What if we don't do MNSSHP?

[cyndik1111]

We are going to be at WDW on halloween. The kids are gonna want to do something for the 31st. What if we don't do the party, and go to another park in costume? Will the kids still enjoy it? will it still seem like halloween to them? they won't care about the candy- I can just buy some bags for them. I just don't want to buy tickets for 9 people, after buying 7 day park hoppers. But I still want the day to be special.

Who has been there during halloween? What did you do?
We are staying at windsor Hills, just an FYI

 

[mesaboy2]

I don't think any of the other parks do much of anything in terms of celebrating or decorating for Halloween. I think you can dress up in costume in them on Halloween night only, but not entirely sure.

I agree with you that would be an expensive set of tix.

 

[mommiemade]

We are going to be at WDW on halloween. The kids are gonna want to do something for the 31st. What if we don't do the party, and go to another park in costume? Will the kids still enjoy it? will it still seem like halloween to them? they won't care about the candy- I can just buy some bags for them. I just don't want to buy tickets for 9 people, after buying 7 day park hoppers. But I still want the day to be special.

Who has been there during halloween? What did you do?
We are staying at windsor Hills, just an FYI

Animal Kingdom does a tiny little trick or treat on the character trails. Goofy and the gang are in Halloween costumes and they give a piece of candy each.

Downtown Disney used to do trick or treating but stopped last year.

 

[crazyboutdisny]

Yes, tickets for 9 would be pricey but if theres anyway you can swing it...I would highly recommend MNSSHP. I wasnt going to shell out for the 6 of us but after a friend convinced me to...I did. And it was so worth it!

Not sure about the dressing up at other parks. Disney can be kind of strict on some of these things. Although it wouldnt be that much different than doing the BBB.

 

[deakam]

I know most of the Disney resorts do something on Halloween night. I would call the resort you are staying at and ask if they have anything special going on that evening.

Several years ago we stayed at POP Century. We had attended a party a few days before the 31st. On the 31st we went to the Animal Kingdom. When we returned to the resort at about 7pm we found that they had games and a trick or treat trail through out the resort. It was a lot of fun. There was a DJ and a Haunted trail.

 

[ttstroker]

as others have mentioned, the resorts should have some activities setup on Halloween. One year we were at SSR and did trick or treating at the Carriage House. We were at POP 2 years ago and participated in the activities they had for the evening of Halloween. Don't expect anything big like MNSSHP, but there were other kids to make it feel like trick-or-treating in case you didn't want to purchase tickets.

 

[kvnchapman]

It IS expensive!! Let me tell you our plan, which I have modified my attitude about after reading several posts from fellow Disers...
Are you familiar with the Haunted Carriage Ride at Fort Wilderness? It gets rave reviews!! Last year, the price was $60 per family/ per carriage and the event entails a 30ish minute ride through the Fort grounds, while the driver narrates Ichabod Crane's tale in a living rendition (expect a fabulous sighting of a main character). This is a very cool and reasonable alternative to MNSSHP!
My thoughts...
Dress up and head to MK. Enjoy the park until closing time. It you want to extend tour time in MK,make an ADR at a TS restaurant right prior to 7pm. Sometimes they will escort you to the exit after dining, sometimes not. You cannot stay and take advantage of all the Party offers, but you can enjoy the decor and atmosphere as you leave. You may or may not, see the early Parade as you exit. Some folks do, others don't. So appreciate it as a bonus if it happens, but don't expect it to happen.
You can then take the boat from MK to FW, do the carriage ride, enjoy the EWP and Hallowishes from the Fort's beach and call it a night. I wouldconsider bringing some Halloween candy to enjoy during the ride and beachy stuff.
Much cheaper,some of the MNSSHP atmosphere (including lots of folks in costume), candy, the HH during the carriage ride and the EWP and Hallowishes! Fun!!!
Hope that helps.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Why not get a 6 day parkhopper and the day of MNSSHP you can go to Dowtown Didney then hit the park at 4. You can use the money saved toward MNSSHP tickets.

 

[mesaboy2]

Why not get a 6 day parkhopper and the day of MNSSHP you can go to Dowtown Didney then hit the park at 4. You can use the money saved toward MNSSHP tickets.

Because the cost difference between a 6-day and a 7-day doesn't even come close to the cost of a MNSSHP ticket, presumably.

