"Official" 2017 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - Boo to You!

[OKWJan]

Went to the party last night and there was no Philharmagic...it was a walk through candy station and they were playing Sleepy Hollow. Some people chose to sit, relax, and watch the movie

 

[cuteandfluffy626]

Never fear I have your rainy costume needs handled!
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Twister-Hooded-Rain-Poncho/48963933

I just need this to be a regular part of my wardrobe.

 

[SPUNKYSHADOE]

They're not on break they were pulled due to the weather. Rumor has they will return at 7pm.

The first time they took a break was due to a make up issue. The second it wasn't raining at the time and when they returned I had an excellent meet and greet and was at fantasyland a few minutes before 7. My issue with the whole party was not keeping anyone informed. If they say parade is going to begin in ten minutes. This was close to midnight,no rain then it should either start or another announcement should be made. I was right by city hall waiting and the line there was out the door. Safety first, just clue people in. I saw a lot of frustration but tried to keep an upbeat attitude.

 

[gcoolie]

Are there any pics of the Halloween Party magic band?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I was at last night's party. I've been to sold out parties, but frankly this one 'felt' worse crowd wise. However, I've never been to a party with rain/storms like last night with a real jacked up schedule, so the whole night definitely felt different. I've also never been to a Friday/holiday weekend for what it's worth.

Regardless, we made the most of it and had a blast! We definitely didn't do as much given the circumstances, but good memories and photos were made. Overall an enjoyable night.

I do agree with the PP. I get things with the weather are highly variable and Disney is making the best decissions they can given the conditions, but situations like last night leave guests totally in the dark schedule wise. We were hovering around that last parade before it started but just couldn't wait not knowing when, or even if it would run. Just wish they could make a few more active/live announcements along the way.

But kudos to Disney for running the second parade and getting most everything in.

I also observed more park clearing between 7-8PM than I had prior years. Perhaps I was just not in places to notice at past parties, but I was glad to see it this year.

 

[Farro]

Never fear I have your rainy costume needs handled!
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Twister-Hooded-Rain-Poncho/48963933

Awesome.

We bought these just in case:

 

[lindsayjs]

Awesome.

We bought these just in case:

View attachment 266624

Brilliant!

 

[lindsayjs]

I'm half tempted to get some sharpies and do some poncho decorating

 

[Chrelaine]

As others have said, crowds during parties behave differently than crowds on a normal park day. The party crowds tend to gather in areas where they are more noticeable, such as public walkways, "exclusive" events such as candy/cookie lines and character greetings, and on main street. Therefore, it's easy to conclude (although often mistakenly) that the park is crowded on a party night. On a normal park day, crowds are more dispersed in the line for Space Mountain, 7DMT, etc., in addition to the common areas, restaurants, and shops. I think people would be surprised if they saw the difference in attendance numbers between a party night and a normal park day.

I have to agree with you. We attended the party on 8/29. I expected the park to feel empty and it just didn't! I was disappointed but realized my expectations had been incorrect. We had a great time and would do it again without hesitation. Just know that you will be working with and against a crowd the majority of the evening. It was an awesome evening and a terrific memory for us to keep. Just go with the flow and you will do fine.

 

[jenushkask8s]

I'm half tempted to get some sharpies and do some poncho decorating

That's exactly what I'm doing. My costume is hula Stitch so I'm decorating a poncho to look like Stitch.

 

[SG131]

We probably saw you! We were the second group in line, in our Packers jerseys and cheeseheads! We got our wristbands around 4 and then went to try to find the line. CM's refused to even acknowledge where the line would be or that Moana was even coming (each we asked just pulled out their standard party map and tried to point out the many character icons to us). We knew vaguely where she'd be and waited with 2 other families until after 4:30 when they finally started putting some props in and eventually formed the queue line. My advice would be for future parties to take advantage of some rides during the 4-4:45 time and not line up until a bit later. At least DH & I just stood in the line and let my son/friend go use both of our FP's during that time (Space/Pirates). Also, Moana DID sign autographs. I was not expecting that and son was mad at me because he wanted to have a picture frame signed and I'd told him I had read party characters didn't sign. Sigh.

