"Official" 2018 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - A Spooktacular Celebration!

CampbellzSoup said:
View attachment 353492

Please share even if you have to edit the faces out I’m so interested to see! Here’s one last photo I love too
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I would, but the fact my DD was smiling so wide was what really made the pic so I’d be erasing the best part.

I so wanted to also stop at that same pumpkin shot you posted on the way out but there looked like maybe 20 people in line and felt that was going to be a touch too long as it was already late. In retrospect, I would have been much better to wait in the line, get the pic, and continue to let the really long monorail line die down! Doh.
 
Serious egg roll inquiry: Has anyone noticed if the egg roll cart in Adventureland has been open before or during the party? :tiptoe:
 




famsen said:
We went to the party on 9/18. First thing that is completely out of Disney's control was the heat. Last week was unbearably hot every day and this party night was HOT!
This was our 9th year attending the party going back to 2006. Compared to the early years, Disney is selling many more tickets to this event then ever before. Back in the day you could go through a candy line multiple times within a few minutes. This time there are actually queue lines winding just like for rides. I've never experienced this before.
Nothing was what I would consider to be a "walk on". Even constant loading rides such as Under the Sea had a wait time. Peter Pan was a 45 minute wait.
I noticed major miscommunications with cast member's knowledge. Several popcorn carts said they can only sell the cauldrons beginning at 7pm yet I saw many people walking around with them well before then. I finally asked one guest where and when she got her bucket. She said she had purchased it a few minutes earlier at the cart in Liberty Square. I went over to the cart and was told that they are selling them at 7pm but they heard a cart on Main Street was selling them. We went to Main Street only to find that there was no cart on Main Street open at all at that time. Funny thing was after chasing this popcorn bucket around, we saw it being sold all day long at Hollywood Studios the next day.
I also needed to pick up an Alex and Ani bracelet for my daughter. I went to the Jewelers on Main Street and was told by a cast member that Alex and Ani are "only sold at Disney Springs and at Epcot". I did a google search and found that the Emporium does in fact sell Alex and Ani all the time. I went there and what do you know? They had a large case of Alex and Ani. During the party somewhere in the crowds my husband lost his magic band. We asked a cast member on the last ride we were on in Fantasyland if they had found it. They did not but told us to beat the parade crowd and go to Guest Services which had a location closer in Frontierland. It was about 9pm and I just knew there was no way that location would be open but we fought the crowd and went there only to be told that of course, they close after sunset. So we fought the crowds again to make our way to Main Street during the parade.

One of the frustrations with the larger crowds at this event is how log jammed areas get after the parade. We were back in Liberty Square again after the parade had gone through and the crowd literally could not move anywhere. There were so many people in the area trying to go in two directions at once with no cast members directing the crowd that hundreds of people were stuck at a standstill for about 15 minutes. It was like squeezing marbles out of a tube of toothpaste; nothing was budging. It was a pretty unsafe situation.

The bus going back was a nightmare. Our bus to AKL was beyond full. I still don't understand why it is car seats and seat belts are required in cars but it's not considered unsafe to have over 100 people on a bus, half of which are standing while moving at 45 miles per hour.

MNSSHP has always been my favorite event but with the prices going up and crowds getting larger each year, I find it harder and harder to really get my money's worth. Just my opinion. I understand others feel differently.
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I totally agree. As I said in an earlier post we have seen it this crowded after parades and fireworks around July 4th. Sep 14 sold out party was way too many people for a special ticketed event for us. And as you stated CMs did not answer our questions consistently or correct for the most part.
 
Cluelyss said:
You can go in, grab a table and a plate, then be escorted to the flagpole (parade won’t get there until 9:30 or so...though you will miss the HH). Then you can grab another plate of desserts after. I haven’t heard any reports of desserts to go though? You also have the option of the later parade if that timing is better for your group. That’s what I’m leaning toward, personally, as I don’t want to be rushed. I also don’t love the idea of running back and forth up and down a crowded Main Street between the party and parade, then parade and fireworks. Even with a CM escort that sounds stressful!
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I'm trying to figure out what my timing should be for this on Sunday. Is everyone still checking in @4:15pm? I'm planning to take a plate of treats with me to the flagpole if I can, if only to give DD7 something to do while we wait.
 
