"Official" 2019 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - A Frightfully Festive Celebration

[evlaina]

Does anyone think it would be crazy to do a 4pm Storybook Dining at Artist Point ADR before MNSSHP?

We saw Jack & Sally for MNSSHP and MVMCP last year so probably won't again this year. Thinking I could be at MK around 6pm/6:30pm and get in line for one character or is that too much?

I don't think so...we're doing a 4pm Ohana but we also don't care about lining up for characters early.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I was toying with the idea of booking a dessert party for our party night, but I'm a little perplexed by the schedule as listed on the website:

Event Details

• Location: Dessert party held at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant at Magic Kingdom park, with fireworks viewing in the Plaza Garden
• Dates: Select nights August 16 through November 1, 2019
• Dessert Party Time: 8:45 PM
• Fireworks Show Time: 10:15 PM
• Price: $69 plus tax for Guests ages 10 and older; $41 plus tax for Guests ages 3 to 9

1 and a half hours seems like an awfully long dessert party prior to the fireworks. Is this right? That seems like an awful lot of time away from the actual party, especially if we want to get to the plaza garden earlier to snag a good spot.

I personally think the 1.5 hour thing is a waste of party time. We’ve done the Plaza Garden dessert party during MNSSHP, but we opt to not show up until 30-60 mins pre fireworks. Anything else (to us) is just overkill and too much time sitting around.

Others may prefer a more relaxing pace, a few trips to the dessert bar, etc. You can make it / time it whatever works best for you.

(Caveat in case the new show with projections puts a lot more demand on the garden viewing this year. For the last two years, the dessert party has been relatively dead when compared to a regular HEA dessert party, so “when you moved over to the garden” hasn’t really mattered all that much for practical purposes.)

 

[ErinsMommy]

Does anyone think it would be crazy to do a 4pm Storybook Dining at Artist Point ADR before MNSSHP?

We saw Jack & Sally for MNSSHP and MVMCP last year so probably won't again this year. Thinking I could be at MK around 6pm/6:30pm and get in line for one character or is that too much?

Personally speaking they give out so much candy and snacks, that other than grabbing a quick burger or something light I'll feel too stuffed/full going to a party after a big meal.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Does anyone think it would be crazy to do a 4pm Storybook Dining at Artist Point ADR before MNSSHP?

We saw Jack & Sally for MNSSHP and MVMCP last year so probably won't again this year. Thinking I could be at MK around 6pm/6:30pm and get in line for one character or is that too much?

We party differently than some, I’d rather not arrive at the MK until 6-7:30pm. Part of it is that we don’t really do characters and don’t need that extra park time. Part of it is (depending on the time of year), it’s still hot as all heck and I don’t mind waiting for that sun to go down a bit. Part of it is that I do like to have a real/decent meal before MNSSHP just to fuel up for the night... so everything about a 4pm Storybook Dining ADR then boat ride to MK for MNSSHP sounds great to me!

 

[twinklebug]

We party differently than some, I’d rather not arrive at the MK until 6-7:30pm. Part of it is that we don’t really do characters and don’t need that extra park time. Park of it is (depending on the time of year), it’s still hot as all heck and I don’t mind waiting for that sun to go down a bit. Part of it is that I do like to have real/decent meal before MNSSHP just to fuel up for the night... so everything about a 4pm Storybook Dining the boat ride to MK sounds great to me!

I will give anyone considering doing this the heads up, on these party nights the lobbies of the MK area resorts tend to get very crowded and loud starting a couple hours before the official close of the MK to anyone without tickets..

 

[Best Aunt]

Does anyone think it would be crazy to do a 4pm Storybook Dining at Artist Point ADR before MNSSHP?

We saw Jack & Sally for MNSSHP and MVMCP last year so probably won't again this year. Thinking I could be at MK around 6pm/6:30pm and get in line for one character or is that too much?

If you do this, take the bus to MK not the boat. The bus is a shorter ride and a shorter wait if you miss one.

