Suggestions for a Halloween first-timer

[tkalita]

I would like to attend the Halloween festivities in 2009 with my 3-year old daughter. I have never been to Disney this time of year so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions (lodging, what not to miss, etc.). Thanks!

 

[Spear3909]

Definitely attend the Mickey's Not So Spooky Halloween Party. It does cost extra but it is worth it. We attended the party for the first time this year and really enjoyed the Halloween parade, fireworks and trick or treating. There were dance parties with the characters and everyone (adults and kids) were dressed in Halloween costumes. We actually went on Halloween night and were surprised at how little crowd there was - no waits for any of the rides. There were lines for the candy but my kids were not as interested in the candy as they were riding rides and the parade.

 

[tkalita]

Thanks for the info. Do they clear out the park and then open back up again for the Halloween party? Also, will the Halloween festivities have begun yet if we go the last week of September?

 

[anna08]

Yes, I do believe they start MNSSHP in late September, and my kids were 1 and 3 this year when we went. I also think it is worth the price of an extra admission - the parade is quite unique and my daughter was very excited by the candy and dance stations. We stayed at VWL so we could just take a quick boatride over to Magic Kingdom (in costume, of course!) and when they tired we were so glad just to have a relaxing boatride home. I would definitely do that location again - a lovely pool, a fun meal for a 3yo at Whispering Canyon, and the villas are so close to the bus station to get you anywhere else you want to go. You can buy tickets ahead of time (some nights do sell out) or just walk up when you get there. I read TourGuide Mike's advice prior to going and found it helpful.

 

[thelionqueen]

Without a doubt attend MNSSHP, it's fantastic! Also if possible, staying at a monorail resort is very helpful and exciting. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[fluffykim]

Halloween is one of if not THE best time for us down there

The not so scary party is amazing. The kids dress up and trick or treat, the parade is amazing....its great

Have a great time

 

[mrp4352]

Not just the kids dress up for Mickey's party! We did a family costume this year - TweedleDee, TweedleDum and Alice - and we all had a great time!

I think the fireworks at the halloween party are the best ones WDW puts on at the Magic Kingdom.

 

[thepops]

If you get the timing right you can also catch the food and wine festival in Epcot as well. Our kids brought their own trick or treat bags. It's definately a great time to go.

 

[pjzkent]

There had been a whole thread about the MNSSHP but I'm not sure if it is still live or not, it has a ton of info on what to expect. We went for the first time this year and had a blast! Your ticket will get you into the park at 4 pm and the party officially starts at 7 pm. You will get a wristband, and they do ask to see them.

The characters are in special Halloween dress, and there are lots of photo ops. Snow White and all 7 dwarfs were there when we went, along with Cindy's carriage to take a photo with

The lines for rides are almost non-existent. There was a Chip N Dale dance party, where Chip N Dale danced with all the kids (80's stuff) which my little ones really liked, some of the lines for trick or treats were long, but all in all a great time!

 

[pixierella]

DH and I are of the 2 + none family and we had a blast. We dressed up as if in the 16th century and went trick or treating. Actually we spent the whole day in costumes. It was pretty amazing. The parade was fantastic as well as all the CM dressed up and having fun. I kinda of felt dorky in the beginning but everyone said it's the place to be a kid, dress up and have fun with or without kids.

 

[Deemarch]

We met up with friends and they talked us into it...We were not as enthusiastic as they were, but we went. We bought Tees from the store after 7pm and changed into them. Our friends dressed in costumes...We had a ball! We now have gone every year since then and dress up! Sometimes we are alone and sometimes we are with kids and grandkids! Our 3yo DGS LOVED the dance party with Lilo & Stitch at Cosmic Rays!!

The fireworks are the best!! The parade is so good that we watch it twice!!! Don't wait for candy, you'll stumble upon a station with no line somewhere during the night...

One thing, if you dress, or dress your little ones remember...IT'S HOT IN WDW IN SEPT. & OCT!!!!!!!!!! nuf said...

