Give Me All Of Your MNSSHP Tips!!

MomofPrincessGrace

MomofPrincessGrace

Well-Known Member
We are driving down on September 14th for the Halloween Party as a gift to my daughter for her birthday. We aren't able to squeeze in any additional park time during this trip, so we are looking for all of the tips to make the most of the party.


Thanks!
 
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HwdStudio

HwdStudio

Well-Known Member
graphite1326 said:
Best tip...have fun. Never had a problem with the crowds. Most rides are walk ons or short wait times. Lots of candy and good candy. Make sure you catch the parade and most of all the fire works. The best fireworks show puts on (in my opinion).
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I think you summed up the best tip perfectly. Have fun! There are Debbie Downers here the complain about the the quality of the candy and repurposed floats in the parade but I agree with @graphite1326. The fireworks are spectacular and the parade is very unique with my favorite parts being the Haunted Mansion and Pirates segments. If your family likes meeting characters the selection at MNSSHP can’t be beat. The character lines do get lengthy though so if there are characters that you just have to meet then get in line early. The longest I’ve seen are the 7 dwarfs and Jack and Sally. The entire park takes on a special fun Halloween vibe that IMO just can’t be beat. We always opt for the second parade because it seems to be less crowded. The weather can still be quite warm so plan costumes accordingly. Kids love dressing up but it’s perfectly fine and so much fun for adults to do the same but make sure you research the costume guidelines and follow them or you will be asked to change. Your MNSSHP ticket grants you admission into the park at 4pm. You may be able to make FP for times between 4 and 6:30. There were conflicting reports of this last year but we didn’t have a problem making ours.
 
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Worldlover71

Worldlover71

Well-Known Member
Be sure to keep a close eye on the weather. September is still hurricane season and it rains for at least a little while almost every day. It would be a shame if you waited for the second/last showing of the the terrific parade or Sanderson Sisters stage show only to miss it because it gets cancelled due to rain.
 
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Disney4family

Disney4family

Well-Known Member
Enjoy yourself!
We went to the second parade this year. The lines were tiny or non-existent since everyone seems to go to the first parade. We rode BTMRR 5 times in a row and never had to get off. It was awesome!

We also don't trick-or-treat. My kids told me to take them to Target if they ever want candy. While they're in WDW, they want to enjoy the attractions and just being there! (If you do t-or-t, check on this site for packing the candy. People had issues at MCO if it was in their carry-ons. I don't know if that's still an issue. Others here would know better.)

Just like @HwdStudio said, we didn't have trouble getting FPs for 4-6.

Also - don't schedule a table-service meal during the event. You'll lose precious party time.
 
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JohnD

JohnD

Well-Known Member
My own tips copied from another thread:

Plan a strategy. First enter at 4pm and knock out 2-3 attractions with FPs. You’re still in MK during regular hours. When the party starts map your plan for making sure to see the parade, Hocus Pocus show, and fireworks. Then plan everything else around those.

Hocus Pocus: See it at midnight. Smaller crowds and party is technically over at 12 so not using up party time compared to seeing it earlier. This gives you more time for other things during the party.

Parade: Watch the second one if possible. Again smaller crowds. But keep an eye on the weather. Go to first if there is a hint the second could get cancelled due to thunderstorms. I prefer to watch just in front of the train station as it comes around a corner and in front of you.

Fireworks: Only one. Find a good view on Main Street.

Everything else is up to you. If you have a must do M&G (eg 7 Dwarfs) get in line for it early. Lines for M&G increase around the park. If a line is moving at a good pace for trick or treating, sure do a few. Then walk on to attractions wherever you are in the park where manageable. HM might have a wait just because but you’ll be entertained by the Lady ghost. She interacts with guests. The Cadaver Dans (Dapper Dans re-dressed) are also fun.
 
