"Official" 2018 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - A Spooktacular Celebration!

[UtahDisneyFan]

This year is the first time we hare headed to Florida. We normally head to Disneyland. However, we will only be there one day on October 18th and wanted to do the Halloween Party. A have a ton of questions. My family isn't interested in characters at all. We mostly are going for the shows and the rides. I'm curious what rides will be open during the party. If we just buy a party ticket, what time can we enter the parks? I'm a complete newbie and any infor would be amazing. Thanks so much

 

[kat_lh]

This year is the first time we hare headed to Florida. We normally head to Disneyland. However, we will only be there one day on October 18th and wanted to do the Halloween Party. A have a ton of questions. My family isn't interested in characters at all. We mostly are going for the shows and the rides. I'm curious what rides will be open during the party. If we just buy a party ticket, what time can we enter the parks? I'm a complete newbie and any infor would be amazing. Thanks so much

I believe you can get in at 4 with your party ticket. In then past Disney has listed rides that are open on the website. You might want to check for the 2017 thread to read up on that.

Also there’s a really fantastic planning thread on here that can help you come up with a plan for the party.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

This year is the first time we hare headed to Florida. We normally head to Disneyland. However, we will only be there one day on October 18th and wanted to do the Halloween Party. A have a ton of questions. My family isn't interested in characters at all. We mostly are going for the shows and the rides. I'm curious what rides will be open during the party. If we just buy a party ticket, what time can we enter the parks? I'm a complete newbie and any infor would be amazing. Thanks so much

Utah-

You can enter the park with your party ticket at 4PM but the party doesn't officially start until 7- so no trick-or-treating until then but once you enter the park, you're directed to the right where you'll receive your goodie bag and there will be a few cast members throwing candy in to get you started.
During my past experiences, Jungle Cruise & Splash Mountain are usually closed.

 

[kat_lh]

I'm curious what rides will be open during the party.

Here’s the info from last year in post 1 (just keep reading it) https://www.disboards.com/threads/o...-so-scary-halloween-party-boo-to-you.3580223/

 

[scrappinginontario]

This year is the first time we hare headed to Florida. We normally head to Disneyland. However, we will only be there one day on October 18th and wanted to do the Halloween Party. A have a ton of questions. My family isn't interested in characters at all. We mostly are going for the shows and the rides. I'm curious what rides will be open during the party. If we just buy a party ticket, what time can we enter the parks? I'm a complete newbie and any infor would be amazing. Thanks so much

Post 1 lists the rides that were open in 2017. It will be updated with 2018 rides once they are known. Not sure if Splash will be open or not as last year it was closed for refurbishment during the MNSSHP dates.

 

[dachsie]

I'm seeing some posts that tickets may be available online 4/17/18. Umm, my AP expires on April 19th - would I be able to buy tickets for the party and get my AP discount? I'm planning on getting an AP again, but I'll wait until I get to WDW in August.

You will not be able to receive your tickets until you arrive at WDW and show them your AP is active

 

[RJstanis]

Splash Mountain, unless under refurbishment has been open during the parties and has almost been walk on for me later in the party/evening every time we've gone.

 

[Mrspeaks]

I'm wanting to eat at Cinderella's royal table on a party night that we won't be attending. Is that possible as long as the reservation is before regular guests need to exit? My 180 days is now open and I don't see any ADRs. Are the open yet or already booked? Thanks

 

[Rickat96]

Following- Have tickets for October 5!

 

[bookbabe626]

I'm wanting to eat at Cinderella's royal table on a party night that we won't be attending. Is that possible as long as the reservation is before regular guests need to exit? My 180 days is now open and I don't see any ADRs. Are the open yet or already booked? Thanks

An ADR before 6pm should let you eat and then get escorted out, or at least that's how it's been done in the past.

I don't think they've released all the dining availability for party nights yet, or at least I'm hoping that's the case. We're planning on going to the Oct 5th party, and wanted to eat at Crystal Palace beforehand, but no times show after 2:30pm. It's not that there's no availability, they don't even let you pick the dinner times. Or is that just me? We haven't bought our tickets yet, so I'm wondering if that's it?

Has anyone managed to book an ADR at CP for a party night? Or can someone with a ticket check availability?

 

[Ormonster]

So how bad is it on Halloween. That's the day I check in and since I havn't been to the party in forever so I decided to risk it and get a ticket. This is going to be my Party trip between MNSSHP on the 31, HHN on the 1st, Wine and Dine After Party on the 4th and MVMCP on the 8th.

 

[Cluelyss]

So how bad is it on Halloween. That's the day I check in and since I havn't been to the party in forever so I decided to risk it and get a ticket. This is going to be my Party trip between MNSSHP on the 31, HHN on the 1st, Wine and Dine After Party on the 4th and MVMCP on the 8th.

It will sell out, but won’t be any worse than any other sell out. With a good plan you’ll be fine!