 

[123SA]

Dessert party -- I have the Garden Party booked for 8/16 opening night. (I wish I had a different day to choose, but this is our last night) I really was hoping to show up 30 minutes before fireworks, grab something to eat and drink and walk into the viewing area. I know I won't get the best spots in the viewing area, but aren't all the spots good? I was assuming that in order to have a comparable view without the dessert party, I'd have to show up at least 30 minutes early, probably earlier, and then fight to hold to my spot. Is this a viable plan?

 

[pangyal]

I am toying with the dessert party based on rumours that it will indeed be projection-heavy, but I’m still holding out hope for a parade viewing package like they had for MVMCP last year. Does anybody recall how far in advance of the first party they announced it for the Christmas option?

I agree that the dessert party is time away from the party, but then again, so is sitting for an hour staking out a good parade spot. We’ve been fortunate enough to use the pass-through trick the past two years, but these parties are just too crowded to hedge our bets on that for this year.

@GADisneyDad14 I hate to bother you to look for a post, but if I recall, you had a fantastically useful post last year about watching the parade from the dessert party viewing area. I can’t seem to find it! Do you happen to have that information somewhere easily found- please and thank you ?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I am toying with the dessert party based on rumours that it will indeed be projection-heavy, but I’m still holding out hope for a parade viewing package like they had for MVMCP last year. Does anybody recall how far in advance of the first party they announced it for the Christmas option?

I agree that the dessert party is time away from the party, but then again, so is sitting for an hour staking out a good parade spot. We’ve been fortunate enough to use the pass-through trick the past two years, but these parties are just too crowded to hedge our bets on that for this year.

@GADisneyDad14 I hate to bother you to look for a post, but if I recall, you had a fantastically useful post last year about watching the parade from the dessert party viewing area. I can’t seem to find it! Do you happen to have that information somewhere easily found- please and thank you ?

Ha! Yes, I can try to find it. Although I’ll caution I wouldn’t necessarily recommend watching from there. Probably only good for someone like us who is fine with “meh” viewing with plans to watch the late parade “for real.” Plus my back is still damaged from holding my kiddo on my shoulders. . (Before anyone yells at me, I was in the Plaza Garden 15 feet off Main Street with no one behind me)

 

[pangyal]

Ha! Yes, I can try to find it. Although I’ll caution I wouldn’t necessarily recommend watching from there. Probably only good for someone like us who is fine with “meh” viewing and plans to watch the late parade “for real.” Plus my back is still damaged from holding my kiddo on my shoulders. (Before anyone yells at me, I was in the Plaza Garden 15 feet off Main Street with no one behind me)

Thank you! It’s hubby’s first (and likely last, at least for the foreseeable future due to unending work scheduling issues) MNSSHP and I want him to see the parade in the best way possible. It sounds like the Garden wouldn’t be the best option.

 

[Cluelyss]

Thank you! It’s hubby’s first (and likely last, at least for the foreseeable future due to unending work scheduling issues) MNSSHP and I want him to see the parade in the best way possible. It sounds like the Garden wouldn’t be the best option.

My favorite spot to watch the parade is near the Splash exit, across from Peco Bills. I love the spooky atmosphere in Frontierland and there is a minimal gap between the headless horseman and the rest of the parade. Then we sneak off to haunted mansion while everyone else is still watching the parade before we grab our fireworks spot (or ride BTMRR before the hocus pocus show if we’ve watched the second parade). Depending on the crowd, you can get a front row seat here 30-45 minutes in advance and there’s a little curb to sit on while you wait.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you! It’s hubby’s first (and likely last, at least for the foreseeable future due to unending work scheduling issues) MNSSHP and I want him to see the parade in the best way possible. It sounds like the Garden wouldn’t be the best option.

Found it. Not a ton here, but maybe it helps? https://www.disboards.com/threads/o...ar-celebration.3665880/page-470#post-59768908

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Dessert party -- I have the Garden Party booked for 8/16 opening night. (I wish I had a different day to choose, but this is our last night) I really was hoping to show up 30 minutes before fireworks, grab something to eat and drink and walk into the viewing area. I know I won't get the best spots in the viewing area, but aren't all the spots good? I was assuming that in order to have a comparable view without the dessert party, I'd have to show up at least 30 minutes early, probably earlier, and then fight to hold to my spot. Is this a viable plan?

