24-Hour Day 2015 Tips

[Ashe]

I have a costume question for y'all. I've been to several of the Halloween parties over the years, and I never need an excuse to hit the parks in costume, but this is the first "Disney side" event I've gone to. While I didn't see any restrictions beyond the usual weapons/masks/appropriateness stuff, should I be sticking to Disney characters/properties for a costume? Do you see many people dressing up as non-Disney stuff for these? From the photos I can find online of prior events, it looks like there's going to be a much lower density of costumed park-goers for this than an MNSSHP, so I realize I'm going to stick out a bit more than I'm used to, and that's fine...but I don't want to completely "miss the point" and show up in a costume way off-theme.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I have a costume question for y'all. I've been to several of the Halloween parties over the years, and I never need an excuse to hit the parks in costume, but this is the first "Disney side" event I've gone to. While I didn't see any restrictions beyond the usual weapons/masks/appropriateness stuff, should I be sticking to Disney characters/properties for a costume? Do you see many people dressing up as non-Disney stuff for these? From the photos I can find online of prior events, it looks like there's going to be a much lower density of costumed park-goers for this than an MNSSHP, so I realize I'm going to stick out a bit more than I'm used to, and that's fine...but I don't want to completely "miss the point" and show up in a costume way off-theme.

I think most people stick to Disney. What were you thinking?

 

[SwimChicSQ]

I'm disappointed I want to meet Sven...and yet NO SVEN! At least we have some info! Hope to see more soon

 

[CookieGVB]

Last year the characters were not announced until the Monday before the event, so there is still plenty of time. Disney has already confirmed they'll be in pajamas at the dance parties.

Anybody know if the Disney Channel grand marshals are for both parades, or just the 3:00? I'm seeing conflicting reports.

According to the Disney blog,
there are no special characters scheduled for meet and greets. That kind of bites but at the same time I don't want to spend 6 or 7 hours on 2 character meets because they're "special".

 

[AngiTN]

I have a costume question for y'all. I've been to several of the Halloween parties over the years, and I never need an excuse to hit the parks in costume, but this is the first "Disney side" event I've gone to. While I didn't see any restrictions beyond the usual weapons/masks/appropriateness stuff, should I be sticking to Disney characters/properties for a costume? Do you see many people dressing up as non-Disney stuff for these? From the photos I can find online of prior events, it looks like there's going to be a much lower density of costumed park-goers for this than an MNSSHP, so I realize I'm going to stick out a bit more than I'm used to, and that's fine...but I don't want to completely "miss the point" and show up in a costume way off-theme.

While most do stick to Disney characters you are not required to

 

[StLDisFan]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-...coolest-summer-a-guide-to-24-hours-at-disney/

Just a fun little article to get ya in the mood! Hope everyone's plans are coming along; I can't wait to party with everyone next week! "Training" today by staying up for 24 hours (movie marathon anyone?)

Going shopping for my Christopher Robin outfit tomorrow and looking over my itinerary for the trip. Getting really excited!!

 

[WeatherbySwann]

According to the Disney blog,
there are no special characters scheduled for meet and greets. That kind of bites but at the same time I don't want to spend 6 or 7 hours on 2 character meets because they're "special".

Yeah, I saw that. Bummer! That's the only reason I could think of, as well... maybe they don't want a ton of guests frustrated or dissatisfied with their event because of bad/long meet & greet experience. That's what gave Villains Unleashed such a bad reputation at DHS last year too.

 

[Minniekins]

I'm wondering if there is really anything Frozen themed about this 24 hr day. They advertised it as a Frozen kick off to the Coolest Summer Ever, and the other day it was released that Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf will be at the opening ceremonies, but that's all I've seen or read about that is Frozen themed about this event. I could see them having Frozen themed treats still, but wondering what's up otherwise. My DD24 really is excited to come for the 24 hr day, and especially so because of the announced theme(we aren't tired of Frozen yet, as it's not a constant in our daily lives, lol), and me too, but now I'm getting a bit disappointed. I was hoping for at least some meet and greets they don't usually have, particularly Kristoff and of course, Olaf! If there's no theme, then say that, but I don't like a 'lets hook on the Frozen train', then not do anything Frozen related, other than open the event. Oh and a movie sing along, meh, can do that anytime. Anyone else care about this or not so much, lol? No flames for being a Frozen fan, lol!

I'm hoping maybe the blog was just meaning no character meets 'announced at this time' and maybe, like last year there will be character announcement on Monday! I can hope a few more days, right, who knows?!

