So what things we can only do at MNSSHP?

[goNsoon2WDW]

We are trying to figure out if we should get tickets for MNSSHP for one night of our trip, but am not sure it would be worth the extra money. Can someone tell me what are the exclusive things we would be able to do ONLY at the party?

Is it seeing the characters in costume? If so, I'm not sure that will tip the scale. We would be happy with being able to see them without costumes. Same thing with setting a slightly different parade. That's not really a draw for us.

Do they have activities that are only available at MNSSHP?

 

[IvyWinter]

The parade is definitely not "slightly different", its definitely its own unique parade that is fantastic (one of the best WDW has, personally). Also, Hallowishes has an amazing finale thats worth it just in itself. Otherwise, yes it's characters in costume, it's the villain stage show, it's character dance parties, it's trick or treating (endlessly, if you want. yuuum candy), it's the haunted mansion being just a little spookier (and CMs more done up), it's awesome music playing in main street, and its just the overall halloween vibe. I'm biased; Halloween is my favorite holiday, over Christmas, over anything, so of course i love it. I've done the party twice and will likely do it again in the future. I think if you love the holiday, you'll want to go. If you feel like just seeing the decorations up on a regular day is enough for you, then i can see why youd pass.

 

[mesaboy2]

The parade is definitely not "slightly different", its definitely its own unique parade that is fantastic (one of the best WDW has, personally). Also, Hallowishes has an amazing finale thats worth it just in itself. Otherwise, yes it's characters in costume, it's the villain stage show, it's character dance parties, it's trick or treating (endlessly, if you want. yuuum candy), it's the haunted mansion being just a little spookier (and CMs more done up), it's awesome music playing in main street, and its just the overall halloween vibe. I'm biased; Halloween is my favorite holiday, over Christmas, over anything, so of course i love it. I've done the party twice and will likely do it again in the future. I think if you love the holiday, you'll want to go. If you feel like just seeing the decorations up on a regular day is enough for you, then i can see why youd pass.

Yeah, this.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

It is everything the above post mentioned. Great parade. The other thing to mention is that when we went, there was no wait on the rides. We walked right in to the Haunted Mansion and there was no wait at all. They will give you a map of where to go Trick R' Treating for candy.

 

[GatorMama]

Everything OPs mentioned. Plus you can wear a costume. I was a theater major in college. With a specific interest in costuming. I jump at any chance to wear a costume and put one on my family. And my bah humbug to Halloween husband says that the halloween party is his favorite disney experience so far. And he dresses up. Willingly. Dare I say... EXCITEDLY.

 

[phillymummer]

Plus... the headless horseman rides before both parades. Plus, there are characters that are only at the party- Jack Sparrow, the 7 dwarfs. Any others they have added since 2012? Are the princes still exclusively at the parties? I think it is definitely worth the cost. I am sad that my trip this year is not in Oct.

 

[PoohsFan1]

The parade is definitely not "slightly different", its definitely its own unique parade that is fantastic (one of the best WDW has, personally). Also, Hallowishes has an amazing finale thats worth it just in itself. Otherwise, yes it's characters in costume, it's the villain stage show, it's character dance parties, it's trick or treating (endlessly, if you want. yuuum candy), it's the haunted mansion being just a little spookier (and CMs more done up), it's awesome music playing in main street, and its just the overall halloween vibe. I'm biased; Halloween is my favorite holiday, over Christmas, over anything, so of course i love it. I've done the party twice and will likely do it again in the future. I think if you love the holiday, you'll want to go. If you feel like just seeing the decorations up on a regular day is enough for you, then i can see why youd pass.

Don't forget the Headless Horseman rides through just before the parade starts . My DDs and I love the Halloween party (when we go in October, it will be our third time), DH is not so much a big fan though (he went the last 2 times we went, but this year he is opting out and will be doing his own thing). We love that we get to dress up as much as we want and visit with characters that we would normally not see roaming the parks...our favorites from the last party was Capt. Jack Sparrow, Tarzan and Jane (Tarzan was really into character, it was so much fun), and Genie, Aladdin, and Jasmine. Also, if you are going to HM you will see what I think is Madame Leota (or it could be someone else from the HM) sitting up on the hill near the HM talking with guests as they are walking by...she is hilarious. And if you are into getting photopass photos, they do special magic shots at different areas of the park (the best ones are right in front of Haunted Mansion by the haunted carriage). If you are into special park merchandise, they do sell pins that you can only get during the party, they may also sell t-shirts just during the party too but I am not 100% sure on that one. Then of course you have everything else that the PP had mentioned. I definitely think it is worth paying the extra $$ for...what is really funny though, I am not a huge fan of Halloween (love Christmas much better), but for some reason, when we are at WDW during the parties, I have to go....Disney's version of Halloween is the best!!

 

[pmaurer74]

Everything OPs mentioned. Plus you can wear a costume. I was a theater major in college. With a specific interest in costuming. I jump at any chance to wear a costume and put one on my family. And my bah humbug to Halloween husband says that the halloween party is his favorite disney experience so far. And he dresses up. Willingly. Dare I say... EXCITEDLY.

to my surprise, my DH determined our family's theme this year. He did not want to dress up. When he said he saw a Mad Hatter costume he liked, I jumped on that idea. It did not take long for DD to want to go as Alice but my youngest really wanted to be a pony... she finally saw a Queen of Hearts costume she liked and agreed. Cheshire cat for me!

