My last were a lot longer than that. Try 10 years
I'm close to trying it again but I follow it enough to see what's offered. Yes going is different. Maybe once they update the fireworks shows. Halloween with the ride "enhancements" was an OK start but needs to be a little more. The parades are nice in length and I fear a reduction there in new parades for the parties but it's time for a refresh there. They've refreshed stage shows, but that hasn't been enough for me.
I know people though that just love these things like they're rights of passage or an annual thing they look forward too like the F&W festival, Disney has a good amount of guests hooked no matter what they offer. I still think first time guests can have a good time but after all these years, so little changed until just recently. That's a problem. But then you have guests who cling to 15 year old fireworks shows :/
For my past 4 trips, Ive been to MNSS 3x and MVMCP 1x. I haven't given up but I have to admit that each year MNSS has disappointed us in some way. The first year, we were estranged about what was different in the park, apart from the trick 'r treating and the excellent lighting on Main St. It seemed like once you left the concourse the party was few a far between apart from Trick Or Treat Trails. The Boo To You parade we actually felt was a bit less-than what we expected, and we were struggling to find our way around parade routes to find food that was open passed 9PM. There aren't many dining options at this party. Why? It's from 4pm-1am some nights!?
Another time the parade routes and crowds in the concourse sent us around the park in circles, causing us to miss things like the actors in front of Haunted Mansion. If Im paying to be there till 12-1am, why does
ANYTHING wrap up early? Finally, the third time we went, I resigned to get better viewing for the parade and really try to take it all in. I had been to and loved the Christmas Party the year prior and after seeing the Christmas Parade on Main St, we were all ready give Boo To You a real go, only to have it rain so most of the parade was not operating.
This year I am booked for Halloween Night and I am making new attempts at...
anticipating. You need to plan your entire night down to the direction youre walking through the park.
I still think my first impression stands though.
For all that is said about how much the party has to offer, I think it needs more. Especially more lighting THROUGHOUT the park and more ride overlays. Not everyone comes for a HOCUS POCUS show (and I do love that movie), and 3 hour meet and greets.
Disney can fabricate things for treat trails and reuse them easily. They should be DOING SOMETHING in the treat trails. Maybe make some festive tunnels or Jack O Lantern walkways, etc.
I like the shows and the parade enough but, isnt that the type of thing you might not be in the mood for depending on your day? I also feel like with the crowd level you have to eat the entire length of the party to see all that stuff from any decent viewing location. The Haunted Mansion, and the lighting outside on Main St, is IMO the best the party has to offer. Otherwise it seems the idea is to have 1 attraction in each land offer some sort of new overlay. Too boot, these overlays seem to be simple, and frankly CHEAP in comparison to what DisneyLand does. Why? Adding some lighting changes and some actors, considering the price tag of the event, comes across to me as a bit lazy and cheap. Especially considering that the treat trails are actually CLOSED ATTRACTIONS with nothing Halloween themed in the trails. WORSE: In some cases, the attractions they have closed for that treat trail, is a better Halloween attraction if it were open, than it is as a treat trail. Like Monsters INC Laugh Floor, or Jungle Cruise (which could def have a Halloween overlay).
The wait times for the meet and greets make them unappealing entirely, unless you have children who like standing in line for 2 hours. I might try to meet the Seven Dwarfs this year though. We'll see.
I do enjoy myself at the party, dont get me wrong. I still partake in what I like about it, but to me, my problem with it, is that Disney doesn't seem to be doing much to make the park eventful for the holiday past the stage shows, fireworks and parade. There should be Halloween theme-ing and overlays throughout the whole park not just 35% of it. Maybe some people do not feel up to a parade that night? Doesnt it seem weird that this would be MOST of the draw?
If you really think about it, apart from the treat trails and some lights turned off in an attraction or some fog fluid and new lighting, there is actually nothing going on for this party outside of main st and the castle, except for some trick r treat trails, in attractions that they've closed. If you're going to do so little why are ANY attractions closed?
Making the trails more interesting alone would go a long way to making it a better time. That and maybe turn Beast's Castle into some kinda combo Halloween walk-through and Quick Service meal. Or how about doing something spooky on Tom Sawyer Island!? That seems like a wasted opportunity, eh?
Lighting, and people in different costumes doesnt cost Disney much more to accomplish.
Im hoping doing the party this year, on Halloween itself will find the crowds in great spirits and better costumes, and maybe add something to my party experience.
