Halloween Horror Nights or Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Halloween Horror Nights or Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Hi all, I am a newcomer to Passporter and planning our first trip to Florida in October this year. I have two children ages 10 & 12 and was wondering which halloween party is the best for them. I'm afraid that the Disney one will be too tame and yet the Universal looks really scary!! Any suggestions
Many thanks
Debbie
Ireland
Halloween Horror Nights or Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Welcome to the boards, Debbie! I'm sure you're going to love it here!
I, personally, would not take a 10 year old to HHN. I don't think I'd take a 12 year old either. It's scary. As in you may lose control of bodily functions, scary! Well, ok, maybe you won't, but it IS scary!! HHN focuses on horror movie type scares. They chase you with chain saws. They jump out from unexpected places at you. Zombies swarm you. They are not allowed to touch you, but they're very convincing and when you combine those actions with the horror atmosphere.... And that's just in the main outside areas. Then there's the haunted houses, which kicks it up a notch! Three more things you need to be aware of: You are not allowed to dress up in costumes, you must go through a metal detector when you enter the park, and alcohol is abundant.
The MNSSH Party is not scary, but it IS a lot of fun. I think that a 10 year old and even an aloof "cool" 12 year old would enjoy it. Even if they think it's "lame", dress up in costumes! It's even more fun when a family dresses up together in a theme (doesn't have to be a Disney theme, either, to make it fun -- we saw Goldilocks and the 3 Bears... Dad was dressed as Goldilocks! ) There's the Trick or Treat trails, dance parties, the parade, the special fireworks. Some rides have a little extra oomph to them - ie) Haunted Mansion's queue has the creepy fog effects. And we saw a spooky figure on the River Boat while we were trick or treating. Because it's held in Magic Kingdom, there is no alcohol allowed.
You are the one who knows your kids the best though. If they're the type who were watching Nightmare on Elm Street when they were 5 years old, maybe the HHN is right up their alley! Just take the warning about it not being appropriate for young children very very seriously.
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Definitely do MNSSHP! It is, hands down, one of my and DH's favorite things to do, and we are way older than 12! My boys loved it as well. My DS10 thought it was very cool, and they both LOVED the trick or treating. And I cannot stress enough - do NOT miss the fireworks or the parade. Everything is spooky, but in a "kinder, gentler" way - which is perfect for me. It is a perfect mix of Disney style with a Halloween feel.
Thank you so much for your advice. I am definatley going to give HHN a miss, even I can't watch Nightmare on Elm Street so there is no way my kids are going!!Donna, I didn't realise that you could buy alcohol in Universal, thank you for letting me know, that is finally made my decision for me. So now I can start planning Halloween night at MNSSHP, have some good ideas for costumes.
Again thanks to everyone who replied, great to hear from you.
Debbie
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Thank you so much for your advice. I am definatley going to give HHN a miss, even I can't watch Nightmare on Elm Street so there is no way my kids are going!!Donna, I didn't realise that you could buy alcohol in Universal, thank you for letting me know, that is finally made my decision for me. So now I can start planning Halloween night at MNSSHP, have some good ideas for costumes.
Again thanks to everyone who replied, great to hear from you.
Debbie
Just so you are aware... alcohol is available throughout the day at Universal and Islands of Adventure, as well as at EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, SeaWorld and all the on-property resorts (Universal and Disney both). Magic Kingdom is the only "dry" park. I'm not sure about alcohol laws in your area so this may also surprise you, but you are permitted to walk around the parks with your drinks. I know it surprised me the first time I went. Despite that, the only time I have found alcohol to be a major issue with guests was at the Hallowe'en Horror Nights. I think some people were trying to fortify their courage (I know I was, but it didn't work ). Mostly, however, they were just obnoxious. Very rarely is it an issue during regular park hours.
Anyway, glad to help!! Have fun planning your holiday and with the costumes!