Trip Report from Sunday 23rd...

First off, full disclosure: neither I nor anyone else I was with was interested in character meet and greets!

We arrived at about 5.30, picked up our ToT bags in the bypass, and headed straight for Jungle Cruise. We must have been on one of the last boats as by the time we got off the line was closed and they were putting all the boats away for the night.

After that we headed to Pirates (posted 20 minute wait, it was a walk-on), Haunted Mansion (again posted 20 minute wait, we waited maybe 10 minutes), Big Thunder (posted 10 minute wait - walk on), saw the Cadaver Dans in Frontierland and the ghostly people outside HM, then Peter Pan (posted 20 minute wait - we waited maybe that long, but we didn't stop moving through the queue.) Stopped and got dinner at Cosmic Ray's then watched the first parade from near the popcorn cart near Cosmic Ray's at the hub. It was a little far back, so we couldn't see all the people who were walking very clearly, but considering we arrived 2 minutes before it started it was a great view.

After the parade we headed to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, 25 minute wait posted, we waited 20. The fireworks started while we were on the ride and OMG, that was INCREDIBLE. One of my favourite Disney experiences ever!! Watched the rest of the fireworks from outside 7DMT which was great because of the 360 thing. I honestly don't think there would be a bad spot to watch the fireworks anywhere in the park.

Then we ran to ride Little Mermaid - walk on - and back to the hub to catch the 10:45 castle show. Walked up a minute or two before it started and got a great view just off to the side of the hub.

By this time we were all tired, one in our group wanted to ride Space Mountain so she did that while the rest of us Trick-or-Treated around Tomorrowland. Watched the Monsters Inc crew dancing and filled up our ToT bags with SO much candy. This was near the end of the night, no lines AT ALL anywhere, and the CMs were having a lot of fun. Walked through the gift shops to leave, picked up an Orange Bird card, and left right on the dot of midnight.

My thoughts to take away:

* Sunday nights seem to be very quiet. Almost no lines to ride anything and the posted wait time was almost always over-stated. You can rock up to a spot a few minutes before the big shows and still get a good spot to watch.
* For the love of Mickey, don't bother going ToT-ing at the beginning of the night. We saw some stupidly long lines in Frontierland early in the evening. Just wait a couple of hours and you won't need to wait at all.
* The heat and humidity wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared. I'm English and I hate the humidity, but there was a nice breeze around and it was almost pleasant. (Almost.)
* I didn't wait for any character meet and greets, but the lines also seemed to get shorter as the night went on. Two people in line to meet Lotso at 11.30. Only about four people in line to meet Ariel and Eric at 11.10-ish, and when we walked past the Alice characters after the castle show they were interacting with guests walking past as there didn't seem to be a line at all!!
* I thought it was a fantastic event, well worth the money, and something I'd undoubtedly do again.

AAAAAND I'm done. Thank you for reading my essay. If you have any questions let me know!
 
dachsie said:
Ok good news. Pooh and gang came out at 6:35 and I was done at 6:45. Then bought water and headed to Ducks. Got in line at 6:50 and done at 7:20. Now in line for Goofy. One interesting note. They let the ToT line start before 7 right by us.
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What time do you recommend lining up (assuming they keep coming out at 6:35)? We weren't planning to do character meets on 10/5, but DD saw a picture of Pooh & Gang in their costumes and changed her mind. :) Thanks!
 
I'm going on a Sunday night too in a couple weeks, and I hope I have the same experiences you did
anna_m said:
Trip Report from Sunday 23rd...

First off, full disclosure: neither I nor anyone else I was with was interested in character meet and greets!

