Late October trip and mnsshp?

[Ladyfish]

Hello! First I want to say thanks to everyone that posts on this forum. There's so much great information to help plan a trip to Disneyworld! This is my first post, so here goes...

I'm looking at a 4-5 day trip to Disneyworld before a convention I have in Orlando (not at a disney resort). So the idea is to get there before my convention and enjoy Disneyworld and stay at a Disney resort then move to my convention hotel. I will have my son and a friend (both late teens) and DH with me for the DW portion of the trip. My biggest questions have to do with scheduling in and around the mnsshp events.

Right now I'm looking at either arriving October 29th or 30th. If we arrive on the 29th, maybe do the mnsshp on that date. If not, the other two available dates are October 31 and Nov 1. I figure the 31st is probably one of the earliest to sell out due to it being on halloween and on a weekend. Would October 29 or November 1 be a better date for the halloween event?

Since we probably will only have a 4 day park hopper, I thought it would be great if we got in on the 29th and did the mnsshp that evening, then the next 4 days at the parks using hopper. That does leave us with 2 dates where MK closes early for 2 nights while we are there.

So which date do you suggest for the mnnshp? Suggestions on negotiating the parks on the other days? How busy is MK in general on halloween weekend?

 

[mousehockey37]

Hello! First I want to say thanks to everyone that posts on this forum. There's so much great information to help plan a trip to Disneyworld! This is my first post, so here goes...

I'm looking at a 4-5 day trip to Disneyworld before a convention I have in Orlando (not at a disney resort). So the idea is to get there before my convention and enjoy Disneyworld and stay at a Disney resort then move to my convention hotel. I will have my son and a friend (both late teens) and DH with me for the DW portion of the trip. My biggest questions have to do with scheduling in and around the mnsshp events.

Right now I'm looking at either arriving October 29th or 30th. If we arrive on the 29th, maybe do the mnsshp on that date. If not, the other two available dates are October 31 and Nov 1. I figure the 31st is probably one of the earliest to sell out due to it being on halloween and on a weekend. Would October 29 or November 1 be a better date for the halloween event?

Since we probably will only have a 4 day park hopper, I thought it would be great if we got in on the 29th and did the mnsshp that evening, then the next 4 days at the parks using hopper. That does leave us with 2 dates where MK closes early for 2 nights while we are there.

So which date do you suggest for the mnnshp? Suggestions on negotiating the parks on the other days? How busy is MK in general on halloween weekend?

If you don't have your trip booked by now for that time, it's gonna be getting tough real quick to get in at a resort. Also, the MNSSHP's for the end of October sell out first...

 

[sxeensweet]

If you don't have your trip booked by now for that time, it's gonna be getting tough real quick to get in at a resort. Also, the MNSSHP's for the end of October sell out first...

Agree with above so I would book your hotel and buy your tickets for whichever MNSSHP you choose ASAP. The dates closest to Halloween sell out the quickest.
Also I do think your best bet would be the 29th so you can go to MK without using 1 of your park ticket days so you will have more time to spend in the parks overall. You can get a lot of the popular rides done at the party because there is pretty short lines especially after 10 pm.
Hope you have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Nemo14]

I just did a quick check and there are plenty of available rooms at that time period. As far as MNSSHP goes, I think doing the party your first night is a great idea - just be sure to get your tickets ASAP because the parties close to Halloween sell out early. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Ladyfish]

Thanks for the reply. Do the resorts really sell out that quickly? I've just started the planning. I guess worst case is we do the trip some other time not connected to my convention trip.

 

[mousehockey37]

Thanks for the reply. Do the resorts really sell out that quickly? I've just started the planning. I guess worst case is we do the trip some other time not connected to my convention trip.

It's right in the middle of Food and Wine Fest and add in the Halloween parties... it's pretty busy at that time. We're at the 6 month window, so while there may be stuff available now, it won't be there long.

 

[sxeensweet]

Thanks for the reply. Do the resorts really sell out that quickly? I've just started the planning. I guess worst case is we do the trip some other time not connected to my convention trip.

You will get the biggest choice of rooms if you book as early as possible but usually even closer to those dates you can find something but just might not be your first choice. So if you know now for sure you want to go I would book soon to definately get what you want. If a discount comes out later you can always call and apply it if available etc.

 

[Nemo14]

Resort reservations shouldn't be too much of an issue, but as others have said, the parties at the end of October sell out quickly.

 

[Clamman73]

Thanks for the reply. Do the resorts really sell out that quickly? I've just started the planning. I guess worst case is we do the trip some other time not connected to my convention trip.

As mentioned, grab party ticket now...but room discounts/free dining haven't even been offered yet for those dates - Probably soon though for the late summer/early fall, but maybe not up to late October until a little later this year.

 

[Chernabog75]

I am also arriving on 10/29 and plan on attending MNSSHP for the first time. Trying to decide between 10/29 and 11/01. Is there any real difference in crowd levels between the two dates? I was thinking 11/1 might be better due to it being after Halloween and a Sunday.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I am also arriving on 10/29 and plan on attending MNSSHP for the first time. Trying to decide between 10/29 and 11/01. Is there any real difference in crowd levels between the two dates? I was thinking 11/1 might be better due to it being after Halloween and a Sunday.

