Anyone been on 2009 Happiest haunts tour yet?

[tripodjw]

Just wondered if anyone had been on the tour yet. I'm booked on for a couple of weeks time and just wanted to ask how it was.

Also where is the preferred fireworks seating that comes with the tour? So i can plan whether to go with the preferred seating or stake out my normal location early.

Thanks in advance

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

Although I haven't been on the tour this year, I talked to two ladies in the Park yesterday who had done it the night before.

I specifically asked about the preferred fireworks seating, and was told it was at Carnation Plaza Gardens (i.e. between the castle and the entrance to Frontierland). They admitted that, although it was nice not having to stake out a place, the trees frequently blocked their view. They sounded fairly disappointed about that aspect, having liked the rest of the tour.

I had been planning on taking the tour next month, with the preferred fireworks seating being a prime reason. Now, however, I'm not so sure.

 

[tripodjw]

Although I haven't been on the tour this year, I talked to two ladies in the Park yesterday who had done it the night before.

I specifically asked about the preferred fireworks seating, and was told it was at Carnation Plaza Gardens (i.e. between the castle and the entrance to Frontierland). They admitted that, although it was nice not having to stake out a place, the trees frequently blocked their view. They sounded fairly disappointed about that aspect, having liked the rest of the tour.

I had been planning on taking the tour next month, with the preferred fireworks seating being a prime reason. Now, however, I'm not so sure.

Thanks. Might just stick to staking out a place instead, especially as i'll only get one chance to see the fireworks properly on this visit.

 

[raftislander]

Would love to hear some more opinions on this topic. I guess if the rest of the tour is worth it then I shouldn't let this fireworks issue stop me. What to do... what to do????

 

[LuvIt]

Hmmmm, would the Carnation Plaza area also obscure the "moon" part of the Halloween fireworks that I've read about on these boards ? I'd love to hear more about the tour if anyone has taken it

 

[DizMe]

I would like to know, too! I read elsewhere that there are 2 possibilities for the seating, and I think one was the VIP area? I guess it depends on what else is going on and who else might be using the spot. Here is a thread about it. The mod talked to a CM and she posted what was said about the fireworks viewing on this page: http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=131806&page=2

 

[InLikeSin]

I'd also like to hear some reviews of this tour, my husband and I are booked for Sat the 24th.

 

[whodini]

Hoping someone pops on with a review. We're considering doing the last tour of the season on 11/1.

 

[disneymum58]

I also hope someone does a review before we go. We will be doing this tour Oct. 13!

 

[LuvIt]

Anyone who has done the tour care to respond....please?

 

[disneynerd420]

i met two women who took the tour and did not enjoy it. They said it was really nothing special and were very upset that they could not see the fireworks from the carnation plaza gardens

 

[HebeJebe]

I went on the tour last Saturday and loved it!! The fireworks viewing was in front of Partners statue in the little front spoke area. It was perfect!
Also we didn't have to wait in line for any of the rides. We were either taken in through the exit or the fast pass line.
I don't have my pictures uploaded yet but if anyone has any questions I am more than happy to answer them.

 

[LuvIt]

Hmmm, sounds like they might switch the fireworks viewing area for tour goers around depending on the days and crowds (see the different locations mentioned in the above 2 posts!).
I sure hope when we take the tour (Oct 23) that the designated area is not the carnation one since it's mentioned you can't see fireworks well from there.
Can anyone who took the tour comment on the content of the tour itself? Do you get any goodies (I'd guess food is out of the question LOL) on the tour?
Will my DS9 and DH enjoy the tour or think it's lame? The only reason we're doing the tour is it's DH's B-day and I thought it would be a nice surprise, but we're only at the park one day and I would hate to think we wasted 3 or 4 hours of it on a tour we didn't really enjoy....I hate having second thoughts......grrrrr.....sigh.....

 

[DizMe]

WAAAAAAAAAH...was able to add a day to our trip and called to make reservations for the HHT today for the 23rd and they were booked. Boo hoo!!!

 

[2wildchildzmom]

We went on the tour last Sunday and we all loved it. My boys were spooked out but not so much that they didn't totally enjoy everything. I don't want to give too much away because it is fun to see how it unfolds for yourself. My husband had no idea what to expect and he felt like it was the highlight of the trip. My 8 year old is still convinced everything that happened was real.