We arrived at about 5.30, picked up our ToT bags in the bypass, and headed straight for Jungle Cruise. We must have been on one of the last boats as by the time we got off the line was closed and they were putting all the boats away for the night.

After that we headed to Pirates (posted 20 minute wait, it was a walk-on), Haunted Mansion (again posted 20 minute wait, we waited maybe 10 minutes), Big Thunder (posted 10 minute wait - walk on), saw the Cadaver Dans in Frontierland and the ghostly people outside HM, then Peter Pan (posted 20 minute wait - we waited maybe that long, but we didn't stop moving through the queue.) Stopped and got dinner at Cosmic Ray's then watched the first parade from near the popcorn cart near Cosmic Ray's at the hub. It was a little far back, so we couldn't see all the people who were walking very clearly, but considering we arrived 2 minutes before it started it was a great view.

After the parade we headed to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, 25 minute wait posted, we waited 20. The fireworks started while we were on the ride and OMG, that was INCREDIBLE. One of my favourite Disney experiences ever!! Watched the rest of the fireworks from outside 7DMT which was great because of the 360 thing. I honestly don't think there would be a bad spot to watch the fireworks anywhere in the park.

Then we ran to ride Little Mermaid - walk on - and back to the hub to catch the 10:45 castle show. Walked up a minute or two before it started and got a great view just off to the side of the hub.

By this time we were all tired, one in our group wanted to ride Space Mountain so she did that while the rest of us Trick-or-Treated around Tomorrowland. Watched the Monsters Inc crew dancing and filled up our ToT bags with SO much candy. This was near the end of the night, no lines AT ALL anywhere, and the CMs were having a lot of fun. Walked through the gift shops to leave, picked up an Orange Bird card, and left right on the dot of midnight.

My thoughts to take away:

* Sunday nights seem to be very quiet. Almost no lines to ride anything and the posted wait time was almost always over-stated. You can rock up to a spot a few minutes before the big shows and still get a good spot to watch.
* For the love of Mickey, don't bother going ToT-ing at the beginning of the night. We saw some stupidly long lines in Frontierland early in the evening. Just wait a couple of hours and you won't need to wait at all.
* The heat and humidity wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared. I'm English and I hate the humidity, but there was a nice breeze around and it was almost pleasant. (Almost.)
* I didn't wait for any character meet and greets, but the lines also seemed to get shorter as the night went on. Two people in line to meet Lotso at 11.30. Only about four people in line to meet Ariel and Eric at 11.10-ish, and when we walked past the Alice characters after the castle show they were interacting with guests walking past as there didn't seem to be a line at all!!
* I thought it was a fantastic event, well worth the money, and something I'd undoubtedly do again.

AAAAAND I'm done. Thank you for reading my essay. If you have any questions let me know!
Click to expand...
! thanks for reporting.
 
famsen said:
Funny thing was after chasing this popcorn bucket around, we saw it being sold all day long at Hollywood Studios the next day.
Click to expand...

I totally get the sense that Disney's limited edition/limited release/time and place items are not at all organized. I realized this at F&G in March, when I was being told an event specific item was sold out and new shipments were not expected for some time. I saw the item at Disney Springs the next day... and it was supposed to be festival specific. I genuinely feel bad for uninformed and misinformed cast members- I just wish they would say, "I'm sorry, I don't know" instead of sharing incorrect information. I get that it's a huge place with a lot of moving parts, but it's really bad customer service to give guests the runaround and not adhere to a consistent policy. It really irks me- sorry that happened to you.
 
I forgot to mention in my review of the 9/16 party, that we flew home on 9/17 with 2 gallon ziplocs and 1 of the ToT bags full of candy in my carry on and were not asked to remove it at all going through security.
 
anna_m said:
Trip Report from Sunday 23rd...

First off, full disclosure: neither I nor anyone else I was with was interested in character meet and greets!