Enjoy it! We always do!!!

 

[Inkmahm]

If you get the timing right you can also catch the food and wine festival in Epcot as well. Our kids brought their own trick or treat bags. It's definately a great time to go.

That's what we did, we came for the F&W festival and stayed at BWV but one night we spent at MK for the Halloween party. Even adults get to trick or treat so we had a great time! Hadn't done that in 40 or so years.

The costumes people wore were amazing, lots of effort put into them. We didn't dress up for it but we really enjoying peoplewatching all night.

 

[kda]

DD will obviously need a nice nap before the party, and there's a couple of options. Perhaps you don't want to go to any park that day (save the price of admission), but could do Downtown Disney and the Lego store and a fun lunch or the pool. Then a nap, and then get to the party ~ 4 PM. Don't wait until 6-7 PM to go --- there's longer lines to get in then. DD will have time to do more rides and attractions if you're there at 4 PM. It's like getting a bonus of 3 hours for the price of the party ticket.

Week nights tend to be less crowded than weekends, and it gets more crowded when it gets closer to Halloween. If you want a sit down meal in MK, book as soon as possible, and schedule it to end before the party starts, so you don't miss out on party events. Or, don't take the time ....... just take a break and get quick service.

If you're DO plan to go to a park that day, just allow time for a leisurely nap in the afternoon, and don't make major plans for very early the next AM (ie, Chef Mickey's at 8 AM). WDW is very overstimulating for many kids, and one of the toughest things is trying to have a good time with a tired and cranky child. Plan to be flexible.

If you can stay in any of the MK DVC properties or MK resorts, they are obviously the most convenient for attending the party....... but be prepared for lines of people trying to get on the monorail and boats to get to the party. Another reason to go early. The Contemporary is less than 10 minute walk and you're not dependent on ANY transportation.

If you're staying at a resort that requires bus transportation, you may find that there's no wait at all to get back to the room .... especially if you don't try to leave with the crowd that will exit immediately after the first parade / fireworks.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[justwinnie]

We love it! We've been going in late Sept/early Oct for the past few years and always attend the party.

Only our kids dress up. But we see lots of family costumes and they're great.

There are some DVC discount dates, so be on the look out for those-- they usually post the dates on the member site. You call MS and order the tickets through them and can just pick up at a ticket window with your DVC card. They're advance purchase only, but I usually wait until the day before the party date in case of rain or a sick child. Tix are non-refundable.

As others have said, the parade is great. Don't miss the beginning. The HalloWishes fireworks are amazing-- they do an all-park fireworks finale! We love seeing the characters "in costume." The lines are often long though.
I normally come home with enough candy to give out to our trick or treaters at home. My husband may veto the candy the next time considering luggage fees.

We already booked AKV for Halloween. Hopefully it won't be too busy, since it's on a Saturday this year. We will buy the tickets early, since it's sold out the past few years.

 

[bobbiwoz]

In '07 we were there, stayed at VWL for the week of Halloween, and it was a fun time to be there. It was a bit cooler and rainier than we thought it would be. Our DGC were only 2, 3 and 4, so we didn't do a MNSSHP, but we went trick or treating at DTD on the 30th, and then on the 31st, we enjoyed the Boardwalk festivities, there was a party, things like temporary tatoos and little crafts for the kids, trick or treating along some of the stores on the BW, and there was also a party at DTD that night. We would do it again, for sure.

Bobbi

 

[KyleRayner]

December used to be my favorite time to go to WDW to enjoy the holiday season but then I went to WDW in October for the first time in 2007. We did MNSSHP and the Food & Wine Festival and now October is my favorite time to go to WDW.

If you think you'll spend a lot of time at MK, I would try to stay at a resort closeby like Wilderness Lodge or any of the monorail resorts. If you think you might spend a lot of time at EPCOT because of the festival, it definitely would be great to stay at Beach Club, Yacht Club, or Boardwalk because they are in walking distance to EPCOT plus you can take a boat from these resorts to Hollywood Studios.