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

[OhioStateBuckeye]

So I went to the party last night, Tuesday Oct 2. Overall it seemed like there were lots of people. Here is what we got done.

In line at the tapstyles around 15 til. We were let in just a few minutes early, none of that nice 15 minutes early stuff for that day, even though the lines stretched all the way back to the fences.

This was our only MK day, so we had some attractions we wanted to get done before they shut down at 6.

We got our Orange Bird sorcerer cards at the fire station, then went back thru the bypass. Wasn't interested in any of the magic shots so got our bags with starter candy and met up with a friend to do a quick photopass picture in front of the castle.

Did Carousel of Progress.

Did Philharmagic.

Did Country Bears, second to last show at 5:30 pm.

Had a fastpass for POTC that ended at 6 pm, used that and walked on.

We did have a FP for Pooh, Pooh went down and it turned into an anything FP but didn't include 7DMT or Peter Pan. I had wanted to do Peter Pan so was sad that FP didn't include that, we never did get to go on it. Was the only ride I wanted to get done but we didn't.

Stitch: In line at 6:07. Everyone was queued up outside, shortly after we arrived they moved the line inside the building. He started at 6:28, we met him at 6:52.

We checked Lotso's line, it looked pretty long.

Queen and Tweedles: decided to get in their line even though it stretched all along the little brick wall. In line at 6:58, met them at 7:48. They took one short break while we were in line but they were right back out immediately. We probably would have met them 20 minutes sooner, not kidding, but autograph books are just killers for character lines. 3 little kids who all have autograph books and three characters each need to sign...it just takes forever. I swear it triples the wait time and I think you get a better interaction if you don't have them.

We did have a decent time in line watching interesting costumes go by. Switched off for some trick or treating and the lines were just tremendously long. Trick or treating in the first few hours of the party really isn't worth it.

Our plan was just to continue our circuit of the park and head up in Frontierland for the first parade.

Belle and Gaston: in line at 7:53, they were gone on break at that point. Met them at 8:22. They're always a great interaction.

We stopped for a non magic shot in front of Be Our Guest.

Waited in a five minute wait for the floating head hatbox magic shot by HM.

Lucked out into probably the last front row parade spot in frontierland in front of the shooting gallery at 8:43.

Switched off saving the spot to go trick or treating at the Country Bears spot.

Costume promenade happened around 9, Brer Bear and Rabbit led some kids up and down the road.

Headless Horseman rode at 9:10.

Parade at 9:15, great as usual.

While the last float was passing we ducked into the Frontierland store, then came out at the Adventureland bypass road and straight into Tiki Room for Moana.

Moana: in line at 9:34, done at 9:56.

Continued towards the hub for fireworks at 10:15.

Jafar was out on break but got in line anyway at 10:02, he came out a few minutes later, we were done at 10:06.

Tarzan characters probably had about 15 groups in line but we would have missed the fireworks so we didn't wait.

We got to the grassy area in front of Casey's with about 8 minutes to spare. Did the quick photopass with the giant pumpkin that had no wait. Sat down in the grass right to the side of the photopass shot and had a front row spot. The area was kind of full but everyone sat and we had an excellent view of the fireworks having got there 5 minutes before they started.

My plan was to continue in a circle around the park and end up at Storybook at 11.

We did some trick or treating on the way, the lines were much more manageable.

Lotso's line still looked really long.

Rode TTA as a walk on.

Space said it only had a 15 minute wait but the line was out the door. We felt we had got the general idea by going thru on TTA so we didn't worry about it.

Walked onto tea cups, the ride was fun with the lights and music.

This was at 11, it looked like the line for the Queen and Tweedles might have already been cut.

Went to Storybook.

Goofy in line at 11:03, done at 11:12. Would have been sooner but the photopass had an equipment malfunction and had to wait for someone to bring her something.

Seven Dwarves in line at 11:13, they switched out but were back in just a few minutes. Done at 11:34. These guys were a much better interaction then I had remembered. Maybe because they were inside with air conditioning.

Walked by the Vampirina dance party.

Did trick or treating at the train station.

The line for the ducks was still open and we could have met them, but we made a tough choice and decided that we needed to ride HM.

Did several photopasses along the way with no waits.

Ariel and Eric had one group ahead of us so we stopped.

Belle and Gaston's line was still open and there were only about 5 groups but we'd already met them.

Did several trick or treats along the way including the always fun Philharmagic stop which plays Legend of Sleepy Hollow on the screen.

Did the HM lantern magic shot with no wait.

Could have done the buggy HM shot with no wait, park was open for about 7 more minutes but we were tired and already going thru the queue for the ride.

Was in the stretching room with only about 10 other people, when we came out it was 12:03.

Saw the end of the midnight Hocus Pocus show.

Found a photopass on Main Street with three groups ahead of us, did the poison apple shot.

Found an empty photopass photographer for the headless horseman shot right before the exit.

