Party Tips and Tricks

Now that tickets have been released for this year's Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, I wanted to put together a list of tips and tricks that help us enjoy the most out of the precious time we have at the parties.

• Enter Magic Kingdom at 4 pm. While the party doesn't start until 7 pm officially, you will be allowed entrance in to Magic Kingdom at 4 pm with just your party ticket. If you wish you enter before 4 pm you will need a regular park ticket as well.
• Sleep in on party days. We love to keep our party days as an "off day" and sleep in then spend the day lounging by the pool. We have young kids and 4 pm to midnight plus transportation back to the resort makes for a really long night in and of itself without adding 10ish hours of park time before the party even begins.
• Arrive at security around 3:30 pm. Arriving at 3:30 pm ensures that you will be through security and ready to enter the parks by 4 pm. 
• Already in the park? Pick up your party wristband at an inside location. If you're already in Magic Kingdom for the day before 4 pm, you'll need to find a check in location to receive your party wristband. Instead of going the whole way back to the main gate, you can check in at any of these locations: Tortuga Tevern in Adventureland, Fantasy Faire in Fantasyland, Exit to Monsters, Inc. in Tomorrowland or Town Hall.
• Make Fastpass+ selections. If you are making fastpass+ selections for earlier in the day then you won't be able to add them for the party but if not, you will be able to select time beginning at 3:30 pm. We make them for 3:30- 4:30, 4:30- 5:30 and 5:30-6:30. Fastpass+ is not available for any times after 6:30 pm during party nights. 
• Line up early for Jack and Sally. If Jack and Sally are a must meet for your family you will want to line up around 4:30 pm. They usually come out to meet party guests around 5 pm. You will always want to line up early to meet the Seven Dwarfs as well. Both lines pretty long.

Photo Credit: Disney

• Watch the fireworks from the Hub. We get to the hub (the circular area in front of Cinderella Castle. There's even some patches of grass that make for a really comfy seat) about 45 minutes before the fireworks begin to grab a perfect viewing seat in front of the castle. One of us will stay with the kids to save our seats while the other goes to grab some snacks. This is a great time to just relax and rest your feet. 
• Watch the 2nd parade. Shortly after the fireworks display is the 2nd Boo To You parade. We like to stay right where we sat for the fireworks to watch the parade. If there isn't any room along Main Street we make our way over to Liberty Square and can usually find some great seats there.
• Get Magic Shots. Photopass offers some great magic shots during the party. Locations will be listed on the party map. We always have Memory Maker for our entire trip but if you are only going for one day or you only want the images from the party, I suggest purchasing the one day Memory Maker for $59. 

• Bring big bags for MNSSHP candy. While Disney provides small bags for candy, you will definitely need more room. We like to go to the Dollar Tree to pick up large plastic Trick or Treat bags to take along with us. Some people will take a pillow case instead but we love the bags. Trick or Treating is available to all guests so dress up your whole family!

• Enjoy the snow on Main Street during MVMCP. Grab some hot cocoa and some cookies then go enjoy the snow on Main Street. It's a truly magical experience that will get you in the Christmas Spirit.
• Dance with Mike and Sully from Monsters, Inc. During MNSSHP you can find a Monsters, Inc. Dance party over in Tomorrowland. It's so much fun to dance with Mike and Sully! 

• Enjoy the Rides. Ride lines are super short during the parties so make sure you take some time to enjoy the interactive queues without waiting in outrageous lines.
• Most importantly, have fun! The parties are so great and so much fun. Remember to take a few minutes just to enjoy the scenery.

- Angie

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