Trying to avoid MNSSHP...Am I crazy??

[annabug]

Hi everyone!! OK...........I am starting to plan the family trip for October 2007. Whos coming????........just kidding!!

OK, so its me, DH, DD (2 1/2), and bringing my Mom and Dad......both turning 60, also 30th wedding anniversary........and honestly they are the best parents I could ever ask for, and they deserve a super duper vacation.

I would like to go in October.....(Mom cant take the heat/humidity). I have the ability to go while avoiding school holidays.........

Here's the thing.......not so into the MNSSHP, and the early park closing thing.....and my little one is afraid of people in "scary costumes"

would love my Dad to see Epcots food and wine fest. So when should I go??? I cant figure out the dAtes??

Any advice would be greatly appreciated......feeling like , as to why I cant figure this all out!! Is it possible to go in October, see the food/wine fest, and avoid the MNSSHP?? thanks everyone

 

[mtemm]

we went in october with my 4 year old and my 2.5 year old twins and the halloween party was the highlight. one of my twins is a big more timid, he didn't like the characters up too close, and isn't so crazy about costumes in general, but he was fine. he did sleep for a good chunk of the party (in the stroller) but even when he wasn't sleeping, he really was fine.

there weren't a lot of scary costumes, more funny, cool, or princessy. this isn't something like universals scary one....there is a reason they call it mickey's not so scary halloween party.

I do understand where you are coming from. I debated long and hard about going, and finally enough people talked me into it. so glad they did! really was amazing, especially the parade.

just putting that out there in case you do want to give mnsshp a shot.

but even if you choose not to, there are still nights where it doesn't happen, and is easy enough to avoid. when we went, it was on m, t, and f nights I think. the schedule for this year has been posted somewhere, so you can see what nights it is and you can avoid them. there is so much to do at wdw, after all.

the food and wine festival is great fun. highly recommend thinking about subscribing to tgm. his best days were great when we were there, especially for events like this. we went into epcot a lot (stayed at the yc) and noticed how nice it was on his green days, and how insane it got on his yellow/red days. that would help with exact dates, too. we went mid october (14-19 I think). try to avoid columbus day and the week after.

 

[twinspluscade]

I think MNSSHP is only 3 nights a week in October (except maybe Halloween week itself it's a few more??). If you check allearsnet.com and check the dates for last year, you'll get an idea of when the parties will be this year.
To avoid it, just don't go to the Magic Kingdom on the nights of the party. Probably your best bet would be to get park hopper passes, so you can still go to MK in the morning/afternoon, and then a different park the nights of the party.

Kelly

 

[bradk]

scary costumes/makeup are not permitted.

and yes, i think you are crazy to pass it up, but the less people there, the better for me

 

[annabug]

thanks so much........i have no idea what tgm is ??

 

[MiniGirl]

Just keep in mind that it is a "Not So Scary" party, so no really scary costumes/make-up. However, we also avoid it because we choose not to celebrate Halloween. That said .... going to MK on the mornings of the parties are great. Crowds are very low and don't start to build until around 2:00. I figure people are either sleeping in late, enjoying the resorts, or going to another park since they'll be at MK during the evening. Around 4:00, you'll begin to see more people in costumes and carrying goody bags, etc. If we did celebrate Halloween, we'd probably do it at Disney. I hear it is a great party.

F&W can be fun, too, but also crowded, and I think it is really geared more towards adults. I don't hear of special activities for the little ones.

We love to go mid-Nov. Since the MVMCPs start then, the parks are all decorated for the holidays. Very lovely. The low crowds and no heat and humidity are great, too.

 

[nbodyhome]

It's the Mickeys NOT so scary - most people have costumes on of Disney characters, Mickey Mouse Club, pirates,etc.

The parade and fireworks are wonderful. But I second what Brad K said - I plan to go a couple of times, and if some people stay away, that means fewer lines for me.

 

[earthfaries]

My children have been going every year since they were one, and they have NEVER been scared. MNSSHP is not scary AT ALL ! People are not allowed to wear scary costumes that night, kids and adults are dressed up in disney character costumes, and the atmosphere is fun and happy, not scary and loud and obnoxous like it can be when you are trick or treating around your neighborhood.

 

[annabug]

thanks so much for all the positive feedback!! can anyone tell me about park hours?? most importantly, do the parks close early?? it seems that the mnsshp occurs approximately 3 x per week, which would mean that MK closes early 3 nights a week.........true?? if we go to the party, i would only want to go one night. I love MK at night, and would hate to miss that!!! what should I do!??