I'm just guessing here since we don't have anything to go by... but first party... first party with new fireworks show... everyone and their cousin blogger there for pics/videos of the new show....I'd probably want to be in the garden. Wouldn't surprise me if some blogger types did the party just to secure an easier quasi-central spot as well.

But yes, all views from the Plaza Garden are generally equal. IMHO there are some spots that are better than others... I like being more to the left (when facing the castle), I like being along the back rail (helps to lean on), there are a few plants/lamp poles around that you don't really want to be right behind if you can't help it. I wouldn't camp out 1.5 hours (or even an hour) for any of that, but if I were walking in a empty garden, those would be my preferences. But it's shades of grey stuff, not experience altering stuff.

I think being in the garden around 30-40 mins from show-time is what I'd do if in your shoes. You won't be the first by a long-shot, but hopefully not the last.

 

[pangyal]

My favorite spot to watch the parade is near the Splash exit, across from Peco Bills. I love the spooky atmosphere in Frontierland and there is a minimal gap between the headless horseman and the rest of the parade. Then we sneak off to haunted mansion while everyone else is still watching the parade before we grab our fireworks spot (or ride BTMRR before the hocus pocus show if we’ve watched the second parade). Depending on the crowd, you can get a front row seat here 30-45 minutes in advance and there’s a little curb to sit on while you wait.

That’s exactly where we’ve ended up every year! It’s the best . But...this year, it was already packed three rows deep in Frontierland an HOUR before the first parade. If we hadn’t waited at the passthrough a few feet down, I don’t think we would have been able to see the parade at all.

 

[pangyal]

Found it. Not a ton here, but maybe it helps? https://www.disboards.com/threads/o...ar-celebration.3665880/page-470#post-59768908

I must be misremembering the layout of the Plaza Garden area. Does the left side (if you’re facing the castle) run along Main Street, where the parade goes, or is there something in between the left rail length and Main? Obviously, if it was a good viewing area for the parade, they would have monetized it a million times over by now, so I’m just trying to figure out what is between guests in that area and the parade.

 

[anneboleyn]

Does anybody recall how far in advance of the first party they announced it for the Christmas option?

It looks like Tony’s Merriest Town Square Party was announced on October 26 (not sure if rumors leaked before that, tho). So they still have plenty of time to announce a MNSSHP version. Fingers crossed!

 

[pangyal]

It looks like Tony’s Merriest Town Square Party was announced on October 26 (not sure if rumors leaked before that, tho). So they still have plenty of time to announce a MNSSHP version. Fingers crossed!

Thank you!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I must be misremembering the layout of the Plaza Garden area. Does the left side (if you’re facing the castle) run along Main Street, where the parade goes, or is there something in between the left rail length and Main? Obviously, if it was a good viewing area for the parade, they would have monetized it a million times over by now, so I’m just trying to figure out what is between guests in that area and the parade.

What's in between the left most rail (if facing the castle) and Main Street is a big sidewalk that's full of/crammed with people watching the parade. The garden elevation is ever so slightly higher than the sidewalk, but with so many people between you and the street who are all mostly standing, it makes for less than idea viewing. But stuff over head high is very visible, and the audio is quite good... it's just that head high and below, any characters walking, etc, get tough from there.

A couple of visuals. The yellow one here is the garden used for the dessert party.



The map version...

 

[pangyal]

Thank you so much for posting these! Ha ha, I knew I was forgetting something, and of course it turned out to be the mass of humanity in between the Garden and the parade.

 

[ksromack]

Do we know for sure that the garden area in front of Casey's will or will not be available for fireworks viewing? That's where we watched last year at MNSSHP. We did get there early and were one of the first people there. A lot of people sat to watch fireworks but everyone at the front rail stood (it is impossible to be right there at the front rail and see the castle projections without standing).