We also suffered out the entire party. Honestly pretty miserable. We did some characters and rides just because they were inside (Jack Sparrow, POTC, Small World) while trying to wait. Candy lines never let up that I saw. We watched the fireworks from an ideal location on Main Street, showing up around 10:20 (they started maybe 15 minutes later). One frustrating thing was that CM's were NOT up to date on what was happening. At 10:10 we had 3 different CM's insist to us the fireworks were starting at 10:15. Same with parades - even when there were no ropes up yet for the second parade, they were still telling everyone it would start at 11:15 (it eventually did about 11:45).

We were also disappointed by the long lines for almost all photopass photographers. We did the best we could but so many were closed due to the weather and others had really long lines. I don't understand why they move so many characters from sheltered areas to outdoor areas (ie Ariel - her grotto area was closed and she was across from there so everyone had to wait outside in the rain). Or why they couldn't use so many sheltered areas (in front of the riverboat which wasn't running; the area they used for Belle's special photopass meet last year). Just seemed like they had a lot of covered/indoor areas totally not used and then shut down characters due to rain. This was our first party and I'm pretty sure will be our last. Only paid $53 for military tickets and still really don't think it was worth it.

Yes I definitely remember you guys! The cheese hats were very memorable! We were a few spots back but not quite as noticeably dressed. I had one of the thousand moana kids as well as an Ariel and I was eeyore.

I agree with what you said about not needing to line up too early. We were planning to get there sooner but a suspended monorail service made us much later than I had hoped, but it still ended up working out.

Another thing to note, I heard someone ask for the Mickey popcorn head bucket around 11 and they were completely sold out for the night.

 

[krsb09]

Yes I definitely remember you guys! The cheese hats were very memorable! We were a few spots back but not quite as noticeably dressed. I had one of the thousand moana kids as well as an Ariel and I was eeyore.

I agree with what you said about not needing to line up too early. We were planning to get there sooner but a suspended monorail service made us much later than I had hoped, but it still ended up working out.

Another thing to note, I heard someone ask for the Mickey popcorn head bucket around 11 and they were completely sold out for the night.

We were there as well! We were the 5th family in line. Another of the Moana kids, my husband had the Olaf hat costume and I was Minnie. The lightning delay was a bummer but finally meeting Moana was the highlight of my daughter's year.

 

[AngelDisney]

Did you just ask for the teal allergy bag at the bypass when you entered or is there a special location to get it at?

The teal bags are available at all the trick-or-treat stations. I got the regular one from the bypass to get the first pre-packed treat then asked for a teal bag at one of the stations.

 

[AngelDisney]

Does anyone know if they are doing Philharmagic as normal on Halloween party dates? I saw on a blog last year that they were showing The Legend of Sleepy Hollow instead on party nights but that is the only reference to it I have ever seen. Just curious since it may affect our plans!

Philharmagic is a ToT station and it was showing some old Disney black and white cartoons on both August 29 and September 1 when we went through the station.

 

[luckystar2]

Lurker chiming in. Was at the 9/1 party. My first party. The rain was disappointing especially since we were watching The first Hocus pocus show when it got cancelled. We tried to make the best of it though.

We trick or treated. The lines looked long but they were very quick. Some had multiples in 1 spot.

The night was saved for my dd when Big Thunder Mountain remained open. We rode it 4 times in a row and literally walked right on each time. We could have continued that for who knows how much longer but I wanted to catch a little bit of parade. It's a small world was walk on as well.

7 dwarves mine train was down to 30 min wait towards end of the night which was more like 20 mins. So we were happy to ride that.

We stumbled upon a 10 min wait for Jafar.

I wanted the poison apple magic shot but really couldn't catch a photographer. We caught a super short line for the Rapunzel lantern pic that I've been dying to get. Not party specific but super happy to catch it.

Still was able to catch the parade and fireworks. The fireworks delay was a bit crazy since they kept saying it would be delayed and all of a sudden they just started. Luckily we were close and could run right over and get an ok spot.

