Halloween Homecoming 2014 (9/25 - 10/6/2014) (update 12/01 - COMPLETE)

[Speechphi]

I'm so glad you wrote your trip report! I loved reading last year's and have been waiting for your new one

 

[Vala]

I'm so glad you wrote your trip report! I loved reading last year's and have been waiting for your new one

Thank you. Im glad to have you reading along and that you like the report.

 

[Vala]

Day 7 part 1: Surprise in the morning


Out of the blue an old friend calls... she's in the area and got some hours to come to the park and play. Yay!!! I don't mind being in the park on my own. But it's much more fun with company, plus it's been a long time since we had a girls day.

We head off to Toontown. I'm still hoping to catch Steamboat Willie one day when he's filming at Mickey's House.





Minnie's meeting in the garden of her house too, but the line is already 40 minutes. At least that's what the sign says. Not that I'd mind waiting, but girl time is precious. We go off to the Carnival instead. I got a drawing to deliver.

Goofy's out playing.





No Cruella... it's the Evil Queen again.



Innovations is just about to open. As I still haven't made it to see Captain America we head over there.

A lot of people already waiting, but most people in front of us head to the Thor meet. The Captain is running a little late, but that happens when you got to save the world.

I'm not quite good at Marvel drawings yet, but he still likes the drawing I did.









It's a really lovely and quiet morning. As you see in the background of the picture, the Dapper Dans even got the bike out. That only happens when the crowds are low.



It's a little early for lunch, but as I don't have a reservation we go to check if Cafe Orleans is taking walk ups. Turns out they do. After half an hour of strolling in New Orleans Square our beeper goes off.

Seafood Crepe.



And my Three Cheese Monte Cristo.



If you look at the picture a little closely you might spot something off with the strawberry to the right.

Okay, it's hot... strawberries can get mushy quite fast. When I inspect the offending object closer it turns out it's not only mushed, it's moldy! How that dish could leave the kitchen without someone noticing is a bit of a mystery to both of us.

The server turns up and asks if everything is alright. I tell him that someone in the kitchen may need new glasses and point to the strawberry. He apologizes, tells me he'll speak to the kitchen and takes the strawberry away.

Not even 3 minutes later he is back with a huge bowl of fresh strawberries and also tells me my meal is comped. Erm... thank you. I wasn't going to make a big deal out of this - it was a decorational piece and not a main part of the dish. But something like that shouldn't leave the kitchen.

Our dessert, pumpkin beignets.



Back to the Carnival to hunt down Cruella.

 

[Vala]

Day 7 part 2: At the Carnival again



Back at the Carnival we bump into Mickey.



The Villains line is pretty long this time, we have to wait for one conjuring. The voice coming out definitely seems to be Cruella... fingers crossed.



No, we hit a switch. It's Hook.



Hook is quite impressed by his drawing...



I haven't seen him that charming in a long time - even kissing noises.



Stay away, I got a boyfriend. He's furry and scary and he's got backup if needed.



When we come out Donald is finally out and about.



The cutest little pumpkin in the universe...



I decide to approach a CM at the tent. I explain we're trying to catch someone and show him my Cruella drawing. He's so kind to let me know when the stars are alligned the right way so we'll probably see Cruella.

Off to do some rides.

When we come back Officer Dale is around keeping the peace.





Oh come on, Chip's not looking...





Busted!







We time it right and it is Cruella.

Drawing delivery...



She likes my work and decides she might just hire me for DeVil Industries. But my clothing style isn't quite what is required for that job. The offensive munk part has to go.



Trying to teach me the infamous DeVil style.











I just about pass. So you're now talking to the new head designer of DeVil Industries.

 

[Vala]

Day 7 part 3: The Afternoon Parade


Our girl time is almost over and I walk my friend back to the gates - just in time for the announcement about the pre-parade to come on.

That will give you a good hint of how empty it was: I walked up a minute before the Frozen float came down Main Street and got a nice and comfortable spot at the curb across from Emporium.





After the pre-parade other people seem to realize a parade is coming. It gets a little more crowded. I scot over to allow a larger family to sit down next to me - which the mother rewards with dishing out an iPad to film the parade. She doesn't even bother trying to keep out of my way though I ask her a couple of times. You know, some people would at least be a little grateful for me moving and try a little not to block me? :shakehead:

 

[Vala]

Day 7 part 4: More parade pictures






























Mary and Bert are not on the carousel horses today, but on the chimney sweeps' float.



