My take on MNSSHP

[polymerpig]

It was very hot that night, so I don't fault Disney for the choices of Candy they were giving out. The chocolate pieces (other than the m&m's) all melted and some oozed onto the other treats. We had to wipe off candy back in our hotel room!

That's what I would have expected, but we had the opposite problem - our chocolates were fine but the taffy and caramel things oozed all over! With temps in the 90's something's gotta ooze!
I could only base my expectations on what I read here prior to going. And I remember reading someone saying that you get what your kids would typically get trick-or-treating at home. My kids get, I'd guess, 90% chocolate, so I guess that's why I was expecting something other than lollipops and sweet tarts, even though I did question handing out chocolate in FL in September.

From what I've read, it's best to try and do the characters, trick or treating and parades late to avoid the crowds.

The problem is you have to do something first..can't leave everything until the end! So something will always be crowded - the candy lines, the characters...whatever you do first, except the rides. As I said, on the first night about half of the lines ran out of candy before midnight, so if candy is your priority I wouldn't leave it for last. Hopefully they will judge the crowds better as time goes on, though. I do know it was the first party ever for a lot of the CP kids working there, so they've never experienced the crowds before.

 

[MS_mom_1965]

Seriously, they have been doing these MNSSHP for what, about 10 Years now? AND they still have an UNORGANIZED MESS??? WTH??? Must have CM's that have NO idea how to handle a crowd like that! To see ONE line already formed and than form 2 more, and than wanting to form TOGETHER a final and last line? WHAT ARE THEY NUTS??? I would have gone to the front of the park and requested my Money back, or another ticket for another day, that is just unreal! I am so glad that when I go on the 30 of Oct, that Downtown will be giving out candy...and my 2 grandgirls will be dressed in costume, and getting as much as they can, as EARLY as they can! The 31 will be spent at MK till they kick us out at 7pm for the MELEE to start!

Hmmm, I haven't heard about DTD giving out candy. What nights do they do that?

 

[mom2faith]

We had a great time!! were we at the same party??

We started in Adventureland and met Abu & Genie then Rafiki, Baloo, Jane, Tarzan and Terk.

On the way through Frontierland we stopped for Jessie, Woody and Bullseye.

We headed up to the Carriage before it closed (all along collecting candy at the stops).

We rode PP Flight with FP's we got earlier in the day.

We rode Tea Cups and then waited for SW and Dwarfs.

We then went up to Toontown and did the Princesses (with their Princes) and Tinkerbell (with 0 wait - seriously!!!).

We went down the Alice trail with Alice and Mad Hatter at the entrance to great us.

By this time the Fireworks were started so we watched them from right by Space Mtn - they are literally all over the park so you can see them from everywhere.

We headed up through tomorrowlad (candy!!) and went to Liberty Square to watch the 2nd parade.

After that we walked up to the Mickey Dance Party in the Grotto and then down to the Stitch Party in Tomorrowland.

It was almost midnight and we were beat so we arapped it up there, collecting some last minute candy on the way.

Overall we had a blast, and collect 11.2 lbs of candy!!

We did not notice the disorganization others were talking about.

 

[n2mm]

Thanks OP for your comments! I'm glad to finally read a review without the rose-color glasses on. We went last year and it was the biggest waste of money ever. Since we are AP holders getting into the park for the rides not an issue. The candy was junk. The free family photo was gone. We went last year because our friends wanted to do this, but this is too expensive for too little. Just a few years ago we use to do this and the price was less than $30 a person. You got tons more and it was a blast. Now it's twice the price for much, much less. Disney needs to open their eyes, but as long as people buy the tickets and think this is the best thing ever, it will only get worse.

 

[kydisneyfans]

This will be MNNSHP #6 for us this year. We go in with the rule of thumb that we will not be able to do it all in 1 night. We arrive between 5 and 6 and hit some rides, that way we can focus on the special party things all night. We hit the Haunted Mansion just before midnight for the last ride of the night. Then we linger on Main St, pick up a few baked goods, and leave the front gate just before 1:00.

The parade and fireworks are a must see.
Character meet and greets only occur with no or short lines.
The dance parties are great with cool character interaction.
3 of us usually leave with 7-9 bags of candy. The Stitch party gave full sized bags of chewy nerds last year, by the bagful. We never have stood in line more than 3 minutes for candy anywhere in 5 years. The quality is better than the kid would get trick or treating.

Tickets for the 3 of us are just under $150. That gives us 7+ hours of entertainment, something we don't get everyday. The cost is comparable to a ballgame, and is less than most concerts, both of which do not last as long. Sure, we don't get a picture anymore, now we just have someone snap a pic in front of the castle for us. For the cost involved, the party is a great value.

 

[AngVT]

Well, it was the first party of the year, by the time the last party comes around...everything will be much more organized, and they'll know how much candy to bring out.