Unless your kids are into horror movies, I wouldn't take them to HHN until they are older (at least in their teens). MNSSHP sounds better. Also, Sea World has their Spooktacular event in October too that will be good for them.
Just so you are aware... alcohol is available throughout the day at Universal and Islands of Adventure, as well as at EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, SeaWorld and all the on-property resorts (Universal and Disney both). Magic Kingdom is the only "dry" park. I'm not sure about alcohol laws in your area so this may also surprise you, but you are permitted to walk around the parks with your drinks. I know it surprised me the first time I went. Despite that, the only time I have found alcohol to be a major issue with guests was at the Hallowe'en Horror Nights. I think some people were trying to fortify their courage (I know I was, but it didn't work ). Mostly, however, they were just obnoxious. Very rarely is it an issue during regular park hours.
The only park that we've encountered any alcoholic behavior was Epcot during the F & WF. Someone must have hit too many booths!
It depends on the kid's scare factor if they are scared easy then go to disney . Universal Halloween Horror Nights is really not that bad , Like I said if they are scared easy then go to disney .
Welcome to the boards, Smiley. You must have attended much less scary HHN than I attended. They did everything in their power to scare the brains out of us! And if you ran or screamed, they came at you harder.
I really want to caution anybody who is thinking about taking children to HHN. (Adults, you're on your own! ) You are completely immersed in what is basically a very realistic horror movie. Some people love that. But children aren't usually equipped to understand that it's make believe and if you think crying children are no fun at a theme park during normal circumstances, they are NO FUN when they're scared out of their brains at HHN. Check the official Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights website for a sample of what it can be like. Also note the large disclaimer at the bottom of the page. They haven't updated it yet for 2009, but since there's another website out that has posted the 2009 HHN dates, I'm sure the official site will be up soon. Here's last year's website: Florida haunted houses and other behind the scenes information A warning - there are sound effects, so if you are at work or don't like screams and spooky sound effects, you might want to mute the volume.
Full disclosure: I did not enjoy HHN and I love MNSSHP. But I am trying to be fair-minded and put my personal opinion aside because I know there are some people who do enjoy horror venues. Both events are incredibly well-done. One is intended for adults and one is intended for families. My advice is that HHN is too intense for anybody younger than a teenager, and it may be too intense for many teens and adults (like me!). A better choice for children is MNSSHP or like Barry suggested, SeaWorld's Spooktacular.
Universal is extremely scary! If being chased by chain saws isn't scary enough, try getting chased by zombies that won't stop following you then when you stop they surround you.... Be aware your nightmares may come true at Universal! I would suggest taking adults to this party.
MNSSH Party is amazing!!! I have gone, every year and have not been bored with it yet! All the characters dress up, the parades are awesome, the special fireworks...AMAZING, the haunted mansion spices things up Trick or treating trails and hide outs...TONS of candy... it' a great Halloween night...Although, you may not sleep that night if you are eating all the candy ENJOY!!!
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Well, ok, maybe you won't, but it IS scary!! HHN focuses on horror movie type scares. They chase you with chain saws. They jump out from unexpected places at you. Zombies swarm you. They are not allowed to touch you, but they're very convincing and when you combine those actions with the horror atmosphere.... 
And that's just in the main outside areas. Then there's the haunted houses, which kicks it up a notch! Three more things you need to be aware of: You are not allowed to dress up in costumes, you must go through a metal detector when you enter the park, and alcohol is abundant.
My boys loved it as well. My DS10 thought it was very cool, and they both LOVED the trick or treating. And I cannot stress enough - do NOT miss the fireworks or the parade. Everything is spooky, but in a "kinder, gentler" way - which is perfect for me. It is a perfect mix of Disney style with a Halloween feel.
PassPorter Guide Author
MNSSHP is it
Very rarely is it an issue during regular park hours.
with the costumes!
The only park that we've encountered any alcoholic behavior was Epcot during the F & WF. Someone must have hit too many booths!
Michelle - with my step sisters!
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