return to MK just for MSEP and CTM?

[eglsmama]

This is our family's first trip to WDW. It will be myself, DH, and DD6. During our trip to Disney the MK will close at 7:00 many days to allow for MNSSHP. We've chosen not to attend the party, and are using party days for our MK days in hopes the crowds will be lower. All that to say - we won't be able to view the Electric Parade or Celebrate the Magic during our MK days.

We will watch HalloWishes from outside the park one evening.

How much are we missing out? I hear that the castle show is really something, and I know DD would love it. But is it worth hopping over to MK one night just for that? I had been considering it on our final night because MK was scheduled to have EMH, but now they're not, so it would be a really short time in the park.

I haven't decided whether to get hoppers and this would be our major reason for doing so.

Thanks!

 

[DWillowBay]

For me, yes, it is absolutely worth it. MSEP is joyful and the castle show is great... Very unique! That's just me, but I'm a kid at heart.

 

[eglsmama]

good to know, thanks!

 

[wendybeth75]

For me, yes, it is absolutely worth it. MSEP is joyful and the castle show is great... Very unique! That's just me, but I'm a kid at heart.

I agree with this. I LOVE the castle show. The parade is good too. It just gives that total immersion into Disney. We even watch it on youtube at times and it's like we are right there watching it.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Speaking of only my own personal opinion & feelings.... I wouldn't feel that a trip to Disney World was complete without seeing Wishes & the castle projection show. This is so spectacular and really makes you feel the "wow". No trip would be complete (for me) without it.

 

[patrickpiteo]

Go if you can to the party we've been to the last three and six in total. You will have a great time and the fireworks that night are extra special..

 

[Bee2u]

We often hop over to MK just for MSEP, CTM, and Wishes. If your family's never seen them I definitely recommend making a point to see them!

 

[eglsmama]

well, sounds like we don't want to miss it, then! Thanks!

How far in advance would we want to be there to get a decent spot? We'll be there in mid October.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I think you are limiting yourself too much by only going to MK on Halloween party days. You have to remember you are going in October. Sure MK will be a little less busy before MNSSHP, but so what? How many MK days do you have?

Magic Kingdom is completely different at night. The entertainment alone is amazing. MSEP is a Disney tradition. Some will say it's tired or say it's not "Spectromagic". Whatever! They've probably seen it a hundred times too many. I've personally seen MSEP many times at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and at Magic Kingdom. It never gets old. Same with Wishes. It's a great fireworks show. And Celebrate The Magic is pretty awesome as well.

Last year I went to my first MNSSHP (on a solo trip), and I LOVED it. Hallowishes is probably Disney's 2nd best fireworks show. Only "Remember, Dreams Come True" at Disneyland is better.

To answer your question, YES! Going to MK just for the nighttime entertainment is a good bet. But why do just that. I'd change one of my Magic Kingdom days to include the evening. If you can swing it, I highly recommend going to the Halloween party, and seeing all that it has to offer. And you probably know that if you do this, you will be able to walk-on pretty much all of the rides that night.

 

[catra121]

Just throwing in my agreement that it is totally worth it.

Depending on travel dates...something that I always do if I can is hit MK for MSEP, CTM, and Wishes on arrival day. It's usually not a full day because of travel but it's an AWESOME way to start off the trip if you can. And I find it's a relaxing way to start off the trip because even if we do ride some rides before the shows...it's mostly about seeing the shows so we stake out a spot nice and early, get some snacks, and just chill for several hours after all that travel. It's so nice to just soak up the atmosphere and enjoy BEING in Disney...and with a great view of the castle what else could be better?

If I were you...I would definitely make sure to fit it in and I would try to fit it in earlier in the trip if you could make it work.

 

[eglsmama]

OK, y'all have convinced me It does sound like a great way to start the trip.

I can move things around and go to MK on our first night. We would go to the park around 6:00 or 7:00 and it is open until 10:00. Looks like MSEP starts at 8:45 that night. We've got two other days scheduled for MK, but could do a few attractions closest to Main Street and knock a few things off our schedule for the other days. I'm thinking Its a Small World, Peter Pan, and the Prince Charming Carousel.

Or we could show up later and use our FP's for MSEP and Wishes instead...

What would you do?

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I'm in the same boat OP. I was hoping to add a day to our tickets tho instead of hoppers. Figure the cost for 6 people would be $60 vs $360. Like you I am planning on MK days on the party days. I know the atmosphere is much different at night vs during the day but I also know the crowds will be much different. If it works that we're able to add a day and go the sat night before we leave, great...but if not the kids won't know any better. Right now the last Fri and sat of our trip are potential beach days as well so real just depends if the kids are parked out and want to visit the beach again.

 

[eglsmama]

practicallyperfect, I realized the same thing. I can add a day and put us in the park the first night cheaper than I can add hoppers. We were just going to eat & swim instead. My only concern is that it starts the trip off with a late night, so I hope DD can handle it. But I was able to rearrange the next day to have a late start (it's our HS day) so hopefully it will be OK.

You're right, too, that DD won't know any different, and it will be a great trip regardless

 

[catra121]

Depending on what you can arrange on that first night (if you go that route), I would get a FP+ for Peter Pan (for your first ride if you can) and then use the other two for the parade and Wishes. I don't think the MSEP and Wishes FP+ are NEEDED and you could use FP+ for rides or a character meet instead and not be in bad shape as long as you stake out your spot early for parade and shows. I often pick one spot for the parade and stay there for CTM and Wishes so I don't have to move.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

practicallyperfect, I realized the same thing. I can add a day and put us in the park the first night cheaper than I can add hoppers. We were just going to eat & swim instead. My only concern is that it starts the trip off with a late night, so I hope DD can handle it. But I was able to rearrange the next day to have a late start (it's our HS day) so hopefully it will be OK.

You're right, too, that DD won't know any different, and it will be a great trip regardless

So happy to see you were able to work it out! I have thought about adding to first day...we totally could. But we have 8:15ADR at CP the next morning. Just not sure they can handle it. My sis has the kids on a schedule where they are usually in bed around 8/8:30. They wake up on their own around 7/7:30. We are central time so staying up later might work, but I hate to start the trip with a late night. You are right tho...it is going to be a great trip. I could also pay ~$70 a ticket for mnsshh tix on Halloween night but I have a hard time with that since we'd be leaving right after fireworks. I just need to find a money tree! Or I need to convince my bro in law that 2 days at the beach at the beginning are enough days. Heck we could even go back there on Halloween and part day sat and then go to the parks that night. Just lots of driving back and forth. =(

 

[eglsmama]

But we have 8:15ADR at CP the next morning. Just not sure they can handle it.=(

Yeah - that wouldn't work for us either. Fortunately our ADR for the next day is at lunch.


Thank you catra121, I think I will try for Peter Pan and MSEP at least.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Yeah - that wouldn't work for us either. Fortunately our ADR for the next day is at lunch.

Thank you catra121, I think I will try for Peter Pan and MSEP at least.

Just added a lunch ressie for CP at 11:55. I'll touch base with my sis and see what she says. There goes my dream of a castle pic without tons of people, but that'll be my reason to come back. More than likely this will be my sis and her fam once and done. Me....not so much. I ♡ WDW.