Let's face it, most of us prioritize when we go to Disney anyway (esp. when you've been more than 4 times). There are enough MNSSHP threads around here, go to the second parade, it's less crowded, and you don't have to "set-up" 30 min. beforehand (ride the rides during the 1st parade, don't fight the crowds... or go to autographs... don't get sucked in!). The fireworks... It's a given, if you're in front of the castle, it's crowded, no question (but generally after the fireworks, the crowds thin... wait til after to do the autographs or trick or treat.)

I can see the reasons the OP has for disappointment... but like I said, it was the first party of the season, and the CM's have to work the kinks out somehow... by the last party, smooth sailing

 

[dbk1029]

Personally I love the MNSSHP but Halloween is my favorite holiday so my view may be skewed somewhat. I have have gone to 3 parties so far and will be attending my 4th and 5th parties in October. In my opinion it is totally worth it.

I love the parade and I am not a parade person. I agree with a PP when they stated it would be unreasonable to expect front row "seats" to a parade when you show up 15 minutes prior to the parade.

I don't go for the candy but it's nice for Disney to give it away. In my past 3 parties I recieved at least a pound or two of candy. Typically the candy is the of the same varieties I recall receiving as a youngster when I went trick-or-treating. Definitely not top of the line stuff but okay. I did recieve the Ghiradelli squares alst year and gave them away as I don't like Ghiradelli chocolate.

The Hallo-Wishes fireworks are pretty awesome to me. I even put the soundtrack on my I-Phone (along with the Boo-To-You parade music) because I enjoy it so much.

Overall I think the best thing to do is not to expect the experiences of previous party goers and simply enjoy the party and the experiences you have. Granted waiting in a long line isn't fun and nothing ever goes perfect bbut you are at Disney so relax, enjoy, and make some good memories!

 

[MommaMouse411]

ah man I was so hyped about this...I know we'll probably only get a little bit of candy..I'm not going to break my neck to get some because my son is too young for all that sweets and I don't eat candy candy..

I'm interested in the parade, mix n mingle, dance parties, and of course Cindy's Carriage and character meet n greets...

I'm going on 10/29 so I know it will be sold out...I don't plan on rides but I'm sure no one else will be either...I remember the MVMCP I waited like 45 minutes for Mickey...


SO my plan is to after dinner at Crystal Palace (5pm)...go to the cindy carriage and wait in that line for a photo op..and then the Villains mix and mingle

I want pics of characters I don't normally see..so Tweedle Dee/Dum thats cool...White Rabbit, Tarzan...

and definately Mickey & Minnie...

If I see the lines are too long..no way jose...there'll be other years...and definately going to do the stitch dance party..my son loves stitch..and if possible Minnie's dance party..if not I have to prepare myself not to be sad about it...

cuz I want to see Headless Horseman,and have good view of parade...so I know I'm going to have to line up early for the last parade...

well hopefully that will work...hopefully....

 

[Disney-Kim]

Good news for us...we are really just going for the rides and fireworks and maybe the parade.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

We were there on the 4th also and I agree with most of what others have said. Too much too do - too little time.

Concentrate on what is most important to you. For us that is the parade and fireworks and taking in the atmosphere.

we did MNSSHP 3 yrs ago and noticed they give out less candy (you had to go through more lines to get the same amount as before (which we didn't bother with). Fewer characters are out and they are not dressed for Halloween as before. We knew what to expect from the candy so were not so disappointed.

I wouldn't do rides after 7 - there is too much more to do! Except of course, HM and maybe Pirates.

I would also plan on eating first or between 4 and 7.

we didn't do character lines, though I can understand how others would really want too - and the mess at the lines sounds horrible!!!!

the free bags are lame - the front and back are ads for upcoming stuff and the smaller sides are decorated for Halloween - I thought that was kinda low!

we did have a good time, but the party could be better and I hate to see things go downhill from year to year.

 

[bouncycat]

I agree with the PP, I'm going for the shorter lines, SOME candy, and the parade and fireworks. MY sister doesn't like crowds, so we wanna see some stuff that you normally wouldn't see, but if the line is too long, we'll move on. I'm going next week on Tuesday, I think with it being the first party of the season, there were alot of locals there, to say they went to the first party. I went to the first MVMCP last year, and it was bonkers too. Maybe since it's the first. Hopefully by next week they'll have things worked out, I hope anyways. We're not too into characters, we just want the lower crowds and different MK atmosphere. So, as I told my mom and my sister after they listened to bad reviews on stuff, it is what we make it!!! Enjoy, have fun, you're in DISNEY For pete's sake!

 

[jackemail]

I agree with the PP, I'm going for the shorter lines, SOME candy, and the parade and fireworks. MY sister doesn't like crowds, so we wanna see some stuff that you normally wouldn't see, but if the line is too long, we'll move on. I'm going next week on Tuesday, I think with it being the first party of the season, there were alot of locals there, to say they went to the first party. I went to the first MVMCP last year, and it was bonkers too. Maybe since it's the first. Hopefully by next week they'll have things worked out, I hope anyways. We're not too into characters, we just want the lower crowds and different MK atmosphere. So, as I told my mom and my sister after they listened to bad reviews on stuff, it is what we make it!!! Enjoy, have fun, you're in DISNEY For pete's sake!

