Trick-Or-Treat & Birthday Sweets! Oct 2013 PTR *NEW* 11/4 TR Link Posted!

[dtr_angel]

all caught up again. Your Italy trip sounds amazing! Your MNSSHP plans sound really good. Months ago you posted a link (that I can't find now) with party strategies that I read all the way through and found really helpful. We are hoping to do MVMCP in 2014 and MNSSHP in 2015 or 2016 before Gavin starts school and our trips are only in the summer.

 

[MEK]

I wasn't planning on going to a party this trip, but your pictures definitely make me want to reconsider. I have been three times and Denny has been once. I was definitely going to do it next year pre cruise if we don't have a park ticket.

Can't wait to see your costumes!

 

[afwdwfan]

I think your plans for MNSSHP look great! With the relaxed day I think you'll definitely be able to enjoy the party. I think you should have plenty of opportunities to continue to do some leisurely things around the park while your DS sleeps.

 

[khertz]

You're right, it shouldn't be too difficult meeting up. We'll figure something out and make sure we exchange cell numbers before heading out to Orlando.

Yes, definitely need to ask about the satchel!

Sounds like a plan!

Your plan sounds very reasonable so I hope you are able to accomplish everything on your list! Flynn is pretty special so I don't blame you for putting him at the highest priority

I also don't know if you saw, but Mickey & Minnie aren't going to be meeting together this year, which is a total bummer Mickey will stay at TST and Minnie will be in FL. Now that means an extra line to wait in *Edit* Last night they actually were meeting together! I hope it stays like that!

I was waffling back and forth between princesses with princess and 7 Dwarfs because that seems to be who everyone goes to first. But I'm not a huge Snow White fan myself and DS has no interest, so I figured he wouldn't get too excited about meeting the Dwarfs anyway. He actually likes Tangled and knows the characters so I figured it was okay to be a little selfish there.

I did not realize that! That really stinks. Well, I definitely want to see Mickey, but maybe we will just meet Minnie if her line is not too long. I can't imagine why they would separate them???

Oh wait, I just saw your edit, that would be great if they stayed together!!!

You will love Boo to You! It's hands-down my favorite Disney parade. The music is so awesome and fun, the floats are fabulous, the HM section is incredible.... it's pretty much Halloween parade perfection.


And you'll catch yourself randomly singing the Boo to You song for just about the rest of time. It pops up out of no where

I can't wait! I had wanted to stay away from all videos of it and enjoy it in person, but DH pulled up the livestream from the DIS on the night of the first party, and I just couldn't help myself. So DS got to stay up a little past bedtime so we could all watch the parade together on the laptop! It just got me even more excited for the party!

After watching the live stream, I was singing it all night!

The Boo to You Parade and Hallowishes are amazing! You'll definitely enjoy them. I've heard lots of DISers say that for the cost, the MNSSHP is much better than MVMCP. And while I haven't done the Christmas party (yet) I can say the Halloween event is worth the cost. Even if Paxton falls asleep and misses some of the shows, you'll still enjoy them.
The Villians mix and mingle show is cool, but I'd definitely say if you're running behind and need something to cut, that'd be a good choice.

We enjoyed our MVMCP a lot, so it makes me really excited to see so many people agree that MNSSHP is even better!

Yeah, DH was not so sure about skipping it but then he watched the DIS live streaming of the show and changed his mind.

 

[khertz]

YAY for MNSSHP!!! This really is Disney at it's very best. As much as I love MVMCP, this one is just better.

Eating before the Party is the best decision possible. Plus, there are lots of free snacks.

Boo to You is without a doubt the best Parade Disney has. Honestly, I think the party is almost worth the price just for it. It's that good. Frontierland is a great choice to view, but a little tough to get good photos because it tends to be a little darker.

Yeah, the Villains show, while ok, isn't really a "Must Do". I'd look at it more as something to see after all the other priorities are finished. It's pretty short too.

Sounds like you've got a great handle on the evening!! You're gonna LOVE it!

We are early eaters anyway, so it only makes sense to eat before the party. And it just means if we are there late and start getting hungry we can try some of the party specific snacks! I'm really intrigued by the Candy Corn Soft Serve!

