That parade and horseman is my fav too.Thought I'd share my party experience. Attended the first party on 8/16. It was the final night of my solo trip and my first MNSSHP. My main focus was the parade, fireworks, Hocus Pocus show, and snacks. I am not big on character meets and wasn't super interested in trick or treating.
I was at the park all day and found the crowds to be really light up until around 4pm when party ticket holders arrived and then it did get really crowded. Here's what I got to do during the party
4:00 BTMR stand by (40 min posted, waited 37 min)
5:15 Splash stand by (40 min posted, waited 23 min)
5:45 checked in and got my wrist band, map, trick or treat bag & starter candy at Tortuga Tavern. Took all of 5 minutes.
5:50-6:15 ate at Pecos Bills, did mobile order which took about 15 minutes, crowded and hard to find a seat
6:30 Haunted Mansion
6:45 Checked out the line for the wedding cake in Liberty Square but it was crazy long (thought I'd come back later but never did make it back)
7:00 Arrived at the Hub on the dot at 7 pm to hear the party kick-off announcement and see the CMs really start cracking down on wrist bands and sweeping out day guests
7:08 Monsters Inc Dance Party, was on my way to Space and it was too cute not to stop and get my groove on with Sully for a minute
7:12 Space Mountain (35 posted, waited 19min) Because I was solo, I was re-directed at the FP merge point as a single rider which cut 15 minutes off the wait. Loved the overlay! So much better than regular SM. The dark and the music really amped up the whole ride!
7:25 checked the wait time on the app for Pirates and it showed 30min but by the time I got over there it was up to 50min so decided to try later
7:30 stopped at Aloha Isle for a Pirate's Horizon, orange & pineapple juice with passion fruit syrup. Refreshing & tropical, wasn't very sweet which I liked.
8:15 Haunted Mansion, loved seeing the ghosts on the lawn. Some excellent heckling going on. Very funny!
8:50 Arrived to watch the first parade at Liberty Square, beside Ye Ol' Christmas Shop and across from Sleepy Hollow
9:05 Headless Horseman. SO cool! One of my favorite parts of the whole party
9:20 Boo to You Parade. I LOVED IT!! So cute! By far the best Disney parade I've seen (WDW or Disneyland). Loved the song, the costumes, the characters, the dancers. Just brilliant!
9:50 Arrived at the Hub for fireworks, stopped at the popcorn cart for a Jack Skellington Cake Push Pop. It was delightful. Chocolate, buttercream, and sugar pearls, what's not to love! Cute too. Grabbed a spot behind and slightly to the left of the partners statue, between it and the castle. Had a great view of Jack, the castle & the fireworks, crowded but not claustrophobic. Sat on the ground and enjoyed my cake pop and people watched while I waited.
10:20 Fireworks. I was blown away! Jack Skellington was fabulous. Loved the projections, the music, the storyline, and the fireworks. Having never seen Hollowishes, though, I don't have anything to compare to. Sounds like those who have may feel differently.
10:45 Pirates (15-minute wait). Loved the live pirates! So fun interacting with them. It was a great last ride of the trip. Did my only trick or treating of the night at the exit and got some chocolate gold coins
11:13 Boo to You, round 2. I'm such a big parade fan, had to watch it twice! This time I got a spot in Frontierland, across from the Diamond Horseshoe. Because I walked up so late, the view wasn't as good but was able to see just fine.
11:15 Headless Horseman
11:20 Parade
11:52 Back to the Hub to grab a spot for Hocus Pocus. Found a spot right against the fence/wall around partners, near where I watched the fireworks. Was able to sit and watch the show with a great view
12:05 Hocus Pocus. Such a fun show! Love the Sanderson Sisters and all the Villians. Gave me good, nostalgic 90's vibes. I can see if you've been to several parties, not necessarily needing to see this show every time but as a first-timer, loved it!
12:45 Bus Stop to CBR. This was the only pain point of the night for me (and the worst bus experience of the whole trip). Took until 1:27 am to get on a bus. Was in my room at 1:54 am.
