Not So Scary Halloween Party

[Frozen2014]

Anyone ever been? What's it like?

I almost wish we weren't coming during this time (coming Oct 19th) as it really limits our MK days. I'm thinking of doing the Halloween thing for one night, but then need to pick MK on one of the few nights where it's not going on so we can stay past 7pm and see the Electrical Parade.

Anyways...what exactly goes on for this? Is it worth attending?

 

[bigskip]

Aside from the obvious of free candy being handed out as part of the trick or treat tradition, there is a Halloween parade, the headless horseman rides the parade route, and special Hallowishes fireworks, which are pretty special. We went last year, and will be there at the same time this year, so hope to go again (need to check with the financial controller )

I thought it was worth the money for the parade and fireworks alone - you may not...

 

[smitch425]

Anyone ever been? What's it like?

I almost wish we weren't coming during this time (coming Oct 19th) as it really limits our MK days. I'm thinking of doing the Halloween thing for one night, but then need to pick MK on one of the few nights where it's not going on so we can stay past 7pm and see the Electrical Parade.

Anyways...what exactly goes on for this? Is it worth attending?

We go every year, and have already started this year's costumes. Here is a great write up on the party...

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...r-locations-and-strategy-buying-tickets-more/

 

[edeneye]

I went in 2012 and loved it! As mentioned above, there's themed entertainment and free candy! Also there are some characters in fancy dress (we met Pooh & Friends who were all in their Halloween outfits) and also some unique characters from memory. Also the lighting scheme changes, maybe some of that is things I don't normally notice but things such as the Castle & Haunted Mansion seemed to have a spookier aura than usual. They do a lot of fun stuff to really bring a different feel to the park, there was a dance party for the kids (with more characters in fancy dress) and - you get to go in costume! That's not something always readily available at Disney Parks and a definite perk of MNSSHP.

Here's an example of what Main Street looks like. As it gets darker, the lighting is obviously significantly moodier but I didn't take many photos on my camera that night! This is right at the beginning of the event, so it looks crowded but actually a lot of people are on their way out as they don't have valid admission and many are arriving for the party so it's a busy time!

 

[khertz]

We attended our first MNSSHP this past year and absolutely loved it! The parade and fireworks are spectacular. DS enjoyed the trick or treat trails, which always moved pretty quickly so we were able to get in, get some candy, and move on fairly quickly. There are also some special character meets that are only available at the parties, like meeting the princesses with their princes at Princess Fairytale Hall and Jack Sparrow, and some other characters in costume, like Donald & Daisy, Winnie the Pooh & friends, Mickey & Minnie, etc. They also have a couple of character dance parties, and the rides have low wait times if you are interested in riding (we only rode the TTA during the party).

We have gotten used to going during party season, so we know picking a night to go to MK when it's not a party night means we are not going to get much accomplished besides MSEP and Wishes. Last year we picked 2 MK nights, one where we focused on shows and did a few rides during the parade & fireworks, and one where we went only for the parade & fireworks.

 

[MrsDuck]

It's our favorite time to be in the park... we go every year. 2 adults, no kids. And yes, we dress up!

 

[lkh]

I love MNSSHP! We went to the first one in Sept last year and are hoping for a free dining promotion around the same time to go and do it again this year. Even though the park closes early for everyone not going to the party, the MK wasn't crowded at all that morning, probably because people often choose to go to the park with the longest hours, but you could get a lot done at MK before the party.

 

[kittyab]

We are planning our next trip around that event

 

[squirrel4569]

Trying to convince my wife that we should pull the kids out of school for it this year. No other way for us to see it without taking the kids out of school. Also thinking that September will be great with low crowds and cooler temps than August but still warm enough to hit the water rides and such.

 

[Frozen2014]

Free candy? My kids will be in.
Thanks for posting the picture. It does look pretty neat.

So it would be a good way to end our trip then, and we'd still get fireworks (if schedule is like like year and as I saw on a forecast). I really want us to see the electrical parade too...so i suppose that dictate our other Mk day.

Ugh...other issue is that I had 2 ADRs planned out at MK....which we probably wouldn't want to do on the Halloween night since it's only from 7pm-9pm. This is all so confusing.

