Open thread and FB/IG friends know it’s been a tough week for my family. (Friend of the family in catastrophic accident & I’ve been laid up with back pain & DH has been traveling.) Put that together with someone who has lost her love of planning and I’m looking at a party night in 9 days and 12% of a plan.
I have tickets for 8/13 MNSSHP for me and my DDs 20 & 18. It’s possible DD18 won’t be joining us as it’s her best friend in ICU.
Plan is drive to area 8/11 staying ?someplace? (I’ll Priceline something off property that day) overnight.
8/11-8/13 All-Star Sports
8/11 Typhoon Lagoon and DS
8/12 mini golf and MNSSHP
8/13 Topolino’s and head home.
I have no idea how to attack MNSSHP.
DD20 is my Disneyphile and she will be looking for Vloggers after first party 8/9. I will not have time.
Only goals - Parade & Fireworks.
DD20 wants to meet Jack and Sally again (did in 2019 MVMVP).
I want to try Tron & ride 7DMT & PP.
I used to be a super planner when I had a big crew and lots of “must do’s.” I have lost my passion and edge. Y’all helped me plan USO in 2022 (@bebe80 & @ryan1 all but dictated our steps IIRC).
Anyone want to boss me around? Please?
Its a long way to drive and a lot of money to spend to walk around aimlessly.
If the unthinkable happens we won’t go. But we are prayerful DD’s friend keeps taking baby-steps toward recovery.
We aren’t dressing up or even DisneyBounding this time.
So sorry to hear about your family friend! That is so tough for everyone involved.
I have never been to MNSSHP so I’m not the best source of information on that. But it looks you have a perfectly balanced trip planned! Great way to make maximum use of the park time you have.
The only thing I can offer is that meeting Jack & Sally is a huge time suck. If you can eliminate that as a must-do, you will be able to do a lot more. If it really is essential, then hopefully someone else can offer assistance. Perhaps being among the first in line helps?
My understanding is that MNSSHP is a great time to ride rides since most people prioritize Meet & Greats, entertainment, candy, and snacks. Getting on Tron, 7DMT, and PPF should be a cinch. I can’t remember if they use a VQ for Tron, but if so it would be specific to the party, meaning in theory it should be easier to snag a BG. Hopefully someone else can swoop in to answer that.
I have not done MNSSHP, but have done MVMCP, which would have similarities. Since we don’t care two hoots about characters, our focus was on the parade, the fireworks, and the rides…stopping for snacks along the way. We were able to get a lot done, and thoroughly enjoyed our time. We weren’t trying to do it all, but wanted to just take in the vibe.
One nice thing was that @PrincipalTinker was there the same night we were, so she texted us a few times to give a little insider information as to what was (or wasn’t) happening in the part of the park she was in. She also found a great spot to watch the fireworks, and so we met up with her there. If you know of anyone else going the same night, it could be fun/helpful to do the same kind of thing while not necessarily planning to hang out for the entire event.
I would suggest not trying to make the party just about getting as many rides done as possible. That can be a secondary goal…but take time to smell then roses, as it were. We normally aren’t parade people, but the parade was one of our favorite things we did that night. There was an almost electric, party vibe in the crowd. Everyone around us wasn’t just watching, but having a good time.
I’m so sorry to hear about DD’s best friend. Praying for recovery and minimal long lasting issues. I hope your back gets better so you’re not laid up anymore. I have issues with mine too, and try to do regular stretching.
Try your best to enjoy your time at WDW with your DDs. Sounds like a fun little trip!
@QwertySC , I am so sorry for everything that is going on! I am sending you and your family hugs!
If Jack and Sally are a priority, I would do that first. I would get in line when you enter at 4.
Tron and 7DMT will both have standby. I would save them for as late as possible (maybe do one during the 2nd parade if you see the first). I hate to say it but I think PP is reopening on the 21st.
I always do the first parade. I watch in front of Country Bears. On my way over there I check the old FP fireworks viewing area. I ask the CM if they are allowing guests in any part of that area for viewing. Last year there were reports they were not, but I would still check. If they are, go there immediately after the parade, watch any castle shows, and then fireworks. If it is no, I would look to @JJT’s viewing area.
