999 Happy Haunts Ball or my 34 hour trip to the World!! (Pictures)

Brisully · Nov 3, 2002

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999 Happy Haunts Ball Trip
October 29-31, 2002
<hr>
When I last went to WDW in May, I was only planning to come
back for DISCON in December, since I only get two weeks vacation. Then I heard
about the 999 Happy Haunts Ball event, and decided I would try to go. When
I saw the merchandise available, (especially the pins

), I decided I was
definitely going. On the day that WDW began accepting reservations for the
event, I faxed mine in, and was all signed up for the event!!!
Now I needed to figure out how to juggle this with work. I checked
airfare, and found that if I took the last flight out on Tuesday night, and
took the first flight home on Thursday morning, I could get roundtrip air
for $125.00 including tax, and only miss one day of work. My trip was now
set. 
<hr>
October 29
 I was scheduled to leave on the 8:00 P.M. flight out of Midway,
which gets into Orlando at Midnight. Since that didn't sound very appealing,
and since ATA lets you fly same day standby for no charge, I left work early
and caught the 3:20 P.M. flight. I arrived in Orlando about 20 minutes early,
around 7:20. I was met at baggage claim by Andy, of FL Tours. Once we met
up, he went to pull the car up, and I met him outside. We had a pleasant conversation
on our way to Old Key West. We arrived and after a small mix up at the front
desk, I made my way over to my friends' room. (Thanks Cyndi & Mary!!!)

After I changed into shorts and got out of the room, it was
8:15. Since I was going to spend most of the next day in the MK, I hopped
the bus over to Epcot, to try and catch the best show in WDW, IMHO, Illuminations.
I get to Member Services, purchase my AP, and head into the park at 8:50.
Ten minutes to spare. I watched Illuminations from between Canada and Mexico,
along with about 70% of the people in the entire park who decided to watch
it there too. But who cares, IT"S ILLUMINATIONS!!!!!. It was, as always,
a good show. I headed back to the resort, where I unpacked and went to sleep,
as we had a long day ahead of us tomorrow.
<hr>
 
October 30
Got up and went over to Ft. Wilderness for the Trails End Buffet
with Cyndi (Figment2), Mary (Flitter), and Madeline. Met our friends Steve
and Corrine (Hobbs28) there. Had a great breakfast there, for a surprisingly
good price. It was then off to the TTC to register for the Ball. We jumped
on the boat over to the MK, then hopped the monorail to the TTC. 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/118-1810_img.jpg">
Before we got on the monorail, I had to take my first picture
of the trip. Always love the initial view of the outside of MK. Just a taste
until after Registration.
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/118-1813_img.jpg">
They had a simple reservation area where you went to pick up
your information packet. Then you went to another window where you tried to
"win" the chance of buying the coffin pin set. If you picked a number
between 1 and 350, you were in. Out of a possible 999 people, I picked number
965. I tell you, I have no luck when it comes to these things!!!
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/leighton.jpg">
Met up with Leighton, one of WDW's finest CMs!
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/118-1818_img.jpg">
We made our way over to MK after a 30 minute deluge of Florida
rain. we spotted some characters at the front of the park, and got a pic with
Genie.
 
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Cyndi, Madeline, and Mary had gone to MNSSHP a few days prior
as The Three Fairies. They had these shirts made up with their "Names"
on the back. Flora, Fauna, & Merriweather.
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/118-1830_img.jpg">
We headed over to the Adventureland Verandah, to pickup/sign
for our merchandise. Here you see Caroline showing off the pin coup of the
event - The Master Gracey pin. Limited to 250 pins, this was one great looking
pin in an incredible display. As you can see from the expressions in this
pic, I think everyone really liked the pin!
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/118-1832_img.jpg">
You just can't walk up or down Main Street without taking a
picture of the castle. 
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/118-1834_img.jpg">
Waiting at the bus stop for the OKW bus. I decided to grab some
bench because my cold/flu was starting to kick in. Mary was a little tired
too, but the ever watchful Cyndi and Madeline kept on the lookout for the
bus. We went back to OKW to freshen up before the event.
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/test.gif">
We met up with a bunch of people at OKW and at the TTC. Cyndi
requested that I make some buttons up for the Princess Posse. Here is their
logo..
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/posse_1.jpg">
And here is the Posse Picture, taken at the TTC. Back row -
Candi, Cathi, Mary, Cyndi, Joanie. Middle row - Bryce (sp???), Patti, Caroline,
Madeline. Front row - Clem
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/118-1835_img.jpg">
Well we made our way over to the MK, and I got lucky with this
night shot of the MK entrance. Slow shutter speed for the lights in the background,
and flash to brighten up the flowers in front.
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/118-1837_img.jpg">
Another picture of the castle, bathed in Halloween orange. We
then went to the HOP for the presentation by an Imagineer about the history
of the HM not only in WDW, but in DL, DLP, and TDL as well. 
 
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As we made our way out, we happened upon this Towncrier, (Sorry
John....

). He was rambling on about Ichabod Crane or something. Then Wagner's
"Ride of the Valkyrie's" began playing all over Liberty Square.

 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/119-1927_img.jpg">
The street was roped off and then, from out of nowhere came....
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/119-1928_img.jpg">
THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN!!!!! I had never seen this before. It
was beyond cool. That is probably the biggest horse I have ever seen. And
jet black. What a beautiful animal. He made a few passes, then went galloping
back down the street, with sparks coming off his feet as the horseshoes struck
the pavement. Very, very cool. 
 