 

[smitch425]

Free candy? My kids will be in.
Thanks for posting the picture. It does look pretty neat.

So it would be a good way to end our trip then, and we'd still get fireworks (if schedule is like like year and as I saw on a forecast). I really want us to see the electrical parade too...so i suppose that dictate our other Mk day.

Ugh...other issue is that I had 2 ADRs planned out at MK....which we probably wouldn't want to do on the Halloween night since it's only from 7pm-9pm. This is all so confusing.

The party is from 7pm-midnight. You can get into MK at 4pm with just your party ticket. We always go to DHS in the morning and then get to the MK gates at 3:30.

 

[Frozen2014]

Oh ok....7 to midnight is better. I thought it was 7pm - 9pm. (Not that my kids would last to midnight...nor would I...lol)

So we could make an ADR for say 5:30pm and then get to enjoy the Halloween event.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

It's a blast. Even if you don't have kids, I highly recommend it.

 

[smitch425]

Oh ok....7 to midnight is better. I thought it was 7pm - 9pm. (Not that my kids would last to midnight...nor would I...lol)

So we could make an ADR for say 5:30pm and then get to enjoy the Halloween event.

You could, but it would be a huge waste of money, and if you are wanting to meet any of the rare characters, you will be way behind the crowd. People start lining up for rare characters at 6pm (or even earlier). I would do a TS lunch and a quick service dinner. Paying the price of party admission and eating up 90 minutes to 2 hours of that time by eating a meal is not a good idea, IMO.

 

[AthenaBolina]

The first time I took my kids to WDW we did MNSSHP, and it was worth every penny. We absolutely loved it, especially being able to go on the rides countless times with no wait. I think we went on BTMR about 4-6 times in the dark, in a row. We loved the parade too. If we ever go back in the fall, we will do this again.

 

[ougrad86]

Free candy? My kids will be in.
Thanks for posting the picture. It does look pretty neat.

So it would be a good way to end our trip then, and we'd still get fireworks (if schedule is like like year and as I saw on a forecast). I really want us to see the electrical parade too...so i suppose that dictate our other Mk day.

Ugh...other issue is that I had 2 ADRs planned out at MK....which we probably wouldn't want to do on the Halloween night since it's only from 7pm-9pm. This is all so confusing.

If you like parades, don't miss the Halloween parade - there are usually two, the second one is less crowded...I am not a parade fan, but this one was great! Hallowishes is awesom, and if you want to ride rides, outside of Fantasyland, they are walk on's - I think we rode BTMRR back to back about 6 or 7 times!

 

[AThrillingChase]

We go every year, and have already started this year's costumes. Here is a great write up on the party...

...They do a lot of fun stuff to really bring a different feel to the park, there was a dance party for the kids (with more characters in fancy dress) and - you get to go in costume! That's not something always readily available at Disney Parks and a definite perk of MNSSHP.

Just to piggyback on the costume discussion...how far is too far? For example, if I went dressed as a princess and it was too close to what she actually looks like, would they consider that a violation? I have a pretty good Jasmine from a year ago...

 

[smitch425]

Just to piggyback on the costume discussion...how far is too far? For example, if I went dressed as a princess and it was too close to what she actually looks like, would they consider that a violation? I have a pretty good Jasmine from a year ago...

As long as you do not sign autographs or try to impersonate a real CM, you can be as authentic to the character as you want to be. You can take photos with other guests as long as it is clear that they know you are just a guest.

 

[DisneyAnytime]

MNSSHP is FABULOUS!!!! The ride lines are very short, the dance parties are so much fun (dancing away and turned right into Goofy!), and the parade and Hallowishes is not to be missed.

The second parade is definitely less crowded than the first. Some of the autograph lines can be long-ish but not horrific.

All in all one of the best times we've had at Disney.

 

[mjohnson96]

That is what I am doing this year, both my kids have October Birthdays and my oldest is a Halloween birthday so this year we are going around the end of September, first of October and going to at least one if not two party nights.

Oldest DD is 11, going on 12 so missing a week of school will not be that bad. Will just work it out with her teachers before hand.