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

[Mambo Junkie]

I'm another that is regretting my 10/27 ticket but it is what it is at this point since I've already purchased it!

The only things I really care about is seeing the parade, fireworks and the Pirates and HM makeovers so I should be OK. Oh, and I want that applesauce from COP LOL!

If anyone has tips on where to stand for the parade and fireworks I'm all ears. Sounds like fireworks are good to the left of the statue?

I have a couple of posts a page or 2 before this where I mentioned the spot I had and showed the pictures. The view we had wasn’t ideal for the parade though like I said we had a gap where we could see the street performers but we had fantastic views of the larger floats. We could see them clearly as they cane across the bridge and turned to go in front of the castle. The fireworks and castle projections were totally unobscured, except a light post which was dimmed and pretty much unnoticeable during the show. Then we stayed for Hocus Pocus since there would be no obstruction and walked up front to the firehouse for our Sorcerers card and since there were maybe half a dozen people standing there we stayed to watch the 2nd parade. My SIL had missed the Headless Horseman.

 

[sherlockmiles]

@sheila14 - SO AWESOME to meet another DISer at the 9/15 party!!!!

 

[Best Aunt]

I’m wondering... to me personally it always feels like the biggest crowds are in the Main Street area. Is it possible that the projections have made the crowds worse because more people cram into that area to be able to see them?

I know people have mentioned Liberty Square crowds. That was where somebody behind me made us laugh by saying, “Keep swimming, keep swimming.” It seemed easier to me to get through there than Main Street.

Fantasyland seemed pretty empty after fireworks.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Yeah, I was going to say that I thought the party count was in the 25-30k’ish range but I have zero info and could just spreading erroneous info I’ve read other places or that gets repeated around places like the DIS. Certainly a lot less than the normal daytime guest count, but agree with @Cluelyss - it’s all about how those party guests act... and is why party crowds are often called “lumpy.”

MK needs rides to absorb lots of people - when people don’t want to do rides (like at a party), all bets are off.

Even something like Disney After Hours, which has a much lower guest count than MNSSHP and is a ride-focused event...stay until the end on all but the least crowded nights and watch people heading down Main Street leaving... the once quiet park suddenly becomes a real people stream and you’re like “where the heck did all these people come from?”

 

[HollyMD]

@Cluelyss, thanks!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

BTW for those that haven’t been to MK lately, that pathway through Liberty Square can be pretty brutal even on a good day... and at the moment there’s a decent sized construction project going on in the seating area roughly between Columbia Harbor House and the Liberty Square Market, which I’m sure is not helping things.

Last pics I saw from this weekend looked like the project still had a ways to go before being done.

While it’s hard to avoid, minimizing your travels through this area may be helpful depending on conditions.

 

[mckennarose]

I’m wondering... to me personally it always feels like the biggest crowds are in the Main Street area. Is it possible that the projections have made the crowds worse because more people cram into that area to be able to see them?

Absolutely. Both the projections and the HP shows invite crowds to the hub. Then if you happen to be on the other side of the park when the parades are going through and need to get around them it’s more of the traffic jams until the parade passes.

 

[MilitaryMouse]

Has anyone met Tarzan and Jane at the party? How were the lines? We’re going 10/29 so I’m assuming it’ll be very crowded but all we want to do is watch fireworks (we booked the dessert party, garden view, so not too worried) and meet Tarzan as DD will be dressed up as Jane Not a packed itinerary so I’m pretty sure we won’t be disappointed...I hope

 

[mckennarose]

BTW for those that haven’t been to MK lately, that pathway through Liberty Square can be pretty brutal even on a good day... and at the moment there’s a decent sized construction project going on in the seating area roughly between Columbia Harbor House and the Liberty Square Market, which I’m sure is not helping things.

Last pics I saw from this weekend looked like the project still had a ways to go before being done.

While it’s hard to avoid, minimizing your travels through this area may be helpful depending on conditions.

View attachment 438385

Another issue is that when we attended the party a few weeks ago, after the fireworks they did not have the newly expanded path on the side of Sleepy Hollow going up to Fantasyland open. The path itself is now open after the expansion, but for some reason they blocked it and made everyone going that direction go through Liberty Square. We had no choice but to be funneled along that direction and then head up by the CHH construction. I wonder if some of the fireworks or some other pyrotechnics shoot from near that path?

 

[mckennarose]

I'm another that is regretting my 10/27 ticket but it is what it is at this point since I've already purchased it!

The only things I really care about is seeing the parade, fireworks and the Pirates and HM makeovers so I should be OK. Oh, and I want that applesauce from COP LOL!

If anyone has tips on where to stand for the parade and fireworks I'm all ears. Sounds like fireworks are good to the left of the statue?

Don't regret it! Attending the party is still a fun experience and a welcome twist to a normal MK park day. With a good idea of what you want to do and being flexible if need be, you'll be fine! Going with dread won't set you up for a good time.

Anywhere in the hub is good for the fireworks and projections. I wouldn't go farther down Main St. because you may have some of them blocked by the buildings. If you want to see Jack, you do need to be up close, however he really has a very, very small part in the show. I was fascinated by him, though! I would estimate that if you are farther back from the Partner's statue you may not see Jack.

For the parade, my strategy has been to watch in front of CBJ in Frontierland, as soon as the parade passes we zip through to Adventureland (with a quick bathroom break!) and head to the hub. The parade will be rounding in front of the castle and people from Frontierland and Liberty Square won't be there yet if they're following the parade, and no one from Main St. will have moved up yet as the parade hasn't even reached them. You can get a really good spot to watch the show. My other idea would be to stake out a spot near the partner's statue before the first parade, kind of watch it when it passes (it's not a front row spot so visibility is limited) and just stay for the fireworks. You could make the second parade your "priority" and get a good spot for that later.