We arrived at about 5.30, picked up our ToT bags in the bypass, and headed straight for Jungle Cruise. We must have been on one of the last boats as by the time we got off the line was closed and they were putting all the boats away for the night.

After that we headed to Pirates (posted 20 minute wait, it was a walk-on), Haunted Mansion (again posted 20 minute wait, we waited maybe 10 minutes), Big Thunder (posted 10 minute wait - walk on), saw the Cadaver Dans in Frontierland and the ghostly people outside HM, then Peter Pan (posted 20 minute wait - we waited maybe that long, but we didn't stop moving through the queue.) Stopped and got dinner at Cosmic Ray's then watched the first parade from near the popcorn cart near Cosmic Ray's at the hub. It was a little far back, so we couldn't see all the people who were walking very clearly, but considering we arrived 2 minutes before it started it was a great view.

After the parade we headed to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, 25 minute wait posted, we waited 20. The fireworks started while we were on the ride and OMG, that was INCREDIBLE. One of my favourite Disney experiences ever!! Watched the rest of the fireworks from outside 7DMT which was great because of the 360 thing. I honestly don't think there would be a bad spot to watch the fireworks anywhere in the park.

Then we ran to ride Little Mermaid - walk on - and back to the hub to catch the 10:45 castle show. Walked up a minute or two before it started and got a great view just off to the side of the hub.

By this time we were all tired, one in our group wanted to ride Space Mountain so she did that while the rest of us Trick-or-Treated around Tomorrowland. Watched the Monsters Inc crew dancing and filled up our ToT bags with SO much candy. This was near the end of the night, no lines AT ALL anywhere, and the CMs were having a lot of fun. Walked through the gift shops to leave, picked up an Orange Bird card, and left right on the dot of midnight.

My thoughts to take away:

* Sunday nights seem to be very quiet. Almost no lines to ride anything and the posted wait time was almost always over-stated. You can rock up to a spot a few minutes before the big shows and still get a good spot to watch.
* For the love of Mickey, don't bother going ToT-ing at the beginning of the night. We saw some stupidly long lines in Frontierland early in the evening. Just wait a couple of hours and you won't need to wait at all.
* The heat and humidity wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared. I'm English and I hate the humidity, but there was a nice breeze around and it was almost pleasant. (Almost.)
* I didn't wait for any character meet and greets, but the lines also seemed to get shorter as the night went on. Two people in line to meet Lotso at 11.30. Only about four people in line to meet Ariel and Eric at 11.10-ish, and when we walked past the Alice characters after the castle show they were interacting with guests walking past as there didn't seem to be a line at all!!
* I thought it was a fantastic event, well worth the money, and something I'd undoubtedly do again.

AAAAAND I'm done. Thank you for reading my essay. If you have any questions let me know!
Click to expand...
Thanks for taking the time to write this and posting!
 
anna_m said:
Trip Report from Sunday 23rd...

First off, full disclosure: neither I nor anyone else I was with was interested in character meet and greets!

We arrived at about 5.30, picked up our ToT bags in the bypass, and headed straight for Jungle Cruise. We must have been on one of the last boats as by the time we got off the line was closed and they were putting all the boats away for the night.

After that we headed to Pirates (posted 20 minute wait, it was a walk-on), Haunted Mansion (again posted 20 minute wait, we waited maybe 10 minutes), Big Thunder (posted 10 minute wait - walk on), saw the Cadaver Dans in Frontierland and the ghostly people outside HM, then Peter Pan (posted 20 minute wait - we waited maybe that long, but we didn't stop moving through the queue.) Stopped and got dinner at Cosmic Ray's then watched the first parade from near the popcorn cart near Cosmic Ray's at the hub. It was a little far back, so we couldn't see all the people who were walking very clearly, but considering we arrived 2 minutes before it started it was a great view.

