“Official” 2018 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – Strategy and Itinerary Thread

[FoxC63]

Well do we have another option for meeting them?

YES, later in the evening when the temperature is cooler and late enough to get in a shorter wait - but that's where the gamble is. You either get in line asap and loose your FP's or you wait until later in the evening.

 

[FoxC63]

Should we meet Cruella before the Queen of Hearts since she is in the same area as the dwarves?

NO, Queen of Hearts & Tweedles draw a larger crowd, Cruella is just amazing on her own, her line can also command a long wait time but the Queen is larger, always.

 

[Haley R]

Considering this is your second party and if I were in your shoes I would want to slow it down and utilize some of those FP's!!! The sacrificial lamb might be the Dwarfs. Let's see how this works out...

3:30-4:10 MK party entrance-get wristbands at bypass - @Cluelyss reported the photo props can be found elsewhere. The bypass keeps party guests on the left hand side which leads us to Tomorrowland.
4:15-4:30 Space Mountain - Schedule FP for 3:15 - 4:15 - There is a FP grace period.
4:30-4:40 Peter Pan - Schedule FP for 4:20 - 5:20
4:40-6:10 Magic Shots, shopping, dinning - In Fantasyland
6:15-6:35 7DMT - Schedule FP for 5:25 - 6:25
6:40-7:10 Queen of Hearts & Tweedles in Fantasyland - Out at 7pm
7:10-7:30 Cruella De Vil - Out at 7pm - If Cruella takes more time - you have it available.
7:35-9:25 Magic Shots & Shop on Main Street, Pick up SotMK Card
9:30-9:45 Watch Monsters Scream-O-Ween Ball (from 7pm-12 am)
9:50-10:05 Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear
11:15 Get spot for parade on Main Street (11:15 pm)

Well..... any suggestions???

We would much rather meet the dwarves than the queen of hearts or cruella. They are tied with jack and sally as a must do. Hopefully we can get them done the first party night. If not, what time do you recommend getting in line for them? 5:30? We would be just fine not doing any FPs since we will be back another day.

 

[FoxC63]

We would much rather meet the dwarves than the queen of hearts or cruella. They are tied with jack and sally as a must do. Hopefully we can get them done the first party night. If not, what time do you recommend getting in line for them? 5:30? We would be just fine not doing any FPs since we will be back another day.

• I thought you were trying to do Jack & Sally AND Moana on your first party.
• Getting rid of two characters Queen & Cruella doesn't mean you'll wait less time at 7pm to see the Dwarfs. At 7pm the average wait is between 2 - 2.5 hours. It's only towards the end of the night like 10:45pm-ish when you should make your move. You have a sweet spot:

9:50-10:05 Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear
11:15 Get spot for parade on Main Street (11:15 pm)​

• The parade will NOT hit Main Street until 40 minutes AFTER the official start time.

Do you see it?!

 

[FoxC63]

@Haley R insert Dwarfs here:

9:50-10:05 Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear
DWARFS!!!
11:15 Get spot for parade on Main Street (11:15 pm)

 

[HollyMD]

In all of your opinions, where is the best location for viewing the first parade?

 

[Haley R]

@Haley R insert Dwarfs here:

9:50-10:05 Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear
DWARFS!!!
11:15 Get spot for parade on Main Street (11:15 pm)

Ok got it!! Thank you SO MUCH for all of your help! I honestly felt pretty lost trying to plan this so that we could fit all of the characters in, but it looks like we will be able to do it and still have lots of time to shop and snack. I updated my original itineraries.

 

[Cluelyss]

In all of your opinions, where is the best location for viewing the first parade?

You’ll likely get quite a few opinions on this, but I think Main Street has the best atmosphere. The spooky lighting and all the pumpkins really add to the ambiance. However, these spots go fast, especially for the first parade.

If you don’t want to budget an hour plus holding your spot, Frontierland is my next favorite spot. This area fills up slower, and since the parade starts in this area, you’re done sooner, leaving you able to hop on a ride or get in your next character line while those on Main Street are still waiting for the parade to arrive. There’s also less of a “gap” between the Headless Horseman and the rest of the parade. My biggest complaint about this area is how dark it is. It’s almost impossible to take a good picture here, if that’s important to you.

 

[HollyMD]

@Cluelyss , thank you, this is very helpful to me!

 

[Bex258]

You’ll likely get quite a few opinions on this, but I think Main Street has the best atmosphere. The spooky lighting and all the pumpkins really add to the ambiance. However, these spots go fast, especially for the first parade.

If you don’t want to budget an hour plus holding your spot, Frontierland is my next favorite spot. This area fills up slower, and since the parade starts in this area, you’re done sooner, leaving you able to hop on a ride or get in your next character line while those on Main Street are still waiting for the parade to arrive. There’s also less of a “gap” between the Headless Horseman and the rest of the parade. My biggest complaint about this area is how dark it is. It’s almost impossible to take a good picture here, if that’s important to you.

I got what I'd call the best spot on Main Street on the second parade but my pictures still came out mostly blurred and I go the same spot the second party and their just as bad (I did get a couple at least though).

 

[FoxC63]

@HollyMD First Parade, Frontierland.
Second parade is Main Street. It feels less crowded to me and I'm able to see much better, for reference I'm 5' 2".

 

[FoxC63]

@sherlockmiles

Tuesday, Oct. 30th / 2 adults

11:20 - 12:20 12am Hocus Pocus - I must admit I do not have experience with Hocus Pocus so let me see if can get help!