Yeah, DH had said he didn't think he would get good photos of the parade from Frontierland, so that's why he is going to set up to photograph the second parade later. I told him that works out well because for the first one he can just watch, but I know he won't be able to resist at least attempting some photos!

Thanks! It's great to get positive feedback on our plan from people who have been there done that.

all caught up again. Your Italy trip sounds amazing! Your MNSSHP plans sound really good. Months ago you posted a link (that I can't find now) with party strategies that I read all the way through and found really helpful. We are hoping to do MVMCP in 2014 and MNSSHP in 2015 or 2016 before Gavin starts school and our trips are only in the summer.

I feel like now that the trip has been announced and we have paid our deposit, it feels so close, but it's really sooooooooo far away!!! But needless to say, DH and I are ecstatic to go to Italy!

Hmmm, maybe you were thinking of my MNSSHP Must Do List? If so, it was in this post.

That's a good way to get all the parties in while you can. Since we are going to Italy, we will be skipping WDW next year, so I'm hoping we can go back the following year and I am itching for a Christmas trip so maybe it will be DS's first MVMCP?

I wasn't planning on going to a party this trip, but your pictures definitely make me want to reconsider. I have been three times and Denny has been once. I was definitely going to do it next year pre cruise if we don't have a park ticket.

Can't wait to see your costumes!

Aw, you should go! And if you are looking for a good date, October 27th sounds good. It would be a good way to spend a pre-cruise day next year as well to save a little money and still get to head to MK.

We still have to get DH's costume, but I'm really excited about them!

I think your plans for MNSSHP look great! With the relaxed day I think you'll definitely be able to enjoy the party. I think you should have plenty of opportunities to continue to do some leisurely things around the park while your DS sleeps.

Thanks! I am hoping we will all get enough rest for a late night. And I'm sure we can find SOME way to amuse ourselves in MK once DS falls asleep!

 

[khertz]

Most of you have been following my TR's a long time and know of my love for one band in particular...HANSON! Yes, that band that was responsible for turning MmmBop into an earworm during the summer of 1997 and likely drove you crazy. And yes, they are STILL around, and yes they are STILL making new music and STILL touring! Luckily for me, to soften to blow of missing them at Eat to the Beat by just a few days this year, they are on a full on tour, so I was able to see them at the House of Blues in New Orleans Thursday night!

DH was very happy that I went with my sister and my cousin's wife so he was not forced to tag along. We all went down early to join the guys for a 1 mile walk to raise awareness for poverty in Africa. They have everyone doing the walk sign in and they sponsor $1 for every person who walks and donate it to different causes (clean water, education, medical supplies/medications, etc). It's a cause that seems to have gotten close to them since they partnered up with Toms shoes several years ago and sold their shoes at shows, then went to Africa to make a huge delivery of shoes to kids at an orphanage. The guys always walk barefoot and encourage the fans to do so as well, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it in New Orleans where there's horse poop and old vomit in the streets, not to mention how blistering hot the cement was!

Taylor ready for the walk

My sister and I "walking" with Taylor​

After the walk, we were pretty much drenched in sweat and eager to cool off, so we went inside the HOB to get an early dinner. That has become tradition for any HOB show since if you eat there before the show, you get in a separate line that is let into the venue before the general admission line. We ended up with a spot about halfway back on the floor, and for all my worrying about getting caught with my camera, they didn't even check bags at all. So I was able to get some pretty decent photos and even a few short videos of some of my favorites.

When the guys came out, Taylor took a picture of the crowd and posted it on Twitter. Two of my very good friends were in the front row so I could find them easily, but I can't find myself.

They put on a REALLY great show, and I got to hang out with some great friends. My friend who is in the front row had gotten into the venue first because she had won a meet & greet with the band beforehand, so her friend from work was hanging out with my sister and I and we all got along with her really well! Plus some of my friends from high school found us and we spent the show together, and I ran into some friends I had made online through the Hanson community as a middle schooler and we always meet up at shows to say hi and take pictures. So maybe it was the people I was with who made it such a great show, but I honestly felt like it was the best Hanson show I have been to in years!

