RachelP6877
Active Member
I wasn't sure we'd do it this time we go every spring and fall, the kids are DD5 and DS7. I had a few glasses of wine and finally committed to tickets
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MNSSHP first timer I want the best tips
- Thread starter RachelP6877
- Start date
DisneyDreamer08
Well-Known Member
We only went once, back in 2009. It was just my husband and I, we didn't have our girls yet. I honestly found the whole night to be pretty stressful. It was super crowded and the CMs were pretty clueless as to the happenings of the night. I chose to focus on meeting the rare characters and that turned out to be a huge mistake. We wasted a lot of time waiting in the super long character lines and ended up being in line while the fireworks were happening. We could see them, but not well, so I was bummed. The parade was my favorite part of the night. The headless horseman is amazing to see in person. We didn't ride any rides or waste time eating, we were there for the entire party and we still weren't able to do all that is offered. My best advice is to decide what is most important to you- the parade, the fireworks, stage show, meeting characters, etc, and plan your night accordingly. Its hard to do everything and if I had known that going in, maybe I wouldn't have been so disappointed.
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Zipadeelady
Well-Known Member
Wine always helps make the best choices! 
We did the party in 2010. We had a great time and the kids dressed up. We didn't try to see any characters because the lines were pretty long, especially for the 7 dwarfs. We focused on the rides and hit the candy stops when we were near them. The Boo to You Parade is my favorite parade. The park music is wonderful and sets the atmosphere. I think you'll really be happy you tried it at least once. We plan on going for a second time in the future. Now I got the music stuck in my head! 
We did the party in 2010. We had a great time and the kids dressed up. We didn't try to see any characters because the lines were pretty long, especially for the 7 dwarfs. We focused on the rides and hit the candy stops when we were near them. The Boo to You Parade is my favorite parade. The park music is wonderful and sets the atmosphere. I think you'll really be happy you tried it at least once. We plan on going for a second time in the future. Now I got the music stuck in my head!
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PixieDustMamma
Member
This is my favorite event of the year! Ok so some quick tips.
1. Bring a dump bag. Your kids will get lots of candy and their buckets get heavy. Bring an extra like cloth grocery story bag and stick it in the stroller to dump their buckets in.
2. It's usually still hot down here plan cooler costumes that can be paired with a sweater if needed.
3. Watch the parade from the beginning. Get a good spot early in frontier land. The headless horseman is not to be missed! I watch it twice as in my opinion it's the best parade at Wdw.
Hope this helps. Your gonna love it
1. Bring a dump bag. Your kids will get lots of candy and their buckets get heavy. Bring an extra like cloth grocery story bag and stick it in the stroller to dump their buckets in.
2. It's usually still hot down here plan cooler costumes that can be paired with a sweater if needed.
3. Watch the parade from the beginning. Get a good spot early in frontier land. The headless horseman is not to be missed! I watch it twice as in my opinion it's the best parade at Wdw.
Hope this helps. Your gonna love it
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Me 'Earties
Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate
I have been a couple times, once before kids and about three years ago when we only had our older son (he was about 1.5 years old). As others have said, character lines are long but there are characters out that you rarely see during non-party times that are present. If your children see someone they'd like to meet, perhaps plan to wait for about 30-45 min (that was about the average for us but it could be more). At the Christmas party (since that was the last paid party event I went to/that I can remember best) we waited to see Jack Sparrow (and boy, was he spot on with facial features/voice-I swear it was like Johnny Depp in the flesh!) and that was about a half hour wait. He spent some time with us (me and my late-20 yo brother), which was nice. With kids, he was spending a few more minutes, which the kids were loving. I mention it because that could explain why you may spend some time waiting, but it was worth it for us.
One thing my little one really enjoyed? Dancing with Woody and Jessie at the Diamond Horseshoe! I'm not sure if they're doing that this year but it was super cute. William was dressed as Buzz, me as Jessie, and Hubby as Woody so it was quite the treat
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The parade is really cool, and I would take time to see that (the headless horseman was something spectacular to see-how a guy on a horse does that amazes me!).
Not sure what dates you picked but any time I've gone to one of those parties (be it Halloween or Christmas), we always picked a day Sunday-Thursday and it wasn't too crazy for us.
Remember, you can get into the park starting at 4 pm, so you could take advantage of an early dinner, some rides, shopping, etc. before the party officially starts at 7 pm-that's when all the treating, special guests, etc. come out.
Will you see everything? Maybe not, but the ambiance is fun, and the kids will enjoy wearing costumes and trick or treating in the MK. How often does that happen?!? It can be stressful for sure-getting the kids dressed up, they could be in a mood, it could be raining (happened the first time we went to MNSSHP), it's hot and humid, etc. but as long as you know that not everything will be possible, take it easy, and just go with the flow, you should have a good time
EDIT: already brought tickets for my upcoming trip in about a month too! So will be going again soon
One thing my little one really enjoyed? Dancing with Woody and Jessie at the Diamond Horseshoe! I'm not sure if they're doing that this year but it was super cute. William was dressed as Buzz, me as Jessie, and Hubby as Woody so it was quite the treat
.The parade is really cool, and I would take time to see that (the headless horseman was something spectacular to see-how a guy on a horse does that amazes me!).
Not sure what dates you picked but any time I've gone to one of those parties (be it Halloween or Christmas), we always picked a day Sunday-Thursday and it wasn't too crazy for us.
Remember, you can get into the park starting at 4 pm, so you could take advantage of an early dinner, some rides, shopping, etc. before the party officially starts at 7 pm-that's when all the treating, special guests, etc. come out.
Will you see everything? Maybe not, but the ambiance is fun, and the kids will enjoy wearing costumes and trick or treating in the MK. How often does that happen?!? It can be stressful for sure-getting the kids dressed up, they could be in a mood, it could be raining (happened the first time we went to MNSSHP), it's hot and humid, etc. but as long as you know that not everything will be possible, take it easy, and just go with the flow, you should have a good time
EDIT: already brought tickets for my upcoming trip in about a month too! So will be going again soon
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cursivesailor
Active Member
We are going for the first time this year. My parents got married on Halloween - My mom told my dad to pick a day he wouldnt forget so that he would always remember the anniversary. And being the sorta weirdo that he is, he picked Halloween! So this year is their 40th anniversary and all of us "kids" (ages 26-34) are going. I cant wait!
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Me 'Earties
Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate
That is AWESOME on so many levels-love it!
BTW: love your avatar. Kitchen Kabaret was one of my favorites growing up!!
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cursivesailor
Active Member
Yeah, we are a family of weirdos, but I wouldnt have it any other way!
Yeah, I miss Kitchen Kabaret. I recently found my stuffed animal Eggplant from when I was younger while cleaning out my parents attic.
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popcenturylover
Well-Known Member
We went in Sept. 12'. We had dinner at our resort & got to the party right around 6. We then waited in line to meet the 7 dwarfs for 1 & 1/2 hours.(do not recommend) We then went trick-or-treating, rode the Haunted Mansion a few times, watched the parade, fireworks, & then we left. It felt more crowded than I thought it would. We did have fun & want to do it again sometime. Although, we won't waste time waiting for characters next time.
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