We went to the 9/4 party. We had park reservations, Halloween Party tickets, an ADR at Tony's restaurant, Dessert Party tickets and a purchased ILL for Tron at 5:30PM. We took the bus from Old Key West. We arrived around 5:15PM.
The beginning was a little chaotic and unsure if we got incorrect information from a newer CM. We were walking past a very large group waiting to enter the park, this group was the guests who only had Halloween Party tickets and were waiting in line to get into the park. We walked around them since we had park reservations and there were shorter lines closer to the monorail area on the left for people with park reservations. As we were walking towards that area a CM blocked us and told us we couldn't go over to that area. We let him know that we had park reservations and again was told we couldn't go over to the area. Although there were other people going over to that area and being allowed in. We waited in the large group for about 10 minutes and saw another CM and asked if we were supposed to be in this group since we had park reservations. This CM said we could go over to the other area and we scanned into the park immediately.
After we scanned in we asked about getting wristbands and were told we needed to be in the other line with that large group to get them and that we could get them later. We walked over to Tron and was very surprised how dead it was. If you are wanting to walk right onto Tron whether purchasing an ILL or Virtual Queue this was the time to do it. We got over to Tron around 5:40PM and it was a complete walk on. Super easy, quick. There was no virtual queue group waiting either. I'm assuming it was so dead because the regular guests had to leave by 6PM.
After Tron we started back to the front of the Park to make our ADR at Tony's. After reading on the board about getting the wrists bands near Tomorrowland Terrace area we saw the sign to get wrists bands but there were not CM's there to hand them out. We only saw a line for people to get pic's near the Stitch area. We saw a large group of CM's on the other side of the street and walked over to ask about getting wrist bands and we were told to go back out to the front of the park to get them as the Tomorrowland area to get wrist bands were not opened yet. We couldn't wait as we had an ADR at Tony's so we headed to dinner.
We have never eaten at Tony's and had read a lot of negative reviews. I can say for us it was lovely. Very good food and great service. A CM came by while we were eating to ask if we were going to the party. We said yes and he said to make sure to get our wrist bands and told us we'd have to exit the park and enter the park again and then we'd get our wrist bands. We thought that was odd but ok.
After eating it was around 7PM and we walked to a CM directing traffic near the front of the park to ask about exiting and entering the park to get wrist bands. He said we wouldn't do that as that makes no sense and to go to the Tomorrowland area to get wrists bands. We were stopped three or four times on our way there by CM's checking why we didn't have wrist bands and politely explained we've been trying to get them since we entered the park at 5:30PM. LOL.
We made it back over to Tomorrowland area and saw the same sign about wrist bands and this time there were CM's handing them out after they scanned your magic band. There was no line and we got our wristbands and our trick or treat bags.
We saw long lines for meet and greets and the specialty food items. We decided to wait until 8:30-9PM to try the specialty food. We aren't character meet and greet people so that wasn't a priority. The longest line we encountered for specialty food was in Cosmic Rays. We got unlucky and the people in front of us ordered over $300 in food. I have no idea how many people were in their group but I have never seen so many drinks on a tray before. All we wanted to try was the Zombie Fingers which were were fantastic. You couldn't really taste the Almond but the key lime was awesome. Also tried the Sally Cake Pop and it was wonderful.
We checked into the Tomorrowland Terrace sit down Dessert Party at 9:10PM and got a prime table at the front. Great seats. The food was surprisingly very good. They had an Almond Cake Pop that was WOWZA. I do wish they had some savory items outside of cheese as I miss that from prior parties years ago. But it was worth it to us as being able to sit and enjoy the fireworks and not having to worry about not being able to see as we are super short.
We used
DAS several times and went into the LL for that. No issues. We rode on everything we wanted with very little wait times. We rode most rides after the fireworks and found the crowds really thinned out. We wanted to trick or treat more but were so stuffed from the dessert party we didn't partake. We left around 11:30PM and took a Minnie Van back to Old Key West. This was the first time we took a Minnie Van and price wasn't that bad. We loved talking to the CM driving and it was air conditioned and being picked up at the park rather than having to go to the TTC for a rideshare made the extra cost worth it after a long day in the park.
Overall a little chaotic in the beginning but we had a great time. We loved seeing all the wonderful costumes that people wore. Some very creative people.