I wander over to California Adventure. Sabrina, Markus, Aaron and his wife are meeting up for dinner later.



DJ's Dance and Drive.

 

[Vala]

Day 7 part 5: Carthay Circle

Dinner at Carthay Circle.

And now you'll all laugh at me. I don't have a single photo of the inside of the restaurant or the food. You can really tell that this place is considered fine dining. It just didn't seem appropriate to get the camera out and start snapping away.

We shared an order of the Fire Cracker Duck Wings and the Carthay Signature Fried Biscuits. I don't eat duck, so I can't comment on the wings. But the biscuits were really delicious.

My main was the Glazed Chicken Breast with Summer Succotash. Heavenly. Melted in my mouth.

We did share desserts again. My favorite was Valrhona Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee Tart - Fresh Marinated Raspberries and Chocolate Sauce. The other two were really good too. One I can't remember for the life of me now. >< The other was Valrhona Caramel Chocolate Turnover with House made Marshmallow - Carthay Theater Popcorn ice cream.

We easily managed to stay until after park closing, so I got the opportunity for night time photos.

 

[Jennafoo]

The Valrhona chocolate turnover with the popcorn ice cream was what I had. Weird, but really good...

 

[Vala]

The Valrhona chocolate turnover with the popcorn ice cream was what I had. Weird, but really good...

Yeah, it sounds really kind of weird. That was one of the reasons why we did a group share, to make sure everyone had something he/she liked.

 

[Vala]

Day 8 part 1: Minnie's Breakfast


One look at the lines in the morning and you can easily tell the quiet moment is over. When I arrive to find Markus and Sabrina for our breakfast reservation I have a devil of a time getting over to the Special Entry line from Harbor Boulevard. The lines are stretching all across the Esplanade and are at the entrance of California Adventure already.

Coming in we take a moment to get our picture with Goofy.



Everyone is pretty much running past. I really don't even want to know how fast the Frozen line stretches now.

Minnie's Breakfast.



The omelette line is still as ridiculously long as last year and I still can't help the feeling that they knowingly overbook. But with those changes at Goofy's Kitchen it's now the meal that offers the most amount of characters and the biggest variety. So... I suck it up and bear the cafeteria style food.









Tigger, the Fairy Godmother, Minnie and Pooh are also there. Missing photos will be posted when I get them, they're on Sabrina's camera.

In the end I have to run off before Minnie and Pooh make it to our table. Today's my entertainment day and I have to make it to New Orleans Square for the first set of the Bootstrappers.

There's several pirates you may meet when the Bootstrappers perform.

I've already introduced Syd.



This is Olin.



Beware of him. Syd has thieving tendencies, but Olin is a real thief. Syd didn't get me this time, but he distracted me badly enough that Olin so got me. He got me to the point where I much to JJ's amusement announced: "Next year I am bring a bike lock." Olin is really great in interacting with the audience. During all sets I've seen him show up a little early. And he totally loves kids.

Our guitar playing friend I had already seen perform on Monday...



and a new crew member I hadn't met before.



The piper is named Yuri. He's been part of the crew for ages. I remember seeing him when Jack Sparrow was still meeting on Tom Sawyer's Island.







Yuri fleeing from Olin. Olin was telling the story about his former sweetheart Maggie Mae. Let's just say Yuri revealed too much knowledge about personal info of her.





I got half an hour break. When strolling through the stores I find a Smee chaser Jackie still is looking for on a pin board. The heat is also beginning to get really brutal. I decide to go the Mary Poppins way. There's a parasol cart in New Orleans Square. They're doing really adorable Disney designs now. I make this the special treat of the trip and order one for each of us girls.

 

[Vala]

Day 8 part 2: New Orleans Square continued


Second appearance of the Bootstrappers.







My water bottle has meanwhile started boiling. In the break I leave for Coke Corner to get a cherry coke. On the way back I'm completely delighted to find Mary Poppins and Bert meeting at Jolly Holiday Bakery.