So that was pretty much it. Almost one of those dream like parties where there are lots of people but you keep lucking (or is it just party knowledge skills?) into shorter waits and good parade spots and fireworks spots.

We got around two bags each of candy, haven't really dug into it yet.

We are staying at Universal at Cabana Bay so we were took a resort monorail (got onto the next one that came) and called a Lyft from the Poly.

Feet are a bit shot since I was dressed as Gamorra and wearing combat type boots. Overall had a very good time. It was pretty hot when we arrived, but we were in and out of air conditioned shows so that helped a lot. The sun was just about down when we got out of Stitch's line at 6.

The only things on my list that I really wanted to do that we missed were Peter Pan, the gravediggers (we were just never over in Frontierland when they were meeting, but I did get stared down by one as he passed so that counts), and I forgot to get my Headless Horseman straw clip souvenir

Anyone have any questions? Gonna get myself out of bed and head over to Volcano Bay. Time for some fearless river!

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

@OhioStateBuckeye Thank you! It sounds like a great party.

 

[billyjobobb]

We were at 7 dwarfs around 445. Even tho the rumor in line was 530 it was closer to 615. They kept checking bands and making the announcement that bands would be checked prior to the picture so if you don’t have a band don’t waste your time. We were the second group and got out in a few minutes. Pooh went fast but then the tweedles and queen of hearts was s l o w. Plus you’re quad right outside the speedway. Fumes for almost an hour? Stitch was interacting and signing autographs. It just depends on how much time it takes the people in front of you..... get that group of 10 that all wants individual pictures, taken on each cell phone and it can bog down quick. Stitch was also very much stitch and that slows down the line..... it’s fun but really hard to say how fast you can get a picture.

 

[dachsie]

Just curious, if the party characters are coming out before the official start of the party, are the CM’s checking party bands before allowing you to queue up?

Yes - I was definitely checked while waiting for Pooh

 

[Haley R]

Yes - I was definitely checked while waiting for Pooh

Do they start checking at 4?

 

[dachsie]

Do they start checking at 4?

I would assume if in line for a character they would, but have no first hand experience with that as I didn't get in a line until 5:55

 

[firsttimer4]

Moana: in line at 9:34, done at 9:56.

Continued towards the hub for fireworks at 10:15.

Jafar was out on break but got in line anyway at 10:02, he came out a few minutes later, we were done at 10:06.

Tarzan characters probably had about 15 groups in line but we would have missed the fireworks so we didn't wait.

We got to the grassy area in front of Casey's with about 8 minutes to spare. Did the quick photopass with the giant pumpkin that had no wait. Sat down in the grass right to the side of the photopass shot and had a front row spot. The area was kind of full but everyone sat and we had an excellent view of the fireworks having got there 5 minutes before they started.

My plan was to continue in a circle around the park and end up at Storybook at 11.

We did some trick or treating on the way, the lines were much more manageable.

Lotso's line still looked really long.

Rode TTA as a walk on.

Space said it only had a 15 minute wait but the line was out the door. We felt we had got the general idea by going thru on TTA so we didn't worry about it.

Walked onto tea cups, the ride was fun with the lights and music.

This was at 11, it looked like the line for the Queen and Tweedles might have already been cut.

Went to Storybook.

Goofy in line at 11:03, done at 11:12. Would have been sooner but the photopass had an equipment malfunction and had to wait for someone to bring her something.

Seven Dwarves in line at 11:13, they switched out but were back in just a few minutes. Done at 11:34. These guys were a much better interaction then I had remembered. Maybe because they were inside with air conditioning.

Sounds like you were able to get a lot done during the parade times!
Our plan is to catch the fireworks, 2nd parade and the last hocus pocus show. Hopefully we can make use some of that time when everyone else is watching the 1st parade and see some of the hard to meet characters.

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

Is Moana just not as popular this year? She seems to be having relatively short waits.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Is Moana just not as popular this year? She seems to be having relatively short waits.

Might be that's she's not easily visible. Same thing will seven dwarves. Lots of people don't plan like we do in this thread.

If you walk by and see a character or see a big line and ask someone who they're waiting for, that's one thing. This year Moana is inside the tiki room with just one small sign that said meet Moana. Same with seven dwarves inside the storybook enclosed tent.

Disney's own party maps don't even have characters on the locations, just a Mickey head to designate 'character'.

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

Might be that's she's not easily visible. Same thing will seven dwarves. Lots of people don't plan like we do in this thread.

If you walk by and see a character or see a big line and ask someone who they're waiting for, that's one thing. This year Moana is inside the tiki room with just one small sign that said meet Moana. Same with seven dwarves inside the storybook enclosed tent.

Disney's own party maps don't even have characters on the locations, just a Mickey head to designate 'character'.

That makes sense, thanks. It’s pretty bizarre that the maps don’t specify the character, so I think you are right - unless you know who is there, you may not want to trail all the way up to Pete’s Silly Sideshow or go into the Tiki Room. I wonder if this was intentional on Disney’s part, to stop the lines getting out of control with higher ticket sales.

