There’s no secret that tons of planning goes into executing a “magical” Disney vacation. Many factors to consider about the time of year, budget, and travel party. This week I wanted to talk about the wild card of special ticketed events and offer a few tips and words of wisdom about incorporating them into your stay, especially during those spooky season and holiday visits, with a little help from my Mom Squad along the way!
I find that there are usually two types of party goers when it comes to these events. The ones who duck after the first round of entertainment and those that shut the park down. You know your family and what they are more likely to be so when plotting out your strategy, you are the expert on how much time you will actually spend at the ticketed event so ultimately you know if it will be worth it or not! However, if you are trying to last from the early entry and 4pm to the closing down at midnight, a few steps in pre planning could help you make sure this is a magical experience versus a magical nightmare!
For both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, ticket holders for these events can enter the Magic Kingdom as early as 4pm. If you have littles that won’t last the night, definitely take advantage of this early time experiencing the park! Keep in mind, once the event officially starts, you will have 2 opportunities for both the special parades and castle shows! So, if your crew wants to tap early, catching that first round of entertainment is the best way to make the most of your time! The parades and castle shows during this time are exclusive to these events so you will not want to miss those! Here’s a few wise words from one of my Mom Squad on entertainment for the evening!
"Once it started, lines for the rides weren’t bad at all and the castle shows/parades were a big hit. Piece of advice: When we went there were two times for parades/shows and I believe with younger kiddos it’s a good idea to go to the first showing. My little was 4 at the time and for us it worked out much better that way - she had more energy and was more attentive earlier in the evening.” - April J.
But if you are in it to win it, and I mean shut the park down, I believe, and Mom Squad will back me up here, there are some schedule tweaks you should consider to make your chosen event totally worth it! If you are visiting and have the time, this is my best case scenario for Tim surrounding the parties. Take it easy the day of the party! Sleep in, relax, have some pool time, and especially some nap time! And as for the day after the event if you have shut down the park, I love the idea of building some sleep in time that next morning. Getting that rest before and after can be a game changer for the overall success of your stay and experience!
