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

[ChiefM]

I checked for you. The Castle Popcorn manager said they have not received the sippers yet. Maybe next week. However, DH saw a straw at Sleepy Hollow.

Thanks for checking for me!!
When we went to the MK in March they were sold out of the Mickey Sippers, ended up buying one on Ebay. I am hoping to have better luck this time around with Jack. My son will go crazy over it if we can get one.

 

[hakunamoscato91]

Back from my trip and just wanted to thank everyone in this thread for all the tips and advice! We accomplished everything we wanted and more during our party on 9/15. It definitely felt really crowded compared to how empty it was when we arrived at 2. But this was my first Halloween party so I can’t speak to if the crowds were above or below average. Here is what we were able to accomplish, which was almost exactly how I planned it except for the Moana meet and greet which I was not expecting to be able to do.

2: Festival of Fantasy from Main Street at the end of the route. Ariel recognized me in costume from atop her float and one of her street dancers came up and said he thought I was supposed to be on top of the float! Favorite parade moment for sure!
2:30-3:30: after hiding out in the shops on Main Street while a huge storm passed, Buzz FP, Peoplemover, and Space Mountain
3:30-4:30: Met Ariel at her Grotto, Under the Sea, and SDMT FP, picked up our wristbands and treat bags at Fantasy Faire
4:30-5:30: Had an hour before our HM FP so we went back to the front of the park for the bypass photopass spots and did some shopping
5:30-7:00: HM FP, walked by the Moana meet and greet and saw the line was short, waited maybe 15-20 mins but then a huge storm came so we hid out until it passed in the exit of her meet and greet then did Pirates (without overlay, wasn’t interested in the live actors), did some more shopping
7-8: Stopped by Sleepy Hollow for the Mickey waffle sundae (so yummy!), ToT in Frontierland and Liberty Square, saw the Cadever Dans
8-9: Teacups, Ariel and Eric meet and greet
9:00-9:30: Space Mountain and Monsters ToT
9:30-10: Cruella’s Hideaway
10:00-10:30: Fireworks from the top of Main Street, Photopass with the pumpkin towers in the flag tower circle
10:30-11:30: Cruella’s Hideaway
11:30-12:00: Boo to You, Hocus Pocus show

My husband and I both felt Cruella’s was worth it even though we didn’t love any of the food. It was just nice to have a spot in the AC to sit and relax and drink instead of having to fight crowds and stake out a parade spot.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I was there last night. Crowded but manageable. We had FPS for Buzz, Jungle Cruise and BTMRR. No wait for POTC and HM, 35 minutes for SDMT. Got candy at various locations, ate dinner at Harbor House had fantastic views for parade, fireworks and stage show. Had such good luck with location we ended up doing early parade and stage show. On way out grabbed our cards from the firehouse and ended up watching the 2nd parade again. Biggest downfall was the very long walk to the tram as my SIL has major respiratory issues and she was gasping for breath for at least 5 minutes after the walk. Did not know about the construction which is keeping the trams from getting closer to the entrance and I would have done something different as far as parking at TTC. Like valet parked at one of the resorts.

 

[LadyRayado]

After reading reports of the last few parties, I'm trying not to panic. We're party veterans, but my husband is going to his first on 10/8. He's really not a Disney person at all and only goes with us once every few years. I was hoping to blame the crowds on the last few days of CM discounted tickets, but those ended the 17th. Here's our touring plan so far:

3:30 arrive
Bypass
3:25-4:25 FP BTMRR
4:25-5:25 FP SDMT
Barnstormer
Dumbo
5:30-6:30 FP Pooh
*Dinner break until party starts at 7*
Space Mountain
People Mover
Buzz
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
11:15 parade from Frontierland
ToTing throughout depending on lines

I *think* it's doable. We won't do any character meets or special photos unless the line is short.

 

[conniehar90]

After reading reports of the last few parties, I'm trying not to panic. We're party veterans, but my husband is going to his first on 10/8. He's really not a Disney person at all and only goes with us once every few years. I was hoping to blame the crowds on the last few days of CM discounted tickets, but those ended the 17th. Here's our touring plan so far:

3:30 arrive
Bypass
3:25-4:25 FP BTMRR
4:25-5:25 FP SDMT
Barnstormer
Dumbo
5:30-6:30 FP Pooh
*Dinner break until party starts at 7*
Space Mountain
People Mover
Buzz
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
11:15 parade from Frontierland
ToTing throughout depending on lines

I *think* it's doable. We won't do any character meets or special photos unless the line is short.

