Question about MNSSHP

Thiago Acquaviva

Mouseketeer
Joined
Aug 10, 2015
Messages
400
Hello guys!

We're considering to attend the MNSSHP this year, it would be our first time.
I saw a list of all special meeting characters.
I would like to know if it's true, if it changes year by year, how does that work?

Here's what I saw during my research:

  • 7 Dwarfs *
  • Cruella DeVil *
  • Donald & Daisy (Costumes) *
  • Jack Skellington & Sally *
  • Jack Sparrow
  • Jafar *
  • Lotso *
  • Mickey & Minnie (Costume) *
  • Pooh, Tigger, Piglet & Eeyore (Costumes) *
  • Queen of Hearts
  • Tarzan & Jane
  • The Tweedles
Those with * are the ones we're willing to meet.
is it possible to meet them all and be able to watch the parade and hallowishes?

and about MNSSHP dates, which ones tend to be the lowest crowds?

Big thanks in advance for the help :)
 
There’s a 2017 MNSSHP thread floating around. It’s long but a lot of people posted what they were able to get done during their party. You may be able to meet all those characters but it’s going to be cutting it very close.
 
There’s a 2017 MNSSHP thread floating around. It’s long but a lot of people posted what they were able to get done during their party. You may be able to meet all those characters but it’s going to be cutting it very close.

thank you!
but about the characters meeting changing year by year, is it true?
how we're able to know about the changes?
 
I would say that is a pretty optimistic list. I think you have to consider the crowds the party brings in as well. perhaps cut that character list in half and enjoy a few additional rides. I recommend waiting for the second run of the parade. Most families watch the first and leave so this allows you to wait in lines for some characters.
 

thank you!
but about the characters meeting changing year by year, is it true?
how we're able to know about the changes?
Things do change from year to year. For instance, they added Moana for last year's party. Word sometimes leaks out about who's being added and who is going away. But it takes until the first party for everything to be confirmed character-wise. Kenny the Pirate's Character Locator site is the best place for party character info.
 
Also, I would say it's very difficult to meet the 7 dwarfs, Jack/Sally and a few more villains at one party. Those are the longest lines of the night.
 
thank you!
but about the characters meeting changing year by year, is it true?
how we're able to know about the changes?

Things do change year to year. Usually the 1st party is well attended by media/bloggers. Like someone said , Kenny the pirate has fantastic character info. Also, I'm sure there will be a 2018 MNSSHP thread where people will post after the 1st party. Rumors may circulate before then but usually nothing is officially known until after the 1st party.
 
We met Jack and Sally, 7 dwarves, Cruella, Pirate Goofy, Ariel and Eric, Lotso and Jafar last year. We watched the 1st parade, Hallowishes and the last Hocus pocus show.
 
but about the characters meeting changing year by year, is it true?
how we're able to know about the changes?
Looks like the majority of your fav characters have been staples over the past parties. I know that 7 Dwarfs and Jack & Sally have been at the past 3 parties I've attended. Past attendance is no guarantee they will be at this year's party but a good educated guess.

Best way to know is 1) monitor the Boards as there will be a MNSSHP thread starting sometime this summer (with slate of characters confirmed after first party) and 2) check out a couple of other sites like Tom Bricker's Disney Tourist Blog and Josh's easywdw to confirm which characters have been out in the last few years.

In the end, no guarantee but useful info for guidance & planning.
 
Sometimes the lines for the Dwarfs and I believe for Jack and Sally too, start early before the party has even officially started. If you opted to get in one of those early lines, just make sure you get your wristband first so that you won't have any trouble staying in that line. Lining up early could be a good way to ensure that you get to see most of the characters on your list.
We were at the first party of 2016 and spent the last hour of the party in line for the Dwarfs. It was worth it for us because we had already done a lot of other things and it was potentially our one chance to meet them all. I do think they were all changing their names to Sleepy by the time we got to them though. We could see the interaction dwindling. Of course, we were all feeling that way by then. ;)
 
If it's your first time and you're big on getting info, definitely try to get involved in the 2018 MNSSHP thread when it starts. I used the 2017 one last year to help me plan my first party and I can't even begin to describe how helpful it was.

As far as strategy, you can meet a lot of those characters and still have time to watch the parade and fireworks, but don't forget there are other things to do like trick or treat, dance parties, exclusive party snacks, etc. Just take some time to decide your priorities then the group can help you figure out how much you can fit into the party night!
 
Big big thanks, guys!
Our priority would be some of the characters I mentioned and the stage show + parades + fireworks.
We gonna focus on this. The food and attractions not so much...