I had a really fantastic time and would not hesitate to do another party. Loved seeing all the guests in costumes. People are SO clever and creative. The whole vibe of the night was so fun! Next time I think I'd want to do a little trick or treating and definitely try some more snacks.
Happy Halloween!!!
We are also going Thursday to Sunday next week. We are doing the Friday party, and I am a bit nervous about the crowds given Food and Wine opening and GE opening. We are not even going to enter Hollywood Studios this trip. It depends on your kids...we are doing an all day MK Thursday (probably go to a monorail resort for a drink in afternoon) with our 6 yr old. Party day we have a breakfast at Bon Voyage at 1030, and that is it until we enter the park about 3 for the party (we have APs). I think as long as you don’t do much on the party day and have a low key morning it could work...
Yes. Have a great time and please post when you can! Keep your eye on the crowds and make adjustments as necessary.
I know they clear out Day guests at 6/7 but what she was saying was that since it was on the actual day of Halloween, the day guests might reach maximum capacity, and if that were to happen, they might not let us in at the typical 3:45/4 early entry. That we would have to wait till they cleared the day guests out IF the park was at maximum capacity. Not saying that it would, just that being it was ON the actual Halloween day, it could possibly happen, she said the same thing with Christmas.Yes and I answered you. On Halloween Night, Oct 31 no matter what day of the week or weekend, entry time is 3:45-4pm with party ticket.ALWAYS. Your friend is wrong. Disney clears out all the day guests at a specific time, this year it's 6pm. If you buy a Party Ticket you will get in.
I was only asking because I hadn’t thought of the park reaching maximum capacity for just the day guests till she said that. She was not talking specifically about the party being sold out, we were talking about the early 4pm entry.
I hope not!
Tickets were bought the day they went on sale!
Thanks I will do my best to report back
Thank you! This is the information I was hoping to hear! I have no idea how many guests it takes to reach maximum capacity. To be completely honest, I would have NEVER even thought about it until she said something. I could see that happening on days like Halloween and Christmas especially with all the add-ons and extras it kind of made sense when she said it. Then I panicked and rushed right over here to find out!
Thought I'd share my party experience. Attended the first party on 8/16. It was the final night of my solo trip and my first MNSSHP. My main focus was the parade, fireworks, Hocus Pocus show, and snacks. I am not big on character meets and wasn't super interested in trick or treating.
I was at the park all day and found the crowds to be really light up until around 4pm when party ticket holders arrived and then it did get really crowded. Here's what I got to do during the party
4:00 BTMR stand by (40 min posted, waited 37 min)
5:15 Splash stand by (40 min posted, waited 23 min)
5:45 checked in and got my wrist band, map, trick or treat bag & starter candy at Tortuga Tavern. Took all of 5 minutes.
5:50-6:15 ate at Pecos Bills, did mobile order which took about 15 minutes, crowded and hard to find a seat
6:30 Haunted Mansion
6:45 Checked out the line for the wedding cake in Liberty Square but it was crazy long (thought I'd come back later but never did make it back)
7:00 Arrived at the Hub on the dot at 7 pm to hear the party kick-off announcement and see the CMs really start cracking down on wrist bands and sweeping out day guests
7:08 Monsters Inc Dance Party, was on my way to Space and it was too cute not to stop and get my groove on with Sully for a minute
7:12 Space Mountain (35 posted, waited 19min) Because I was solo, I was re-directed at the FP merge point as a single rider which cut 15 minutes off the wait. Loved the overlay! So much better than regular SM. The dark and the music really amped up the whole ride!
7:25 checked the wait time on the app for Pirates and it showed 30min but by the time I got over there it was up to 50min so decided to try later
7:30 stopped at Aloha Isle for a Pirate's Horizon, orange & pineapple juice with passion fruit syrup. Refreshing & tropical, wasn't very sweet which I liked.
8:15 Haunted Mansion, loved seeing the ghosts on the lawn. Some excellent heckling going on. Very funny!
