"Official" 2018 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - A Spooktacular Celebration!

[jenjersnap]

Wow, I cannot believe you counted it all, @MPLsDad! Very impressive haul!

 

[dachsie]

Holy cow! That's a haul of candy!

 

[ajh88]

For those who are there tonight, did anyone notice what time they did the switch-over for the special Halloween lighting/sound effects for PoTC, Tea Party and Space? I was planning on being at PoTC right at 7 pm to experience the special MNSSHP pirates, but would love to do it earlier if they switch over sooner. Thanks for any info!

I’m not sure about Pirates but Space switched over about 6:50 pm. We weren’t in the queue and they took the ride down for maybe 5-10 minutes. It came back up at 6:53 (I texted DH from line).

 

[CvilleDiane]

Agreed. The only SM overlay I’ve liked was hyperspace. I do feel like darker is better for SM, my daughter doesn’t care for how lit WDW SM is compared to DLR SM. But you are right, it isn’t an overlay.
I wonder if the SM change is only during the parties or if it is for the whole Halloween season? I’m just thinking about what to fast pass.

SM was normal during the day yesterday. The "overlay" was only during the party.

 

[scrappinginontario]

SM was normal during the day yesterday. The "overlay" was only during the party.

I’m not sure about Pirates but Space switched over about 6:50 pm. We weren’t in the queue and they took the ride down for maybe 5-10 minutes. It came back up at 6:53 (I texted DH from line).

Glad to hear both of these reports as we have FPs from 5:30-6:00 but don’t want to do the version with the party layover.

 

[bethbuchall]

This was our first MNSSHP. I am not a parade person, and I have to say that this parade was amazingly well done. The gravediggers stole the show; their routine was awesome! As first timers at this event, we were a little disoriented, and we thought the crowd level was very high.
Some of the candy lines were very long, and we had to skip some of them. The biggest disappointment of the event; the super long lines for the characters. Sadly, we did not have the ability to stand for over an hour for photos so we had to bypass every character. The 7 Dwarfs were hidden away in a tent, so we couldn't even see them. I feel strongly that due to the crowd levels, FP+ was needed especially for the characters. DGS has a DAS and cannot wait very long in lines so this became a problem last night.
We spent a good deal of time waiting in lines last night, even to buy the Halloween merchandise. Way too much waiting for a ticketed event. I don't know; maybe they oversold. We loved the parade and Hallowishes, but not overly impressed with much else.

This was my second MNSSHP and my husband’s and son’s first. We did have a great time, but I agree with how crowded it was. Last year my daughter and I practically walked on rides and through treat stations and felt little me we had room to walk around and observe without crowds pressing on us every moment. Last night felt packed almost everywhere. We don’t care about the characters, so at least we didn’t have those lines. I felt like I couldn’t even get near the merchandise. I will say that they were passing out handfuls of candy this year vs. the one or two pieces at each stop last year.

 

[ajh88]

Any update on where to buy headless horseman straw clip?

I got mine at Casey’s. You can mobile order it and skip the crazy line if you want. They may have been other places too but for sure there!

 

[ajh88]

I'm curious about this as well!

We did not stand in line, but Minnie, Daisy, and Donald were all three out in the Casey Jr splash area.

Storybook circus tent is taken over by the Dwarves (presumably do their super long line can be inside and in AC).

 

[Best Aunt]

Gogo Squeeze pouches were being distributed at the Trick or Treat station where you load for Tom Sawyer Island.

I missed that one.

 

[LoganBrown1990]

We did not stand in line, but Minnie, Daisy, and Donald were all three out in the Casey Jr splash area.

Great! Did you happen to notice if they were doing the same line for all three or if there was one line for Minnie and another for Donald/Daisy?

 

[elle101me]

I saw pics of it and videos on youtube.. I want it as well..

Somewhere I had seen a doom buggy from the haunted mansion being sold and when you pressed a button or something, it played some of the classic phrases from the attraction. It might not be special for Halloween, but I really want it! Did I make it up? Did anybody see it? If so, do you know where I can get one?

According to the cast member at Memento Mori last night, they came out about a week and a half ago and sold out immediately. I was bummed.

 

[Livelovedance]

I apologize if I’m answering questions that were already answered. I read through quickly to try to see which were answered already, but I might have missed some!