 

[Missyrose]

Are the princes still exclusively at the parties?

No princes at the parties anymore, sadly.

 

[phillymummer]

Wait.... what?!? Can you meet them any other time?

 

[Jennasis]

The best parade Disney has to offer...

The best fireworks show...

Trick or treating...

Walk-on rides...

Costumes allowed and so much fun!

Character meets that are exclusive (JAck & Sally)

We never miss it if we are there at that time!

 

[nkereina]

I wouldn't say the rides are walk-on anymore due to the increased popularity of the parties, but it is low crowds and all the other benefits mentioned still stand. It's a unique experience and we enjoyed it, although it's not a must-do for us every time we go in the Fall. I do think it's worth doing at least once.

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree - it's worth doing at least once! We loved the parade and Hallowishes and got some wonderful magic shots at different locations that aren't available during regular park hours.

 

[goNsoon2WDW]

These are all excellent. I have plenty to discuss with the group now. Thank you for sharing.

 

[aVASTGrl]

The parade is definitely not "slightly different", its definitely its own unique parade that is fantastic (one of the best WDW has, personally). Also, Hallowishes has an amazing finale thats worth it just in itself. Otherwise, yes it's characters in costume, it's the villain stage show, it's character dance parties, it's trick or treating (endlessly, if you want. yuuum candy), it's the haunted mansion being just a little spookier (and CMs more done up), it's awesome music playing in main street, and its just the overall halloween vibe. I'm biased; Halloween is my favorite holiday, over Christmas, over anything, so of course i love it. I've done the party twice and will likely do it again in the future. I think if you love the holiday, you'll want to go. If you feel like just seeing the decorations up on a regular day is enough for you, then i can see why youd pass.

^ Everything she said!

The Park has a completely different feel that's hard to explain. It's the best money I've ever spent at WDW

 

[snowwhite84]

The parade is awesome, the fireworks are fantastic. The castle shows in the past are great as well. As other posters have mentioned, there is just this feeling in the air at MNSSHP that is amazing. The rides are walk ons, the castmembers are even more joyful than usual, fellow guests are dressed up and in a bubbly mood, Main Street is lit up, the Ghost Host makes announcements throughout the night, the candy is being thrown at you.

For those that say they go to Disney to feel like a kid again, MNSSHP is a great example of this. The people who attend this event are typically uber Disney enthusiasts already, and the mood is palpable.

I want to add that I would not say the same of MVMCP. It's like MNSSHP is our secret, Disney fandom meeting. If you love WDW, go!

 

[disrev]

We are heading to our first party in October and this thread has gotten me SO EXCITED! Thanks to all who have shared. Can't wait!

 

[Davey Jones II]

In my opinion, the best way to do the Party is to go at the end of your trip. Don't go to the parks before the party; use the early part of the day as a time to rest (and/or pack if you're leaving the next day). Sleep in that day, because the Party will keep you up pretty late. If you've been doing rope drop for the rest of your trip, you'll need to sleep in before the party in order to avoid a major sleep deficit. If your flight is fairly late in the day the next day, then you can sleep in again, after being up late for the party.

With your party tickets, you can enter MK three hours before the official start of the party. You will find lower crowd levels than the rest of the week, because people tend to go to the other parks when the party is scheduled that night. So you already benefit from lower wait times.

During the party, the wait times plummet even more, so that most rides are, indeed, almost a walk on. We were there last year, and the only significant waits were for 7DMT and Haunted Mansion. We finished Mine Train about 30 minutes after entering the queue, and you can get shorter waits than that just after the party starts; if there is no external queue, you will have a very short wait.

Don't miss the parade, it is awesome and unique.

 

[BrianL]

Asking about MNSSHP here is bound to get you a ton of glowing, gushing reviews about how awesome it is. It's a biased crowd...and it's also all 100% true! The party really is extremely well done and a lot of fun. It will feel crowded, but ride lines will be short. They give you tons of candy (the good stuff too!) and the entertainment is even better than the usual programs. Also, if you are into Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, there is an exclusive card every year that you can get. It's just an all-around great time!

I'll will say, if you enjoy Halloween at all, you will probably love it like we all do. If you are not "Halloween people," well, it might not be your thing.

 

[mickey1968]

I did my first two parties in 2012. Because of MNSSHP, I now love Halloween again like I did when I was a child. I did two more parties in 2013, then last year I went later in the year for the Christmas festivities. There is no comparison between MVMCP and MNSSHP. MNSSHP wins hands down. The air is electric at the Halloween parties, fun Halloween music is piped in all over the park, Main Street is lit up with special lighting, so is the Haunted Mansion. They project images on Splash Mountain and on the pavement in other areas. I can't decide which is my favorite, the parade or Hallowishes, but I have to control myself to keep from jumping up and down during the fireworks! I am obviously uber excited to be going again this year!