"Official" 2019 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - A Frightfully Festive Celebration

[GADisneyDad14]

Just to document my Plaza Garden Dessert Party times.

- looked to check in when we arrived at the park just before 8pm, couldn’t check in that early

- checked in around 9:02pm, no line

- got a few bites to eat, there’s a restroom in the terrace which is very handy

- food was plentiful and the seating around was maybe only half to a little more than half full

- we wanted to chill in the garden for the first parade, moved over there 9:16pm

- I’ve posted about this in the past, but you are close to the parade from the western side of the garden, but it’s not a great view - too many people on the sidewalk between the garden and the street

Parade arrived here 9:36pm (which seemed kinda late??)



Those people right in front are outside the garden but sitting up on a railing. Last year they policed this area and wouldn’t let people sit there, but not this night.

Another parade pic from the garden location. Passable but not going to be prime viewing.



Since we were going to watch the second parade as our “real” parade, we left the garden 9:43pm and did some TOT trails in Tomorrowland, got some water, and a Joffreys iced coffee (was feeling the need for a little boost).

- We were back in the garden by 10:01pm to wait for fireworks. I mentioned earlier I thought the Plaza Garden crowd was very light. Had plenty of room even at that late timing and found probably the last 1-2 spots on the back rail, but plenty of good options all around. I could see the garden being more popular than this night as the season moves along and people look for ways to be in the Hub to watch this show, so my experience this night may not be repeatable, hard to say. But this night was just like my prior MNSSHP dessert parties - a pretty casual, no fuss affair that was definitely not close to capacity relative to a normal HEA night.

I think that covers the basics, let me know if you have any questions.

 

[dachsie]

It tends to look that the first couple of parties seem overly crowded and then things settle down for a few weeks. Early Sept reports last year were mostly good, except for the Friday nite ones. Bur who knows if that will be the case this year with SWGE

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I think I may have a problem.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

Attended the first party last Friday and went last night as well. All I can say is WOW, what a completely different experience!! Last night was awesome! There had to be almost 40%-50% less people there. My sister kept saying the whole night, now this is how a party should be. We actually had fun unlike last week. It reminded us of the parties long long long ago when the tickets were limited and not oversold.

Now the question is, was last night an anomaly?

 

[csusunshine]

Just to document my Plaza Garden Dessert Party times.

- looked to check in when we arrived at the park just before 8pm, couldn’t check in that early

- checked in around 9:02pm

- got a few bites to eat, there’s a restroom in the terrace which is very handy

- food was plentiful and the seating around was maybe only half to a little more than half full

- we wanted to chill in the garden for the first parade, moved over there 9:16pm

- I’ve posted about this in the past, but you are close to the parade from the western side of the garden, but it’s not a great view - too many people on the sidewalk between the garden and the street

Parade arrived here 9:36pm (which seemed kinda late??)

View attachment 428819

Those people right in front are outside the garden but sitting up on a railing. Last year they policed this area and wouldn’t let people sit there, but not this night.

Another parade pic from the garden location. Passable but not going to be prime viewing.

View attachment 428820

Since we were going to watch the second parade as our “real” parade, we left the garden 9:43pm and did some TOT trails in Tomorrowland, got some water, and a Joffreys iced coffee (was feeling the need for a little boost).

- We were back in the garden by 10:01pm to wait for fireworks. I mentioned earlier I thought the Plaza Garden crowd was very light. Had plenty of room even at that late timing and found probably the last 1-2 spots on the back rail, but plenty of good options all around. I could see the garden being more popular than this night as the season moves along and people look for ways to be in the Hub to watch this show, so my experience this night may not be repeatable, hard to say. But this night was just like my prior MNSSHP dessert parties - a pretty casual, no fuss affair that was definitely not close to capacity relative to a normal HEA night.

I think that covers the basics, let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for posting this, I am trying to figure out my strategy of dessert party, fireworks, and watching the parade.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you for posting this, I am trying to figure out my strategy of dessert party, fireworks, and watching the parade.

In full disclosure, I was winging our plan!

But glad it was helpful.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Do you normally feel "uninspired" at the dessert parties, or was this one different? I'm still considering this upcharge because of the view. But I'm justifying it because of the speciality treats. I figure we would be able to sample several desserts instead of purchasing them separately. There haven't been enough reviews yet, to really push me one way or the other.

