Official 2011 MNSSHP Party Planning Thread ..BOO to You and You..Happy Halloween!

[JennG]

Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, I definitely want to get my tickets ASAP which is why I wanted to get the expert opinions

 

[aprincesswannabe]

I've been reading for way too long and have been sooo indecisive about what day to go. We are arriving on the 29th and I can't pick a date. I worry about the sold out crowds. Originally I was thinking the 1st as I thought it would be less crowded, but from what I have skimmed through here, that doesn't seem to be the case.

It will be me, DH, DS 5 and 2. We have done the MVMCP before in Nov and early Dec, but this is our first MNSSHP. I am not a huge Halloween fan, but my DH is.

Appreciate your thoughts and advice!

TIA!

Even when sold out, or close to sold out, the only place you really notice crowds is the first parade and the fireworks on Main Street. We have been to the party multiple times at the end of October (daughter always has school break) and last year Splash Mountain, Space Mountain were walk-on and only a small wait for Haunted Mansion. Go to the party and have fun!

 

[mom2rtk]

Even when sold out, or close to sold out, the only place you really notice crowds is the first parade and the fireworks on Main Street. We have been to the party multiple times at the end of October (daughter always has school break) and last year Splash Mountain, Space Mountain were walk-on and only a small wait for Haunted Mansion. Go to the party and have fun!

Sold out parties will still have short ride lines. Most who are willing to pay $60 to attend do the things you can't do during a regular park day. So Main Street will be packed all night, including the second parade. Character lines will be also long. But if you go into it knowing that you can't do it all.... and adjust your expectations, you can have a great time.

 

[horselover]

you can search a website easywdw dot com then search :2011 Magic Kingdom Halloween Decorations and Merchandise" and you can see pictures and the same info above.

Thanks for this tip. I was wondering what this year's tote bag would look like. It doesn't thrill me. I have the one with the mickey ghost on it that I purchased 2 yrs. ago. Well I didn't really purchase it because at the time it was the free with purchase gift. I'm kicking myself I didn't just buy a 2nd one. I love that bag & haven't seen anything as cute since.

It's this the cutest bag!

 

[Marblies]

Yep. Cute.

 

[Shivatopia]

Sold out parties will still have short ride lines. Most who are willing to pay $60 to attend do the things you can't do during a regular park day. So Main Street will be packed all night, including the second parade. Character lines will be also long. But if you go into it knowing that you can't do it all.... and adjust your expectations, you can have a great time.

So, ideally, if one did want to see and experience everything that the MNSSHP has to offer, then going at least 2 nights would be recommended, right? Do you think it would be realistic to think that in one night that I would be able to see the parade, fireworks, Villains Mix & Mingle (with photo ops with a few of them), and meet the 7 Dwarfs, the Princesses & Princes, Rapunzel & Flynn, Tiana & Naveen, Tarzan & Jane, and the special holiday photopass spots? Or is that overly ambitious? I'm really on the fence about spending the money for going twice, but I live on the West Coast, and the opportunity to vacation in Florida just does not come around that often.

 

[mom2rtk]

So, ideally, if one did want to see and experience everything that the MNSSHP has to offer, then going at least 2 nights would be recommended, right? Do you think it would be realistic to think that in one night that I would be able to see the parade, fireworks, Villains Mix & Mingle (with photo ops with a few of them), and meet the 7 Dwarfs, the Princesses & Princes, Rapunzel & Flynn, Tiana & Naveen, Tarzan & Jane, and the special holiday photopass spots? Or is that overly ambitious? I'm really on the fence about spending the money for going twice, but I live on the West Coast, and the opportunity to vacation in Florida just does not come around that often.

I think that's a little on the ambitious side, but it depends on how busy the party is, and of course you won't know that until you get there. And you'll have to race from one thing to the next.

We typically just plan on 2 parties. That way we can relax and not feel rushed as we go through the evening. I remember our first hard ticketed parties.... one of the early P&P parties. I was so sad to leave without doing all the things on my list.