A few pics from my camera because the ones on my phone came out terrible.

So while I am totally disappointed in missing Hanson at Eat to the Beat after experiencing how fun it was last year, I was thrilled to get to see them in a full concert instead! They played lots of oldie but goodie songs, plus a bunch from their newest album that came out in June!

And just so this update is not completely Disney-less, here's a picture DH took of DS and I last night. I was trying on my costume with a pair of workout shorts to see if they would work or I would need to buy something to go under, and we decided to put DS's costume on him too to see if it needed any adjustments. The pants are a little long on him, but nothing a few rolls of the waistband won't fix, and we will need to add some velcro to his belt to be able to make it a little tighter. DH snapped a picture of us as a "teaser" although I have already posted the model photos for our costumes before.

 

[missangelalexis]

Sounds like you had a great time!! And your pics came out great!

I cannot wait to see you guys decked out in your costumes!

 

[abbybeth]

glad you had fun at the concert! There's just something about live music

....and I have to admit that my first "secular" music CD was Hanson. Yup. I probably still have it around somewhere.

The teaser pic of your costumes is so cute!!!! Now you just need a nice big sock bun!

 

[khertz]

Sounds like you had a great time!! And your pics came out great!

I cannot wait to see you guys decked out in your costumes!

It was a ton of fun! And thanks.

I'm excited to get it all together and head to the party in our costumes.

glad you had fun at the concert! There's just something about live music

....and I have to admit that my first "secular" music CD was Hanson. Yup. I probably still have it around somewhere.

The teaser pic of your costumes is so cute!!!! Now you just need a nice big sock bun!

That bright orange CD changed my life! Been a fan ever since, going on 16 years now.

I have been YouTub-ing the heck out of sock bun how-to videos, but I plan to get my hair cut before going to Disney so it is more manageable every day in the parks. So I don't know if it will be long enough for the sock bun or not. I will have to improvise, if not.

 

[abbybeth]

It was a ton of fun! And thanks.

I'm excited to get it all together and head to the party in our costumes.



That bright orange CD changed my life! Been a fan ever since, going on 16 years now.

I have been YouTub-ing the heck out of sock bun how-to videos, but I plan to get my hair cut before going to Disney so it is more manageable every day in the parks. So I don't know if it will be long enough for the sock bun or not. I will have to improvise, if not.

If the "roll down" method doesn't work, you can use the rolled sock like a bun form - slide it all the way down your pony tail, spread the hair out (imagine, like an asterik but without spaces obviously) and use pins to secure it at the base. Take any extra hair and wrap it around the base - it tucks it away neatly and covers your pins - and pin the end in.

http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-use-bun-form.html

That shouldn't require as much hair length!

 

[khertz]

If the "roll down" method doesn't work, you can use the rolled sock like a bun form - slide it all the way down your pony tail, spread the hair out (imagine, like an asterik but without spaces obviously) and use pins to secure it at the base. Take any extra hair and wrap it around the base - it tucks it away neatly and covers your pins - and pin the end in.

http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-use-bun-form.html

That shouldn't require as much hair length!

I think this is EXACTLY what I will need!! Thanks so much! I'll have to go run out and get one of those bun forms so I can start practicing. My hair is kind of thick, so I will probably need a LOT of pins. But I think with the length I usually cut my hair to, the rolling method won't work, so this should be perfect.

 

[afwdwfan]

I'm glad that you were able to make up for the fact that you're going to miss out on seeing Hanson at Eat to the Beat, but more importantly, I'm glad you were able to make it a girls trip so that your DH didn't have to go.

You're going to have so much fun at MNSSHP. I can't wait to see the costumes... all of the costumes. Dustin...

I don't know if it is the hat or what, but Paxton just doesn't look as much like a toddler in that picture...

 

[courtneybelle]

Hanson was my first concert ever! I haven't listened to them in a long time but I used to love them. That's awesome that they do a charity walk before the show!! Also, I'm going to New Orleans for the first time next month and I am SO excited!

The pic of you and DS is adorable!!