I’ve never shopped for party merchandise before. Is it a madhouse?
I was planning to go to Emporium right at 4.
Is Hocus Pocus spirit jersey in that main line?

(Edited to add: It wasn’t a madhouse at all when we went!)
Yes, the Hocus Pocus spirit jersey was in the main line, and when we got there (probably 7:40ish) there were plenty of them!

It sounds like SM had issues with the overlay and it was flat out not working. I wonder if someone can confirm, because if its just a soundtrack, i'll go during the day before the party and spend that time getting candy

I asked Guest Services if that was actually the space mountain overlay last night or if it was broken, as I've seen reports of both. I won't ride in the dark with DD7 when we go next month, so wanted to know for sure. FWIW MK guest services CM confirmed it was supposed to be dark. I'll keep an eye on reports from future parties because it's just one CM.

They had a sign posted as you entered the line stating that it would be in complete darkness (I’m not sure if those were the exact words used).

At one point Cruella was back by Be Our Guest with no line (close to the end of the party) and she was a hoot to watch.

Just wanted to mention, we got photos with Winnie the Pooh and friends and were towards the end of their first set. We also saw Cruella in the walkway behind the carousel that leads to Be Our Guest with no line.

 

[ajh88]

I’ll add our 2 cents worth. We’ve been going to the parties since 2008. Last night was the most crowded I’ve ever seen BUT it’s also the only sold out one we have attended. We would not have chosen the first party but timing wise it was the only option.

Overlays - I thought Pirates was “meh” - I guess I had built it up more in my mind. It wasn’t something I’d wait a long time to do again but we always ride it during the party anyway. Tea Cups was fun with the lighting and music (it wasn’t spooky per se but not the normal soundtrack) and I loved Space, although I didn’t hear much over my screaming. It is *pitch*black*. I couldn’t see my daughter in front of me. Yes, it was jarring and jerky, as always, but that was probably my favorite ride on Space ever. **They did do rider swap for Space. The first CM said they were only doing manual swap but by the time DD and I rode, they were doing MagicBand FP. The CM let DH and DD into the line, thankfully. And agree with the PP’s about HM - easily the best party specific upgrades that they’ve done for years! My take on thr “overlays” is that they have to be something easily turned on and off to keep them party specific so perhaps that is why they aren’t as elaborate as my imagination made them.

Candy lines - long but moved fast. Even in super long lines (I’m looking at you Carousel of Progress) were less than 5 minutes. Generous handfuls everywhere we went too.

Character lines - LONG. We knew to expect it and Moana was our only must do. We waited a bit over an hour and finished with her before the party officially started. I wanted to see Stitch but his line looked bananas.

Parade and fireworks were on point as always. We walked up and got a spot on Main St near the bakery for the fireworks about 10 minutes before they started. Then slid over and got a curb seat for the parade.

Waits and crowds did not seem to decrease by much as the party wore on - maybe because it was a Friday or the first party, or both.

We had a good time but did not feel as prepared as we had for past parties. I do wish they offered some sort of Fastpass type system for the character meets at the parties, but other than that, I’m sure we will be back!

 

[ajh88]

Great! Did you happen to notice if they were doing the same line for all three or if there was one line for Minnie and another for Donald/Daisy?

I’m sorry - I didn’t look closely enough. DH says he thought it looked like Minnie has one line and the Ducks had another but take it with a grain of salt!

 

[Haley R]

Anyone know what the LE magic band effects are?

 

[coolingjupiter]

According to the cast member at Memento Mori last night, they came out about a week and a half ago and sold out immediately. I was bummed.

Ugh! Not surprising, though! Thank you!

 

[mamapenguin]

We always go on a Tuesday. I avoid weekend parties as that’s typically when the locals go too! Not sure it would be a super significant difference but I would still wager a Friday being more crowded than Tuesday. Historically it usually is.

That’s funny because the locals I know have tickets to Tuesday parties....

 

[abnihon]

I’ll add our 2 cents worth. We’ve been going to the parties since 2008. Last night was the most crowded I’ve ever seen BUT it’s also the only sold out one we have attended. We would not have chosen the first party but timing wise it was the only option.