Overall I would have preferred no rain but we tried to make the best of it. We stayed until a little after midnight (got caught up in the delayed parade). We really didn't want to do characters so no idea how that was. Would have loved Moana but knew she'd be a long wait and then wasn't sure she'd meet if it was raining.

 

[luckystar2]

Does anyone know if they were doing the lantern photo during the party?

ETA: Rapunzel's, not the HM Magic shot

I saw that out on 8/29. DD was too tired to get a shot. She was near River Boat while I went to Fantasyland for some ToT. Saw the photopass photographer with quite a long line once I stepped into Fantasyland from Liberty Square. But they were not out last night due to the rain.

We were able to get the Rapunzel lantern pic at 9/1 party. I assumed they wouldn't be out because of the rain but they were. Instead of out in the open they were across under cover. I almost missed it because I was looking in the place I had seen them before, but my husband saw them. Since it was rainy and hidden there were only 2 people in line ahead of us. So if it's raining, make sure to look around across from Rapunzel's area under cover.

From this location you don't really have the hanging lanterns prominent in the picture though since they are further in background. But I was happy to be able to get something without a wait and even though it was rainy.

 

[marciemi]

Quick update - friend is staying onsite and went and asked at Guest Services and they offered her tickets to the 9/7 or 9/10 party as compensation. DS (Navy officer) of course won't be able to stay and DH unfortunately is traveling on business both of those dates but at least my friend and I get to try again - particularly cool since she's visiting from overseas and impressive Disney customer service! I really felt that since they at least had the fireworks and parade (even if late/shortened) that they wouldn't offer anything. Hoping for less rain on round 2 attempt!

I wanted the poison apple magic shot but really couldn't catch a photographer.

Still was able to catch the parade and fireworks. The fireworks delay was a bit crazy since they kept saying it would be delayed and all of a sudden they just started. Luckily we were close and could run right over and get an ok spot.

Do you know where the poison apple magic shot was supposed to be? We only got a couple photopass pics due to the rain and lines and of course didn't get that one but would like to try if we can next time! Also, we were in the hub for the fireworks and they did give a "starting in 10 minutes" announcement but I'm not sure if they just announced in that area or throughout the park.

We were able to get the Rapunzel lantern pic at 9/1 party. I assumed they wouldn't be out because of the rain but they were. Instead of out in the open they were across under cover. I almost missed it because I was looking in the place I had seen them before, but my husband saw them. Since it was rainy and hidden there were only 2 people in line ahead of us. So if it's raining, make sure to look around across from Rapunzel's area under cover.

That's a little frustrating because we were actually standing by that line when the heavy rain started and the CM's told my husband they'd try to go as quickly as they could until the weather impacted it but didn't mention they were going to move somewhere under cover.

 

[mds88]

The first time they took a break was due to a make up issue. The second it wasn't raining at the time and when they returned I had an excellent meet and greet and was at fantasyland a few minutes before 7. My issue with the whole party was not keeping anyone informed. If they say parade is going to begin in ten minutes. This was close to midnight,no rain then it should either start or another announcement should be made. I was right by city hall waiting and the line there was out the door. Safety first, just clue people in. I saw a lot of frustration but tried to keep an upbeat attitude.

This is exactly how I felt. I understand disney can't change the weather, but the communication was terrible. I wish they would have given a time frame (within 60 minutes, within 20 minutes, ect.) for all the delays. We wasted so much time waiting and then ultimately leaving our spots that we lined up early for for both the parade and hocus pocus 1 and 2. When they announced the fireworks were delayed we went to do Lotso (who wasn't out when we got there btw) and did buzz instead and the fireworks were already started. I was a little upset because if I knew the delay was only going to be 15 minutes i would have waited, but we already wasted so much time waiting for the shows and parades I didn't want to waste any more. Very disappointed with how disney handled this party

 

[WVU Disney Fan]

We caught a super short line for the Rapunzel lantern pic that I've been dying to get. Not party specific but super happy to catch it.

Where was that located my daughters live Rapunzel

 

[rstevens333]

Do characters generally run until midnight, or do they end at an earlier time?

We might go to the party this Thursday!