book dinner at the wrong time and miss it!

 

[snarlingcoyote]

SO I can go at 4:00 and only use my party ticket, not a park day? When do the parades...and headless horseman start? I would hate to book dinner at the wrong time and miss it!

Yep, you only need your party ticket to get in after 4PM. Not a huge savings on a multiday pass, but I'll take it!

ADRs will stop at 4:30ish, I think (someone else will have to confirm this), but those restaurants will all definitely close before the official opening time of the party. Cosmic Rays and some of the other QS restaurants will stay open. We made ADRs for 4:30 at the Plaza restaurant, which gave us plenty of time to get our first photos - with the Main Street decorations and the Hallowen castle and such - before we ate. We went in a bit early and didn't have any problems being seated.

Speaking of which, Cosmic Ray's is a great place to cool off for a minute during the party if you feel the need for AC.

ETA: ToddyLu just posted that the Plaza closed at 7 when she went. I thought it was earlier than that for us. Hmm. . .we might have gotten in a ride or three before we ate and the reservations were later. Anyway, yeah, the restaurants do close before the start of the party, except for a few QS. Plaza was great fun the night we went - nothing too heavy, and the other diners were all MNSHP goers dressed in costume like us!

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

As always, it depends on your tastes and your budget (I'm the first to admit that it's expensive enough to warrant a careful decision). If you decide to do it, I don't think you'll regret it! We've been there twice during MNSSHP time, and the first time we went I said absolutely not, since it felt like we were spending so much already. That night we had an ADR at Chef Mickey's, and were surrounded by people in costumes buzzing about the party. I regretted not going! We went back in Sept. of 2008 and we splurged...and was so glad we did! My two oldest (then 7 and 4) loved every minute of it, and the parade soundtrack is what signals the start of the Halloween "season" at our house. They still talk about it, and would sit and watch the parade on Youtube/home videos over and over, even at almost 11 and 8 yrs. The youngest, who was an infant that trip, even talks about it. Completely worth the money, IMO. We're heading back during fall break, and will be spending the money for all five of us now, since everyone's over the age of three. How often do you get to Trick-or-Treat in the Happiest Place on Earth??

We do dress up, but only in some typle of T-shirt/shorts combo. I refuse to do anything more - as someone else said, it's still pretty hot at that time of the year. We're going to try to wait for the second parade this year (kids were too young last time) and hit even more attractions. Just the atmosphere was great!

 

[ToddyLu]

I am sorry for confusion, the plaza will stay open a bit, until people are through eating. I do not think you could get an ADR after 7 without a party ticket. So if you were not attending the party and had an ADR for 7:15, I am not sure they would honor the ADR. But there are plenty of places to eat. I am pretty sure CP is open. We make an early meal and head on in.

At 7 they start looking at arm bands--if you dont have one you are asked to purchase a ticket or to politely head toward the exit. I have seen them check int he bathrooms for stragglers sticking around for a parade--I have seen them check for armbands at the parade while walking up and down the street.

Headless comes out about 5 minutes before the parade. There will be a cute announcement that "he will be looking for a head"...then quiet...then quickly trotting huge, beautiful solid black horse about 18-20 hands high. Headless is awesome and wears the knickers and buckle shoes--the whole nine yards--he is quick but starts both parades.

 

[suetoo]

Thanks so much or the feedback! So I am thinking that only some restaurants, as or otherwise are open?

 

[ballerina13713]

its definitely worth going to! i went with my family and we met up with our friends who were down there too. we trick or treated, rode rides, met characters, shopped, all kinds of fun stuff! some of the QS restaurants are open, like Cosmic Ray's, but I dont think any of the Full Service restarurants were open. not to sure when tickets go on sale, but when they do, get them! its totally worth the money

also, if you plan on going to EPCOT, you've gotta try some of the food at the food and wine festival! its delicious : and most of it is counted as a snack if your on the dining plan

 

[suetoo]

Thanks everyone!!! I think you convinced me!

 

[kjsstar]

I don't think you'll be disappointed. My 13 year old son can't wait to go this year we've been like 5 times. This year it looks like we'll be there for the first party of the year and my parent already have their costumes as well as myself. My son is the only one left to outfit for it. Hope you have a blast!

 

[ironpig70]

Whats the cost(roughly) for this event???


Sounds like fun.

 

[lisajl]

$58-60ish for adult ticket.
We are going this year!

 

[Azrael]

Yes, I think you should all go once. It is so fun for everyone to dress up-young and old. The parades are fantastic and the atmosphere is just fun.