8:50 Arrived to watch the first parade at Liberty Square, beside Ye Ol' Christmas Shop and across from Sleepy Hollow
9:05 Headless Horseman. SO cool! One of my favorite parts of the whole party
9:20 Boo to You Parade. I LOVED IT!! So cute! By far the best Disney parade I've seen (WDW or Disneyland). Loved the song, the costumes, the characters, the dancers. Just brilliant!
9:50 Arrived at the Hub for fireworks, stopped at the popcorn cart for a Jack Skellington Cake Push Pop. It was delightful. Chocolate, buttercream, and sugar pearls, what's not to love! Cute too. Grabbed a spot behind and slightly to the left of the partners statue, between it and the castle. Had a great view of Jack, the castle & the fireworks, crowded but not claustrophobic. Sat on the ground and enjoyed my cake pop and people watched while I waited.
10:20 Fireworks. I was blown away! Jack Skellington was fabulous. Loved the projections, the music, the storyline, and the fireworks. Having never seen Hollowishes, though, I don't have anything to compare to. Sounds like those who have may feel differently.
10:45 Pirates (15-minute wait). Loved the live pirates! So fun interacting with them. It was a great last ride of the trip. Did my only trick or treating of the night at the exit and got some chocolate gold coins
11:13 Boo to You, round 2. I'm such a big parade fan, had to watch it twice! This time I got a spot in Frontierland, across from the Diamond Horseshoe. Because I walked up so late, the view wasn't as good but was able to see just fine.
11:15 Headless Horseman
11:20 Parade
11:52 Back to the Hub to grab a spot for Hocus Pocus. Found a spot right against the fence/wall around partners, near where I watched the fireworks. Was able to sit and watch the show with a great view
12:05 Hocus Pocus. Such a fun show! Love the Sanderson Sisters and all the Villians. Gave me good, nostalgic 90's vibes. I can see if you've been to several parties, not necessarily needing to see this show every time but as a first-timer, loved it!
12:45 Bus Stop to CBR. This was the only pain point of the night for me (and the worst bus experience of the whole trip). Took until 1:27 am to get on a bus. Was in my room at 1:54 am.
I had a really fantastic time and would not hesitate to do another party. Loved seeing all the guests in costumes. People are SO clever and creative. The whole vibe of the night was so fun! Next time I think I'd want to do a little trick or treating and definitely try some more snacks.
Happy Halloween!!!
Since you already bought your ticket you are good to go! Wish I was going on Halloween night, I'm sure going to miss the cooler temps of late October and early November.I know they clear out Day guests at 6/7 but what she was saying was that since it was on the actual day of Halloween, the day guests might reach maximum capacity, and if that were to happen, they might not let us in at the typical 3:45/4 early entry. That we would have to wait till they cleared the day guests out IF the park was at maximum capacity. Not saying that it would, just that being it was ON the actual Halloween day, it could possibly happen, she said the same thing with Christmas.
I was only asking because I hadn’t thought of the park reaching maximum capacity for just the day guests till she said that. She was not talking specifically about the party being sold out, we were talking about the early 4pm entry.
I hope not!
Tickets were bought the day they went on sale!
☠
Yeah, the Pooh and Friends is up in the air for us. We might just skip it all together lol. As far as crossing over, we might just hit all of AL at one time just really depends on crowds. Also did anyone see crowds from Tuesday
!!We went last year and I remember it being crowded but not that crowded. Not going to lie, I'm a little worried. Our party is not until 09/20 so I'm hoping for lighter crowds (wishful thinking) but we shall see.
I am concerned about the 2 and 6 year olds being able to see over people's heads, and we grandparents aren't able to hold them up that long anymore! The boys are the main reason for this visit, first time to WDW for the 2 year old. We have decided to watch the fireworks from behind the castle if the hub is crowded and not worry about the projections, but we do need a close view of the parade for them without having to encourage them to sit on the curb for an hour when everything else going on beckons! We also know they would LOVE the parade if they were able to see it-first world problems if ever! So we will try to just keep an eye on things around Frontierland and Liberty Square before the parade starts. I was fairly soundly chastised when I asked how people felt about holding places in ride/character lines even if littles needed to go to the bathroom, so I am pretty sure holding parade spots is equally frowned upon!
