Tell me what October is like at WDW, never been at this time of year. I am planning a short weekend trip for 3 nights next October and hope to also attend MNSSHP. What are the crowds and the weather like?
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Tell me about October and MNSSHP!
- Thread starter walter1901
- Start date
luv
Well-Known Member
Goodness, it's a little early for Halloween questions! We haven't even celebrated the New Year yet!!
Epcot has Food & Wine, which offers what it promises - different kinds of food from around the world and different kinds of wine...and other alcohol. It can be a bit of a drunkfest at times, so you you might really want to go or really want to avoid it, depending on your feelings about that.
Other than the World Showcase, with it's Food & Wine, it isn't really an overwhelmingly crowded time of year. You'll hear people say things like "uncrowded" and "low crowds" and I certainly wouldn't say that! But it isn't too terrible, except for the World Showcase, which can be very packed.
And here you go for the Halloween party...so early for this...
MNSSHP: luv's Not To Be Missed List...
(This is just my personal thing and not official in any way. Caveat emptor - and you didn't pay me, anyway, so you get what you get.
)
1. Headless Horseman - he rides just before the parades begin and may be the highlight of the night. (Doesn't ride if the ground is wet and not safe for the horse.)
2. The Boo to You parade, which starts in Frontierland, goes to the hub and on down Main Street, is Disney's best parade, all year long. Try to get a good seat. By "good", I mean on the curb or at the rope. No one place is much better than any other, IMO. But it's more fun if you can see the Headless Horseman and parade stuff easily. Also, at the end, they hand out suckers to KIDS in the front, so a little extra bonus for your time and trouble invested in being up front and defending your spot. The 2013 parade times were at 8:15 and 10:30.
3. Fireworks. The fireworks ("Hallowishes") themselves aren't all that amazing, but they're fun and the soundtrack is awesome. They're only done once and the time for 2013 was 9:30.
4. The Haunted Mansion. The ride is the same, but there is a ghost who will chat with you as you enter the line and the staff are all decked out. Pretty cool.
5. The barbershop quartet. They're dressed for Halloween and sing Halloweeny songs. One of my favorite parts.
6. The Villains Mix n Mingle. The villains sing and dance on the castle stage and them come down for brief meet n greets. I don't go meet the Villains. If you want to do that, be up front and ready to book over to them when they come down. They don't stay long! But the show is good. The 2013 times were 7:45, 8:50, 10:05 and 11:15.
New last year: A new section of Celebrate The Magic (show projected on the castle before the fireworks) was done. Ursula on the castle! Woot! Per the Mickey Monitor, "the sneakiest and most infamous Disney villains will do their best to bring their creepiness to the towers and turrets." It's pretty cute! It was done at 9:15 last year, 2013.
Trick-or-Treating - for kids and adults alike. They give you a small plastic bag when you enter. Wherever they hand out wristbands, they'll be handing out bags. They also sell a larger and more sturdy bag, if you want to get that. If your kid has a favorite pumpkin or something that they like to collect candy in, you can bring it. Lines get shorter later in the night. Sometimes there are candy trails - the one that begins in Fantasyland, back by Dumbo, and ends by Space Mountain is used more often than not...and it only runs one-way, so don't try to start it in Tomorrowland. Won't happen.
Meet & Greets - multiple character meet n greets (e.g. Seven Dwarfs! All together!) are set up around the park. My favorite was the one where you stood in a hitchhiking pose and they added the HM hitchhiking ghosts to it later. Jack Skellington and Sally (new in 2013) were in Town Square. Phineas and Ferb (also new in 2013) were be found on Main Street, before the parade. You can do M&Gs with characters wearing costumes, too. There are a bunch, but the lines do build, especially for the 7 Dwarfs and Jack & Sally. A lot of people start lining up for those before the party begins.
Dance parties - for little kids (or anyone, really) - they're pretty loud, but the characters do a nice job with the kids. I generally avoid these, but the little kids are very cute, dancing with the characters. Monsters, Inc. characters will be on the stage in Tomorrowland. Woody and his pals are in the Diamond Horseshoe.