@Cluelyss & @Bex258, I have to admit I've only attempted to see Hocus Pocus once, it was not a positive experience. If viewing from the Partners Statue, is arriving at 11:20 too early to view the midnight showing?

EDIT: @Cluelyss "Last year we waited till the last show (sold out night) and were able to get much closer - right beside the partners statue - and with far less people around." Post #97, do you remember what time this was?

 

[bcwife76]

Ok so not only is this our first Halloween party (Oct 25th, 2 adults 2 kids 10&7) but it's our first time at MK (we are Disneyland vets). So do I need a strategy? Considering we don't even know where we are going lol Can we just follow the crowd and be swept up with it??
We are flying in on the 24th, we have a hotel at the airport. Thursday the 25th we pick up our rental car and drive to AK where we have a 1 bed villa booked (first DVC stay with our new membership) so I'm hoping we can get into our room before 4 (maybe 2pm??) so we can drop our stuff and get the kids in the costumes (DH and I still are on the fence about costumes for ourselves) so that we can be at MK for 4pm. After that I have no plan....
-yes trick or treating but probably not every stop
-characters are not a huge priority but the rare ones are
-hoping to snag a FP for 7DMT as this ride is not at Disneyland
-definitely the second parade

 

[FoxC63]

Ok so not only is this our first Halloween party (Oct 25th, 2 adults 2 kids 10&7) but it's our first time at MK (we are Disneyland vets). So do I need a strategy? Considering we don't even know where we are going lol Can we just follow the crowd and be swept up with it??
We are flying in on the 24th, we have a hotel at the airport. Thursday the 25th we pick up our rental car and drive to AK where we have a 1 bed villa booked (first DVC stay with our new membership) so I'm hoping we can get into our room before 4 (maybe 2pm??) so we can drop our stuff and get the kids in the costumes (DH and I still are on the fence about costumes for ourselves) so that we can be at MK for 4pm. After that I have no plan....
-yes trick or treating but probably not every stop
-characters are not a huge priority but the rare ones are
-hoping to snag a FP for 7DMT as this ride is not at Disneyland
-definitely the second parade

Hi and to the party!!! We'd be more than happy to help and like the Disney recording "We need just a little more information...." Please choose which characters are a priority. Depending on which characters you want to meet please note you might not be able to use your FP's unless you're willing to separate via Tag Team. An examole of the Itinerary Guidelines can be found here: Post #2

I realize not everyone understands Time Frame but you should at least know your priorities, we'll take it from there and build an itinerary.

 

[FoxC63]

Another party 1st timer here..
DD15 and myself going 8/24 looking for as much direction as possible!
Thank you everyone!!

I see you but not sure how to help. Do you have a list of priorities?

 

[FoxC63]

We are going in early October for 12 days. We'll be a group of 4, me, DH, DS 13, and DD 8. I'm looking at doing 2 parties as well as the Sleepy Hollow event. This may be our last fall trip. We took quite a few with the older boys but now are looking at different times due to schedules. So I want to make the most of this fall trip with our DD. We want to meet Mickey,Minnie,Donald, Daisy, and Goofy in their costumes. We also would like to meet the 100 acre gang, Moana, Jack and Sally, 7 dwarves,Capt. Jack, Ariel and Eric, Lotso, Queen of Hearts, and Jafar. I figure we could spread the characters out between 2 parties and still hopefully see the parade, fireworks and Sanderson Sisters. Then be able to Trick or treat and do some Magic shots. My question is how would you split up the characters between parties? Would you go based on locations or split the popular ones down the middle? I know it's gotten busier since we used to go in the fall so any advice would be great, thanks.

Hopefully you've been following along and getting a feel of how things work. I haven't seen you post anything recently and wanted to touch base.

 

[FoxC63]

Hi!

@JenniferW33 , @scrappinginontario and @DizzyErin , I'm not sure where we are with your itineraries, maybe missing key elements like your priorities, FP's and/or ADR's in order to help you or if you still need help?

 

[FoxC63]

UPDATING:

Currently on my list is @Momma_Lanier and @bigsis1970 am I missing anyone? Please drop me a note!

 

[FoxC63]

9/3 DW, DH, DD7, DD4 and DS2

Monday, Sep. 9 / DW, DH, DD7, DD4 and DS2
3:30-4:10 MK bypass - Wristbands, Treat Bags, Map
4:15-6:00 Moana (my girls are OBSESSED! Meeting her is a must.) She came out at 5:45 last year
Tag Team: ? FP Schedule it for 3:20-4:20
Tag Team: ? FP Schedule it for 4:20-5:20
Peter Pan - Unfortunately I am unable to see his hours via WDW link below, I believe he met last year during regular park hours but I am unsure if Disney closed it down at the start of the party 7pm?
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/magic-kingdom/character-meet-peter-pan/

So this changes your itinerary and you'll need to re-post your wish list/priorities. Please include your FP selections as well and we'll go from there.

Parade
Fireworks
Hocus Pocus show
Rides
A few magic shots (would love haunted mansion one, headless horseman if they have it)
Different party snacks

NOTE: To meet Captain Hook, Mr. Smee and Peter Pan I would recommend The Pirates & Pals Fireworks Dessert Voyage - It's worth every penny and yes, you can dress up! WDW Link:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/pirates-and-pals-fireworks-voyage/

 

[Haley R]

So I guess we might not be able to be there for the 23 and 25. Apparently our ta wasn’t able to get beach club like we wanted. We are trying to see what will be available. Apparently there is a huge convention October 13-18.