what exactly is the halloween party?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
what exactly is the halloween party?
10
Sun, 07-15-2007 - 9:48pm

We are planning a short trip to Disney in mid-October (it's our first in 10 years and first with kids). My cousin asked if we were going to the halloween party and I had no idea what she was talking about. I found a paragraph on the Disney website--it talked about wearing your costume, trick or treating in the park, special fireworks and a special parade--and then said you needed an extra ticket for it. Why do you have to pay a special admission fee? Won't you at least see the parade and fireworks if you are in the park on that day? This is really confusing me.

Thanks,
Kathy

Avatar for carolejd
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-1999
Mon, 07-16-2007 - 9:43am

It's Mickey's Not So Scary Hallowen Party and it happens on 2 or 3 nights a week during September and October. You have to buy a separate ticket for it because the park is closed to regular visitors during that time.

There are special events all over the park, a special parade and a special fireworks display those nights (Hallowishes not regular wishes)

There is a Trick or Treat trail all around the park and everyone gets a bag to go T&Ting.

Some people go all out with the costumes, we were there on our last trip and saw all kinds of amazing things - we dressed up too but not super elaborate - DH was a pirate, I was a vampire and DD was Jasmine.

We all had a blast and we're doing it again in our October trip this year.

Carole

Carole

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Registered: 03-21-2007
Mon, 07-16-2007 - 10:32am

I hear you, we're going during the Princes & Pirate Party (a similar idea during other times of year - I guess the Disney folks figured out they were onto something with the success of the Halloween party!) but DS9 is NOT into pirates (or princesses LOL) that much so we're either planning on avoiding the MK on those days, or on leaving before the time the park closes to the general public (in our case it's 7pm, not sure about the Halloween one). Folks who go to the party generally don't show up in the morning (it goes till midnight I think!), they can come into the MK I think a 4 with just their party ticket but without using a 'regular' ticket (or day from their passes).

I have never been to any of the parties, but from the sounds of it the parade and particularly the fireworks are great, there are shorter lines for rides (because party tickets are limited), and the trick or treating disappointing (I pictured lots of fun interaction with CMs as they handed out stuff but it turns out there are just bins of stuff to help yourself - not my idea of fun). Not sure about MNSSHP but at the P&PP they have special "dances" with character interaction - that sounded like fun for really little ones (and adults LOL), but there's no way you'll see my 9yo dancing (in fact it's guaranteed to put him into 'retreat mode') plus he's decidedly not a nightowl, so we'd rather go elsewhere or maybe use that evening if we do go to MK, for some monorail touring of the big resorts, maybe dinner at one of them, maybe some swimming back at ours before a relatively early bedtime - which I'm sure can't hurt! (Most likely though, we'll be tempted to go to one of the other parks that is staying open later...) Good luck with your decision - and wish us well with ours! :)

Avatar for carolejd
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-1999
Mon, 07-16-2007 - 11:05pm

You heard the trick or treating was disappointing? that's too bad, we all really enjoyed that part. There were huge teacups full of candy but each had several people handing out at them and there were comments about the costumes etc, plus several different meet and greets along the way - we saw Alice and the white rabbit and Mad Hatter at one stop, and the Queen of hearts with lots of her card soldiers at another.

Carole

Carole

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2007
Tue, 07-17-2007 - 12:37am
Oh, the comments I heard were about the P&PP, not the Halloween one. But it does sound like you had a fun experience with all those highly unusual characters being out! It's just so hard to predict how much DS will be into the characters...in some ways he is like a younger kid (still loves stuffed animals and can spend long times just playing with and cuddling our cat) but in others he has recently become "too cool" for some things...I guess we'll have to wait and see!
Avatar for carolejd
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-1999
Tue, 07-17-2007 - 8:22am

I have a 9 year old DD so I am with you all the way there LOL!

Sometimes she acts like she's 16 and just too cool to live, and other times I see that she is still a little girl at heart, she adores all of her "stuffies" and in almost always takes one along for company when we drive somewhere.

Last time we were at Disney she was 7 and before we went she told me that she "knew" that all the costume characters were just people dressed up but, but of course all the Princesses were real ROFL ROFL!!

I don't know about this time, I think she "knows" they are just actors but she so loves to dress up herself I don't think it will bother her.

The Halloween party is right up her alley, combining dressing up, thrill rides and candy - 3 of her all time favourite things LOL!

Carole

Carole

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2007
Tue, 07-17-2007 - 2:41pm

Your 9yo sounds lovely, made me think it would be great if you guys were traveling at the same time as us so we could all meet! Wouldn't that be a hoot?

OMG 20 days to go and I haven't made the Tshirts yet!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2003
Tue, 07-17-2007 - 3:56pm

We have been to both the Not So Scary Halloween Party and the Pirate and Princess Party. I will only "do" MK during the parties any more. You get 7 hours in the park - you can get in a couple of hours earlier than the start of the party and it's open til midnight. I didn't haven't to wait more than 10 minutes in ANY line at either party - and most lines were MUCH shorter. There are many less people than on a regular day. And the tickets are cheaper than a regular day's ticket. Even if you avoided all the extra party stuff (the shows, the candy, etc.), it's still a much better deal than a regular ticket. And sure, it's "only" 7 hours, but in that 7 hours, you'll get to do a lot more than you would on a regular day with regular lines - and you'll be a lot less tired and achy at the end of it. It's a win-win situation!

Blessings,
Maria

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2007
Tue, 07-17-2007 - 4:21pm
Now THAT is something to think about. Thanks for posting this btdt opinion!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Tue, 07-17-2007 - 11:31pm

Thanks so much for the information. Do you know if the parade and fireworks during the party is roughly the same time it would be on a regular night? Also, I can't find any real details on Disney's website (like schedules for parade/fireworks, locations for trick-or-treating, confirmation that you can enter the park at 4:00, etc.). Do you know of a link that has more details?

Thanks again,
Kathy

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Wed, 07-18-2007 - 2:06pm
Hi Kathy! Welcome to our board! I haven't been to Mickey's Halloween Party but we did enjoy the Christmas Party last year.

Val, Co-CL Disney Vacations