Souvenirs - party-specific stuff to buy, if you want something from the event, like a pin or whatever. People have posted that they run out of T-shirts early in the evening, so if you want one, you might want to get there early. (I personally think they are kind of ugly and wouldn't bother, but to each, his own.) There is no running out of pins! And no lack of selection on pins, either. If you like to buy pins, you can drop a bundle.
Tickets - MNSSHP is a "hard ticket" event. You will need a MNSSHP ticket to attend. (You do not need separate admission to the park.) The party is a park-wide event and your party ticket gives you access to all of it. I don't buy mine until the day of the party because I won't go in the rain. But if you put off buying a ticket until the day of the party, you risk having them sell out. It's a hard choice to make. Party dates and ticket prices can be found here on WDWMagic as soon as the dates are released.
Passholder Advance Purchase Discounts - the discount is small and the dates are limited, but if you have an AP, you might save a few bucks.
-If you have an AP that gives you free parking, it doesn't cover MNSSHP. So, be sure to get through the toll plaza before 7:00. If you don't, be prepared to pony up the dough, flyboy! ($15)
Wristbands - they'll give you one when you enter, if you enter around party time. Multiple places where you can pick one up if you've been in the park during the day - just give them your party ticket. You'll need to show your wristband periodically to the wristband police, who set up human blockades to prevent people who didn't pay for the party from being there. They even interrupted us while we were eating once and demanded to see our wristbands.
Maps - there are special park maps, just for the party. It lists the rides and places to eat (as well as where to find Halloween-specific treats!) that are open during the party, dance party and Trick-or-Treat locations...and has the all-important parade, villain show and fireworks times. They're cute, too. Pick one up! Whenever these maps come out, you will find the info here, so you can check it all out before you go, if you want. 2013 map here: http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/mick...cary-halloween-party-guide-map-2013/19473.htm
Weather - can be very hot (especially September or early October) or be cold (especially later in October.)
Costumes - No way to predict temps, so if you have costumes, try to make them adaptable to any temp. Because that's so easy, lol. Adults can dress up, too (but it isn't required. Some do, some don't. Whatever you choose, you won't feel out of place.) Some people go all out on their costumes and some are very funny, so it's entertaining to see them all. Disney frowns upon and may not let you wear masks that will obscure your vision, so leave those out. It is the only time of year that adults can go to the parks in Disney character costumes and many do. I don't know what the rule is on what time you can enter the park with your costume on, but have seen people in costumes as early as four or five o'clock. You can get spooky with the costumes, but not too gory.
Although the party begins at 7:00, they usually allow people with just a party ticket into the MK around 4:00.
If you all are into the horror part of Halloween, check out Halloween Horror Nights at Uni. Tons of fun...but not for children!
I hope everyone enjoys their time at MNSSHP!!!
A boo to you!
Epcot has Food & Wine, which offers what it promises - different kinds of food from around the world and different kinds of wine...and other alcohol. It can be a bit of a drunkfest at times, so you you might really want to go or really want to avoid it, depending on your feelings about that.
Other than the World Showcase, with it's Food & Wine, it isn't really an overwhelmingly crowded time of year. You'll hear people say things like "uncrowded" and "low crowds" and I certainly wouldn't say that! But it isn't too terrible, except for the World Showcase, which can be very packed.
And here you go for the Halloween party...so early for this...
MNSSHP: luv's Not To Be Missed List...
(This is just my personal thing and not official in any way. Caveat emptor - and you didn't pay me, anyway, so you get what you get.
)1. Headless Horseman - he rides just before the parades begin and may be the highlight of the night. (Doesn't ride if the ground is wet and not safe for the horse.)
2. The Boo to You parade, which starts in Frontierland, goes to the hub and on down Main Street, is Disney's best parade, all year long. Try to get a good seat. By "good", I mean on the curb or at the rope. No one place is much better than any other, IMO. But it's more fun if you can see the Headless Horseman and parade stuff easily. Also, at the end, they hand out suckers to KIDS in the front, so a little extra bonus for your time and trouble invested in being up front and defending your spot. The 2013 parade times were at 8:15 and 10:30.