After the parade we headed to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, 25 minute wait posted, we waited 20. The fireworks started while we were on the ride and OMG, that was INCREDIBLE. One of my favourite Disney experiences ever!! Watched the rest of the fireworks from outside 7DMT which was great because of the 360 thing. I honestly don't think there would be a bad spot to watch the fireworks anywhere in the park.

Then we ran to ride Little Mermaid - walk on - and back to the hub to catch the 10:45 castle show. Walked up a minute or two before it started and got a great view just off to the side of the hub.

By this time we were all tired, one in our group wanted to ride Space Mountain so she did that while the rest of us Trick-or-Treated around Tomorrowland. Watched the Monsters Inc crew dancing and filled up our ToT bags with SO much candy. This was near the end of the night, no lines AT ALL anywhere, and the CMs were having a lot of fun. Walked through the gift shops to leave, picked up an Orange Bird card, and left right on the dot of midnight.

My thoughts to take away:

* Sunday nights seem to be very quiet. Almost no lines to ride anything and the posted wait time was almost always over-stated. You can rock up to a spot a few minutes before the big shows and still get a good spot to watch.
* For the love of Mickey, don't bother going ToT-ing at the beginning of the night. We saw some stupidly long lines in Frontierland early in the evening. Just wait a couple of hours and you won't need to wait at all.
* The heat and humidity wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared. I'm English and I hate the humidity, but there was a nice breeze around and it was almost pleasant. (Almost.)
* I didn't wait for any character meet and greets, but the lines also seemed to get shorter as the night went on. Two people in line to meet Lotso at 11.30. Only about four people in line to meet Ariel and Eric at 11.10-ish, and when we walked past the Alice characters after the castle show they were interacting with guests walking past as there didn't seem to be a line at all!!
* I thought it was a fantastic event, well worth the money, and something I'd undoubtedly do again.

AAAAAND I'm done. Thank you for reading my essay. If you have any questions let me know!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the report! We will be attending this Sunday!
 
famsen said:
We went to the party on 9/18. First thing that is completely out of Disney's control was the heat. Last week was unbearably hot every day and this party night was HOT!
This was our 9th year attending the party going back to 2006. Compared to the early years, Disney is selling many more tickets to this event then ever before. Back in the day you could go through a candy line multiple times within a few minutes. This time there are actually queue lines winding just like for rides. I've never experienced this before.
Nothing was what I would consider to be a "walk on". .....

One of the frustrations with the larger crowds at this event is how log jammed areas get after the parade. We were back in Liberty Square again after the parade had gone through and the crowd literally could not move anywhere. There were so many people in the area trying to go in two directions at once with no cast members directing the crowd that hundreds of people were stuck at a standstill for about 15 minutes. It was like squeezing marbles out of a tube of toothpaste; nothing was budging. It was a pretty unsafe situation.

The bus going back was a nightmare. Our bus to AKL was beyond full. I still don't understand why it is car seats and seat belts are required in cars but it's not considered unsafe to have over 100 people on a bus, half of which are standing while moving at 45 miles per hour.

MNSSHP has always been my favorite event but with the prices going up and crowds getting larger each year, I find it harder and harder to really get my money's worth. Just my opinion. I understand others feel differently.
Click to expand...
I wanted to say... we pretty much had a very similar experience. We went on 9/14.
We've gone many times in the past and this by far felt the most crowded.
I feel that some of these situations are due to the recent cuts they have made!
Our biggest take-away from this trip is that there are fewer and fewer cast members.... that is what is causing all these jammed areas and long waits.
We noticed in every park cast members "multi-tasking" and doing double duty.... such as only one or none at the FP+ tap-stile. Or one cast member checking lap belts or bars instead of 2 (one each side), or one checking bands/asking "how many" then also walking you down to the cars, when it used to be one asking "how many" and another leading you to the cars.
Same with the buses..... fewer buses running, so waits are longer and lines are ridiculous at times!

We won't be returning for this party. At least not until they change some things up.... maybe updating the parade, castle show, etc. Really didn't feel it was worth it... even with an AP discount.
 
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