You shouldn’t have any problem with this plan - the insane area is over by Haunted Mansion- head over there during the 9:15 parade and you are fine.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

You shouldn’t have any problem with this plan - the insane area is over by Haunted Mansion- head over there during the 9:15 parade and you are fine.

Wait time for rides were not bad. We just didn’t do the ones we didn’t care to ride, like IASW and PP. the ToT lines were long but moved really fast.

 

[vinotinto]

At tonight’s party. Been coming to MK for 14 years. This is only my second party. Without a doubt the most crowded I have ever seen MK. Gave up on collecting candy after 2nd stop. Just unbelievable lines. Rather just go to shop and buy a big selection pack! Long lines for all rides. I think I must have got confused because I thought Disney marketed this as shorter lines.
Still having fun but this is nothing like party I was at in 2019. Can’t help thinking a Disney got greedy. Especially when I saw $7 for a pretzel. Seriously!!

It's been a while since they have marketed it as short lines or small crowds. They market it now as special experience - see MK like you've never seen it before, etc.

I was there last night. Crowded but manageable. We had FPS for Buzz, Jungle Cruise and BTMRR. No wait for POTC and HM, 35 minutes for SDMT. Got candy at various locations, ate dinner at Harbor House had fantastic views for parade, fireworks and stage show. Had such good luck with location we ended up doing early parade and stage show. On way out grabbed our cards from the firehouse and ended up watching the 2nd parade again. Biggest downfall was the very long walk to the tram as my SIL has major respiratory issues and she was gasping for breath for at least 5 minutes after the walk. Did not know about the construction which is keeping the trams from getting closer to the entrance and I would have done something different as far as parking at TTC. Like valet parked at one of the resorts.

Sounds like you zagged while others zigged. At what time did you go to PotC and HM and if it was prior to 7pm, were the entertainers there? And from what location did you end up viewing the parade and stage show?

 

[rlessig]

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

 

[jina]

I noticed the price for parties goes up to $100+ in early Oct -I am hoping perhaps some of the recent crowds are locals going while the price is lower. (Wishful thinking. I'm also going 10/27 and setting expectations that it may be a zoo - will definitely be reading this thread to revise our strategy as needed).

We went to a DL halloween party on Friday Oct 13 (2017 I think). Anyone know if MK "sold out" feels worse than DL "sold out"?

 

[Mambo Junkie]

It's been a while since they have marketed it as short lines or small crowds. They market it now as special experience - see MK like you've never seen it before, etc.


Sounds like you zagged while others zigged. At what time did you go to PotC and HM and if it was prior to 7pm, were the entertainers there? And from what location did you end up viewing the parade and stage show?

We did go before the 7:00 party and the entertainers were not there, though we did go by HM after dark to soak in the atmosphere. Our location (primarily for the fireworks) was behind the gated garden area almost in front of the castle. The people in front of this area had great virws of the parade though there was a break in the crowd so we could see the street performers well. The only downside was a lamp a little right of where we were but it did not in any way diminish my enjoyment of the projections and fireworks.

 

[vinotinto]

We did go before the 7:00 party and the entertainers were not there, though we did go by HM after dark to soak in the atmosphere. Our location (primarily for the fireworks) was behind the gated garden area almost in front of the castle. The people in front of this area had great virws of the parade though there was a break in the crowd so we could see the street performers well. The only downside was a lamp a little right of where we were but it did not in any way diminish my enjoyment of the projections and fireworks.

Thank you! Very helpful. I'm trying to arm myself with a good plan...

 

[Mambo Junkie]

We did go before the 7:00 party and the entertainers were not there, though we did go by HM after dark to soak in the atmosphere. Our location (primarily for the fireworks) was behind the gated garden area almost in front of the castle. The people in front of this area had great virws of the parade though there was a break in the crowd so we could see the street performers well. The only downside was a lamp a little right of where we were but it did not in any way diminish my enjoyment of the projections and fireworks.