 

[hawky7]

So, ideally, if one did want to see and experience everything that the MNSSHP has to offer, then going at least 2 nights would be recommended, right? Do you think it would be realistic to think that in one night that I would be able to see the parade, fireworks, Villains Mix & Mingle (with photo ops with a few of them), and meet the 7 Dwarfs, the Princesses & Princes, Rapunzel & Flynn, Tiana & Naveen, Tarzan & Jane, and the special holiday photopass spots? Or is that overly ambitious? I'm really on the fence about spending the money for going twice, but I live on the West Coast, and the opportunity to vacation in Florida just does not come around that often.

Yeah I'm going to have to agree with PP, it's slightly ambitious... It's not that you couldn't, it just not likely, and you'd be so exhausted, you'd probably forget half the night. Remember you'll need a good spot for the parade, so you'll need to line up early, the 7 dwarfs, you'll be in line for at LEAST 30 minutes, The Princess line last year was 45 minutes, but I'm not sure about the others. Here's what we usually do, one night is all about the parade, fireworks and shows. Then we go another night, and only do character stuff. Feels way less stressful, and we don't have to run around all night. Just my opinion, but as a fellow west coaster, and Florida being so far away, I say you should just do 2 parties. They are totally worth it, and IMO are the BEST disney party they have.

 

[Shivatopia]

I think that's a little on the ambitious side, but it depends on how busy the party is, and of course you won't know that until you get there. And you'll have to race from one thing to the next.

We typically just plan on 2 parties. That way we can relax and not feel rushed as we go through the evening. I remember our first hard ticketed parties.... one of the early P&P parties. I was so sad to leave without doing all the things on my list.

Thanks for the advice! I just may have to fork over the money to go on both October 6th & 7th MNSSHP. The original plan was to go only on the 6th, but as you can see, my list of To-Dos is rather lengthy (and that was the abridged version!). I anticipate that the lines for the 7 Dwarfs and Rapunzel & Flynn (assuming that WDW follows through with Flynn reappearing) will be the longest waits. I am so excited to go!

 

[Shivatopia]

Yeah I'm going to have to agree with PP, it's slightly ambitious... It's not that you couldn't, it just not likely, and you'd be so exhausted, you'd probably forget half the night. Remember you'll need a good spot for the parade, so you'll need to line up early, the 7 dwarfs, you'll be in line for at LEAST 30 minutes, The Princess line last year was 45 minutes, but I'm not sure about the others. Here's what we usually do, one night is all about the parade, fireworks and shows. Then we go another night, and only do character stuff. Feels way less stressful, and we don't have to run around all night. Just my opinion, but as a fellow west coaster, and Florida being so far away, I say you should just do 2 parties. They are totally worth it, and IMO are the BEST disney party they have.

Good ideas for a game plan! Hmmm... given the potential wait times for characters, I can see how the 5 hours can easily be eaten away, even if I do meet the 7 Dwarfs first (planning to line up early, of course). Plus, I'm actually bringing a costume with me, so I may as well use it! Thanks!

 

[Iloveeliot]

Hi. I will be dressing up as Snow White and DH will be my prince. We don't need giant candy bags but don't want something tiny either. Does anyone have any ideas for candy bags that would go with our costumes? Since the costumes are kind of expensive I hate to ruin the look with bright orange bags. I would also need them to pack flat so the tradition plastic pumpkin head is out. Thanks for all creative suggestions!

 

[Shivatopia]

Hi. I will be dressing up as Snow White and DH will be my prince. We don't need giant candy bags but don't want something tiny either. Does anyone have any ideas for candy bags that would go with our costumes? Since the costumes are kind of expensive I hate to ruin the look with bright orange bags. I would also need them to pack flat so the tradition plastic pumpkin head is out. Thanks for all creative suggestions!

Perhaps a Flynn-type satchel, though not as worn-looking as his? That would look appropriate for the fairy-tale theme of your costumes, and it can be in either leather or canvas (I would recommend natural colors like brown or off-white). It's too bad that you are limited to being able to pack it into a suitcase, because a Snow White costume would look great with a woven basket.