It would have been even more nice if the parasol had been ready. But it is lovely having a chat with them, no one seems to pay any attention. They ask me if I've met all of their friends whom I wanted to meet. I mention that it would be cool to meet Louis, but I knew he was too shy to come out and I'd make do with waving at him madly in the parade tonight. They promise me to let Louis know I was waiting for him and he'd watch out for me.

Set 3:





Syd is great with kids too. It's really funny to see their reactions to him sometimes. Like I said, he can have his moments. If a kid has witnessed that...

The lady at the cart had told me I could come and pick up the parasols in the next set break. They're ready.

Here's a picture of one of them:



and two close ups.





Aren't these adorable?

JJ got one with all Alice ornaments cause she's such a big Wonderland fan. I wanted mine to all have characters that have a special meaning for me in connection with Disneyland. So mine has Tiana because I adore her (and I met her in California the first time), Alice for the Mad T Party Band, Pocahontas for our party hunt last year and Maleficent because she floored me so much when she asked me for the drawing. The third one I did end up using eventually a little, but it's a Christmas gift for a friend. Hers has Tiana, Mulan, Alice and the Evil Queen. Now I only hope they do some male characters next year.

They got us tons of attention. Not that I got them because of that... it really was because of the heat and the fact that they were so adorable. But it was a nice side effect.

Even Olin gives his approval when he shows up for the next set, so that was likely more for the "shade factor" than for the adorable factor.

The next set starts off at the Pirates entrance.









It becomes clear soon that the crowds are getting to big for that, so relocation it is.



Remember what I told you about Syd having his moments and being special sometimes? This is one of those moments.



I got to admit, I clapped applause. I accept selfies. I have started doing them myself when no one is around to take a picture. However, there is a point where I can't accept them anymore. And squeezing in front of a waiting crowd to take a selfie with a band performing is one of these points. So... go Syd.









In case you haven't noticed yet... I quite like Syd. He can be a brat (case in point seen below), but as a friend put it... he's my brat.



lunch, along with another cherry coke.

 

[Vala]

Day 8 part 3: Bored of New Orleans Square yet?




























Seeing that door in the background of the photos still makes me sniffle. I miss the Court of Angels.

 

[Vala]

Day 8 part 4: The Royal Theatre again


The last performance of the day in the Royal Theatre is just about to start. They swapped again, it's Tangled. Plus it's in the shade. So I abandon the "need food" plans and go and watch.















After nipping on Buzz I'm really hungry and almost on my way to Flo's Dinner in DCA when I remember I told Mary and Bert I'd be watching the parade across from the Mad Hatter store. Okay, I guess my ice water will have to suffice a little longer.

 

[Vala]

Day 8 part 5: Louis















My attention is already on the next float, it's the Princess and the Frog one after all.

The lady to my left suddenly taps on my shoulder and says: "I think someone wants something from you."

I turn around and find... Terk. Standing there, arms crossed, tapping her foot. She's trying to pose for me and I so totally ignored her. Earth, please open up and swallow me. Now. :bricks:



Earth doesn't listen... fortunately. Tiana's float comes close, Louis doing a trumpet solo. As soon as this is over Louis basically drops the instrument and starts waving madly and blowing kisses in my direction. I have no doubt that the poor thing couldn't actually see past his snout in that darkness, but it was very obvious that he knew that somewhere in that area there was someone who really cared about him.



Sorry, the number of photos goes down a little after that. I was instantly getting teary eyed, and teary eyes and camera don't mix too well.

 

[Vala]

Day 8 part 6: Carsland at Night


I'm meeting Sabrina and Markus for a drink at Trader Sam's, but meanwhile I really need food.

DCA is about to close, but Flo's Diner is open - albeit deserted.

Apple Cheddar pie:



I had been so disappointed when this had disappeared from the menu. Still as good as I remembered it.

My sandwich not so much though. They had a similar Roastbeef one in Jolly Holiday Bakery for the holidays last year which I loved. However, for this one I got a brioche style bun which I didn't like at all. It's advertised as: Roast Beef & Cheddar - Garlic Chive Bun, Caramelized onions and Horseradish Aioli, served with Signature Coleslaw



Carsland is a ghost town after I finished.























Off to Trader Sam's.





The place is really packed when we arrive. An older couple allows us to share their table.

Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum



I think this one was a Rosita's Margarita.



Passionate Python.



If you don't drink much alcohol consider yourself warned: that stuff is really, really strong. I imagine the heat didn't make me take my Rum easier, but I had to counter with a non-alcoholic cocktail cause I really felt my drink getting to me.

Schweitzer Falls.





After that we call it a day. A certain someone had informed us about a Vinylmation release at D-Street tomorrow. Wristbands required, so that meant a way earlier morning than we had planned for.

 

[Vala]

Day 9 part 1: The Vinylmation Release


When I arrive there's a line, but nowhere as bad as I thought. Once the wristbands are handed out most people stay in line.

Wristbands say pin trading... not sure if this is funny or sad.



Once sales start everything goes rather fast. I don't think I wait more than 45 minutes overall. And part of that was waiting for Markus because he was running a little late.

That's the Vinylmation that is released.



No line at the Jungle Cruise. I am seated in the middle row, so not many photos there.





I am slightly shocked to see that the Schweitzer Falls were dry. I realized it was hot, but that hot? :foilhat:

Back to Toontown on my Steamboat Willie quest. The CM I ask suggests to check back in the afternoon, but he can't promise.







Jackie texts. She and her mom are on the way to come and pick up the vinyls and play with me in the park a little.

As I am in the area anyway I go to the Magical Map theater. With that tent like roof things must get brutal there later. Those pictures were taken with a 300mm DSLR lens from about the middle of the theater.

















Neither Jackie nor her mom got the special clear chaser of the vinylmation either. But we all agree that Scrooge looks better in Gold anyway.

Snack at the Golden Horseshoe... ice cream nachos.



Genius move, I loved these.

The comedy troupe there is putting up a little show.



Back to Mickey's house. They're filming a different movie, but again no Steamboat Willie.





Only munk boyfriends get nose kisses.



Okay... let's go off to California Adventure, trade some vinyls and check on the crowd at the Mad T Party stage. Maybe then it's "afternoon" enough for another filming schedule change. We take the train from Toontown Station and wander over.

There's already a pretty big crowd at the stage. I guess there go my plans for food. JJ wanted to film something tonight and we'd already be a little more on the Dormouse side than I personally would have liked keeping that in mind. I text Jackie that I'll have to hold the fort. I'm not taking a gamble on Steamboat Willie to lose this spot. She and her mom decide that with this heat I can't possibly go without food and bring me a chicken skewer from the Pacific Garden Grill.

 

[Vala]

Day 9 part 2: Mad T Party Band


Thankfully JJ doesn't get stuck in traffic as long as last week, but Friday traffic to Anaheim is still a nightmare. She does make it on time for the start of the show though. I leave her the more center spot to make sure she gets her video as good as possible.



Unfortunately this show was when I really had to admit that my camera was dying. At one point both March Hare and Dormouse jump from the platform the drums are on. I didn't quite get the March Hare shot the way I was hoping for...



and when Dormouse jumps the camera jams. Aaaargh!!!

 

[Vala]

Day 9 part 3: Mad T Party Band continued

Now we've reached the point where the song JJ wanted to film comes up.

It's a Hatter centered song with really cool light effects. So while I am more Team Dormouse it really makes sense for a Hatter fan to try and catch that one.

However, Dormouse has different ideas. Suddenly he kneels down next to JJ, leans over to her and tries to get her attention... pretty much played part of his solo for her. Everyone is yelling "turn around". I'm standing there trying not to giggle - she is videoing, she doesn't need me lauging in the background. And with all that going on JJ even manages to loudly tell Dormouse: "NO!" He doesn't get her attention away from the Hatter for a second. I have no idea how she did this. I did manage to hold the camera straight and get a photo though, that I was very proud of.



















And that's what happens when the fog gets too thick. It's still a good picture, but if I had seen what I was shooting at it would have been a perfect one.











After the show we go and get the car, JJ's staying with me to get some sleep and will drive home in the late morning.

 

[Vala]

Day 10 part 1: A bad surprise at Goofy's Kitchen


It's Sabrina's and Markus' departure day. JJ and I take things a little slow in the morning and meet them for a late breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen.