 

[rlg801]

Hello, we have ADR at Ohana on Friday 8/24/18 at 6:45pm. If we buy tickets in advance, would we be able to arrive after dinner (8:30-9:00 pm)or do they close the gates at a certain time?

It's a big decision because Ohana was a really hard ADR to get and we'd rather not cancel (only 9:30pm and later ADR's remain)

Thanks

 

[focusondisney]

Hello, we have ADR at Ohana on Friday 8/24/18 at 6:45pm. If we buy tickets in advance, would we be able to arrive after dinner (8:30-9:00 pm)or do they close the gates at a certain time?

It's a big decision because Ohana was a really hard ADR to get and we'd rather not cancel (only 9:30pm and later ADR's remain)

Thanks

No, they don't close the gates at a certain time so you can enter whenever you want. The problem will be that 'Ohana is usually behind on their seating. So you might not even get seated til 7:15 or so. Depending on how long it takes you to eat, pay & get to MK, it could be 9 - 9:30. Do you really want to pay for a 5 hour party & then miss 2 or more hours? Is there another day you could do the party?

 

[rlg801]

No, they don't close the gates at a certain time so you can enter whenever you want. The problem will be that 'Ohana is usually behind on their seating. So you might not even get seated til 7:15 or so. Depending on how long it takes you to eat, pay & get to MK, it could be 9 - 9:30. Do you really want to pay for a 5 hour party & then miss 2 or more hours? Is there another day you could do the party?

Ouch, I didn't even think of getting seated later than our res. time. We are staying Aug. 20-27 so it would be the only day we could do the party. The kids never experienced MNSSHP before...and I really want to try Ohana for dinner! Maybe we will get lucky and find an ADR for a different day as we get closer.

Thanks

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

I just realized the FOF parade is still listed at 3pm on August 17th. Do you think they will change it to 2? All other days are 2 starting the 19th, so I am wondering if it will stay at 3, which puts a slight damper on my plans of entering at 3:30 after a break.
We planned on going to MK in the AM, taking a break, and then heading back for remaining Fps, dinner and MNSSHP.
If it stays as is, the parade hits the front about 3:20ish? I want to time us getting there beating those exiting the park after the parade.

 

[focusondisney]

Ouch, I didn't even think of getting seated later than our res. time. We are staying Aug. 20-27 so it would be the only day we could do the party. The kids never experienced MNSSHP before...and I really want to try Ohana for dinner! Maybe we will get lucky and find an ADR for a different day as we get closer.

Thanks

Touring plans has a free ADR finder. They notify you if the adr you are looking for is found. They don't book it for you, they just give you an alert & you still have to try & snag it before anyone else does. Many posters have had good luck with that. Also, check out the dining reservations subforum here. They have threads for each month. People post if they have an adr to cancel & you try to coordinate them dropping & you booking. Good luck!

I don't know the ages of your kids, but if it comes to a choice, I'd go with the Halloween party. 'Ohana is ok, but it is just a meal. The party is a real experience!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Hello, we have ADR at Ohana on Friday 8/24/18 at 6:45pm. If we buy tickets in advance, would we be able to arrive after dinner (8:30-9:00 pm)or do they close the gates at a certain time?

It's a big decision because Ohana was a really hard ADR to get and we'd rather not cancel (only 9:30pm and later ADR's remain)

Thanks

I would keep looking for another day to do ‘Ohana. It’s my favourite ADR right now but personally I wouldn’t enjoy it as I’d constantly be thinking of getting to the party. Keep trying. Many times I’ve gotten a different ‘Ohana reservation closer to the date. Just keep checking numerous times a day. I find more open 30ush days ahead as this is when people need to make final payments on their trips. If you have TP subscription, use their reservation finder too.

I just realized the FOF parade is still listed at 3pm on August 17th. Do you think they will change it to 2? All other days are 2 starting the 19th, so I am wondering if it will stay at 3, which puts a slight damper on my plans of entering at 3:30 after a break.
We planned on going to MK in the AM, taking a break, and then heading back for remaining Fps, dinner and MNSSHP.
If it stays as is, the parade hits the front about 3:20ish? I want to time us getting there beating those exiting the park after the parade.

I think you’ll want to arrive at the main gate (after security) by 3:00ish. Any later and not only are you fighting FoF crowds but also those arriving early for the party who are not eligible to enter until 4:00. I imagine the front of the park being extremely busy from 3:15 onwards.

 

[Haley R]

Hello, we have ADR at Ohana on Friday 8/24/18 at 6:45pm. If we buy tickets in advance, would we be able to arrive after dinner (8:30-9:00 pm)or do they close the gates at a certain time?

It's a big decision because Ohana was a really hard ADR to get and we'd rather not cancel (only 9:30pm and later ADR's remain)

Thanks

I would do the Halloween party instead. We did ohana with our niece and we all just felt okay with it. I won’t be making a special trip back. I imagine a Halloween party would be more memorable for your kids than a meal. We were able to get ohana about two weeks out using the touring plans adr finder.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

Thanks for the help!
Ugh, back to the drawing board planning that day...