 

[StLDisFan]

@Minniekins honestly not trying to sound pedantic but the Parks blog mentioned a few other Frozen events as well:

• Once things cool down in Tomorrowland, Rockettower Plaza switches gears for sing-along screenings of Disney’s “Frozen” from midnight – 4 a.m.
  
• There’s even more “Frozen” fun in store, when Olaf, Kristoff, Anna and Elsa put Magic Kingdom Park “on ice” with pre-parade appearances just ahead of the 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. performances of the Main Street Electrical Parade.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...-hours-of-entertainment-at-magic-kingdompark/

Again, not sure if there were more specifics you were looking for. I know these additions aren't exactly meet and greets with characters, but the "on ice" pre-parade appearance sounds intriguing...

And I am sure the Frozen-themed snacks will be out and probably Frozen/24 hour event merchandise too. And hopefully for the character fans out there Disney will make an announcement about Olaf and Kristoff meet ups (and for my sake, to alleviate crowds for rides throughout the event).

It is a bit annoying that they haven't mentioned ALL of the details. Wish they would just put it all out there for us. There is quite a bit going on though throughout the day, just unfortunate for me that none of it really seems that interesting (except maybe those "stiltwalkers and lots of fun party people" hahah). But hey 24 hours in the park?? I'll take it!

 

[Al_Pal]

Hi! Reading all of these tips is getting me so excited for next week (I can't believe it is in 7 days!!). For anyone that has done the 24 hour day in the past: I need advice/have a couple of questions. We have 6:15am ADR for CP....do you know if they will let us into the park before 6:00am? Also will we miss prime time to do stuff while we are eating that early? (We are going to celebrate my 22nd birthday so I don't want to miss out on getting the special merchandise or anything because we were eating). Also we are staying at the art of animation but using tickets from 1996 (yes we found them in my baby book) and have verified with disney that they are still valid but because they are so old, we cannot link them to our magic bands. This will not let us reserve ANY fast past + . So will we be able to do stuff even if we don't get them, it is starting to stress me out!! Any advice is helpful at this point...Thanks!

 

[CookieGVB]

Did anyone look ahead at the weather forecast? Mid-90s?!? We are all going to have to try very hard to think cool thoughts that day!

 

[jgasko]

If there is another time for CP, I would change the ADR. While there will be a bunch of people there for the opening show, it will be less crowded at 6;15 than say 8:15 or 9:15. I would use that time to grab a couple of rides and enjoy the park while it is not too crowded. I would guess they would not let you in earlier than 6.

Are you local or driving/flying in? When do you get in? I would try to get the tickets swapped before friday morning, from my understanding, you need to go to guest relations and have the tickets changed to a new ticket, which may mean you would not make your ADR. So the sooner you can get the ticket changed, the sooner you can try to book FP+ ( I mentioned earlier, I like the idea of getting the earliest fastpasses available and then when they are done, go to the kiosk and keep grabbing one more throughout the day) and will make the morning easier, less stressful, more enjoyable.

 

[WEDWDW]

According to the Disney blog,
there are no special characters scheduled for meet and greets. That kind of bites but at the same time I don't want to spend 6 or 7 hours on 2 character meets because they're "special".

I guess the Disney Channel Stars are "taking the place" of rare Characters this year.

While DC fans will be a small segment of the overall attendance,the long list of "A-List" DCStars appearing will certainly be "nirvana" for the DC fans.

 

[StLDisFan]

Hi! Reading all of these tips is getting me so excited for next week (I can't believe it is in 7 days!!). For anyone that has done the 24 hour day in the past: I need advice/have a couple of questions. We have 6:15am ADR for CP....do you know if they will let us into the park before 6:00am? Also will we miss prime time to do stuff while we are eating that early? (We are going to celebrate my 22nd birthday so I don't want to miss out on getting the special merchandise or anything because we were eating). Also we are staying at the art of animation but using tickets from 1996 (yes we found them in my baby book) and have verified with disney that they are still valid but because they are so old, we cannot link them to our magic bands. This will not let us reserve ANY fast past + . So will we be able to do stuff even if we don't get them, it is starting to stress me out!! Any advice is helpful at this point...Thanks!

I haven't done the event in the past (so perhaps don't take my advice too seriously), but from what I have gathered here and on youtube is that you don't want to miss the first hour or two of the park opening. With the opening show, the sunrise (a rarity at Disney parks), access to unique merchandise and snacks and really short lines for most rides (popular attractions will probably build lines quickly), and what seems like a really special "vibe", it seems like your 6:15 adr would hamper some/most/all of those things. Sorry, not trying to sound dramatic, because I am sure simply being there, plus a CP breakfast (my fav! I'll be there at 7:40am) would be great too.

