ADR vs Halloween Party

[GoofyPalWalt]

Next visit to WDW!  
Will the schedule of Not-so-Scary Halloween nights be out more than 180 days in advance so I can make dining picks and not interfere?

 

[lilclerk]

The party dates are usually officially announced in May, but if you look at the calendar, any night MK closes at 7pm is probably a party night. September 5th and 6th are for Night of Joy, but the park still closes at 7pm for day guests.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/calendar.htm

 

[Matt_Black]

Honestly? I recommend making any ADRs for the afternoon. Once the party hits, I go quick service as it's a bit faster, and if you're paying $60-70, you want to make the most out of every minute of party time.

 

[Matt_Black]

One other thing about ADRs on party nights- I've heard that some folks not attending the party make dinner reservations and then "squat" as long as possible so that they can still be in the park for the party without paying for it. So, even if you have a reservation, you might have to wait a bit because of the inconsideration of these people.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

For starters, I would not try and time an ADR with MNSSHP. You'll hear stories of people trying to linger in the parks, but we've done MNSSHP and MVMCP, and CMs were out in full force checking for bands. I believe ADRs 6:45pm or later on party nights can only be held by people with tickets for the party. Every now and then you'll hear stories that a CM let them dine and then escorted them out of the park afterwards, but more often than not, you hear of people being turned away from their ADR since they don't have party tickets. I've heard that club level planning will even warn people of this when making ADRs through them.

As for figuring out the party nights...in addition to looking for the nights when MK closes at 7pm...you can also look at last year's party schedule as the days of the week for the party seem to map over each year. I did this last year and it was spot on. There is a rumor that the parties will be starting up earlier this year since F&W is starting earlier, but I don't think that's been confirmed as of yet.

 

[draybook]

We get all of our eating done before the party starts. Once the party starts we're a candy-grabbing, photo-taking machine!!!

 

[networkpro]

Campers get the walk of shame, escorted out by a cast member holding a ghost placard lit by a flashlight for MNNSHP, a Christmas tree for VMM.

 

[GoofyPalWalt]

I wasn't real clear on why I wanted to know this. I want to make the ADR for MK locations when it is NOT MNSSHP. Those nights we'll go somewhere else! My "little" one is 41 now so we're not into trick or treating. Thanks all for the answers. The WDW Magic Park calendar is great even tho it does not have October yet. Beats the WDW site by far.

 

[Matt_Black]

Well, I'm not that much younger than your little one, and I had a FANTASTIC time at MNSSHP.