Overlays - I thought Pirates was “meh” - I guess I had built it up more in my mind. It wasn’t something I’d wait a long time to do again but we always ride it during the party anyway. Tea Cups was fun with the lighting and music (it wasn’t spooky per se but not the normal soundtrack) and I loved Space, although I didn’t hear much over my screaming. It is *pitch*black*. I couldn’t see my daughter in front of me. Yes, it was jarring and jerky, as always, but that was probably my favorite ride on Space ever. **They did do rider swap for Space. The first CM said they were only doing manual swap but by the time DD and I rode, they were doing MagicBand FP. The CM let DH and DD into the line, thankfully. And agree with the PP’s about HM - easily the best party specific upgrades that they’ve done for years! My take on thr “overlays” is that they have to be something easily turned on and off to keep them party specific so perhaps that is why they aren’t as elaborate as my imagination made them.

Candy lines - long but moved fast. Even in super long lines (I’m looking at you Carousel of Progress) were less than 5 minutes. Generous handfuls everywhere we went too.

Character lines - LONG. We knew to expect it and Moana was our only must do. We waited a bit over an hour and finished with her before the party officially started. I wanted to see Stitch but his line looked bananas.

Parade and fireworks were on point as always. We walked up and got a spot on Main St near the bakery for the fireworks about 10 minutes before they started. Then slid over and got a curb seat for the parade.

Waits and crowds did not seem to decrease by much as the party wore on - maybe because it was a Friday or the first party, or both.

We had a good time but did not feel as prepared as we had for past parties. I do wish they offered some sort of Fastpass type system for the character meets at the parties, but other than that, I’m sure we will be back!

That’s my plan with Moana - to get in line about 5:45 and be done by 7.
Good to hear it’s doable!

 

[Dug720]

I’ll add our 2 cents worth. We’ve been going to the parties since 2008. Last night was the most crowded I’ve ever seen BUT it’s also the only sold out one we have attended. We would not have chosen the first party but timing wise it was the only option.

Overlays - I thought Pirates was “meh” - I guess I had built it up more in my mind. It wasn’t something I’d wait a long time to do again but we always ride it during the party anyway. Tea Cups was fun with the lighting and music (it wasn’t spooky per se but not the normal soundtrack) and I loved Space, although I didn’t hear much over my screaming. It is *pitch*black*. I couldn’t see my daughter in front of me. Yes, it was jarring and jerky, as always, but that was probably my favorite ride on Space ever. **They did do rider swap for Space. The first CM said they were only doing manual swap but by the time DD and I rode, they were doing MagicBand FP. The CM let DH and DD into the line, thankfully. And agree with the PP’s about HM - easily the best party specific upgrades that they’ve done for years! My take on thr “overlays” is that they have to be something easily turned on and off to keep them party specific so perhaps that is why they aren’t as elaborate as my imagination made them.

Candy lines - long but moved fast. Even in super long lines (I’m looking at you Carousel of Progress) were less than 5 minutes. Generous handfuls everywhere we went too.

Character lines - LONG. We knew to expect it and Moana was our only must do. We waited a bit over an hour and finished with her before the party officially started. I wanted to see Stitch but his line looked bananas.

Parade and fireworks were on point as always. We walked up and got a spot on Main St near the bakery for the fireworks about 10 minutes before they started. Then slid over and got a curb seat for the parade.

Waits and crowds did not seem to decrease by much as the party wore on - maybe because it was a Friday or the first party, or both.

We had a good time but did not feel as prepared as we had for past parties. I do wish they offered some sort of Fastpass type system for the character meets at the parties, but other than that, I’m sure we will be back!

Thanks for the info - especially about Moana. Meeting her is my primary goal - did you line up at 4? (She, the parade, and the fireworks are my only must-dos. Well, and having fun. Haunted Mansion is up there also. Everything else is pretty optional for me.)

 

[nicky89]

I apologize if I’m answering questions that were already answered. I read through quickly to try to see which were answered already, but I might have missed some!


(Edited to add: It wasn’t a madhouse at all when we went!)
Yes, the Hocus Pocus spirit jersey was in the main line, and when we got there (probably 7:40ish) there were plenty of them!




They had a sign posted as you entered the line stating that it would be in complete darkness (I’m not sure if those were the exact words used).



Just wanted to mention, we got photos with Winnie the Pooh and friends and were towards the end of their first set. We also saw Cruella in the walkway behind the carousel that leads to Be Our Guest with no line.

What time did you get in line for pooh? It’s the only character we want to do and want an idea of when to get in line. Thanks