I would make a decision though about the things that are most important to you and what your goals for the day are. CP breakfast? Short ride lines? 24 hr special events? Looking at CP right now, they don't seem to have later availability; however, if you are okay with leaving the event (aka if 24 hours straight in the park is not a goal), Whispering Canyon (a personal breakfast fav behind CP and Boma) has tons of availability for breakfast and is only a pleasant boat ride away. You could also look at the Poly or GF for breakfast options at around 9:30-10:30 when the park will start getting a little more crowded and you will have already taken in the morning festivities.

Also I not an expert on tickets, someone else would have to help you there. However, IF you can't make FPs for the day, those early morning hours would be prime time for rides; with 7DMT having long lines immediately and probably being ~40-60 minutes at its slowest during the event, I would make the morning rush with everyone else and tackle that, maybe pay attention to wait times and hit up another big attraction (or two) and add a few short wait ones, head out for a late breakfast outside the park, come back and enjoy less popular rides during the day and finally hitting up the popular rides again in the early morning.

This is not to say you couldn't keep the ADR at CP and still have fun though! Just depends on your goals for the day...

 

[StLDisFan]

Did anyone look ahead at the weather forecast? Mid-90s?!? We are all going to have to try very hard to think cool thoughts that day!

The other day when I checked it was 96. Today? 95. I guess that is an improvement?!?! Now I need to pack some extra patience(and sunblock) for the trip ...

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

The other day when I checked it was 96. Today? 95. I guess that is an improvement?!?! Now I need to pack some extra patience(and sunblock) for the trip ...

Weather.com seems to be the only one showing 96 degrees. Accuweather and WESH and other local channels have it in the low 90's...So that is more normal for end of May with like a 40% chance of T storms..I keep thinking weather.com will change the forecast ,but they have not....I hope everyone else is right!! I like the heat, but that will be tough during this 24 hour party... We do not plan to stay the whole time..
We are arriving 5:45am and then heading out by noon. Hoping they have an early afternoon parade and then heading to the resort for rest and swim time.
Coming back about 7pm....Dinner at BOG at 8:30 pm while it is ridiculously crazy on Mainstreet right before WISHESS! Skipping all that jazz!
Last 24 hour party we went too for the Monstrous summer it was grid lock and just crazy crowds before Wishes. This time enjoying a relaxing dinner while all that is happening.
We have a meet and greet with Elsa and Anna at 10:30pm and then head to Starbucks for double espresso and then ready to take on the night till 6 am!! So excited!! We arrive on Tuesday!! I can hardly stand it!!

Hey StlDisFan...We are from St Louis too!! I just noticed that in your Dis Board name.
When are you headed down to Disney??

 

[StLDisFan]

Weather.com seems to be the only one showing 96 degrees. Accuweather and WESH and other local channels have it in the low 90's...So that is more normal for end of May with like a 40% chance of T storms..I keep thinking weather.com will change the forecast ,but they have not....I hope everyone else is right!! I like the heat, but that will be tough during this 24 hour party... We do not plan to stay the whole time..
We are arriving 5:45am and then heading out by noon. Hoping they have an early afternoon parade and then heading to the resort for rest and swim time.
Coming back about 7pm....Dinner at BOG at 8:30 pm while it is ridiculously crazy on Mainstreet right before WISHESS! Skipping all that jazz!
Last 24 hour party we went too for the Monstrous summer it was grid lock and just crazy crowds before Wishes. This time enjoying a relaxing dinner while all that is happening.
We have a meet and greet with Elsa and Anna at 10:30pm and then head to Starbucks for double espresso and then ready to take on the night till 6 am!! So excited!! We arrive on Tuesday!! I can hardly stand it!!

I noticed the lower end of the weather too, I am just trying to prepare for the worst I guess. 96 with probably a "will feel like" 100+ Gotta take it into consideration I suppose. I will be a hot, sweaty mess regardless, but it will definitely affect people's plans. If I wasn't adamant about staying in the park for 24 hours straight, I think that 95 degree weather would be enough incentive for my first ever dip in the resort pool

There is FoF parade at noon but the second parade at 3pm will have those extra Disney characters at it (if that matters to you). But your plans sound great!

This is also just another bump in the thread for it, but....

There will be an unofficial mini-meet up for Wishes. If you have a FP for Wishes, I will be in FP West, in front of Casey's in the back corner next to Main Street. I plan to grab a waffle and head over there at ~8pm (if they allow us in at that time). I will be bounding as Christopher Robin and will have some camera gear with a lime green Mickey tag. Come join me/us if you would like and share in the experience!

