So I love when people tell about there actual experiences, so here it goes:
We did not go for MnG or the shows/parade/fireworks. We went for ToT and rides. We went on Sunday, 10/1, I have no idea what kind of attendance it was but it didn't feel crowded at all. We got there around 430, did Town Square Mickey and Tink, took a couple of pic (not MM). We then went and got candy bags. Line for pic was long, so we skipped (wish we hadn't). Headed over to tomorrowland, did PeopleMover as walk on then ate dinner at Cosmic Rays (had the rotisserie chicken which was a nice change). Following that we did the dance party for about 25 mins, then ToT at Stitch, then Buzz, wanted to do Speedway but the line didn't drop under 20 mins (posted and on Lines/TP). Did ToT at Cosmic Rays right as it started with 0 wait (got like 3 pieces), got a magic shot outside the castle (poison apple). Headed over to Barnstomer, rode that, then did the Big Top ToT (there was a lot in there), we also did Dumbo (there was a cool PhotoPass guy there - not a magic shot but he got it with the lights of dumbo blurred in the background) ! After that it was about time for the parade so we headed to Frontierland, got there around 9 for a 915 parade. It was crazy packed (I know this is to be expected). We were on that path that goes to Tom Sawyer, but closer to the Liberty Belle. Everyone was standing on the rock wall (kids at least) it was still hard to see any of the lower stuff but we could see most of the higher stuff. Headed over to IASW, then carousel and sword, did the ToT stations at Pinocchio Haus (well, it was over there somewhere) and Philharmagic. Watched the fireworks from back near the entrance to Fantasyland (the rock walls) (wanted to get to Casey's but it just didn't happen). It was cool, though we needed to be centered a little bit more. Afterwards we were headed to Adventureland and while my daughters were pretending to sign autograph books the Stepsisters came upon them - they were great! After that we headed over to Magic Carpets of Aladdin, rode that 3 times. Did the ToT at Jungle Cruise (that wasn't really worth walking down for. Then we did the ToT at Tiki - they literally topped us off - kept filling until we were all full. We finished the night at PoC and did some pics there. It was almost midnight, never thought I would be "one of those", but we were. We stayed at Poly and took the resort monorail. We had to wait for the 2nd one, kind of frustrating because in our car only one couple got off at Contemporary and one with us at Poly - the other 20 or so people got off at TTC. I get it, but being that I paid for that access it was a little frustrating to have to wait extra long.
Thoughts:
(1) We dressed up and it was totally worth it - the CM's and photo people like that, so do other guests. We did my DD's as Belle in yellow and Belle in blue, DH as Beast, and me as Mrs. Potts. I wish more people had dressed up but I did see a lot of great costumes.
(2) I would do a MK day at some point in the trip BEFORE going to the party. It was the first time we stepped foot in there this trip and we didn't get that first walk down Main Street, basic exploration down. I felt like my girls would have had a better idea of what they wanted to do if they had already been in once. For ex Big Thunder never had a wait of more than 10 mins, mostly 5 (Lines and
MDE posted times) but we didn't go on it, found out on our park day that our 7 yo LOVED that ride. I think we could have just enjoyed it more if we had been in the park more.
(3) I would do 2 parties, it was hard to really do it all in just one, the only issue being the late nights.
(4) I'm not 100% we will do another party, but it's definitely an option.
(5) If you're planning another MK day, do it on a party day. It was mobbed on non-party days.
(6) I wish I had more of a plan going in - I tried not to plan it but I think we lost a decent amount of time doing in that way.
Let me know if you have any questions! If I remember anything else I will let you know!
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