As for the fireworks, yes we were seated over by the carnation plaza and I thought it was not a very good location. My boys were so tired and the older one started to not feel well so we skipped the fireworks, knowing that we would have two more nights to see them. After seeing the fireworks from front and center the other two nights I am sure we would have been disappointed with the HHT location. That being said, the tour was awesome, getting on the rides as walk ons was awesome. The treat was a pumkin shape chocolate dipped rice krispy treat (I will pics in my upcoming trip report) we also got keys on a glowing lanyard. I would recommend the tour if you can make it. PM me if you want more details, just don't want to give away too much here.

 

[JiminyJane]

We went on the tour on Saturday and loved it! There were some very cool surprises, and the cast members did a wonderful job. The park was really crowded, and they did a great job keeping us all together and treated us like we were VIPs. The waits for the attractions were better than fast-pass waits. We were seated in front of the partners statue (a woman just outside of our seating area had been there since 3 PM). It seemed like our tour guides did not know where we would be seated until the end of the tour, which ended at Plaza Pavilion, which I believe is the alternative fireworks seating. I am guessing they don't know if they'll need that area for extra-special VIPs until the last minute. They almost cancelled the fireworks due to high winds, but didn't end up cancelling. If you are cynical and looking for a tour with a lot of facts and trivia, then you might not enjoy the tour (there was a woman on our tour who had kind of a sour look on her face and kept making sarcastic remarks to her companion, but most seemed to really enjoy it). The tour almost felt like a play, and we were part of the play. I felt like it was worth the money, even if we would have had to sit in the other area for the fireworks. Also, if you make your reservations by phone, be sure to let the cast member in guest relations (outside of DCA by the Lost and Found) know that you need to pick up your tickets. If you just say you're checking in, she'll tell you just to wait in the area and then you'll find out you needed to get a ticket from her (this is from experience).

 

[whodini]

Just booked the the 4:30 tour for my wife and I for 11/1. The 4:45 was already sold out.

 

[Sally_fan]

We did the tour last Sunday (27th) & LOVED it!!!!!!!! Don't want to give much away but the cast members involved were amazing! Just perfect!!! We all thought that it was well worth the $$.
As for the fireworks seating....well it was over by Carnation Plaza & the trees did block the view somewhat. Rather than sit on the benches provided we opted to sit on the pavement along the back by the veranda (you'll know what I mean when you get there) & our view wasnt too bad. It sure was a nice break from the crowds though! We had staked out a spot right in front of the partners statue for 1.5 hrs the night before & saw the whole show so the partially obstructed view wasn't a big deal for us. It was also a nice change of pace to be able to show up 15 min before show time & have a spot to go to!
The glowing necklaces with the keys are an awesome keepsake as was something else that I won't mention here so as not to give anything away. We also each got an apple shaped/decorated rice krispie treat that tasted pretty darn good! We enjoyed that while waiting for the fireworks to start.
My DS is 10 & my DD is 8 & they both thought that the tour was one of the highlights of this trip. My husband (who had his doubts about the tour! lol) very much enjoyed it as well!

 

[2wildchildzmom]

Hey Sally Fan, we missed you at the HHT. They needed a family of four to go on the earlier tour because someone didn't show up so we said we would do it. But I think I saw you and your family when your tour caught up to ours in Space Mtn. Glad you enjoyed it, we did too.

 

[Sally_fan]

Hey Sally Fan, we missed you at the HHT. They needed a family of four to go on the earlier tour because someone didn't show up so we said we would do it. But I think I saw you and your family when your tour caught up to ours in Space Mtn. Glad you enjoyed it, we did too.

Yeah....I am pretty sure that I noticed your family when we arrived (you were up near the door right?) but I was a little under the weather that day so I was feeling rather antisocial. Not to mention that I wasn't positive that it was you guys yet! lol Thankfully the yucks slowly lifted so that I was able to enjoy the tour.
We DID catch up to you guys! lol I am not sure how our guide walked that fast in those heels but she was just hauling! lol
I am glad that you guys enjoyed it too but it's too bad that one of your little guys started to feel icky. Hope it didn't last too long!!