 

[purple figment]

We were in Epcot on Oct 31 last year. Other than a few decorations in Mouse Gear and pumpkins by the Garden Grill Restaurant and Halloween merchandise for sale, (all of which had been there throughout the month), there were virtually no signs of Halloween in Epcot.

We saw some kids in costume throughout the day and less than a dozen adults in the evening; maybe they couldn't get into MNSSHP More adults seemed satisfied wearing Halloween themed tee shirts and jewelry.

Some of the resorts had CM pumpkin carving displays and handed out candy to the children that evening.

 

[RMulieri]

Since you are staying at Windsor Hills, I am not sure what to tell u.SOme of the DIsney resorts do things for resort guests, I am not sure if you are an offsite guest how that would work for you.Not sure about dressing up in the other parks, I don't see an issue with it on Halloween.None of the other parks do anything on Halloween except for a small area at Animal Kingdom that has the characters in costumes.They stopped the Trick or treating events at DTD.There is a haunted carriage ride at Fort Wilderness, but it costs money and sells out pretty far in advance for Halloween night.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Because the cost difference between a 6-day and a 7-day doesn't even come close to the cost of a MNSSHP ticket, presumably.

I guess. Seems silly to go down during Halloween and not do MNNSHP but if you are staying off property you could go to Universal for adult type scares.

 

[MomofKatie]

Ft Wilderness has a few fun, free things to participate in, even if you aren't staying at the campground.

There is a free campfire singalong every night at the Meadows area- you can bring your own s'more supplies or buy them at the snack wagon. After the campfire, there is a free movie shown on the big outdoor movie screen- on Halloween, it will be a spooky (NOT scary) Halloween themed Disney movie. Chip and Dale even show up to say hi to the kids and pose for pics/autographs.

The campers get into the Halloween spirit- many campsites are decorated for the holiday, and many give out treats to those who trick-or-treat.

The marina near the Hoop Dee Doo area is a good place to watch the fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant.

As others have posted, for a fee, the Haunted Carriage Rides is fun. Call early, as it sells out fast.

 

[kvnchapman]

You could post on the Orlando Attraction and Lodging board and see how many other Disers will be in Windsor Hills on Halloween. You could also see if there is some sort of HOA/ Community Center posting page. Between those 2 sources, maybe you could coordinate traditional trick or treating OR the newer fangled "trunk" or treating where everyone gathers in the Club's parking lot and goes car to car...
I wouls still consider topping the evening off with the Haunted Carriage ride and FW activities. Does the Fort's campsite have trick or treating?

 

[kvnchapman]

Maybe you could make a BBB or Pirate makeover appointment around 4pm. You could hide a few Halloweenish prizes, small gifts or candy around the shop while they get their faces/hair done and have a prepared scavenger hunt list of clues that they follow to get the prizes after they finish the appointment. This would probably work if you have a few older folks who will keep watch. Out of the 9 people in your group, how many are kids at the age that would really enjoy the Party? Another thought is to only send 1 adult with those aged kids and save money...

 

[pumpkinmomma]

I guess. Seems silly to go down during Halloween and not do MNNSHP but if you are staying off property you could go to Universal for adult type scares.

For a family of 9, tickets to mnsshp would be over $600. That is a ridiculous sum of money for one evening for many people.

To go from 6 day tix to 7 day tix is $8 pp, or $72 total. Huge difference there.

 

[Mirax]

It IS expensive!! Let me tell you our plan, which I have modified my attitude about after reading several posts from fellow Disers...
Are you familiar with the Haunted Carriage Ride at Fort Wilderness? It gets rave reviews!! Last year, the price was $60 per family/ per carriage and the event entails a 30ish minute ride through the Fort grounds, while the driver narrates Ichabod Crane's tale in a living rendition (expect a fabulous sighting of a main character). This is a very cool and reasonable alternative to MNSSHP!
My thoughts...
Dress up and head to MK. Enjoy the park until closing time. It you want to extend tour time in MK,make an ADR at a TS restaurant right prior to 7pm. Sometimes they will escort you to the exit after dining, sometimes not. You cannot stay and take advantage of all the Party offers, but you can enjoy the decor and atmosphere as you leave. You may or may not, see the early Parade as you exit. Some folks do, others don't. So appreciate it as a bonus if it happens, but don't expect it to happen.
You can then take the boat from MK to FW, do the carriage ride, enjoy the EWP and Hallowishes from the Fort's beach and call it a night. I wouldconsider bringing some Halloween candy to enjoy during the ride and beachy stuff.
Much cheaper,some of the MNSSHP atmosphere (including lots of folks in costume), candy, the HH during the carriage ride and the EWP and Hallowishes! Fun!!!
Hope that helps.