Best thing there was no camera/cell phone lights, no selfie sticks or iPads in front of us distracting. There were a few kids on shoulders and cell phone recording but from our vantage point the castle and projections were above that so they were a non issue. They also dim the lights for the fireworks so so the lights on the right were not an issue either.

 

[gillep]

WOW, it seems like there are quite a few of us going to the party next Sunday...

We chose this one specifically because we went to the party the last Sunday in September last year and the crowds were really low compared to a lot of the other reports I was reading, it was a great time. Thankfully, our must-dos are short and we reserved the Plaza Dessert party.

If you see Russel and Kevin (complete with odd bird hat/headband thing), say hi!

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Thank you! Very helpful. I'm trying to arm myself with a good plan...

We actually walked up as the 8:30 Hocus Pocus show was ending and a lot of people left so we were able to move up to the fence. My SIL was in a wheel chair and she could see great. We also opted to stay there and watch the next Hocus Pocus show after the fireworks because the view was so good, rather than move up.

 

[csusunshine]

Has anyone seen any real trends 1st parade vs. 2nd, busy nights of the week vs. slow nights etc. ?
Reading through all of the reviews so far, it seems like the only thing consistent this year is inconsistency thanks to hurricanes and Galaxy's Edge.

 

[eccobleu]

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!

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

Which photo?

Sorry I thought I quoted here. The aerial photo.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

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!

Definitely use FPS pre party as they helped us a lot. When we walked over to Jungle Cruise around 5:30 there was a pretty good line waiting for Moana. We did that last year but you either wait in line before the party so you get in pretty quickly or you wait after opening (either way). We opted for Moana vs. Jack and Sally as that was a priority. We did end up waiting later for Jack/Sally and it was around an hour and a half. Right after we saw Moana we pretty much walked up to Jasmine then over to where Jack Sparrow was meeting. We were 2nd in line after waiting around 15 minutes for him to come out. Next we met Alice and the Mad Hatter with about a 20 minute wait and Queen of Hearts was around 30 but she took a break right before we got up to her. We also waited around 15 minutes for Mickey but it was not with Minnie. This year we saw Cruella walking around a lot, especially near SDMT and the carousel. I highly recommend joining Kenny the Pirates site as he has times, strategies and tips for meeting characters. We did not meet the dwarfs as we had at our last Christmas trip plus we caught the other princesses earlier in the week. Moana was our #1 priority.

ETA: we also did a good number of rides, trick or treating, lots of magic shots and ate at Harbor House. That was last year, we got in at 3;45 and it was Halloween night. With a good plan you can accomplish a lot. Also last year we watched the fireworks from Fantasyland as they did not have the projections and we caught the 12:00 am Hocus Pocus. Our girls (5 and 7) were troopers but we rested all morning and had no other plans.

 

[HollyMD]

VERY loosely made and flexible plans, but can someone give me a good idea? Going 10/8, me, DH, and DS 4:
Enter MK 3:30(we are AP)
3:45-4 ride Buzz(FP3:05-4:05)
4-4:10 party band at Monster laugh floor
4:25-4:40 PP(FP 4:10-5:10)
5:15-5:25 ride HM(FP 5:20-6)
Head back to Tomorrowland to line up for stitch(5:35) tag team DH and DS ride Buzz again(DS fav), grab food to come back to line
6:30-7 meet stitch
7-7:30 meet lotso
7:30-8 monsters dance party
Head towards Frontierland for parade spot
8:20-8:45- meet Aladdin characters
8:45- parade spot in front of Pecos? Tag team hades nachos, tot
8:45-9:45- parade
Cut through Adventureland to hub. Grab FW spot in front of Casey’s? Tag team DH and DS meet Mickey
9:50-10:30 watch FW
Head to Fantasyland
10:40-11 meet ducks
11-11:15 meet goofy
Back to Adventureland
11:30-11:50 meet opposite Aladdin characters of possible
12- Hocus Pocus

Any critique? Thanks!

 

[Dugette]

Sorry I thought I quoted here. The aerial photo.

Sure, does this help? We’re at the bottom right, daughter in the pink dress.