 

[mommy2mrb]

Hi. I will be dressing up as Snow White and DH will be my prince. We don't need giant candy bags but don't want something tiny either. Does anyone have any ideas for candy bags that would go with our costumes? Since the costumes are kind of expensive I hate to ruin the look with bright orange bags. I would also need them to pack flat so the tradition plastic pumpkin head is out. Thanks for all creative suggestions!

how about black bags with an apple on it for you and a crown for your DH

you could probably find some iron on vinyl at Joanns, etc and cut out the shapes and iron onto the bag

 

[goochy18]

i'm sure I may have missed this but i'm a first timer and wanted to ask:
I'll be in orlando for the sept 23 MNSSHP. I would like to go since I've never been. I'm there for a conference lasting til about 5pm that day. What time will I be able to enter MK for the party if I do not have any regular park tickets? Can I still enter MK at 4pm as previously posted for MNSSHP? Do I need to purchase a park ticket PLUS MNSSHP ticket? Thanks for any claraification and help!

 

[JennG]

Thanks for this tip. I was wondering what this year's tote bag would look like. It doesn't thrill me. I have the one with the mickey ghost on it that I purchased 2 yrs. ago. Well I didn't really purchase it because at the time it was the free with purchase gift. I'm kicking myself I didn't just buy a 2nd one. I love that bag & haven't seen anything as cute since.

It's this the cutest bag!

Very cute bag!

 

[Fire14]

i'm sure I may have missed this but i'm a first timer and wanted to ask:
I'll be in orlando for the sept 23 MNSSHP. I would like to go since I've never been. I'm there for a conference lasting til about 5pm that day. What time will I be able to enter MK for the party if I do not have any regular park tickets? Can I still enter MK at 4pm as previously posted for MNSSHP? Do I need to purchase a park ticket PLUS MNSSHP ticket? Thanks for any claraification and help!

Per past experiences you can enter MK at 4p with Just Party Tix. If you wish to enter earlier than 4pm ish you will need a regular park tix.

 

[habsfan71]

Here's a quick update for the family. We are going to MNSSHP on Oct. 23 - we were able to get an ADR at CRT at 5:35 p.m. thanks to "ktmo" - thank you very much

This will be our first MNSSHP and DD will be very excited for dinner @ CRT that night.

 

[jjk3]

Hey everyone! Great thread with a lot of good info. My family and I are heading down in early October for our first MNSSHP and I did have one question I could not find an answer to:

In the character meet and greets with the villians and princesses, do you have to choose one character's line and get in it? Or is there multiple characters there (say 3 or 4) but it is kind of a grab bag as to who you get, but you get to see all of them once you make it to the front of the line (kind of how the princesses and fairies used to be in Toontown)?

I ask because these two meet and greets have a good numbers of characters, as opposed to some meet and greet areas with only one or two characters. I am just trying to get a feel for how tough it may be to get my two daughters in to see the princesses and their respective princes.

I was hoping some MNSSHP veterans might be able to shed some light on the topic!!

Thanks alot!

Hi all! I've been quietly following this thread for a while now, because I will be making my first trip to WDW (and the MNSSHP) in the first week of October, and I too am interested in how they manage the Princess meet-and-greet during the MNSSHP in the Town Square Theater. It would be terrible to have to stand in a separate line for each of the three princesses (with their princes?!?), given that there are so many other great characters in the park to meet that night. Based on past years (or the current system for the Princess meet-and-greet in TST), can anyone relay their experiences?

Just wondering if anyone can shed any light on how they run the princess meet and greet at MNSSHP? Is it run like the Princess meet-and-greet at Toontown was where there is one line for all the princesses appearing? Also, are all of the princesses at the Town Square Theater appearing all night? Or do some rotate in and out like the fairies used to at Toontown?

Thanks alot for your help!

Jeff

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

I haven't been to the party in a couple of years, so I'm not really remembering. But to guess, the bags at the Dollar Store are about 12X14, with plastic handles.

Yep, that's much larger than the bags given out! Thanks! Looks like I'll be making a trip to the Dollar Store soon!

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

Thanks for this tip. I was wondering what this year's tote bag would look like. It doesn't thrill me. I have the one with the mickey ghost on it that I purchased 2 yrs. ago. Well I didn't really purchase it because at the time it was the free with purchase gift. I'm kicking myself I didn't just buy a 2nd one. I love that bag & haven't seen anything as cute since.

It's this the cutest bag!

We have that same bag! I LOVED it, but I washed it, and it didn't wash up well! Hoping they have something similar again this year!