When in line for the picture we do have a celebrity sighting though. Bob Gurr comes out of Steakhouse 55 and walks past us. Cue fangirl moment x 3. We didn't approach him or something, but it was still cool.

We're being sat quickly and pile food on our plates. The first set is all the standard characters you see at Goofy's: Minnie, Chip, Dale, Pluto.

Chip's first:



Followed by Minnie.



She signs for me and takes pictures with Markus and Sabrina, but skips me. Ummm... please? Pluto is directly behind her, so she moves on to the next table to make room for him.



Stopping on the way back:



Dale makes one last event to persuade me to ditch Chip. He even waltzes around with me in the little space that alkoven offers.



Food break. The four leave. So now who's visiting this morning?

A couple of minutes later the door opens... and in comes Minnie again, Pluto a little behind her. Ummm.... what?

We grab a server who explains to us that this is all characters that we're going to see. Okay, I've never done this before, but I'd like to see a manager please. This change came completely unannounced. (Even when I came back the Goofy's Kitchen website for the dining reservation still said "you never know who'll visit.") I've been raving to Sabrina about Goofy's pretty much since I know her, and you do this to me?

Manager comes. Of course I don't expect her to magically make Snow White appear. But we all felt a little brushed off. Okay, so the characters get new costumes. Cool. So I'll maybe come back for one more visit to see those, and that's it. The reason we kept coming back was exactly the advertised part. "You never know who'll visit." The gist of talking to her is "go complain to City Hall." Granted she does spend some time talking with us, but I couldn't help the feeling that she was trying to get rid of us. Especially the "we're trying to adjust experiences between parks" part doesn't fly well with any of us. If I want Chef Mickey's I'll go to Florida. If you're adjusting things between parks why not tear down Carsland while you're at it?

There goes my own goodbye breakfast. I cancel on the spot.

I'd like to repeat that this was not the fault of the characters that are still there. They were friendly, playful and came to see us repeatedly. However, I do not agree with such a practice like management pulled there, and I am a firm believer in "vote with your wallet."

Sabrina and Markus have to go as they're leaving for the airport. JJ and I march to City Hall. The CMs there are a little more... I won't go as far as calling it compassionate, but at least they did fill out incident forms. I'm also given this:



I guess that at least counts as trying to make me feel better. They also look up a couple of park character appearances for us. Not that Baloo or some others we were lucky to catch at Goofy's are still to be found anywhere...

Catching up with the Dapper Dans.



JJ goes home to catch up a little sleep. Big T Party night the next day.

I stroll through the park trying to find the characters City Hall gave me the times for.

Aladdin surprisingly shows up with some friends.





Genie got so excited I had drawn him.

Mad Hatter in Fantasyland... you can tell from the crowds in the background it was the quite busy Gay Days Weekend.



I hop over to California Adventure, let's see if the crowds there are better. Plus I still didn't have the chance to go and see the Aladdin musical. Maybe I can grab a family out of the Toy Story line too and take them with me with the pass.



I'm half way down Hollywood Boulevard when the heat starts really getting to me and for the first time ever when at Disney I get a case of "I've had it." Can't be bothered to move anymore, not even towards Hyperion Theater with air conditioning. I was mad at myself anyway for missing that Dormouse shot the night before night. I may as well sit down at the T Party stage and try again. At least there's some short of shade there.

Of course I am the very first to arrive. Who would have guessed.

After a while some others show up. We watch each others stuff so we can take turns in going for shade, getting drinks or food.

I end up at Award Wieners. Portobello Mushroom Sandwich:



I got to admit I am a little surprised when the CM who takes my order asks me: "You know this has no meat, right?" Yes, the "vegetarian" marking on the menu did kind of give that away...

 

[Vala]

Day 10 part 2: Another cup of T


The night starts off nicely... finally a good shot of Cheshire Cat. I'm way too short to get a good picture during the shows when he's behind the drums.









Testing the air...



This time it worked. And it worked pretty well I think.







Things were definitely a little off... Dormouse started playing with Caterpillar. I had never seen that happening.







At that point I messaged JJ telling her "the two are trying to kill me!!!"









Dormouse really pulled a number of things that evening - sometimes I couldn't even keep the camera straight to get a good photo.

Trying to eat the stage...



That "chase" is part of the usual show. But I really had never seen Caterpillar involved.