Good question! Yes, I probably normally feel uninspired about the desserts at the HEA party. The other park dessert parties put out a better food product, in my opinion. I do MK for the view, I do the other parks for the food/party/event, if that makes sense.

It does save you time with this one if you would otherwise buy the treats separately around the park. I’d much rather have a quick bite than the whole thing, so that works for us.

 

[Jaimetropmickey]

Was at the party last night and had a great time! It was myself (Bo), DH (Duke), DD8 (alien) and DD6 (Gabby Gabby). Last party was 10 years ago on our Disneymoon. We had no plan... so we winged it!

• Got in quickly at 345, got our bracelets and starter candy bag. Wish we would have gone for seconds... by far the most interesting candy in the park since it is all new (Hazelnut M&Ms, birthday cake chocolates...)
• Used the pre-party time to knock out rides with minimal waits.
• Got in line at 650 to meet Lotso. Waited 20 minutes.
• Rode all three rides with overlays... loved all 3 of them! Posted times were higher then actual wait times for all but Space.
• Did all 3 Dance Parties. Stayed for 2-3 songs each. My DD prefered the Monsters.
• Found a spot about 20 minutes before the first parade in front of the Prairie Outpost in Frontierland. DDs were in front, we were in back. Had the Hades nachoes while waiting... quite good!
• Found a spot with a bit of an obstructed view in the hub 15 minutes before the fireworks. Honestly, I really do not feel the need to see these again. I like lots of spooky music and vilains with my Halloween fireworks
• Did a bit of ToT... did not have to do many stations since they really gave so much!
• Posed for a few magicshots... you do NEED to ask the photographers for these. They will not automatically do them.
• Left at midnight with the crowds to go to POP. They did a great job with the buses!

All in all we had a great time. That being said, I don't feel with APs we get enough out of it. Will probably be another 10 years before our next party Now the Christmas one... I would do again in a heartbeat!

 

[mckennarose]

The Plaza Garden itself was not crowded at all. We got to the garden around 10 and got a perfect spot on the back left rail (my preferred location). I thought for sure getting to the garden so late would mean no rail, so I was pleasantly surprised.

How do you think the back rail viewing would be for a shortie, like me? I'm 5'1 and usually try to get up to the front rail at the HEA party. I just don't want to rush to grab that spot, especially since we won't know if our party will be crowded or not.

Also, when you checked into the party, was there one check in line for both terrace and garden parties? When we were there in May there was one check in on the left, closer to the terrace side.

I'm encouraged after reading your review of the fireworks. I loved Hallowishes also, and will miss the music.

 

[Disco Lemonade]

I would recommend waiting until you are there and make sure weather holds. This was the only negative of our last DW experience. The weather reports were spotty, showing possibility of storms, but not certainty. We bought tickets for that night the day of, and it ended up getting rained out. DW made it very difficult to get refunds for the event. They wouldn’t do it at the resort, so had to go to the park in a horrible storm and wait in line with all of the other disappointed guests. They were reluctant to simply refund the rain out. They wanted to try either giving a replacement ticket for another night or tickets to the park instead. It was our last day at the park, so that didn’t really work. Even before we dealt with that, we heard frustrations of others going through the same thing.

 

[Selket]

Thank you for posting this, I have cancelled my reservation because this is unacceptable...my son is peanut/tree nut and I won't pay that much money for something that isn't edible.

Unless they change it up for those allergies - it's definitely not worth it. I'm glad that my son is an older teen now cause had he been like 8 or 9 he'd have been so much more sad about it. I'm sure you know how that is. .

Do you normally feel "uninspired" at the dessert parties, or was this one different? I'm still considering this upcharge because of the view. But I'm justifying it because of the speciality treats. I figure we would be able to sample several desserts instead of purchasing them separately. There haven't been enough reviews yet, to really push me one way or the other.