Gotta keep an eye at the 2018 thread as soon as it starts! :)
 
My DD has always been a character nut. We cancelled our trip last fall, but have been to MNSSHP for the 4 years before that. We usually wind up going to 2 parties with the thought of spending one night getting all the characters, and the other the Parade, Fireworks, Shows, enjoying the ambiance of Haunted Mansion and Carlotta's stories etc. MNSSHP is just so fun! Even though we typically do two nights, we almost always find a spot on Main Street to watch the late parade on the night we spend mostly on characters. We also watch Hallowishes, that night but usually do it back in Fantasyland instead of fighting the front of the castle crowd. So- I think you can do all that you have marked in one night- but it is going to take planning and will probably be about all you do.

The characters do change out somewhat in different years. The Pooh, Tigger Piglet & Eeyore group has been there every year we have been there. Their lines can get long and cut off before they even come out for sets. You will need some planning there. Your biggest problem might be Jack & Sally and the Dwarfs in one night- they are the 2 most popular almost every year. I would be surprised if they were not there this year. Jack & Sally have been coming out at least an hour before the party for the last few years. We have gotten in line for them about 4:30. If you are lucky, they will come out really early, you will be close enough in line to get through fairly fast and you can get over to line up for the dwarves before their line is well over an hour. Waiting in line for hours before the party, is much preferable to wasting party time in line for hours. Jack and Sally is a priority or us- so we have had times that we have gotten done with them in time to get in the dwarves line, and times that by the time we got done with them, the Dwarves line was already to predicted to take an hour and a half or two hours from the time they came out.

Donald, Daisy, Mickey and Minnie have always been there, but the set up has been different from year to year. Mickey and Minnie used to be together. Then, they separated them. For a while, Daisy and Minnie had separate lines and they were pretty short. One year Donald was meeting with Daisy and another year, he was meeting with Goofy. The last time we were there, there was one line for Minnie, Daisy and Donald-- nice for 3 in one line-- but it made the line an hour long. Their lines were a lot shorter when they were separate. We have also seen the costumes change out-- for example- we have met Donald as a Pumpkin and we have met him as a Knight.

Your list appears to be mostly who we saw in 2016. There have been years we did not see Cruella, Queen of Hearts or Tweedles. I don't recall Lotso every year. They others, I think have been there every year we have been there.

It is hard to predict which nights will be the least crowded. When we have gone in October, Friday has typically been the most crowded and I think maybe Sunday the least.

Usually there are lots of people that go the first night and report who all are there, so you can start planning. I would prioritize the characters and focus on the absolute most important ones first in case you start running out of time.

I know in one night we have done

Jack and Sally
7 Dwarfs *
Cruella DeVil *
Donald & Daisy (Costumes) *
Minnie
Mickey
Jack Sparrow
  • Jafar - only because we ran across him with no line so we stopped
  • Pooh, Tigger, Piglet & Eeyore (Costumes) *
  • Queen of Hearts
  • The Tweedles
  • Tarzan and Jane
  • Aladdin/Abu
Fireworks from Fantasyland
Late Parade
And I think even the last Midnight Hocus Pocus show that night

BUT that would have been absolutely all we did-- might have had a quick stop at the Haunted Mansion to see Carlotta-as we walked by.
 
@ktlm Wow! I can't thank you enough for all those tips and infos.
big thanks! :yay:

Hi buddy! Last year I created a Character List pdf which included: Times available, photopass opportunities, signatures and location. This was located on my thread called "MNSSHP 2017 - Strategy in the Making" we also helped create itineraries. Please feel free to take a look around, I will be creating a new thread for 2018 and updating the information as soon as it's published.
Link: MNSSHP 2017 - Strategy in the making.

I also started a new thread for Magic Shots which includes all four parks, special events and links. This thread has been maintained/updated since I started it.
Link: Magic Shots - Current Listings

If you would like to start saving money for your vacation the DIS also has a great thread called "Disney Gift Cards" currently Best Buy is offering 10% savings on Disney Gift Cards all the information can be found at this link: Best Buy Post #30397
 
I think the Tues and Sun parties have the lowest attendance usually. I think touring plans usually has a blog post about which dates they think will have the lowest attendance. I love the magic shots that they have at the parties, you should check those out as well. You definitely need to have a strategy, because there is so much amazing stuff to get done. Plus, you really need to rest up for it. It can be a long fantastic exhausting night.
 
@FoxC63 that's great! Gotta check it all right now! :)
thank you so much!

My pleasure. Again I will be starting a new 2018 MNSSHP Strategy thread the format will be the same easy to read and easy to look up on your phone for last minute changes. I will be online during the parties and updating to help keep everyone informed.

Another great site has just launched which encompasses ALL Halloween throughout WDW here's the link:
[URL="https://www.disboards.com/threads/official-2018-mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-a-spooktacular-celebration.3665880/"]"Official" 2018 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - A Spooktacular Celebration![/URL]
 


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