What time to get in line for 3:00 gate opening for TOT party?

[DisneyJulieZ]

Hi all!
Our family is doing our 1st Mickey's Halloween Trick or Treat party this year so we will be able to enter the park at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, 10/9.
Just wondering:
1) Which gate do you enter to get your bracelet and get into the TOT party?
2) If we are allowed in at 3:00 PM, what time do you think we should BE IN LINE to be one of the 1st to enter when they let us in at 3 PM?
3) Any other tips that we should be aware of for us 1st timers to the TOT party? (DL vets)

TIA!!!

 

[sonnyjane]

I haven't been to the party so I can't answer those questions, but I just wanted to make sure that you were aware that the party doesn't actually start at 3:00. That's when people that bought the tickets will be allowed to enter the park for the day, but the park is still open to the general public until 6:00 PM. I guess I'm just saying that if you want to be the first allowed in with your bracelets for bragging rights that's one thing, but don't feel that you have to be first in line

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Last year, I think it was the far right gates and to paraphrase sonnyjane...get in line at 2:59pm.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Last year, I think it was the far right gates and to paraphrase sonnyjane...get in line at 2:59pm.

Really? So on a MHP afternoon there is no waiting at the gates? There won't be other partygoers eager to get in their full three hours of park time before the official party starts at 6pm? Because I had the same question--because I have tickets for the Ultimate Experience, and the tours start at 3pm and 3:15pm--and figure I really need to be there at 2:15-2:30 to be sure to be through the gates at 3pm sharp.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Great question - I'm glad you asked it! We're going to the party that night, too.

 

[krispin41]

Last year, I think it was the far right gates and to paraphrase sonnyjane...get in line at 2:59pm.

This. Okay, maybe 2:58.

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Thanks for the info...
Yep, I am aware that the TOT party doesn't start till 6 PM (it's a Tuesday...it starts earlier on Tuesdays than the weekend TOT parties)...and that DL guests will still be in the parks from 3-6 PM with us.
I guess I was just trying to maximize every minute we could get in the parks, so that's why I was trying to get a handle on how long the TOT gate/party entrance would be if we didn't get to the gate until 3:00 PM...would we be waaaay back in a long line?
Would we be 1st in line if we line up at the gate at, say, 2 PM?
or is that still not early enough to be 1st at the TOT entrance gate?

anyone have any past experience with this?
Thanks so much!!

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Oh, and "HI!" Brady's mom! Maybe we'll be in line together!! LOL!!
(so, what time do you think we should get in line at the MHP gate!?! Tee hee!!)
I'd hate to wait until 3 PM to show up at the gate...I feel like we'd be way back in a long line of other MHP-attendees that also want to have every minute of those extra bonus park hours...

 

[cmwade77]

Well, remember there are a lot of passholders who go to the party as well, generally they will spend the day in the park and only have to get the wristbands starting at 3PM, so this keeps the lines down a bit. I would say 2:30 PM (based on past experience) would probably be sufficient. Also, they will most likely NOT start letting you in right at 3PM, it usually ends up being 3:15PM or later, especially on the first night. That being said, I have heard some nights they let you in before 3PM in order to keep the esplanade clear enough to allow people in during regular park hours at either park, but this is rare.

 

[Kilala]

I'm going on that day too. I have not yet gone early myself. I have not seen any major lines to get in. Not even at 6pm when the party starts. This year I'm going early twice on two of the days I'm going Oct. 19th and Oct. 23rd.

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Thanks for the info everyone...it helps to know how much time we should plan for "waiting in line" before 3 PM...I appreciate the input greatly!

If anyone else has experience regarding a Tuesday night in early October MHP entrance line, feel free to chime in...!

Thanks!

 

[626Mom]

Thanks for starting this thread! Our family will also be there Tuesday night Oct 9. We are coming form Northern CA on Monday and will already be in the park-rope drop!. Others mentioned that those that are already in the park can get their bands inside. Does anyone have more info on this? I was planning on coming out of the park to put the kids in their costumes and come back around 4 to miss lines/crowds (I'm a dreamer ) If I can get the bands earlier that might change some of my plans. Sorry to hijack your thread! Thanks for any input/advice, we are so excited

 

[mouseymommy]

Sorry I don't have an answer to your question, but our family will be there on the 9th too!! We're going to the park in the morning and will leave for our naps and to get our costumes on. Then we'll head back in. We are so excited!

 

[jessicaerv]

I went to a Tuesday party last year and the big tip I can give you is that they allow you to enter by the Monorail entrance in DTD, as well as the Main Gate. I think there were, maybe, 5 people in line at that entrance. It was fantastic and a godsend since we were staying at DLH.

Hope that helps!!

 

[cari12]

I went to a Tuesday party last year and the big tip I can give you is that they allow you to enter by the Monorail entrance in DTD, as well as the Main Gate. I think there were, maybe, 5 people in line at that entrance. It was fantastic and a godsend since we were staying at DLH.

Hope that helps!!

Thanks! I was going to ask if you can enter via monorail, good to hear that we can as we are staying at the DLH.

 

[Kilala]

They shut down the Monorail for the start of the party. They have a treat trail up there in the start of the night. I took some pics last year in front of the monorail

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thanks for starting this thread! Our family will also be there Tuesday night Oct 9. We are coming form Northern CA on Monday and will already be in the park-rope drop!. Others mentioned that those that are already in the park can get their bands inside. Does anyone have more info on this? I was planning on coming out of the park to put the kids in their costumes and come back around 4 to miss lines/crowds (I'm a dreamer ) If I can get the bands earlier that might change some of my plans. Sorry to hijack your thread! Thanks for any input/advice, we are so excited

Yes, if you are already in the park on your party day, you can get your wristband and treat bag at a location inside the park. Last year it was at the AP center (which is now Jolly Holiday Bakery) and there was an announcement about it. Don't know where the location will be this year, but I'm sure someone will post about it after the first party.

And the line for the party on a Tuesday was no longer than a long-ish line at the turnstiles on a regular day. Look for the designated turnstile (usually the sign says "Special Event"). The line moves relatively quickly -- it helps if you have your whole party together when you get to the front. We waited 10-15 minutes, got our wristbands, and off we went.