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

I noticed the lower end of the weather too, I am just trying to prepare for the worst I guess. 96 with probably a "will feel like" 100+ Gotta take it into consideration I suppose. I will be a hot, sweaty mess regardless, but it will definitely affect people's plans. If I wasn't adamant about staying in the park for 24 hours straight, I think that 95 degree weather would be enough incentive for my first ever dip in the resort pool

There is FoF parade at noon but the second parade at 3pm will have those extra Disney characters at it (if that matters to you). But your plans sound great!

This is also just another bump in the thread for it, but....

There will be an unofficial mini-meet up for Wishes. If you have a FP for Wishes, I will be in FP West, in front of Casey's in the back corner next to Main Street. I plan to grab a waffle and head over there at ~8pm (if they allow us in at that time). I will be bounding as Christopher Robin and will have some camera gear with a lime green Mickey tag. Come join me/us if you would like and share in the experience!

So are you from St Louis too?? I see your board name StlDisFan? We are from about 50 miles south of St Louis, but I work in the city at Washington University. When are you headed to Disney? We leave Tuesday as soon as DD is done with her morning finals at school. Last day of school! yay!!! Snow days were beginning to worry me...
I will see about the Wishes meet, but I doubt it cause we have dinner at BOG at 8:30.
I am bounding as Belle and my daughter is bounding at Rapunzel! In the evening when we go to dinner anyway.... We plan to change into comfy clothes after midnight. I hope to rent a locker in the morning....
Yes it will be hot no matter what! We do plan to swim some that afternoon at AOA. First time checking out that resort. Excited!
We will probably skip the 3pm parade and just do the one at noon. I just want to see the dragon and I will be happy!

 

[StLDisFan]

So are you from St Louis too?? I see your board name StlDisFan? We are from about 50 miles south of St Louis, but I work in the city at Washington University. When are you headed to Disney? We leave Tuesday as soon as DD is done with her morning finals at school. Last day of school! yay!!! Snow days were beginning to worry me...
I will see about the Wishes meet, but I doubt it cause we have dinner at BOG at 8:30.
I am bounding as Belle and my daughter is bounding at Rapunzel! In the evening when we go to dinner anyway.... We plan to change into comfy clothes after midnight. I hope to rent a locker in the morning....
Yes it will be hot no matter what! We do plan to swim some that afternoon at AOA. First time checking out that resort. Excited!
We will probably skip the 3pm parade and just do the one at noon. I just want to see the dragon and I will be happy!

Yup! I live in the city, not too far from Wash U actually (that's quite the commute, by the way; I can barely stand my 25 miles to work). Unfortunately, I have to work until Thursday night, catching the last flight out of StL and checking in around midnight. Definitely gearing up for a no-sleep-til-I'm-dead vacation! There will be multiple "red-eyes" consumed from the MS Starbucks next Friday

And yeah an 8:30 BOG ADR would definitely rule out Wishes (who knows, maybe they will surprise us with a second showing of Wishes), although it's great that you got the ADR! One day I will get to have dinner there... I did score a breakfast ADR there later in the trip though, so I guess that's a decent trade off.

Love the bounding ideas! It is such a simple way to get into the spirit of the day. But since I am a stubborn man, I will probably just lug all my camera gear around the park with me all day and maybe pack an extra tshirt into the bag.

And while I haven't stayed at AoA (no family and Little Mermaid themed rooms don't appeal), I have visited the resort. It is AMAZING! I hope you enjoy it

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Yup! I live in the city, not too far from Wash U actually (that's quite the commute, by the way; I can barely stand my 25 miles to work). Unfortunately, I have to work until Thursday night, catching the last flight out of StL and checking in around midnight. Definitely gearing up for a no-sleep-til-I'm-dead vacation! There will be multiple "red-eyes" consumed from the MS Starbucks next Friday

And yeah an 8:30 BOG ADR would definitely rule out Wishes (who knows, maybe they will surprise us with a second showing of Wishes), although it's great that you got the ADR! One day I will get to have dinner there... I did score a breakfast ADR there later in the trip though, so I guess that's a decent trade off.

Love the bounding ideas! It is such a simple way to get into the spirit of the day. But since I am a stubborn man, I will probably just lug all my camera gear around the park with me all day and maybe pack an extra tshirt into the bag.

And while I haven't stayed at AoA (no family and Little Mermaid themed rooms don't appeal), I have visited the resort. It is AMAZING! I hope you enjoy it

I was about to dump a 130 lunch bog ADR for the 24 hour day if you'd like to try to coordinate.