We are going to be staying at hard rock hotel at universal the end of September for my 50th birthday since we are doing a big Disney trip with the whole family soon and didn’t want to go without them. But I am itching to hit Magic Kingdom while we are there and have never been to MNSSHP so I was looking at the calendar and the party is on my birthday which is Sept 27th! Says you need ticket for special event and can enter anytime after 4 but event is 7-12. Do you think it would be worth it to do this? We would just go at 4 for the party and stay till close. Not sure If everything is open, although I don’t really care just want to be there! But will the crowds be so much that it wouldn’t be enjoyable is really my question???
MNSSHP is THE favorite event of the year for DW and me. It's terrific. So absolutely YES, IMHO it's worth it.
Hard to say what the crowds will be like this year or on that day of the party. Disney isn't revealing much on how many guests they will admit. But if years past are any indicator, it's not too packed for the party. But nowadays it's hard to know.
A few things we try to keep in mind:
- Costumes are fun, but you'll fit in with or without one.
- IIRC, the parade runs twice, and the second is decidedly less crowded. So don't panic if you can't get a good spot the first time it runs. And be aware that it runs from Frontierland all the way to Town Square. Main Street seems most crowded.
- The crowds diminish after the second parade.
- There have in the past been lots of free snacks in addition to the trick-or-treat candy, so pay attention to snack offerings.
- Be on the lookout for characters we seldom see in the parks.
- Our ABSOLUTELY favorite thing to do is to go to Haunted Mansion and watch/listen to Carlotta's hilarious improv on the front lawn as the mist rolls past her feet. It's brilliant fun.
- Rest up during the day so you can party into the late hours!