For HM and PoC; I would recommend doing HM right around 7 because it gets crowded later. Sometimes the line looks really long, but it's not because they don't have the full queue open. You can't see that from front. Then head to BTMR, Splash (if you don't mind getting wet!) and PoC.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Another issue is that when we attended the party a few weeks ago, after the fireworks they did not have the newly expanded path on the side of Sleepy Hollow going up to Fantasyland open. The path itself is now open after the expansion, but for some reason they blocked it and made everyone going that direction go through Liberty Square. We had no choice but to be funneled along that direction and then head up by the CHH construction. I wonder if some of the fireworks or some other pyrotechnics shoot from near that path?

Yeah, they keep the paths on both sides closed for a bit until they can clear any fireworks fallout and such. You'll see that for HEA too. Not sure if there’s some required all clear timing or what, but it does seem like it does take awhile to reopen.

They also spray water around those paths, in the woods, on the roofs, etc around the show. I usually wear sandals in the parks and I consistently seem to step in the random small puddles on the backside of the castle even when it hasn’t rained all day!

 

[FoxC63]

I've never seen a sold out Halloween or Christmas party equating to a Phased closure that happens on certain holidays. It would be interesting to see what the actual numbers are for tickets sold. Phase 1 closure at MK begins around 65,000 people, I think, and MK can hold around 100,000. ??? I highly doubt the park was at capacity and not all attractions are open.

@GADisneyDad14 or @FoxC63 , do you know what the capacity vs party ticket numbers are?

No. I agree with @GADisneyDad14 it's all based on rumors. Unfortunately Disney has never made this information public.

For those who have gone or plan to go to MNSSHP and the crowds are unbearable you should talk to someone in Guest Services early on before you leave the park. I'm not saying they will refund your ticket but they might. And if you choose to stay until midnight and then complain well that just wouldn't make sense. Disney and their Cast Members are very understanding and generous.

 

[PPFlight75]

How early did you get to Casey's to still have a spot?




Thanks for checking for me! I wasn't sure if FP would shut down at 5 but it must be 5:30.

I am now terrified of our party 10/27/19 the week of Halloween after catching up on the weekends worth of new posts!!

We didn't attend a party last year-is it common for the last discounted party to be a madhouse or should I be really worried about how October parties will go? My DD is so excited and it is our only planned park night, I don't want to leave never wanting to return!! lol

I 'm not sure of the exact time, but we walked directly there after the parade from our parade spot halfway down main street. Hope that helps!

 

[FoxC63]

We did, but we didn’t complain. I chalked it up to my bad judgement in buying a ticket too early.

We had a plan, but based on last night I think a sold out party is park capacity.

You should consider writing Disney about your experience. I think it's a combination of tickets selling out and the Party Pass but the park was not at capacity.

 

[Figmentary]

Are Jack & Sally meeting in Town Hall only this year? What is the most efficient time to get in line if we want to meet them early in the party?

 

[bebec22]

I’ll be there 9/29 with the masses apparently

This will be my first MNSSHP but I am no stranger to Disney crowds so I’m not too concerned. I’m mostly worried about my BFF having a good time. This is her first time to Disney in 9 years and I just want her to have an amazing time! I purchased tickets to Cruellas as a special treat and surprise for her. I just became a direct DVC member last week so we’ll be able to get in at 2 which will help us get a lot of rides in early on.

My only character must do is Tarzan and Jane. I’m not into magic shots and we won’t be doing any ToT. Fireworks and parade are a must (hence Cruellas). I really don’t have much of a “plan” other than my 3 FPs and Cruellas. I’ll probably try to catch Tarzan and Jane during the first parade. I definitely want to do the ride overlays as well.

Here’s to hoping 9/29 isn’t a sell out!

 

[conniehar90]

We will be attending next Sundays party 9/29.
Was wondering if the Hitchhiking Ghost buckets/sipper are still available?
TIA!

These are still available- we got all three last night. You have to go to three different locations to get all three - popcorn stand outside haunted mansion, inside Peco Bills for the drink sipper and the donut stand right outside Pecos Bills (by splash mountain).

 

[conniehar90]

We are going mid-October and will be focusing on characters and ToT as DD3 does not like most rides and loud noises (so no parades or fireworks). Our plan is to arrive around 3:30; possibly earlier as we have DVC. What is the best strategy for meeting Moana, Pooh & Friends, and Lotso?

TIA!

The line was really long last night around 6:30 for Pooh. I would definitely go there early for them. They looked really cute in their costumes! The Moana line didn’t look horrific when we went by later in the evening.

 

[conniehar90]

Has anyone noticed how the lines are looking (or approx wait times) for Jasmine, Genie and also Jafar? Especially during these recent apparently crowded dates? Or any recommendations on when to go see them? I'm thinking either right before or after the first parade, or in the 10:30-11 slot that Jasmine/Genie are listed for. (Looks like they are out 8:30-9:00, 9:30-10:00 and 10:30-11:00). Trying to figure out where best to try to fit them into our plan for Sunday 10/6. I'd appreciate any feedback!

We were enjoying a dole whip around 10:45 last night right after the fireworks. The lines for Jafar and Genie were not bad at all at that time!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Are Jack & Sally meeting in Town Hall only this year? What is the most efficient time to get in line if we want to meet them early in the party?

Yes. Get in line as early as possible, they are coming out at 4:30