Please check to see how many can ride in each carriage, there is a limited number. Also if you have children who will be upset because they can not watch the parade or will want to stay, you know your children, I would not stay and catch a late ADR. I would leave at 7 and maybe catch a 7:15 adr or counter service outside the park. After dinner head over to the Carriage Rides. I'm not sure about the campfire at the campgrounds, I believe they are for WDW resort guests.

 

[kvnchapman]

Please check to see how many can ride in each carriage, there is a limited number. Also if you have children who will be upset because they can not watch the parade or will want to stay, you know your children, I would not stay and catch a late ADR. I would leave at 7 and maybe catch a 7:15 adr or counter service outside the park. After dinner head over to the Carriage Rides. I'm not sure about the campfire at the campgrounds, I believe they are for WDW resort guests.

Good point. I think it's 6 max. Watching Hallowishes and the EWP from the beach, the carriage ride and trick or treating at the campground might be perfect for your group. If your kiddos will be upset to leave, a different ADR might be in order. People speak highly of the Trails End buffet. I'd go to MK, dressed up, eat in or our depending on your kids, boat to FW and enjoy all the Campground has to offer. Max extra spent $120, and that's just if everyone wants to do the Carriage ride.

 

[cyndik1111]

Wow, some really great ideas!
I thought of excluding some of the adults for MNSSHP, but everyone wants to participate. (4 adults and 5 kids ages 8-13) so as a PP said $600 extra. ugh

That really is A LOT of extra cash just for 6 hours at MK, a parade, fireworks, and some not-so-great candy. Especially since we have a 7 day hopper, we aren't really getting any extra "park" time/day.

I know the kids would just love to go to any park in costume, but was wondering if we would feel out of place.

The Fort wilderness idea is a good one. I thought we had to leave MK by 4pm, but we can stay till 7pm? I like the idea of hopping on the boat over to FW and doing the hayride. $120 is much more reasonable! Heck, maybe we'll send the kids, and the adults will find a place to have a drink.

Thanks for that tip, I didn't even know about the hayride.
Where do i find the info about it? On disney's website?

 

[kvnchapman]

Wow, some really great ideas!
I thought of excluding some of the adults for MNSSHP, but everyone wants to participate. (4 adults and 5 kids ages 8-13) so as a PP said $600 extra. ugh

That really is A LOT of extra cash just for 6 hours at MK, a parade, fireworks, and some not-so-great candy. Especially since we have a 7 day hopper, we aren't really getting any extra "park" time/day.

I know the kids would just love to go to any park in costume, but was wondering if we would feel out of place.

The Fort wilderness idea is a good one. I thought we had to leave MK by 4pm, but we can stay till 7pm? I like the idea of hopping on the boat over to FW and doing the hayride. $120 is much more reasonable! Heck, maybe we'll send the kids, and the adults will find a place to have a drink.

Thanks for that tip, I didn't even know about the hayride.
Where do i find the info about it? On disney's website?

Thanks for posting the ages, that's helpful. Yes, you stay in MK until 7pm if you're not attending the Party. Just decide if you want to dine in the park (ADR made anytime prior to 7) or out of the Park (after 7pm departure). Guests will begin arriving for MNSSHP at 4pm, and there will be lots of costumes and Halloween spirit. Being in costume will be PERFECTLY appropriate! I believe you make your HCR reservations 180 days in advance. As the 31st will be a popular night, book immediately when the reservations open. Think carefully about times - if leaving MK at 7pm and boarding the boat to FW, assume you will dock at the Fort around 7:45. Modify all times if dining table service in MK. Or just grab some counter serviceon the way out. You will also need a dining ADR (Trails End comes highly reco mmended as a buffet), so maybe do that for 8pm. I'd immediately follow that up with the HCR (and only send the kids and 1 grownup, if necessary to save on cost). The other adults can enjoy the restaurant a bit more. The HCR lasts approximately 30minutes, so everyone could meet at FW's beach around 9pm and watch the Hallowishes Fireworks and the EWP, chow on some packed candy and then head back to the resort. That would be a grand total of $60 plus dinner. If you want to review the menus, look on the allears website. Good luck and happy planning!