3. Fireworks. The fireworks ("Hallowishes") themselves aren't all that amazing, but they're fun and the soundtrack is awesome. They're only done once and the time for 2013 was 9:30.
4. The Haunted Mansion. The ride is the same, but there is a ghost who will chat with you as you enter the line and the staff are all decked out. Pretty cool.
5. The barbershop quartet. They're dressed for Halloween and sing Halloweeny songs. One of my favorite parts.
6. The Villains Mix n Mingle. The villains sing and dance on the castle stage and them come down for brief meet n greets. I don't go meet the Villains. If you want to do that, be up front and ready to book over to them when they come down. They don't stay long! But the show is good. The 2013 times were 7:45, 8:50, 10:05 and 11:15.
New last year: A new section of Celebrate The Magic (show projected on the castle before the fireworks) was done. Ursula on the castle! Woot! Per the Mickey Monitor, "the sneakiest and most infamous Disney villains will do their best to bring their creepiness to the towers and turrets." It's pretty cute! It was done at 9:15 last year, 2013.
Trick-or-Treating - for kids and adults alike. They give you a small plastic bag when you enter. Wherever they hand out wristbands, they'll be handing out bags. They also sell a larger and more sturdy bag, if you want to get that. If your kid has a favorite pumpkin or something that they like to collect candy in, you can bring it. Lines get shorter later in the night. Sometimes there are candy trails - the one that begins in Fantasyland, back by Dumbo, and ends by Space Mountain is used more often than not...and it only runs one-way, so don't try to start it in Tomorrowland. Won't happen.
Meet & Greets - multiple character meet n greets (e.g. Seven Dwarfs! All together!) are set up around the park. My favorite was the one where you stood in a hitchhiking pose and they added the HM hitchhiking ghosts to it later. Jack Skellington and Sally (new in 2013) were in Town Square. Phineas and Ferb (also new in 2013) were be found on Main Street, before the parade. You can do M&Gs with characters wearing costumes, too. There are a bunch, but the lines do build, especially for the 7 Dwarfs and Jack & Sally. A lot of people start lining up for those before the party begins.
Dance parties - for little kids (or anyone, really) - they're pretty loud, but the characters do a nice job with the kids. I generally avoid these, but the little kids are very cute, dancing with the characters. Monsters, Inc. characters will be on the stage in Tomorrowland. Woody and his pals are in the Diamond Horseshoe.
Souvenirs - party-specific stuff to buy, if you want something from the event, like a pin or whatever. People have posted that they run out of T-shirts early in the evening, so if you want one, you might want to get there early. (I personally think they are kind of ugly and wouldn't bother, but to each, his own.
) There is no running out of pins! And no lack of selection on pins, either. If you like to buy pins, you can drop a bundle.Tickets - MNSSHP is a "hard ticket" event. You will need a MNSSHP ticket to attend. (You do not need separate admission to the park.) The party is a park-wide event and your party ticket gives you access to all of it. I don't buy mine until the day of the party because I won't go in the rain. But if you put off buying a ticket until the day of the party, you risk having them sell out. It's a hard choice to make. Party dates and ticket prices can be found here on WDWMagic as soon as the dates are released.
Passholder Advance Purchase Discounts - the discount is small and the dates are limited, but if you have an AP, you might save a few bucks.
-If you have an AP that gives you free parking, it doesn't cover MNSSHP. So, be sure to get through the toll plaza before 7:00. If you don't, be prepared to pony up the dough, flyboy! ($15)
Wristbands - they'll give you one when you enter, if you enter around party time. Multiple places where you can pick one up if you've been in the park during the day - just give them your party ticket. You'll need to show your wristband periodically to the wristband police, who set up human blockades to prevent people who didn't pay for the party from being there. They even interrupted us while we were eating once and demanded to see our wristbands.
