It’s been a few days, but I wanted to share our experience for the party on Tuesday the 20th. It may be especially helpful for anyone who is focused on rides and shows. Overall, we had a great time, but it was a bit different to me this year compared to previous (this was our 4th
MNSSHP). Specifically:
1. It felt more crowded and I don’t say that lightly. We have been to sold out nights and this felt as crowded if not more...on a Tuesday in late August. I was surprised and they were checking wristbands regularly so these weren’t day guests who stayed.
2. The fireworks show looked like they added fireworks and music to a Disney junior episode. It was oddly upbeat and the music choices were strange...really missed grim grinning ghosts as part of it. We loved hallowishes so this was a let down.
3. Lines for everything were longer. We got everything done we wanted to do, but we also know what we are doing so we had a good plan. I can see it being really frustrating for anyone who didn’t have a plan.
Here is what we did:
- Arrived at MK at 3:30. They let us in at about 3:50.
- Took some pics as we walked through the party entrance area.
- used FP for Buzz (3:20-4:20)
- rode people mover
- used FP for Tomorrowland speedway (4:20-5:20)
- did laugh floor
- grabbed a drink (it was super hot!)
- used FP for Space Mountain (5:30-6:00)
- grabbed a quick dinner at Cosmic Rays
- met up with some friends we learned were there and took some pics
- rode Aladdin's carpets
- was going to ride pirates but line looked crazy so we didn’t at that time
- rode Splash Mountain
- rode Thunder Mountain
- got frozen apple cider and Carmel pretzels in Frontierland
*note this was about 8:30 because my daughter has a daily med she takes at that time. Pecos Bills seemed understaffed or was just really slow. I was in just to get some cups of water and it took me like 15 min only to learn they had them sitting off to the right and you could just grab them
- rode pirates
- rode haunted mansion
- rode it’s a small world
- headed to find a spot for fireworks - we got a spot at about 9:45 in the fenced garden area near Casey’s. People usually sit, but they all stood so we stood too. Had a great view and with it being so hot was glad we weren’t shoulder to shoulder with people.
- went to liberty square area to get a spot for the 2nd parade. It was nice because the kids sat right where they put the rope up and the adults sat on the benches they have right there (in front of where they usually have the little market in liberty square). We could keep an eye on kids and not have to sit on the ground. People stood in front of us right before the parade started, but the kids could see and I still had a view when I did stand up so it was fine with me. Also sitting on the bench was more important to me than filling in the space in front of me lol...I could have stood right behind the girls about 10 min before parade started and had front row view). Some people who were sitting like we were then sat on the back of the benches with feet on the seat of the bench when the parade started and CMs didn’t make a big deal of it.
- rode Peter Pan
- rode 7DMT *note they had the wait posted at 55 minutes...my guess is to dissuade people from getting in the line. We only waited 15 and got in the line at 11:55pm.
- left the party (last show was ending as we were exiting 7DMT)
Some other observations - people as per usual never cease to amaze me - as we walked through the Peter Pan que there were hundreds of candy wrappers on the ground in the darlings bedroom scene room...and I’m not exaggerating. I felt bad for those who were going to have to clean that up!
Lines for rides were typically posted at 25 minutes, but we waited more like 10-15. Obviously not bad at all compared to wait times during the day, but in past years we have walked on to the point of riding things like BTMRR and Splash multiple times in a row with only having to walk the que and get on...that was not the case for us this year. Only thing that was walk on was it’s a small world.
We won’t do a party in August again...I knew it would be hot, but it was pretty miserable with the humidity even after midnight. We made the best of it and none of us complained, but it wouldn’t be my choice again! My favorite ride of the night was the boat ride back to the resort cause there was a cool breeze lol.
I hope this is helpful for others!