Watch the weather for the parade. The headless horseman will not ride on wet ground.
So sorry about DD’s friend. I hope she continues making progress.
I can’t help with party planning. I see @PrincipalTinker has already said the only thing I could have suggested - getting in line for the meet&greet as soon as you enter the park. I’ve always read that lines grow fast before the party starts.
Other than that I can only wish you a well-deserved respite trip.
Since Tron will be only standby during the party, you could try to grab a VQ at 7 am or pay for a LLSP and use them between 4 and 6. They’ve loosened up on riding Tron during the VQ return window. Otherwise you just wait in the standby line during the party.
I’m so sorry to hear about all that’s going on. Virtual hugs to you.
As far as MNSSHP, if you are in line at MK by 3:15ish, you will be inside just before 4:00. Last year, I went straight to COP because I love it and wanted to cool off in the A/C. I then went to Space Mt and Buzz and then ate before 6:00. Then did party specific pictures, shows, fireworks and the parade twice.
If you want to meet Jack and Sally, I’d go straight to that line when entering the park by 4:00. I plan to be in line for either Tron or TBA just after 6pm and hit the other one at the end of the night just before midnight. For you, I’d go to Tron around 6pm since the virtual queue will be cleared out and then get in line for 7DMT just before midnight for the shortest lines.
I’d watch the first parade and be there about 20-25 minutes before it starts with a snack in hand so that you can get a decent spot and see the headless horseman. I’d do the first parade in case something happens that the second parade doesn’t have the horseman or it gets cancelled or shortened. I watched in Liberty Square and it was perfect. I got to see the Cadaver Dan’s and the Country Bears dance around while waiting for the first parade.
I went solo last year and didn’t have any problem getting a spot for the fireworks just across from Casey’s Corner about 15 minutes before the fireworks.
I’d hit PP right after fireworks. Last year I went right to HM after fireworks and it was great since they had closed down that area near the carousel and were just letting people back in that area. I’d guess PP would be the same.
I did some of this but enjoyed it. I was able to just take it all in, walking past characters just to see them, hitting a few candy stops, and stopping to smell the roses.
It sounds like you have your priorities and it will be easy enough to hit those. Anything else you accomplish will be icing on the cake.
I went the first week of October and it was so hot. I just wore a Minnie Halloween t-shirt. While there were people dressed up or Halloween themed, there were just as many who didn’t dress up. August is hot. Just dress for the weather.
While you seem bummed right now, maybe this will be the trip you need at the time you leave.
I was solo at the party last year in October. Tron was VQ at 6:00. I forgot about it, but still managed to get one at 6:05. It was called super late, well after the first parade and shortly before the second. It made touring/trick or treating a bit tricky. I suggest getting in line ASAP iso you don’t miss the good stuff (parades, fireworks.) Go on YouTube and watch the parade. The “Boo to You” song will help get you excited. However, I can understand how difficult it must be to be excited with so much happening. If you are a Believer, just keep praying. The Lord will make a way.
We don’t really do character meets at the party so hasn’t been a concern for us at all, but from what I do know I’d 100% do as @PT says and try to be on line for Sally and Jack as early as possible.
People who do focus on characters do have some planning to do, but if multiple meets are not a priority, we’ve found just going with the flow is very easy at MNSSHP, only minor planning for your parade spot.
Thank you for so much help. This is such a wonderful community and I am already feeling better!
I am not known for this, by the way.
I have also done MVMCP and I had originally thought it would be very similar, but it seems a little different in that the Cmas party has special snack stations with “free” treats, and this party has trick or treating for Mars/Wrigley candies which I am not inclined to accumulate nor eat. My focus is primarily the same as you highlight, with a few characters. I really just want Tron (because new) and 7DMT (favorite).
I usually run into a problem every few years, but this has been bad bad AND I just realized it is probably related the new-to-me minivan we just got and my job as a home hospice nurses a/k/a sitting for hours driving and documenting. I may switch cars with DH and then drive HIS car to Florida.
