Category — n. Approaching Dates at Disney World

Welcome to those of you joining me from Capturing Magical Memories and those of you just hopping aboard!

I am the 5th stop on this month’s Magical Blogorail Teal. Enjoy the ride as this month we talk about Disney-themed Halloween costumes…and in my post, it’s all in the context of a review of Mickey’s Not-So Scary Halloween Party!

MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (“MNSSHP”) is a special, separately ticketed party that happens on certain nights every September, October and early November in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

(See this for more on logistics–Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates, tickets, etc.)

At the party you will find un-crowded rides, a special parade (shown twice!), special fireworks, trick-or-treating, dance parties…and a ton of guests in costumes!

COSTUMES AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Costumes are not required, and not everyone wear them, as you can see in the image above. It’s of a group in line to get pictures taken in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

The most common costumes I saw in my September 2013 visit to MNSSHP were princess costumes and pirate costumes, and after that Marvel costumes. Lots of Disney themed costumes!

Whole families dressed as pirates were not uncommon–the whispers on the buses were such choices were made because “it’s all we could get dad to wear…”

But more curious costumes were not uncommon. I think the black outfits above were costumes…although perhaps the group was going clubbing after MNSSHP…

I saw a couple of fun get-ups in the smoking area near the Tomorrowland Terrace–this one…

…and this couple.

And this party in Adventureland proved a Disney theme was not required!

THE PARADE, FIREWORKS, DANCE PARTIES AND TRICK-OR-TREATS AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

MNSSHP has a special set of Halloween-themed activities.

For example, the parade–Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade–is seen only at MNSSHP.

It starts with ducks…

…and mice…

…but then shortly shifts to my favorite part, Haunted-Mansion themed dancing gravediggers and ghouls.

These are followed by Disney villains, but the parade returns to “not-so-scary” at the end, with candy!

These kids really liked the parade.

There’s two showings of the parade, with spectacular Halloween-themed fireworks between.

You can also find in both Liberty Square and Tomorrowland dance parties featuring Disney characters–the shot above is from “Woody’s Happy Harvest Roundup” at the Diamond Horseshoe in Liberty Square.

Character meet-n-greets are all over the place–with both common and unusual characters–and there’s also a ton of trick or treat locations…both of which raise an issue.

STRATEGY AND RIDES AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

All the major rides are open, and many minor rides as well. Most have very short waits. In my September 2013 visit, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder had 10 minute waits, and Enchanted Tales with Belle just 30 minutes. (That’s me on the right, defending Belle.)

The trick-or-treat spots and character greetings, on the other hand, have pretty long lines.

So the best approach is to skip the character greetings and trick-or-treats–or delay them until after the second parade–and spend the first part of the evening on rides.

Do rides through the first parade (that is, til about 8.45 if the first parade is at 8.15p) and then watch Celebrate the Magic, the wonderful fireworks show Happy Hallowishes, and the second showing of the parade.

Some families will be worn out by now.  If yours has energy left, keep going with with more rides, or trick-or-treating!

I struggle with whether or not this party is worth the money for first-time family visitors who may never return.

It’s quite expensive–more than $200, and even over $300 on some dates (prices vary by date and whether or not you buy in advance) for a family of four.  And it’s just a five hour show (7p to midnight)–though Disney unofficially lets you in starting at 4p.

Yet the fireworks are the best Disney World offers, the parade is a hoot, the rides have short lines…and the costumes are fun!

My overall take is that for first-timers this time and money is better spent elsewhere, but that’s a really close call, and for sure I’d recommend it to returning visitors! But enough with the pirates costumes already dad, OK?

And Happy Halloween, everyone!

MORE ON DISNEY-THEMED COSTUMES FROM MAGICAL BLOGORAIL TEAL

Thank you for joining Magical Blogorail Teal this month. Our next loop will be on October 22nd with an all new theme.

Keep checking in with our blogs in between loops to keep up to date with our Disney info, photos and stories. If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs, as well as all our previous loops.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Teal loop should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard!

1st Stop ~ The Many Adventures of a Disney Lovin’ Spectrum Mom
2nd Stop ~  Disney with Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
3rd Stop ~ The Disney Kids
4th Stop ~ Capturing Magical Memories
Final Stop ~ yourfirstvisit.net

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(This page is one of a series explicating Walt Disney World lingo, abbreviations, and FAQ for first time family visitors to Walt Disney World.)

DISNEY’S 2014 INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL AT EPCOT

Every year from roughly early March through mid-May, Walt Disney World presents the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.

In 2014, the Flower and Garden Festival is scheduled for March 5-May 18.

The gardens at Epcot are almost always lovely, and they are at their loveliest during this period.

Disney’s own wonderful landscaping is supplemented by additional plantings, topiary, and specially themed gardens.

Also presented are special programs presenting gardening tips, and weekend concerts.

Likely growing in 2014 is the more emphasis on food we saw beginning in 2013.

See the official Walt Disney World web page for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival here.

[Read more →]

OVERVIEW: APRIL 2014 AT DISNEY WORLD

This page reviews April 2014 Walt Disney World crowds, prices, deals and discounts, weather, and operating hours; adds a few other notes; and ends with week by week summaries.

The first week of April 2014—beginning March 29– will see moderate crowds and high prices. The week beginning 4/5 will have a pre-Easter lull in crowds, but still high prices.

Because of spring break crowds, the week before Easter, beginning April 12, will see wildly high crowds and prices. The late Easter in 2014 means the week after Easter won’t be as bad as in recent years.

The week beginning April 26th will be wonderful.
[Read more →]

OVERVIEW: MARCH 2014 AT DISNEY WORLD

This page reviews March 2014 Walt Disney World crowds, prices, deals and discounts, weather, and operating hours; adds a few other notes; and ends with week by week summaries.

The first week of March 2014 will see low crowds and moderate prices. After then, the spring break crowds pour in to Disney World and prices jump up.

[Read more →]

OVERVIEW: FEBRUARY 2014 AT DISNEY WORLD

This page reviews February 2014 Walt Disney World crowds, prices, deals and discounts, weather, and operating hours; adds a few other notes; and ends with week by week summaries.

Early February 2014 will see low crowds, low prices, and the prospect of  ride closures.

The high crowds and prices of Presidents Day dominate the middle of the month, with rougher times beginning Thursday the 13th and continuing through Saturday the 22nd.

Crowds and prices diminish beginning the 23rd–though a massive convention in Orlando runs the 23rd through the 27th, promising to make hotel rooms scarce, and perhaps leading to some minor holdover crowds showing up in the parks beginning the afternoon of the 27th.

[Read more →]

DISNEY WORLD CROWDS FROM LATER DECEMBER 2013 TO EARLY JANUARY 2014

Disney World usually sees its highest crowds and prices of the year in the later third of December and the beginning of January, in the week that includes Christmas, and the next week that includes New Year’s Eve.

This is for a pretty basic reason: kids are out of school these weeks.

However, not every school district has the same break schedule.

In 2013/2014, more kids are out Christmas week than New Year’s week, but there’s still plenty enough on break New Year’s week to wildly crowd the parks…

SCHOOL BREAKS AND DISNEY WORLD CROWDS [Read more →]