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

We went to the party on our last trip in 2005. It was our first day there so all the kids wanted to do was go on rides. We did see the parade and fireworks, but since we already had passes for the week it was an expensive evening just to see the parade and fireworks and ride rides we could ride any other day. I think we missed some activities because we were on rides. If you can pull yourself off the rides it sounds like fun but I don't think we will do it again. I looked on allears and they don't have last year's schedule, only this year's with the dates TBA. Do they usually follow the same schedule, like Tuesdays and Fridays, etc.? We are going in October again this year with base tickets so I will need to plan to avoid MK the days of the party if we decide not to do it.

Thanks

 

[sugarpie]

I wouldn't miss MNSSHP for anything. It can be avoided if that's what you want.

I just wanted to add that we go every October and the weather can be unpredictable. Last year it was in the 90's when we were there. The year before it was in the 60's. Be prepared for either.

 

[earthfaries]

MNSSHP hours are always the same - 7pm-midnight. The MK used to close at 5pm to get ready, but now they close at 7pm. When you come in, which they let people in at 3pm last year for party ticket holders, they put a wristband on you and we had a long day, from 3-midnight. The past years we had gone at 7 when it starts,(because if you ask Disney, they tell you not to come until 7, but I kept reading they let you in at 3) but then you had crowds, and by the time you got in, got a stroller (which have always been free for the party) it was already close to eight. I would definately try to go early. Also, I really suggest not doing any other parks that same day. You will be worn out and feel awful by midnight! If you go at 3pm for the party, that is 9 hours in the park!!!

So yes, on the days of the party the park(MK) will close at 7pm to the public, unless you have a ticket for the party.

 

[annabug]

thanks earthfaries!!.....what about the frequency of the party?? how many times per week is it held?? always on the same day?? and will epcot be open late on the nights that MK is closed early for the party??

Also, aside from the obvious (parade/fun costumes), what do you think makes the party great!

thanks so much guys!!

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Will they announce the dates when they announce October park hours?

 

[OctDisney]

We had tickets for MNSSHP on Halloween. We actually went the morning of Halloween and no one was there. We did some rides 3 times and just walked on them.

An idea. Go to MK on a MNSSHP day and then head over to Epcot for the evening. Give your parents a rest in the afternoon.

 

[earthfaries]

The other parks are open as usual.
The parties are usually once a week in the beginning, and they start earlier every year. Last year the first party was Sept. 15th! Then there was one on the 22nd, then the 29th, which we went to. In Oct. they are usually 2x a week at least - building up towards the end of Oct.

2007 party dates were listed from an unofficial source here on the boards back in Jan. And by looking at the calendar they seem correct.

They are Sept. 14,21,28
Oct. 1,4,5,9,11,12,15,16,18,22,23,25,26,29,30,31

I think the best thing about MNSSHP is just the fun atmosphere. I love MK, I love Halloween, I love the Haunted Mansion, the Grim Grinning Ghost song, and MK at night. I described it in detail above, but the lighting, the trick or treating, the fun costumes, all the happy people, the face painting, it is just really hard to describe, but I could never imagine missing a year, it is just such a wonderful fun and unique experience! You and your family can dress up. There is so much to do. If you want more info and pics, you can go to allears.net and type in MNSSHP under search and there are a lot of great reviews, pics, past schedules, etc.
Hope this helps! Ask me if you have anymore questions!

 

[KimK2006]

We go each October and have only been to MNSSHP twice. The first time my kids were 2 and 6. It was great that we could walk right on most rides, but the kids were exhausted by 9:00. (It might have been better if we would have chosen not to go to a park that day prior to the party.) We went again 2 years ago when the kids were 9 and 5, I couldn't get over how crowded it was. We might go again in a few years, but I don't feel it is something we need to do each trip.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

I just thought of something... If they announce the dates in mid-April but I want to plan my ADR's 180 days out, which is April 2 for me, these parties could mess up my dining plans. Darnit! I hope the MNSSHP dates are announced when they announce the park hours for October. How can they expect you to plan your ADR's 6 months in advance but they can't give you the info to plan them 6 months in advance? I feel like I'm scheduling the landing at Omaha Beach or something. Sheesh!

 

[jenelope]

MNSSHP is my favorite of the parties. It's so much fun to see everyone in costume, especially the little ones and the families in group themed costumes. If you do go to one of the parties, think about encouraging your parents to wear a costume, too. I think it makes it much more fun and festive. I took my parents to the party several years ago and got them bride and groom Mickey ears to wear because their 40th wedding anniversary was the week before.

If your father likes food and trying new things, he will definitely enjoy the Food & Wine Festival. Of all of the things we did on our trip, it's the thing my mother talks about the most six years later.

 

[jordancej]

Crazy not to go during MNSSHP??? I would says Yes you are!!

Its so fun!! And definitely not scary! I think your daughter would have a great time!