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monykalyn

monykalyn

Well-Known Member
If you want to do any M&G scope out where they are. Disagree with getting in line early for 7Dwarfs-we hopped in line at 45 minutes til close last year (early October party) and had 1 person ahead of us-and zero wait for Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy-Goofy was so glad to see us we it was a great interaction. Knocked out Storybook circus in 40 minutes (characters). Take time to enjoy atmosphere.
Find a comfortable for the heat costume or Disney bound. Jack and Sally line never did go down-so will have to prioritize rides vs characters.
Definitely keep eye on weather - do not miss Headless horseman galloping down main street before parade starts-won't happen if wet. Eat a large meal before entering as you won't want to take time to wait in line to eat at party.

I am hoping to take my 15 year old to MNSSHP on the 14th as well-we have HHN tickets for that weekend so hoping to add a couple days so we can get back to Disney!
 
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Zipadeelady

Zipadeelady

Well-Known Member
My best advise it to eat dinner before you go, even if it's at 3:30. You don't want to waste your time sitting down and eating while the party is going on. Eat big then have a great night of snacks. What more would a kid want than to have dole whips, mickey bars and popcorn for dinner. I would also catch the second parade, it will be much less crowded.

Have fun! I just love the music during MNSSHP! :inlove:
 
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Starfan82

Starfan82

Member
My advice would be to have fun and prioritize what is important to do for you and your family. There is a lot going on and the time goes by fast! My DW and I did our first party two years ago and I knew going in that the BTY parade and Hallowishes were high on my priority list so I sacrificed some time I could have spent riding some rides in order to scope out a spot on Main St. near Casey's Corner to ensure prime viewing. We also did some trick or treating which was a neat experience.
 
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MomofPrincessGrace

MomofPrincessGrace

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
scorp16 said:
Get in as close to 4pm as you can.

Eat a good lunch (or early dinner) before going.....don't waste time in QS lines (QS places if you are mobile ordering). Get by with snacks or grab and go if you must.

Catch the later of the BTY parades.

Plan out the trick or treat locations.

Have fun.
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Looks like everyone suggest eating before we head in. I think this is what we will do. Since we are driving down, I will make sure that there is snack food back at the room if anyone is starving before bed. So many people have mentioned going to the second parade due to crowds. I am hoping that we will be able to jump on as many rides as possible while most are watching the parade. Do you know if they release a map beforehand. It would be great to be able to plan out what to do and when/ where (insert M&G) are before we step into the park.
JohnD said:
My own tips copied from another thread:

Plan a strategy. First enter at 4pm and knock out 2-3 attractions with FPs. You’re still in MK during regular hours. When the party starts map your plan for making sure to see the parade, Hocus Pocus show, and fireworks. Then plan everything else around those.

Hocus Pocus: See it at midnight. Smaller crowds and party is technically over at 12 so not using up party time compared to seeing it earlier. This gives you more time for other things during the party.

Parade: Watch the second one if possible. Again smaller crowds. But keep an eye on the weather. Go to first if there is a hint the second could get cancelled due to thunderstorms. I prefer to watch just in front of the train station as it comes around a corner and in front of you.

Fireworks: Only one. Find a good view on Main Street.

Everything else is up to you. If you have a must do M&G (eg 7 Dwarfs) get in line for it early. Lines for M&G increase around the park. If a line is moving at a good pace for trick or treating, sure do a few. Then walk on to attractions wherever you are in the park where manageable. HM might have a wait just because but you’ll be entertained by the Lady ghost. She interacts with guests. The Cadaver Dans (Dapper Dans re-dressed) are also fun.
Click to expand...

We had really good luck with the weather on our September 2015 trip, hopefully since this is will be our only chance to do MNSSHP for the foreseeable future. Our favorite parade viewing locations are in Frontierland (we had a ton of character interactions, probably because they haven't had to walk the whole parade route yet) and exactly where you said at the corner where it loops. We watched the Electrical Parade (RIP) at this spot in 2015 and it was so cool watching them approach.


