A Salute to Food & Wine but Mostly Wine..12/21 FINAL THOUGHTS...a Solo Trip Adventure

[MRYPPNS]

So Sunday morning dawned bright, clear and sunny.

Does part of my picture from the same day look familiar??

 

[TarzansKat]

Your Downtown Disney night sounds great.

And nothing wrong with flying by the seat of your pants the next day! Relaxation is always in order. I love your pictures of the Beach Club and Boardwalk, it gets me very excited for going there!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

That is the kind of pool day I want -- view of Stormalong Bay, a beverage from the pool bar, a trashy novel, and lots of sun!!!

All of your photos of Beach Club are sooo gorgeous!!!

That sounds heavenly about now. You will be experiencing it first hand in not so long! And you have to promise to take lots of pictures!

You're not missing anything, she's keeping it secret so far, meanie!

Nice pics of the beach club, OKW had shells in the pavement too which I thought was so cool.

Definitely try Wolfgang Puck Express. We had breakfast there one morning and it was really good (I on the other hand would like to try Earl of Sandwich next time)

Wolfgang is on the list for next time!

Christine - I am just laughing reading your TR.

We were in WDW at the same time! I remember being tempted to do that Pirates meet - except I could have sworn it was sponsored by All Ears. You mentioned podcast...did the WDW today guys mention it???

Also, that "God Loves U" message that was printed in the sky from your Beach Club photos - well I was just a short distance away from you outside of LeCellier reading that same message!!! (I am about to post about that day on my next update. It was Saturday, the day of the Expedition Everest challenge!)

Too funny!!!

That is too funny! Next time we'll have to be sure to meet up! I've read about the God loves u message writer on lots of other TR's. I wonder who does it and how much it's costing them to share this message so regularly. I also wonder what Disney thinks about it, if anything. Where are those Mickey shaped clouds they are supposedly developing when you need them??

Isn't it liberating to throw your plans out the window?? At least that is how it felt for me when we did.

It is kinda liberating! A little scary given the time and energy that goes into the planning but when you think about it, it's just unrealistic to expect you'll know exactly what you'll feel like doing 180-days out!

Unfortunately we have done DTD on a Saturday evening more than once.

Total. Madness.

It's probably a local hangout, too, besides being a cool place for Disney guests to spend some time and money on a Saturday night.

I am loving your warm, sunny BC pics this morning as I sit here and it's 15 degrees outside my house...


.

Total madness it was. Maybe there were a lot of locals. Not sure. There were just a lot of people. Some of it may have had to do with the fact that the T Rex restaurant had just opened. I couldn't get near it otherwise I might have checked it out. It is cold here in CT too... just keep dreaming of Florida!!

Does part of my picture from the same day look familiar??

How funny! Seriously, this sky writer is the common thread in so many TR's!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Your Downtown Disney night sounds great.

And nothing wrong with flying by the seat of your pants the next day! Relaxation is always in order. I love your pictures of the Beach Club and Boardwalk, it gets me very excited for going there!

Relaxation is a nice thing. Especially after going full speed for a few days in Disney! The sad thing is I did it to myself. Just got excited finally being there and overdid it!

I'm so excited for you to be there especially at this time of year. Lots of pictures, please!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Well if I wasn't wishing for it before, now I'm REALLY wishing I kept a trip journal because despite the fact that it was less than a month ago my memory is already fading! So we're up to the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party night. I'd heard and read so much about this party I was really looking forward to it. The online community I mentioned was having another meet this night so I planned to meet up with them and see how it went.

I had an ADR at Kona but I canceled in favor of a bit more sunshine. Only sun comes ahead of food on my list... you can imagine the internal debate! But I did appreciate that it was only me I had to make happy and I didn't have to weigh any one else's opinion.

I got ready and was heading over to MK around sunset. For whatever reason I always walked through Epcot and took the monorail over instead of taking the bus into MK. Sunset is a pretty time of day to arrive.

Despite all the reading I'd done and pictures I had seen, I was still surprised at the transformation of the MK. It was in full-on Halloween mode with smoke, spooky sounds, and lots and lots of costumes!

