Would you do this?

[dalton165]

Okay it's our family's first trip to Disney. We are flying from NC so it should be a short flight. It's a surprise and I can't wait to see the look on our kids faces My ds is 10 & dd is 6. Anyway....

We're arriving on Sept 4th. Mnsshp starts on this day. Would you do this first? I kinda wanted my dd 1st impression to be of the castle first thing in the morning, but MNSSHP falls only on this day of our vacation.

We arrived at 11:30, I figure by the time we get to CSR and check -in and unpack, blah blah blah, we should be able to get to MK by 4pm. So she'll still see the castle in the daytime.

What do you think? Also is the parade worth the extra $$$? We don't have a lot of extra $$$ but I am not sure when we'll be able to afford this vacation again.

Thanks for your comments.

Lisa

 

[MouseMadness]

OK, my 2-cents worth...

NORMALLY, I would say no. We don't plan anything on our first day and just fly by the seat of our pants. We're just so overwhelmed that we are actually at Disney again, our minds are racing, flights could be delayed, cranky kids from traveling, etc. etc.

HOWEVER, since it is only on that one day you will be there, you might want to try it. We've attended MNSSHP every year that we've been down there during that time and absolutely love it Yes, it is an extra expense, but Disney all over is expensive, and especially if you might not be going back for ages, it will be fun to do. Also, you seem to have an early enough flight that a little delay wouldn't be too costly.

I would keep in mind, though, to try to have the kids rest or nap before if possible. They are older, so it might not happen, but I wouldn't over-do it before hand. Also, remember that the next day might be a wash (all according to your schedule) because you will be out so late (we usually don't get back to the resort until at least 1 am and often times later).

If you do go, be sure to bring costumes for the kids. They will have a great time. We usually go just to let the kids trick-or-treat (AT DISNEY!!), visit the characters in costume, and enjoy the special fireworks and parades. We might only ride 1 or 2 rides (we HAVE to go on Pirates, because that is what my son, and so far, my daughter have always dressed up as!) but it is all still worth it to us.

I hope this helps a little. I'm sure others will have lots of different opinions for you.

Whatever you decide, you will still have a fantastic trip!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Depends on what kind of a ticket you have. If you are planning of arriving at MK at 4 p.m. you have just wasted most of your day. Plus you have gotten up early to catch this flight-fly there-catch the ME or rent a car-drive to WDW- check in- This could be a long day for you. Oh and the unpacking part you may have to skip all together because check in time is not till 3 or 4 p.m. Plus your luggage may not arrive until hours after you have arrived.

 

[Macduffy]

I thought you can get into MK with your MNSSHP ticket at 4 PM.... it's still daytime and DD can see the Castle and "experience" the magic of MK before the party starts at 7 PM! I say DO IT!!!

 

[SamMac]

You have to have a park ticket for that day as well.

 

[Debbie-TN]

Sounds like fun. You didn't say how long you're there for. Things could always go wrong on arrival day and you might get delayed. Did you check to see if there was a party at the end of your trip? What a great way to end a great trip. Either way, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

[emilyann415]

Depends on what kind of a ticket you have. If you are planning of arriving at MK at 4 p.m. you have just wasted most of your day. Plus you have gotten up early to catch this flight-fly there-catch the ME or rent a car-drive to WDW- check in- This could be a long day for you. Oh and the unpacking part you may have to skip all together because check in time is not till 3 or 4 p.m. Plus your luggage may not arrive until hours after you have arrived.

This is not exactly true. If you have the MNSSH ticket you don't need to buy a park pass for that day as long as you enter after 4pm. So it sounds like a great idea to me....after all what better memory can you think of than your kids getting to trick or treat in Disneyworld!!!

 

[LovePug]

You have to have a park ticket for that day as well.

No, you don't....I've gone to the party (MNSSHP and/or MVMCP) without a park ticket and got in at 4:00...

As for the OP, it's a really tough question and I keep going back and forth on it.

On the one hand, you have no idea when/if you'll be going back any time soon and, if you don't do it that day, you'll miss it completely. I don't like Halloween and I still loved the party/parade/fireworks. On the other hand, you haven't yet seen the regular parade/fireworks so you'll be kind of comparing things backward from my experience.

Oh, heck, go for it if you can afford it!

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I say do it! I think they will really enjoy and it would be a great way to start off your vacation.

JUST in case you are delayed or just change your mind. Why don't you wait to buy tickets the day you arrive? We got ours at the front desk last year, because we were unsure which night we wanted to go.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

I haven't been, not the time of year we go, but I gotta agree with the others, I would go (not using a days pass, just the event tickets) and have a BLAST!!

 

[Alesia]

You have to have a park ticket for that day as well.

No, you don't.

You can enter with your party ticket at 4:00.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

go for it!

 

[PrincessAtta]

We always arrive in the afternoon, and always plan something "non-park" for that night...however, if that was the only night available for MNSSHP we would do it.

You can get in with a party ticket (based on past years) after 4PM. No park ticket necessary.

We have done it and it's a great time. That early in the Halloween season, you should have extremely light crowds (unless it's a press night, and even then it still will be light) and you will be able to knock out a bunch of rides. As an added bonus, you will get all the atmosphere the party lends to the park. It's unique. So much of Disney is, it can get lost, then something like this is a little bit over the top. Take advantage of it when you can.

We often do Hoop-Dee-Doo on arrival day, probably same cost, no meal. I'd trade it for the Halloween Party.

Have fun!

 

[sgcrosby]

We are also from NC and fly out of Charlotte. It is an easy flight (just long enough for the kids to be excited, then you are there). If you are planning on taking the Magical Express to the Resort, make sure you are dressed for the park as you will probably not be able to get to your luggage for awhile. We have always checked in then gone straight to the park without even bothering to wait on our room. When you get back to your resort, your luggage will be waiting in your room for you.

 

[tessiesevin]

We are arriving on Sep 4th also. We will try for MNSSHP first but will be cutting it close. We land at 6.00. I'm not going to by tickets ahead of time but if they are not sold out and if we can get there on time it will be our first thing.

If we are running to late we will do extra majic hours at Epcot.

 

[Toystoryfan32]

I say go for it. We are going to the party on Sept 4th and our flight gets in at 3:30. We have done this twice in the past for a MNSSHP and MVMCP. It worked ok for us. We encouraged the kids to try to sleep on the plane so they would be able to stay up late and then we slept in a bit the next morning. The party is amazing, you will love it. We are so excited about going again. Maybe we will see you there.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

You can enter the park at 4:00pm with your MNSSHP. If you go earlier you will burn a ticket. Is it worth it depends on your ticket?