We were all very hungry, so went to look for dinner. A nice
CM told us that Pecos Bill's was pretty empty, so we headed over there. (LTT,
and the Columbia Harbor House were open as well). They had tons of food there,
everything from a make your own fajita bar, to sea bass, to beef tenderloin.
Salad and potato bars there too. The water and soda were free, and they did
serve wine and beer, which you had to pay for after you used your two drink
coupons. 
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/119-1938_img.jpg">
Here's something you don't see everyday... an onstage CM at
the MK (BTMRR), in a picture with alcohol!! The CMs were great during the
event, letting us ride as many times as we wanted without getting off the
rides. (Splash, BTMRR, and HM were the only rides open).
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/119-1954_img.jpg">
Mary, Leighton, Bryce, and Jim on one of the many BTMRR rides.
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/119-1960_img.jpg">
One of the desserts they had, a sheet cake with the event logo
on top. YUMMY!!
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/119-1971_img.jpg">
Ole' HH made another entrance. A total of four times that night,
from what I understand. Still, very very cool!!!!
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/119-1972_img.jpg">
I met up with some friends who are part of a Walt Disney Classics
Collection club in suburban Chicago. Linda, Bambi, myself, Tracey, and John.
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/119-1990_img.jpg">
Well, after more rides and desserts, we started to walk toward
Main Street to exit the park and pick up our event gift. I grabbed this shot
of Patti and Joanie, in front of the castle. Great shot guys!!!!
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/119-1993_img.jpg">
Candi, Leighton, and Joanie. This would have been so much better
if I had taken the camera off of night shot mode. 
 
<img src="http://worldzone.net/internet/brisully1//Happy_Haunts/119-1994_img.jpg">
As we passed under the train station, I grabbed this shot of
the MK gates. 
 
A long day, but one of the more enjoyable days I have ever spent at the World. I left the next morning on the 7:20 A.M. flight to Chicago, and went right in to work. The cold that had just started the day before had come in with a vengence, making my day of work unbearable. But back to the event - I met a lot of incredible people, as well as seeing old friends again. The 999 Happy Haunts Ball was also one of the more well run events that I have ever attended at WDW. I sure hope they do this again next year, because I will be there in a heartbeat!!!!!
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KimRaye · Nov 3, 2002

WOW BRIAN!! Awesome trip report for just 34 hours! Love seeing pics!

Now, pardon me while I go whine about having to wait a month for DISConII!!!

glo · Nov 3, 2002

That is so awesome Brian..I love the picture of the headless horseman. That is just awesome...SO did you get any good pins???

Serena · Nov 3, 2002

Great report Brian, and beautiful pictures.

snuggles · Nov 3, 2002

Love those pictures Brian!

Towncrier · Nov 3, 2002

Great photos Brian. I've met Leighton before and agree that he's a great guy. It looks like you had a most excellent time on your whirlwind trip to WDW. I especially enjoyed the photos of the ghostly Town Crier. Thanks for sharing them with us.

BeautyLLM · Nov 3, 2002

Wow Brian...looks like you had a blast!!!

Great pictures!!

pixiedust218 · Nov 3, 2002

GREAT PICTURES!!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING THEM WITH US.

Smee · Nov 3, 2002

AWESOME pictures, Brian!!!!
Makes me want to go!!

Gail T AGAIN · Nov 3, 2002

Thanks for sharing the pictures with us, they came out great. I wish I could do a quik trip like that, maybe someday but for now I'll plan plan plan and wait wait wait.

nativetxn · Nov 3, 2002

How neat that y'all were haunted by the headless horseman!

Great trip report and wonderful photos, Brian

EpcotKilterFan · Nov 3, 2002

Great photos Brian!!!

I felt like Miss Sally from Romper Room.... I see Leighton, I see Jonie, I see Candi

Glad you had a great time.

Debbie

Barb · Nov 3, 2002

I finally got the pictures to work! What a great event, Brian!! Looks like an awesome evening! Thanks for sharing!!!!

Saffron · Nov 3, 2002

Great report Brisully!!! The pictures are fantastic!

suzanneb · Nov 3, 2002

who played the town crier? There was lots of "age" makeup, and that long grey wig, but the voice was unmistakeable- that young reporter over at the Expo Hall..you know who I mean!

Brisully · Nov 3, 2002

I think there are a lot of people looking at the pictures, and I am exceeding my bandwidth. Check back a little later, and they should hopefully be available again.

zurgswife · Nov 3, 2002

Bri...great pics thanks for sharing...

We saw the three faries at the MNSSHP on Oct 27th...they had great costumes...

what a great time you had....

NHMickey · Nov 4, 2002

Cool Pictures Brian... Looks like it was a great time...

goofyforwdw · Nov 4, 2002

Bri Very nice pictures,makes me feel like I was there Oh I was.But your pics made me feel like I was still there. I thought the Ball was a very well run event don't think we waited in a line for more than a couple of minutes. I think the headless horseman was the best that horse was incredable .We dressed up for MNSSHP on Halloween night and had a blast but boy was it crowded. Thanks for the report and hope you feel beter.
Take care Brenda

Flitter · Nov 4, 2002

Thanks for the pictures. I sure hope they do this event next year. I do believe that Oct/Nov is turning out to be my favorite time to visit WDW.

999 Happy Haunts Ball or my 34 hour trip to the World!! (Pictures)

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