So I'm sure your all familiar with A Nightmare Before Christmas, well you know the part when the clock strikes midnight on Halloween and the mayor immediately starts the countdown for next years festivities..... well thats me!
Halloween is the one time of year that I feel alive and ready to explore everything Disney offers! A Halloween trip is a tradition for me and my friends, we have planned one for the last six years! Each trip is always carefully planned so we can squeeze in every last pumpkin and character in a fun costume.
Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party is the one night where there is so many spooky offerings and not enough time! Well six years is a long time to perfect your plans and with my full proof plan I always manage to get everything I need done and heres how I do it!
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Tip 1: Arrive Early
Most party goers should be made aware that with their MNSSHP ticket they are allowed into the parks at 4:00 p.m and the party starts at 7:00.
Before the party starts there are a few things I like to do. I make sure to eat a good meal thats going to fill me up. (Once the party starts you don't want to stop to sit and eat, it will just waste your time) I'm not saying don't eat at all but instead I like to snack with all of the fun snacks they create for the party, which ill come back to in a few.
I also like to get most of my pictures taken in the beginning (at least some castle/ main street shots) because with the florida weather and running around the park you probably wont look as perfect as you did when you come in. If you do teach me your secrets!
Then from an hour to half hour before the party begins (based on the crowds) I grab my wristband for the party at a designated station and I get in line for my first character!The character you hop in line for should either be one of the big ticket characters or your absolute favorite that you know you can not miss! Normally people choose Jack and Sally since there line can be as long as 3 hours.
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Tip 2: The Parades and Shows
When it comes to seeing MY FAVORITE parade ever I don't mess around. I strongly believe that this is the best parade that Disney puts on but I could be bias! So the parks always do two during the party. I enjoy going to the second one because it is less crowded and you don't have to go to early to save a god seat, but again base that off of the crowds you see.
While many people go to the first parade this is when I go to the back of the park and hit some other big ticket characters like the Seven Dwarfs, Gaston and Belle or Eric and Ariel
For the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular I LOVE going to the Midnight show. It doesn't have a lot of people since most families are making there way out of the park. BUT check the weather if you went on a night with a chance of rain then id go sooner rather than later.
***The parade route is the same as it is during the day, It kicks off in Frontierland and ends down Main Street ***
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Tip 3: Trick or Treating
So I'm not a huge candy person but I love hitting the trick or treat trails, I get the candy and give it to family and friends.
The bags they give you are normally tiny plastic ones, I have seen people bring there own and use them. I don't think there are any rules against this!
Since I'm not a huge candy fan I enjoy asking the cast members for allergy coins. You can redeem the coins at the end of the night for some allergy candy and most of the time they have these fun little art sets (super hard to explain) but its cool. So I do this from time to time.
**When trick or treating look for the cast members in their party costumes and the giant light up Mickey pumpkins!**
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Tip 4: Character Meet and Greets
Besides the parade I go to the halloween party for the awesome character meet and greets! The characters are always dressed up in there not so scary halloween outfits and they are so cute!
There are some characters that are out during the party that you can meet anytime like Goofy is in his park outfit, Buzz Lightyear the princesses etc. Don't waste your time meeting them they'll be in the parks all day go before if you can!
The big Ticket characters that have long lines are Jack and Sally (if there a must then you go straight for them first) Jack Sparrow, Pooh & Friends, Alice and Friends, The Seven Dwarfs and the Fab Five normally have the longest lines from what I see.
I see all the characters that I want to see, I'm really not sure if its luck or skill but heres my usual roundabout.
I start with Jack Sparrow, then head to Tarzan Jane and Terk.
From there I skip across to Alice and Friends by the teacups, and then keep moving toward fantasyland. Ill hit Cruella, Gaston and Belle next. From here I go grab snacks and ill peak at Lotso's Line and meet him. By now the fireworks are starting which I actually like watching from Fantasyland since no one is in the back of the park. During the fireworks Ill meet the dwarfs and right as they are ending I head to Pooh and friends. Now its time to go grab some seats for the parade. My friends and I will hit a few trails for some treats and grab seats. After the parade I check back to fantasy land for Donald and Daisy and hit any characters with the shortest lines at this point. Finally ending the night watching the hocus pocus show!
I promise it works and heres some pictures to prove it !
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Tip 5: Snacking
This year Disney put out so many amazing options fro spooky treats. I really enjoy snacking as I'm waiting for the shows so during the shows while were waiting for it to start we trade off with friends and family to grab all the fun snacks.
**Here is the link to the Disney Food Blog which has a list of all the snacks available at the party this year! Click Below**
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Tip 6: Merchandise
Buy your merchandise at the end of the night! The shops on Main Street always stay open for an hour after the park closes. So take your time and shop all your spooky needs! Make sure to ask for the exclusive pins and merch especially if your an annual passholder!
** Here is a look at all the merchandise that is exclusive to the Halloween Parties Click Below ***
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I hope these tips help! I do understand that its hard sometimes to navigate your way around the party, but I hope this all make sense to you. I always get everything on my list done and then some by following these tips. I hope it does the same for you!
Get your tickets to MNSSHP Here:
Stay Spooky!
Nicole Ashley
Instagram: @myadventurebook__
Facebook: @myadventuregear
Email: NicoleAshleyArt92@gmail.com