Visiting during Halloween/Christmas 2015 season. Multiple questions

[Boullie]

Hi there!
I hope my fellow DIS'ers can help me out here...

A few months ago we booked our 2015 WDW trip: 3 adults, all celebrating their 30th birthday.
We fly in on October 27th and stay at the "Orlando Bonnett Creek Resort".
(I have no experience with this resort, but it had good reviews (scored 9/10) and wasn't too expensive (about 265$ for 3 nights, including tax).)

Afterwards, we'll be staying from October 30th to November 15th at OKW.
We stayed at Saratoga Springs last year, and enjoyed our experience at OKW more (2012).

We expect (hope!) to be able to attend both the Halloween and the Christmas season.
Concerning both, we found out there are multiple special events scheduled.
We would like to attend both the Halloween Night (October 31st) and one of the Christmas parties.
In Disneyland Paris there are a few 'Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parties' in the week before the 'Halloween Soiree' (Halloween Night).
Is this similar at WDW, or isn't there any difference between the party on the 31st and the other parties?
Does anyone have an idea when ticket sales start for these events?
Do they sell out fast? Are they expensive?
Does this ticket include park entrance, or do you require an additional ticket on top of that? (we have 14 day tickets, but for the 31st we're only planning on attending the event, not planning on visiting the park during the day).
Also, would you suggest driving (rental car) from OKW to the parks the 31st, or taking the shuttle bus?

 

[mesaboy2]

Tickets go on sale about May 1, and I would expect to be able to attend both parties during your dates. Tickets have been about $65 pp, and is all you need if entering MK after 4:00p.

 

[DebbieB]

Info from last year:

http://allears.net/tp/mk/mnssh.htm

http://allears.net/tp/hol_mk.htm

 

[Boullie]

Thanks for the info guys!
This helps to make the planning a bit easier.
Any info concerning transport? Rental car vs. Disney Buses?

 

[Gymbomom]

Thanks for the info guys!
This helps to make the planning a bit easier.
Any info concerning transport? Rental car vs. Disney Buses?

I personally never like driving to the parks even when we have a car. I do love a car when we stay at OKW to be able to get to Crossroads for groceries and Downtown Disney without waiting on a bus.

But otherwise there should be really good transportation to the parks that Halloween night. Even if you are waiting for a bus, shouldn't be longer than 15-20 minutes, which is about the time to hike to your car and leave with the masses from the parking lot I bet.

Make sure you purchase your Halloween night tickets right when they become available. That night always sells out and you don't want to risk not getting them. Go with a plan of what you will do, arrive early as it will be crowded.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

Is this similar at WDW, or isn't there any difference between the party on the 31st and the other parties?
Do they sell out fast? Are they expensive?

All parties are the same really, only halloween will be sold out and sell out fast. Halloween is more expensive the other nights i think tickets were around 80 dollars a person.

Does this ticket include park entrance, or do you require an additional ticket on top of that? (
It involves park entrance at 4pm, party starts at 7pm.

Also, would you suggest driving (rental car) from OKW to the parks the 31st, or taking the shuttle bus?
Defintely take a bus if you will be in costume, but be preparded to wait for them to fill up a few.

I was there on halloween night and have a trip report up if it helps in anyway:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3346949

The villains soiree I speak of in it was an addon that cost 90 dollars I beleive on top of the ticket cost.

 

[jsebsirois]

We did both the Halloween and Christmas Party in 2013, and we really had a blast. Just get ready for big crowds during the party, but we some planning, you should be all right.

 

[Boullie]

We already imagined crowds would be high at those days, but thanks for the head's up.

Thank you for confirming there is no difference.
This is new for us.
At DLRP the Halloween night is more aimed at family fun, while the MNSSHP are mostly for kids.

I appreciate your feedback
Thanks a lot!