Thank you!
And Thank you for “where to watch parade” suggestions. I forgot to think about that, but where you describe is where we sat for MVMCP, and sounds like a good spot with the horseman going quickly but the rest of the parade taking time.
I don’t know what the FP fireworks viewing area is.
I am afraid to look at the weather.
Thank you for telling me about PP. I was never a huge PP fan, but the story became special to my youngest so by extention the ride has become special to me. I will stop thinking about that.
Can I do think if I don’t have a park ticket? This would be great!
Awesome. The reason why we switched to onsite was so we could bus. My DD20 will make sure we are plenty early. She is the one that wants to meet Jack and Sally and she queued alone in 2019 and likely will again. I may try to meet other characters, but I’m rather -meh- on NBC. I will advise her of this plan.
I hadn’t thought about eating whatsoever I don’t mind eating standing though.
I do like to just see characters - even if we don’t meet them.
I expect it is going to be stupid-hot, even for me.
It’s so hard to even imagine that I am doing this right now. DD’s friend just went back into surgery for a feeding tube and trach so they can get the tubes out of her mouth and start allowing her to wake up a little. I really wonder if DD18 will even be coming…
without ceasing!
We have seen so much answer to prayer and so much “coincidence.” For example, the protocol was to check pupils every 3 hours, but her nurse decided to check her pupils after just 30 minutes Wednesday morning and they got her into surgery to alleviate cerebral swelling.
This is a great idea.
The really aren’t - but how do people even know how to plan who to meet if it isn’t listed?
I guess I don’t know who we’d want to meet even. Jack Sparrow for DD20. Pooh. They don’t do Marvel there.
I can’t thank you enough for that parade suggestion!!! I am going to have to ask DD20 if she wants to wait nearer the beginning or in that spot. Both have merit. There is a delay between horseman and parade, and it gets further apart the closer to the end of the route, correct?
So - to recap.
Try to get Tron VQ. And ride between 4 & 7.
DD line up for J/S ASAP.
First parade
Fireworks
crowd may lighten a little
7DMT
We will likely just eat breakfast that morning at the food court at All Star Sports.
I will drive my own car to golf. Is there food near golf does anyone know? Then I will go back to hotel and catch bus to MK.
I have lots of time. But I need a lunch and dinner plan.
But man - it’s probably going to be so hot. I might do fine just getting snacks along the way.
I have yet to get to a party. Doing my first one 10/31. Everything I read is to hit the rides between 6-7 since day guest can’t get in line and the actual party festivities haven’t started yet. (No help with Jack and Sully. I didn’t even realize you could see characters before the actual party starts).
Another good time for eticket attractions is during the first parade.
I’m hoping to get DH to dress up with me. I want to do Alice and the Mad Hatter. If not, I will probably get a generic Disney Halloween shirt or dress.
Oh no!!!
I think you do have to have a park ticket or reservation to join the 7am queue.
Oh. Makes sense!
I need to see what DD20 wants to ride.
DD18 and I just did DLR and she’s not as into them. But she might like to say she rode both SM or both BTMRR, or both POTC. I can’t even bring it up right now to her. She’s fragile.
Girls may want to go TBA. I do not want to get wet.
When Disney built the hub area, they first created two fast pass viewing areas. The area in front of the plaza restaurant is used for the dessert party viewing area.
The other side is in front of Casey’s dining area. The entrance is on the left side, (the side closest to Crystal Palace). Last time I looked a MB reader was still at the fence entrance. There is usually a CM standing there too.sometimes the CM is reserving the area for Club 33 and other VIP guests, sometimes during parties it is open to all.
The last two trips DD21 and I have just been getting snacks and splitting them or things from the food booths at Epcot for Flower and Garden or the Festival of the Holidays. I love this so much more than QS. I plan to have a late breakfast and then eat the party exclusive snacks at MNSSHP.
That is so tough for everyone involved.
Praying for recovery and minimal long lasting issues. I hope your back gets better so you’re not laid up anymore. I have issues with mine too, and try to do regular stretching.
