MNSSHP Strategies

[Blueskyze]

I’m attending my first MNSSHP in a couple of weeks, and I have been trying to work out the best strategy. I have printed out last year’s map, read everything I could find about it, looked at suggested touring plans, etc. We will be going to the MK that morning after breakfast at ‘Ohana (according to the touring plans crowd calendar, MK is a 1.1 that day), and we hope to knock out as many rides as possible then. We’ll be heading back to the resort in the afternoon so that my son can take a nap and we can get into our costumes (for 2 of us, that includes makeup). We also plan to eat before heading back to the park – I’d like to be back by 5 or 6.
So here’s my question – what have you found has worked best for you? We definitely want to experience everything the party has to offer: see some characters, the parade, the fireworks, the Villains Mix & Mingle (must meet Maleficent, since my BFF is dressing like her!), and go to Woody’s Dance Party. There will be 4 adults and 1 child. I’m sort of torn on meeting the 7 Dwarves. I really want to meet them, but I’ve read that the line starts forming as early as 5:00 or 5:30, and the thought of standing in line for 2 hours isn’t really appealing, especially since it’s our first party and there’s so much to see. The only rides that will be a must-do that night will be Haunted Mansion and Pirates.
I’m hoping that next week we’ll start hearing some reports from party-goers, but until then, hit me with your best tips and strategies for getting the most out of the party!

 

[draybook]

We stood in line for the dwarves last September. It didn't quite take 2 hours but I did have time to walk back to our locker and back and still waited for about 20 minutes.

 

[luv]

The most important thing for me has always been staying out late the night before (stay for freworks or whatever) so I sleep late the next day and am still awake for midnight.

We get there, check the times for the parades, fireworks and castle show. Usually, we plan what we will do over dinner. Other than those three thing, we kind of just bum around, checking everything out.

If you want to mee Malificent, be sure to get a spot right up front for the show, because they come down, do a VERY QUICK meet & greet, then leave. You need to be up close and line up immediately!

A BOO to you!

 

[ddrongowski]

see some characters, They will be all around the park.
see the parade, I prefer the second one, as a lot of people leave after the first one.
see the fireworks, You cannot miss them from anywhere in the park. They are EVERYWHERE. Outstanding show.
see the Villains Mix & Mingle, and go to Woody’s Dance Party. I have never done this so I will not comment.

With that all said, don't get to stuck on doing an x,y,z agenda... There is plenty to enjoy, and lots to see and do without scheduling it all.

 

[CrazyDisneyLady]

Don't forget the trick or treating...I think if you try to over plan for the party you will get disappointed. We are there on the 18th hoping that it isn't going to be overly busy being a Tuesday. I am going as the blue fairy and have convinced by husband to be Pinocchio. I can not wait I am so excited to go.

 

[Blueskyze]

If you want to mee Malificent, be sure to get a spot right up front for the show, because they come down, do a VERY QUICK meet & greet, then leave. You need to be up close and line up immediately!

A BOO to you!

Thanks! I'd like to meet as many villains as possible, but she is definitely #1 on the list. Boo to you, too!

Don't forget the trick or treating...I think if you try to over plan for the party you will get disappointed. We are there on the 18th hoping that it isn't going to be overly busy being a Tuesday. I am going as the blue fairy and have convinced by husband to be Pinocchio. I can not wait I am so excited to go.

The Blue Fairy sounds awesome! Hopefully you will post pics when you get back. My son is going as Pinnochio - the costume is adorable. And my husband is going as Gepetto. We will definitely be doing some trick-or-treating!

 

[Mukta]

I start trick or treating right when the party starts at 7. I spend the next hour or so visiting the special photo ops like cinderella's carriage or the photopass spots with the hitchhiking ghosts.

I like to see the villains stage show at 8:50 pm, meet the villains afterwards and stay in the same area for Hallowishes at 9:30 PM.

Then I move over near the train station to see the 10:30 PM parade.

I like to ride HM late at night and spend a little time talking to the ghost out front.

 

[GoochDSA]

Thanks! I'd like to meet as many villains as possible, but she is definitely #1 on the list. Boo to you, too!

I am a Villainophile. I have to say that the stage show was pretty good, but the mingle part was a HUGE disappointment. We watched 2 shows last year and saw a total of 3 villains (Dr. F, Snow Queen, Hook). There was no order when it came to lines, almost like a chaotic free-for-all and the villains don't stay out for more than a few minutes. Don't get your hopes up on seeing many of the villains unless you plan on going to all of the shows. Maleficent was by far the most popular and her line formed well before the shows began. We did not go to a sold out party last year.

As others said, the party starts to empty out after the first parade, but it's practically empty after the second parade, which gives you almost an hour to get a lot done if you have it in you. There were no lines for most characters including princesses, Mickey and Minnie or Donald and Daisy (not sure how the 7D were since we got on line at 5:45 to get it out of the way early, which worked out great for us).

 

[mets7]

When I was there last year for the mingle each character had two photopass people and were shuffling people through pretty good. We were like 7th in line and got to see Dr. F in a minute or two. One takes a picture while the other gets whoever is next in line ready and then they switch out. I thought it worked pretty good. Definitly need to check the posts on where the characters come down and get in front of who you want to see right away.

 

[ShookieJones]

I'm a definitely a planner and never even thought about this. I figured the park wouldn't be as packed as normal and we'd just walk around and enjoy the sites and have walk on to most rides, now I find out that the night we're going is SOLD OUT...now I'm thinking maybe a plan wouldn't be such a bad idea....

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

The most important thing for me has always been staying out late the night before (stay for freworks or whatever) so I sleep late the next day and am still awake for midnight.

We get there, check the times for the parades, fireworks and castle show. Usually, we plan what we will do over dinner. Other than those three thing, we kind of just bum around, checking everything out.

If you want to mee Malificent, be sure to get a spot right up front for the show, because they come down, do a VERY QUICK meet & greet, then leave. You need to be up close and line up immediately!

A BOO to you!

True. And you really have to be quick. We were on the front, and ended up at the back because everyone in the crowd behind us simply moved over quicker than we did. It would be great if your group would spread out across the front so that at least one of you can get to Maleficent. We never did.

 

[Blueskyze]

Thanks for the tips! One other question: I know that the Dwarves and the Villains don't do autographs, but what about the other characters? Is that pretty much the norm for the party, due to time constraints?