 

[DDuck4Life]

I'm glad that you were able to make up for the fact that you're going to miss out on seeing Hanson at Eat to the Beat, but more importantly, I'm glad you were able to make it a girls trip so that your DH didn't have to go.

You're going to have so much fun at MNSSHP. I can't wait to see the costumes... all of the costumes. Dustin...

I don't know if it is the hat or what, but Paxton just doesn't look as much like a toddler in that picture...

me too. It was not worth getting a babysitter for. At least now I have a built in excuse.

 

[eandesmom]

I didn't even know what a sock bun was!

Hanson, that's fun and I do have to say...they are aging well

and mmmnnn bop is going to be stuck in my head!

 

[MEK]

I can't picture Hanson as anything other than teenagers. How old were they in 1997 and has it really been that long? I know you are a huge fan so I am very happy to got to see them in such a cool venue. Has to be better than an Eat to the Beat venue.

Paxton is getting so grown up! Wow!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Great costumes! Your son looks very cute!

But I'm with Andy - Where is Dustin's costume? Hmmmmmmm?

 

[DDuck4Life]

Great costumes! Your son looks very cute!

But I'm with Andy - Where is Dustin's costume? Hmmmmmmm?

You're going to have so much fun at MNSSHP. I can't wait to see the costumes... all of the costumes. Dustin...

My costume is still up in the air. tempted to change my mind

 

[khertz]

I'm glad that you were able to make up for the fact that you're going to miss out on seeing Hanson at Eat to the Beat, but more importantly, I'm glad you were able to make it a girls trip so that your DH didn't have to go.

You're going to have so much fun at MNSSHP. I can't wait to see the costumes... all of the costumes. Dustin...

I don't know if it is the hat or what, but Paxton just doesn't look as much like a toddler in that picture...

DH definitely agrees with you on that one. He has joined me in a pinch, but I don't think he'd like taking time off of work for that!

I still haven't gotten DH to commit to anything yet, but I am working on that.

I know, he is growing way faster than I'd like him to. He is definitely losing his babyface.

Hanson was my first concert ever! I haven't listened to them in a long time but I used to love them. That's awesome that they do a charity walk before the show!! Also, I'm going to New Orleans for the first time next month and I am SO excited!

The pic of you and DS is adorable!!

That's so great! My first concert was New Kids on the Block, and I will never forget it. They have been partnering with charities since at least '07 on their tours, plus the walks give you time to catch the guys one on one for a quick chat or a picture.

I'm sure you will have a great time in NOLA!! I wish we could visit home more often. What have you got planned to do for your time there? If you are at all into history, make sure you take time out for a plantation tour. It's something I LOVE to do and don't get to as often. Oak Alley in Vacherie is worth the drive out there.

Thank you!

I didn't even know what a sock bun was!

Hanson, that's fun and I do have to say...they are aging well

and mmmnnn bop is going to be stuck in my head!

I didn't either until I started looking into how to make a Tinkerbell bun. I used to be able to wind my hair into a tight bun but that was back when it was down to my waist. Now that I keep it shorter, I can't get it to stay in one like that. And I definitely didn't want a wig!

I have to agree with you on that one. I think they only get better with age in every possible way!

Sorry!

I can't picture Hanson as anything other than teenagers. How old were they in 1997 and has it really been that long? I know you are a huge fan so I am very happy to got to see them in such a cool venue. Has to be better than an Eat to the Beat venue.

Paxton is getting so grown up! Wow!

In '97, they were 16, 14, and 11! Now they all have wives and a bevy of gorgeous children. The HOB is a much more intimate atmosphere, but so much more full of energy than Eat to the Beat! About the only good thing the American Gardens Theater had going for it at a Hanson show was it gave me room to dance around like a fool.

Don't remind me!! He is getting bigger every day.

Great costumes! Your son looks very cute!

But I'm with Andy - Where is Dustin's costume? Hmmmmmmm?

Thanks, Dave!

He is still having trouble committing to anything!

 

[courtneybelle]

I'm going for a college newspaper conference, but we should have evenings to tour the city. I would love to see a plantation! My friend really wants to do a ghost tour but that's not my thing...I'm very excited to just be there though!