I know I've commented extensively about how bad the allergen dessert plate was for my son but ALL of us (4 others) thought the food was really nothing special. The best thing was a person roasting marshmallows and coating them in chips and graham crackers and some sort of gooey butter cake. Compared to the other dessert party I did a few years ago (Jingle Bam at DHS) - this was like 25% as nice as that one. I too had hoped for more dessert sampling but the few things they had I could have bought all the desserts in the park for the price of one party and my family could have split them - lol. The only specialty dessert I remember was a Sally cake push pop. There was a Jack figure on top of something which just tasted like sugar - it all tasted like sugar and not much else. The viewing area though was great I thought - we were at the very first party so that had some value for us with the new fireworks and the tough crowds that night.

 

[SaraJR]

What were the best costumes seen so far?

 

[Selket]

They wanted to try either giving a replacement ticket for another night or tickets to the park instead. It was our last day at the park, so that didn’t really work. Even before we dealt with that, we heard frustrations of others going through the same thing.

We took a one day park ticket once as a rain out replacement ticket and that worked well since we had a one day trip planned before a cruise. I can see where it wouldn't work generally but if it can set on your MDE account and not expire it would be useful - but I think it expires doesn't it?! I'm also guessing you cannot apply the value of it to a park ticket if you want to upgrade that ticket.

 

[Selket]

How do you think the back rail viewing would be for a shortie, like me? I'm 5'1 and usually try to get up to the front rail at the HEA party. I just don't want to rush to grab that spot, especially since we won't know if our party will be crowded or not.

I was there for the first party this season and the whole front rail was fairly filled with those in ECV's and mobility devices of whatever sort. The CM's would ask someone to move if another person in a mobility device came in to see the fireworks - even if it was someone's family members. Perhaps it isn't usually so crowded but if so, just behind that area on the grass seemed to be a good spot - the people behind me stood up when the fireworks started.

 

[PPFlight75]

The ticket for my night was $2.93 less from UT than Disney direct with an AP. I used discounted Disney gift cards so I came out ahead. I also like having the flexibility to work with Disney if an issue comes up. I know tickets are "non-refundable" and "non-transferable," but if you get the right CM anything is possible. I bet I could easily change my night or go from MNSSHP to MVMCP with what I already paid if need be.

I got mine for UT as well and I found the same price difference. It wasn't a huge difference but the UT tickets are refundable if you have them mailed to you. I got mine in 5 days.

 

[mckennarose]

I was there for the first party this season and the whole front rail was fairly filled with those in ECV's and mobility devices of whatever sort. The CM's would ask someone to move if another person in a mobility device came in to see the fireworks - even if it was someone's family members. Perhaps it isn't usually so crowded but if so, just behind that area on the grass seemed to be a good spot - the people behind me stood up when the fireworks started.

Hmmm, that's interesting. I've not seen any ECV inside the garden where we normally stand, which is all the way to the left and at the front rail. This is new to me and I guess we'll have to adjust accordingly.

 

[Cluelyss]

@GADisneyDad14 thank you so much for your review. I almost didn’t read your fireworks comments, but then decided I had to, and am feeling much better about the show. While Wishes will always hold a special place in my heart, I will admit that HEA is beautiful and amazing. But I was really worried about losing my Hallowishes, Disney’s best fireworks show IMO. I don’t need to love the new show I just don’t want to hate it! Sounds like I might be ok. Enjoy the rest of your trip!!

 

[RAPstar]

Yay!! My CM friend went to the party yesterday and got me a party MagicBand!! One more month to go!

 

[Selket]

Hmmm, that's interesting. I've not seen any ECV inside the garden where we normally stand, which is all the way to the left and at the front rail. This is new to me and I guess we'll have to adjust accordingly.

Ah I thought you meant you had the dessert party garden viewing - sorry!

 

[FoxC63]

Good question! So, Jack is just a bit too small and too far away to see with any good entertainment value from the Plaza Garden, in my opinion. You can see him if you know what to look for, but he easily could be missed.

The DIS will probably downsize the photo quality too much to really see, but Jack is there at the front of the castle.

First pic is iPhone x2 zoom, second is no zoom.

View attachment 428804
View attachment 428805

I'm actually disappointed with the views of the castle projections of Jack. I understand we can see the fireworks just fine, I remember that from last year. With this being a paid up charge I thought we would see everything better from this location, for me that was the point. I don't have a sweet tooth so the desserts are not what interest me.