We will be at WDW beginning 10/11 and have never been to MNSSHP. Is it worth the money with little children who are usually pooped out by 8PM? Especially the little one!! When do they kick you out of the park if you do not have a wristband?
We are staying at GF so we will be close by, but this party has put a crimp in my spreadsheet of plans for the 10 days I will be there since you need to pay extra in order to go to the MK. I will be paying $1000 for tickets for my family to go to the parks that week! I really don't want to pay any more!!
So I guess my question is...Is it worth it!! I have read all of the great things that are happening, but I feel that MK without the party would make my kids just as happy!!
Thanks!!
That's a hard decision. We went last year for the first time (Me, DM, and DD turned 7 while there) on the first night and had a good time. We are going to be there this year, again, during the time of the first one and still haven't decided to go, or not. Last year, it rained, which put a crimp in some activities. The parade was great (DD loved it

), as were the fireworks. However, you have to line up early to get good spots.

We got a lot of candy (which again, DD enjoyed) but it is a lot of money to pay for 3 bags of candy, much of which we ended up bringing home, and even threw some away later. Like alot of kids, my DD enjoys getting it, but she's not a big candy eater. This year, if we go, they'll be another adult in our group, so it'll be even more money.
On the flip side, we've been listening to the music from the parade and fireworks, lately, and DD7 really wants to go again! It may be that she and I go it alone, with my DM and DSis, skipping it. My DM didn't really like it that much. We do have ADRs for LTT that night so even if we don't go, we will be able to see the characters in costume. We're eating at about 5:05. Luckily for us, the later hour isn't so bad since we are from CA and due to the 3 hr. time difference, we tend to get up, and therefore stay up, later.
I posted a thread last year, after returning, regarding our MNSSHP experiences, here's the link if you would like to read:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1231593 (with pictures)
Also, we didn't do costumes, but I made us matching Mickey, halloween shirts, which were very comfortable to wear.
FYI, you're supposed to leave the park at 7 p.m. without a ticket (and wristband). Last year, I saw a CM tell one family (without wristbands), just after 7 p.m., that they needed to get their wristbands, or exit the park.
Since you are staying close by at GF, if you skip the party, you could still watch the fireworks from the dock near Narcoossee's.

Since the kids are young, and haven't been, they won't know what they are missing.
Hope this helps, have fun!