It's hard to describe but it's almost like the MK was a different place. It definitely had the Halloween and party vibe. And the costumes guests had on were fantastic. I'll come to confession now and tell you that I did not have a costume. Not even a custom iron-on shirt that I had aspired to make before I left. I did buy a glowy necklace... does that count? Yeah, not so much. I think that if I went back for MNSSHP I would dress up (and I DO hope to go back!!).

I found the folks from the online community and, of course, they all looked fantastic in their costumes. I was feeling a bit like a loser but they were all so friendly that it quickly passed. First on the list was trick or treating so we set off. We got lots of candy that I ultimately left for mousekeeping. (I know... I'm not a candy person. But if they'd been handing out french fries or booze you'd have had to fight me for it )

I was surprised at the lines for the rides. Almost non-existant! We went on Haunted Mansion -- of course!-- and that did have a bit of a wait but not too bad. They had some cool extras for the party like an actress who was on the lawn playing a ghost. She was very good. And, for the first time I saw the Mr. Toad statue on the way out!!!

No pictures. I know. Not sure why. Think I was overwhelmed.

We went on Pirates, of course. I never get tired of that ride!

And before I knew it, it was time to gather for the parade.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love that last castle pic, it is just so pretty.

I loved that ghost lady at HM too, she was awesome. One of the many highlight for me at MNSSHP.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

MNSSHP is my favorite of all the parties they have at MK. I remember the first time I went to the Halloween party, so yes it is very overwhelming, but so much fun.

 

[wdwgirl03]

The decorations for the Halloween party look amazing. It didn't look anything like that when we went in '06.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

First up was Hallowishes. It didn't feel like we waited too long -- it was so fun chatting with new friends that the time flew by-- and we got a great spot right in front of the castle.

What can I say??? It was AWESOME! It's amazing how the lighting changes really make such a difference.

Then we hunkered down for a long wait for the parade. I say long from a clock perspective. But again it flew by chatting with new friends. We caught the second parade and I was surprised to see all of the people leaving after Wishes. I definitely recommend waiting for the 2nd parade. We got a very nice piece of curb on Main Street. I didn’t catch a picture of this but there was a street sweeper who came by and “painted” a gorgeous picture of Mickey on the cement just using water (or some magic liquid). It was very cool and even other cast members came to marvel at it. Another example of a Disney cast member loving their job and truly making it their own. The guy could have just gone on by and swept up trash but instead he created magic! I SO want to work for Disney!!!!

The parade most certainly did not disappoint. My photos do not do it justice. The headless horseman was AMAZING. The cast members took great care to ensure that all body parts were up on the sidewalk with nothing hanging over the curb and I can see why. The horse came careening down Main Street and was so close to our side that I think I could have touched the horse. If I hadn’t been frozen in place, awed by the sight.

And the parade that came behind him did not disappoint!

I just love the Pooh characters and their costumes!

This is my favorite photo of the night:

I think my favorite float was the Haunted Mansion theme. I will say it was an odd transition from the warm fuzzy Disney characters to Haunted Mansion, Pirates etc. But it’s all about suspension of disbelief, right??
Loved this guy with his dog. When we looked closer we saw that someone who had walked the route just before had dropped a lot of biscuits that the dog was anxiously chasing down.

I didn’t get a photo of them (awe again, I think) but after the Haunted Mansion float there were these grave digger dancers. Guys dancing around with metal shovels and at one point in their dance they would drag the shovels on the ground and create metal sparks. I’m sure my description isn’t doing it justice but it was SO cool. I felt bad for the dancers , they were sweating their ghost make-up off in their three piece suits.

I thought of the Lapuettes when this float came on through…

Too dark but how could I let Captain Jack languish in photobucket??

After the parade the rest of the group was splitting off to do a variety of things they were looking forward to but I was tired. A day of lounging by the pool really tires a girl out, ya know! So I grabbed a soda and some fries from Casey’s since I hadn’t had dinner and headed for “home.”

All in all LOVED MNSSHP and would DEFINITELY do it again. The crowds were low, the special fireworks and parade were terrific. It is expensive, but in my opinion, I got my $’s worth.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I love that last castle pic, it is just so pretty.