Exactly why we are doing it for the 3rd time---don't need any character pictures, don't care about mix and mingles--just rides, parade, fireworks, and candy. The kids dont get to eat the candy anyway, they just like to see how much they can collect. So we are good to go as long as we don't look for any photo ops!

 

[vcgirl925]

Ugh...

I was so looking forward to this party. But the more i hear about it the more i don't want to bother. My kids will never know what they're missing. We could use that $250 for something else and my kids will still have a blast.

 

[rocknspots]

DH & I have tickets for Halloween night, after returning from a cruise on the Magic that morning. Never been to MNSSHP so we didn't know. Hmmm... Thought it would be fun. Good thing candy isn't important, pictures w/characters aren't either. Rides will be fun, I think. Or will it be so crowded that I scream.... like New Years Eve? What have we got ourselves in to?

 

[2MOdisneyfans]

We were there on the 4th too and in line for Snow White. We we in the group that got to stay and they moved the line behind the family right behind us. Apparently one cm had been telling guests that she was coming out at 7:00. I knew the line was going the wrong way, but I just followed they other guests already in line. When they brought the Tweedle's and rabbit, we left and came back later. We got our picture right before the left at 8:00, we then walked to Frontierland for the parade, but we were able to find front row spots. It was definately more crowded than I expected.

We also spent a lot of time looking for the face painting in adventureland but they didn't have it this year. We met the charachters with Tarzan and had no wait.

We found a spot for Hallowishes at 9:30 right in front of Crystal Palace, and it was not crowded and you could see everything.

We also watched the second parade on mainstreet, and where we were there reallly wasn't a crowd either.

I do have to say I didn't enjoy myself as much this year. It was more crowded. Last year, we skipped Snow White, but we got pictures with the carriage right at the end of Hallowishes, and had no wait.

If I go next year I am not going to waste party time waiting for Snow White.

I think you have to pick and choose what your really must do's are. If possible I would like to go 2 times.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Seriously, they have been doing these MNSSHP for what, about 10 Years now? AND they still have an UNORGANIZED MESS??? WTH??? Must have CM's that have NO idea how to handle a crowd like that! To see ONE line already formed and than form 2 more, and than wanting to form TOGETHER a final and last line? WHAT ARE THEY NUTS???:

Disney now allots more ticket than in the past. We were quite surprised at how crowded "special events" are now.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

My family has not attended a MNSSHP, but we attend the P&P party a few years back. We really enjoyed ourselves. Did you know you can enter the park as early as 4pm on the day of the event? That's what we did, eight hours in the park. Did a few rides, ate CS dinner and we were ready to go for the evening. As the daytime crowd is leaving, ride lines shorten and become walk on. During our event we didn't get in line for characters, but I did notice lines for them. About 11pm when my daughter was looking for a CS glass of water, she was at Lilo's location and commented that no one was in line. Around this same time CMs were taking handfuls of candy and putting it in our bags. I took ziploc bags to keep melting chocolate separate from other items. Raisins were an option when we went. The fireworks were the 180 degree variety, as someone else mentioned and we did the later parade as well.

 

[maxiesmom]

Exactly why we are doing it for the 3rd time---don't need any character pictures, don't care about mix and mingles--just rides, parade, fireworks, and candy. The kids dont get to eat the candy anyway, they just like to see how much they can collect. So we are good to go as long as we don't look for any photo ops!

The same here. We do the parties for the fireworks, the neat party decorations, and to ride the rides with little wait. Last year we were able to ride Splash Mountain twice without getting off. The castle looks very cool from the top of the big hill, it turns all sorts of different colors. Plus Big Thunder Mountain is more fun at night too! And I just love Hallowishes, it is my favorite Disney fireworks show!

 

[cinderkeli]

We were also there on Sept 4th and we had a great time. First I talk to one castmember and she said they let in 22,000 people to these parties. Ok we went collecting candy and got lots of chocolate candy and was surprise over that. Next we went 30 minutes prior to parade time and got ride up to the rope. Then we stayed for the castle villian show and fireworks both were awesome. Next we rode Haunted Mansion and was able to get in 18 different characters. Then we saw the parade again and sat next to a castmember who was just here to be a guest for the Halloween experience. We had a wonderful talk about her job. We did not go do snow white because we see them out during the day in the summer time so we wanted to do the ones we never seen before. It was a great time. I thing everyone has there own story to tell about there experience. Some will be good and some will be bad but I just know I would love to do it all over again.

 

[ScarletFire]

The kids dont get to eat the candy anyway, they just like to see how much they can collect.

Who gets to eat the candy? Mommy?