How are the fireworks crowds. It never fails that I get stuck behind someone with a 12 year old on their shoulders with no where to move. I'm only 5'1 so children on shoulders, or tall people in general can ruin projections/fireworks for both me and my kid. Is there a little more room to move, or will we need to steak out our spot an hour beforehand like we did with Wishes/HEA?

One one thing, do they give you trick or treat bags, or will we need to bring our own?
 
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MotherofaPrincessLover

MotherofaPrincessLover

Well-Known Member
MomofPrincessGrace said:
Looks like everyone suggest eating before we head in. I think this is what we will do. Since we are driving down, I will make sure that there is snack food back at the room if anyone is starving before bed. So many people have mentioned going to the second parade due to crowds. I am hoping that we will be able to jump on as many rides as possible while most are watching the parade. Do you know if they release a map beforehand. It would be great to be able to plan out what to do and when/ where (insert M&G) are before we step into the park.


We had really good luck with the weather on our September 2015 trip, hopefully since this is will be our only chance to do MNSSHP for the foreseeable future. Our favorite parade viewing locations are in Frontierland (we had a ton of character interactions, probably because they haven't had to walk the whole parade route yet) and exactly where you said at the corner where it loops. We watched the Electrical Parade (RIP) at this spot in 2015 and it was so cool watching them approach.


How are the fireworks crowds. It never fails that I get stuck behind someone with a 12 year old on their shoulders with no where to move. I'm only 5'1 so children on shoulders, or tall people in general can ruin projections/fireworks for both me and my kid. Is there a little more room to move, or will we need to steak out our spot an hour beforehand like we did with Wishes/HEA?

One one thing, do they give you trick or treat bags, or will we need to bring our own?
Click to expand...
The map will be posted on this site when it comes out. It doesn't give which character is at which place but I'm sure if you ask someone will know. Last year we didn't stake out a spot too early for the fireworks (15-30 minutes before) and it was good. They will give you bags when you enter the park.
 
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MomofPrincessGrace

MomofPrincessGrace

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
MotherofaPrincessLover said:
The map will be posted on this site when it comes out. It doesn't give which character is at which place but I'm sure if you ask someone will know. Last year we didn't stake out a spot too early for the fireworks (15-30 minutes before) and it was good. They will give you bags when you enter the park.
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Thank you! DD isn't HUGE into characters, and will usually be okay with bypassing the meets to ride more rides. Also glad I wont have to worry about forgetting candy bags to bring with us.
 
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JohnD

JohnD

Well-Known Member
MomofPrincessGrace said:
Looks like everyone suggest eating before we head in. I think this is what we will do. Since we are driving down, I will make sure that there is snack food back at the room if anyone is starving before bed. So many people have mentioned going to the second parade due to crowds. I am hoping that we will be able to jump on as many rides as possible while most are watching the parade. Do you know if they release a map beforehand. It would be great to be able to plan out what to do and when/ where (insert M&G) are before we step into the park.


We had really good luck with the weather on our September 2015 trip, hopefully since this is will be our only chance to do MNSSHP for the foreseeable future. Our favorite parade viewing locations are in Frontierland (we had a ton of character interactions, probably because they haven't had to walk the whole parade route yet) and exactly where you said at the corner where it loops. We watched the Electrical Parade (RIP) at this spot in 2015 and it was so cool watching them approach.


How are the fireworks crowds. It never fails that I get stuck behind someone with a 12 year old on their shoulders with no where to move. I'm only 5'1 so children on shoulders, or tall people in general can ruin projections/fireworks for both me and my kid. Is there a little more room to move, or will we need to steak out our spot an hour beforehand like we did with Wishes/HEA?

One one thing, do they give you trick or treat bags, or will we need to bring our own?
Click to expand...

Another favorite viewing location of mine is in Liberty Square right where the route turns toward the MK hub. Fireworks crowds are pretty much what they are. More people in the hub and Main Street than elsewhere. I like standing in the hub with the Partners statue in front of you. Finally, yes, they do give out Trick or Treat bags, basically just plastic gift bags with the party and candy sponsor logos on it. But you can bring your own.
 
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