I loved that ghost lady at HM too, she was awesome. One of the many highlight for me at MNSSHP.

Thanks! I was very into photography in highschool and w/ Disney as the perfect subject I am getting more into it again. Although my pics don't hold a candle to yours. I'm just starting to learn about "our" camera (these were taken w/ a different camera).

The ghost lady was awesome. I can't wait to go back!

MNSSHP is my favorite of all the parties they have at MK. I remember the first time I went to the Halloween party, so yes it is very overwhelming, but so much fun.

It was fantastic. I'm looking forward to comparing it to Christmas in the World.

The decorations for the Halloween party look amazing. It didn't look anything like that when we went in '06.

Well it sounds like you need to plan a Halloween trip then!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Right now we are looking for a point & shoot for Marc to take on our trips. He hated handing over "our" camera to the CM's for character greetings, he was petrified someone was going to break it. He wants a p&s just to mess around with that he can keep in his pocket and we can take out for quick photo ops. Sometimes it was a pain to dig out my camera from the bag because by the time I did the photo op was gone, you know? I'm also on the search for memory cards again, my other two are still missing!

Was the villain float at your second parade? Just curious because the second parade of the night we went didn't have it.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I have the Sony Cyber-shot for my point and shoot and like it a lot. I think it would be great to get a point and shoot for you guys. You both take nice photos and that way you could get twice the results!

We did have the villans float... I just didn't get any pics.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

The decorations for the Halloween party look amazing. It didn't look anything like that when we went in '06.

The decor sometimes changes year to year. 2007 & 2008 looked pretty much the same, but I just went back to look at my own 2006 party pics and the train station didn't have the banners hung out there, but there were Mickey pumpkin and ghost balloons and a giant lit up mickey head in the grass in front of the train station. It never looks the same from year to year 100%. Inside the park itself, I haven't noticed any major changes over the years.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

It was fantastic. I'm looking forward to comparing it to Christmas in the World.

If you liked MNSSHP, I think you will like MVMCP too. Though the Halloween one is still my favorite. I see you'll be back at the world soon-we will be there a week later. Doing MVMCP on the last night-insanity, but we had no other choice! Your pictures came out beautiful and I can't wait to see and hear more.

 

[Donald is #1]

Another great update!

Isn't it amazing the difference in MK for a special event? I did MNSSHP back in '06 and I was just amazed as I walked in along main st.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I have the Sony Cyber-shot for my point and shoot and like it a lot. I think it would be great to get a point and shoot for you guys. You both take nice photos and that way you could get twice the results!

We did have the villans float... I just didn't get any pics.

Well I am glad that you did have the villains float. Sony Cyber-shot, eh? Very good. I will have to look into it. I have only had kodak point and shoot ones.

 

[If U Had Wings]

The castle photos are beautiful. I'm glad you had such a great time at MNSSHP. It's one of my favorite things at Disney.

 

[Circusgirl]

It has been great to catch up and go from DTD to a sunny relaxing day at your beautiful resort to all the spooky goodness of the Halloween Party!
It is sometimes so hard to put a plan aside and decide to substitute one experience for another, but good for you for going with your bliss, both with your beach day and canceling your Kona Cafe reservation. In my trip report I'm coming up on when I canceled my Le Cellier reservation (gasp!) because there were other things I wanted to do more in that moment.
I like how you described the way the MK is transformed for the party.
Soon we'll be seeing Christmas!!!!!

 

[TarzansKat]

Your pictures of MNSSHP give me the chills. It just brings me right back.

And thank you for not letting Captain Jack languish in photobucket. That's just wrong.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Your sunset photos are gorgeous! Sunset and twilight are my favorite times of the day -- even more so when they are experienced at WDW!

MNSSHP is my favorite ticket event at MK -- so glad that you had such a great time! The fireworks and parade are truly amazing -- not to mention the Headless Horseman! I have to agree that the HM portion of the parade is my favorite -- I just love the gravediggers with their shovels. That is too funny about the dog with the biscuits -- I never knew that.