 

[sweetheartxapril]

Has anyone got in line for Jack and Sally or Moana later in the party (maybe during the first parade) and had success? We want to see both but really don't want to stand in line for 2+ hours. A facebook friend of mine went to one of the parties and said she only waited 20minutes for Moana.

We went to last nights party. Watched the 2nd parade and stumbled upon Jack and Sally just as they were closing the line at 11:38. We were the last ones in line. Took about 40 minutes.

 

[MelOhioDis]

That makes sense, thanks. It’s pretty bizarre that the maps don’t specify the character, so I think you are right - unless you know who is there, you may not want to trail all the way up to Pete’s Silly Sideshow or go into the Tiki Room. I wonder if this was intentional on Disney’s part, to stop the lines getting out of control with higher ticket sales.

I've also not seen Moana or Jack and Sally on the MDE app at all. I've checked a few times on party nights just out of curiosity for their wait times, but they never seem to pop up. All of the other characters are there though... Similar thought to what @OhioStateBuckeye said, people just might not know they're there.

I'm encouraged by your wait time though! I may check her line out around that time. I gave my daughter the choice between waiting for Moana, Jack & Sally and Pooh and friends. She chose Jack & Sally... Hoping to get in line as early as possible for that one. We'll then just see how the other lines look as we walk around.

O-H!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I've also not seen Moana or Jack and Sally on the MDE app at all. I've checked a few times on party nights just out of curiosity for their wait times, but they never seem to pop up. All of the other characters are there though... Similar thought to what @OhioStateBuckeye said, people just might not know they're there.

I'm encouraged by your wait time though! I may check her line out around that time. I gave my daughter the choice between waiting for Moana, Jack & Sally and Pooh and friends. She chose Jack & Sally... Hoping to get in line as early as possible for that one. We'll then just see how the other lines look as we walk around.

O-H!

I-O!!!!

 

[HollyMD]

Hmm. I’m wonderomg if we should change our plans up for Moana. It is our must do greet for my 2 ur old so had planned to line up at 4 and tag Team it until she came out. But would be great to NOT have to do that. Wonder if we should take our chances later in the night(but not TOO late in case DS starts to get tired). Of course, can’t see her during first parade, as we need to do that parade for same reason above. Decisions, decisions

 

[Haley R]

I've also not seen Moana or Jack and Sally on the MDE app at all. I've checked a few times on party nights just out of curiosity for their wait times, but they never seem to pop up. All of the other characters are there though... Similar thought to what @OhioStateBuckeye said, people just might not know they're there.

I'm encouraged by your wait time though! I may check her line out around that time. I gave my daughter the choice between waiting for Moana, Jack & Sally and Pooh and friends. She chose Jack & Sally... Hoping to get in line as early as possible for that one. We'll then just see how the other lines look as we walk around.

O-H!

I didn’t know the characters show up on Mde during the party. That’s nice! Even Elvis stitch?

 

[tampabrat22]

Hi everyone! We are going to the party tomorrow Oct 4th, just purchased the tickets and booked 2 nights at Art of Animation so this is really last minute! We have AP's so we are hoping to arrive by 3pm to beat the incoming party crowd, we want to be in Liberty Square to get in line for Jack & Sally by 4:30, then head to Moana and Aladdin/Jafar as these are my daughters must do's. She also really wants to get the Orange Bird sorcerer cards, so I am trying to figure when we can do that? Is 4pm the earliest you can pick them up? Does anyone know when they stop or close?

 

[Aandd Beyond]

Hi everyone! We are going to the party tomorrow Oct 4th, just purchased the tickets and booked 2 nights at Art of Animation so this is really last minute! We have AP's so we are hoping to arrive by 3pm to beat the incoming party crowd, we want to be in Liberty Square to get in line for Jack & Sally by 4:30, then head to Moana and Aladdin/Jafar as these are my daughters must do's. She also really wants to get the Orange Bird sorcerer cards, so I am trying to figure when we can do that? Is 4pm the earliest you can pick them up? Does anyone know when they stop or close?

We were able to pick up the Orange Bird cards right at 4. CM marks your party band so they know you have collected yours. Have fun!

 

[tampabrat22]

We were able to pick up the Orange Bird cards right at 4. CM marks your party band so they know you have collected yours. Have fun!

Great, thanks. I am thinking maybe we will just hang around Main Street and grab the cards right at 4 then head to Liberty Square. I just don't want to back track all the way to the front once the party begins.

 

[Aandd Beyond]

Great, thanks. I am thinking maybe we will just hang around Main Street and grab the cards right at 4 then head to Liberty Square. I just don't want to back track all the way to the front once the party begins.

Make sure to check out HM during the party. Either Lady Renata or Carlotta hold court out front of the mansion and banter with the guests in line. It was one of my favorite parts of the party.

 

[Restrasz]

What is the headless horseman straw clip?