Maps - there are special park maps, just for the party. It lists the rides and places to eat (as well as where to find Halloween-specific treats!) that are open during the party, dance party and Trick-or-Treat locations...and has the all-important parade, villain show and fireworks times. They're cute, too.
Pick one up! Whenever these maps come out, you will find the info here, so you can check it all out before you go, if you want. 2013 map here: http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/mick...cary-halloween-party-guide-map-2013/19473.htmWeather - can be very hot (especially September or early October) or be cold (especially later in October.)
Costumes - No way to predict temps, so if you have costumes, try to make them adaptable to any temp. Because that's so easy, lol.
Adults can dress up, too (but it isn't required. Some do, some don't. Whatever you choose, you won't feel out of place.) Some people go all out on their costumes and some are very funny, so it's entertaining to see them all. Disney frowns upon and may not let you wear masks that will obscure your vision, so leave those out. It is the only time of year that adults can go to the parks in Disney character costumes and many do. I don't know what the rule is on what time you can enter the park with your costume on, but have seen people in costumes as early as four or five o'clock. You can get spooky with the costumes, but not too gory.Although the party begins at 7:00, they usually allow people with just a party ticket into the MK around 4:00.
If you all are into the horror part of Halloween, check out Halloween Horror Nights at Uni. Tons of fun...but not for children!
I hope everyone enjoys their time at MNSSHP!!!
A boo to you!
Last edited:
Matt_Black
Well-Known Member
MNSSHP is great. For character meets (which for me were the real draw), time it for one of the live entertainment events, as those have multiple showings. For example, I cued up for some during the first showing of the parade, and had not too bad of a wait.
If you're doing a weekend trip, AVOID the Food and Wine Festival as that is packed on weekends, unless you don't mind body checking people all the way around WS.
Another thing is that Animal Kingdom has at least one special day during that time period- Bat Day (October 31), where you can go to Rafiki's Planet Watch and learn all about bats. There might be other days like that, but I can't remember off of the top of my head.
One other thing- the resorts do trick or treating and character meets on the 31st as well, or at least they did this past year.
If you're doing a weekend trip, AVOID the Food and Wine Festival as that is packed on weekends, unless you don't mind body checking people all the way around WS.
Another thing is that Animal Kingdom has at least one special day during that time period- Bat Day (October 31), where you can go to Rafiki's Planet Watch and learn all about bats. There might be other days like that, but I can't remember off of the top of my head.
One other thing- the resorts do trick or treating and character meets on the 31st as well, or at least they did this past year.
Clamman73
Well-Known Member
Which weekend??? Studios could be a little insane on 4th-5th (I'm guessing those dates) with their Tower of Terror marathon events, and the next two weeks in October have become pretty busy, so from the 4th - 19th will be a little busier across all Parks. The following weekend is Columbus Day weekend and that's going to be a little busy.
In October you might catch a great stretch of weather where it's clear all day, or typical T-storms in afternoon.
Matt_Black
Well-Known Member
Yeah. I went from Oct. 26- Nov. 2, and it was clear each and every day except that last day.
Magenta Panther
Well-Known Member
If you go to WDW for the Halloween party, I'd advise to go during the first week of October. It's usually not all that crowded then, and the weather is very nice, aside from a few showers now and then.
The Party is awesome. I prefer the Christmas party, but the Halloween Party is not to be missed. Really brings out the kid in you. And if you go, dress up! That's part of the fun.
The Party is awesome. I prefer the Christmas party, but the Halloween Party is not to be missed. Really brings out the kid in you. And if you go, dress up! That's part of the fun.
Matt_Black
Well-Known Member
Oh, yeah. Definitely dress up. I did a simple costume with a hat and mask from Halloween adventure (total cost about $22) and that was a hit with many of the characters. Rapunzel reached up and was lifting it to take a peek. "Do you have a face under there?"
AllyInWonderland
Well-Known Member
I went for my first time last October, and I had never had so much fun in WDW than I had that night!