As 11/1 is the last party, it commonly sells out. Many people like to arrive 11/1 and go to that party and and then attend the first MVMCP at the end of their trips. Realistically, both nights will sell out, though.

 

[ChrisHouston]

LADYFISH:

MNSSHP on 10/29 then 4 day park hopper for your group sounds like the perfect plan for your family.

 

[Kingoglow]

Welcome @Ladyfish
As others have said, purchase your tickets for MNSSHP for the night(s) that you want soon. We urge this because we don't want you to be disappointed. Last year there was a mother trying desperately to acquire tickets for her and her daughter after they sold out. You are not allowed to resale or exchange the tickets so we couldn't help her.

Pick the day that works best for you and buy your tickets. There is no real advice as to what day is 'best'. Since they are tickets for a limited event, WDW only sells a certain amount and after that, no one can get in the park. All of the days you listed will sell out but know that this means something very very different than a usual day at MK. There are much fewer people in the parks during these events, which is why (in my mind) I still feel that the current price is acceptable.

Given the age of the two boys in your group, I would guess that meeting characters wont be very high on your agenda. If that is the case then you will have a great opportunity to walk onto all of the rides you want with minimal waits (compared to a normal evening at MK). My wife and I went to the party two nights last year and had a blast walking onto Splash, Big Thunder, Pirates and Space over and over. There was still waits for the mine train and for peter pan, but you can hit those during the parade to help out.

Remember that the ticket for the party grants admission at 4pm and lasts until midnight. That means You can use a day ticket at another park and use all your fastpasses and then head over to MK at 4 using your party ticket. This wont mean as much to you since you bought park hoppers, but for other families, I though I would mention it here.

...
As far as your room goes, they wont sell out right away so you have time to schedule everything else. The posters above are right that EPCOT Food & Wine dates aligned with the Halloween party dates is a very busy time. But the increased demand for rooms is already reflected in the hotel rates. Disney has plenty of rooms, so don't worry about this.

Remember that if you do go ahead and book your room, that often special discounts pop up. You can be alerted to them on this site in this subsection, or by visiting the WDW site and scrolling down to the bottom of the page and clicking on 'special discounts'. All discount are retroactive so as long as the days that you are visiting fall within the window in which the offer is available, you can call WDW and ask them to apply the discount. THIS IS ONLY IF rooms are still available for the offer. The number of rooms available for each offer is the limiting factor, so check in from time to time. The common thinking right now is that Oct-Nov discounts should appear at the beginning of May.

...
Finally, I couldn't tell from your post if this is your family's first trip to WDW or not. If it is your first trip I would urge you to purchase one of the dining plan options available. Please realize that this is not a popular opinion on this board as you can easily beat the price of the dining plans by carefully planning and selecting your meal options. But for first time visitors I like to point them towards the plan because it can ease a lot of the stress surrounding a trip in so far as you don't have to constantly grumble about the high price of food in the parks. You can order what you want as long as it aligns with the credit options available on your plan and stay in the magic.

...
I suspect that we will be hearing more from you as you plan out your trip in more detail. We are happy to help.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Be careful planning MNSSHP on your arrival date. As far as I know, if anything goes wrong with your travel (delayed flights, etc.) you'd be out of luck in terms of the amount you paid for the party.

 

[SeanWM48]

mid-late october is the best time of the year to go IMO. have a blast. and as everybody already said, nail down your halloween party date now and get tickets ASAP

 

[Disneykings]

Sorry to add onto your question.. We have just got our Tickets for MNSHP this October. Does anyone know if adults are still aloud to dress up? The ticket rules say, we encourage children to dress up. Nothing about adults/familes. Thanks in advance

 

[sxeensweet]

Sorry to add onto your question.. We have just got our Tickets for MNSHP this October. Does anyone know if adults are still aloud to dress up? The ticket rules say, we encourage children to dress up. Nothing about adults/familes. Thanks in advance

Yes everyone is allowed and encouraged to dress up with Adults included. Just no full face masks on adults (but can be painted). Have fun!! Me and DH are going on 10/20.

 

[Disneykings]

Thank you so much, thats a relief. Its our daughters 8th Birthday trip and first to in USA so she is calling it her birthday party

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Sorry to add onto your question.. We have just got our Tickets for MNSHP this October. Does anyone know if adults are still aloud to dress up? The ticket rules say, we encourage children to dress up. Nothing about adults/familes. Thanks in advance

Yeah you'll be able to dress up. The risk Disney runs is that someone looks "too good" and becomes a distraction to other guests, burdening the real cast members and that guest. I was there one year with a Thor that I swear could have honestly been Chris Hemsworth walking around. The guy was being pestered to pose for pictures all night long. He was a good sport about it but I can see how that would become an issue for park operations.

 

[sxeensweet]

Thank you so much, thats a relief. Its our daughters 8th Birthday trip and first to in USA so she is calling it her birthday party

Your welcome and a early HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your daughter!!!! Hope you all have a wonderful time!!