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

[Vala]

Day 4 part 1: Pixie Hollow revisited


The plumbing issues I mentioned before give me a slightly earlier start than planned. Oh well, I still got stuff to do before Stuart and JJ arrive. Stuart and I are planning to stick around to pin trade - we need to get those stained glass pins somehow. That will likely eat up most of the afternoon.









Really empty - I should have saved myself the Frozen run for today.



It's that empty that I get to walk straight in for Pixie Hollow.



Fawn is visiting this morning. Yay, now I am just one pixie short to complete the drawing.





Fawn actually gets more excited about my camera than my drawing. The camera is kind of bronze colored and matches her outfit very well. The cast member taking our picture notices what I was getting signed and tells me Rosetta will be flying in today too and suggests a time I may want to get in line for. Thank you, that's so kind... Rosetta is always the hardest to catch up with.

Chatting with Tink. I mention to her I am surprised that it's that quiet. The photographer chimes in and tells me that this is the best time to visit - the lines are slow cause everyone is trying to get Frozen passes first. Well not me (at least not today). "I go to the places that really matter." That comment makes Tink positively beaming.








When I leave Pixie Hollow I spot a familiar duo on their way going down the Rabbit Hole.

 

[Vala]

Day 4 part 2: Tea Party Fantasyland Style


My mom raised me well, so when I catch up with Alice and the Hatter I nod my head and greet them. "Good morning Alice, good morning Mr. Hatter. How are you this fine morning?"

After a little chit chat Alice asks me if I'd like a cup of tea. I sure do... so...



The smile on my face tells it all I think. A totally unexpected moment of pure Disney magic.

I still got time until I have to get in line to meet Rosetta and decide to wander over to the Fantasy Faire. A little time in line for the princesses will help calm me.

Meeting at the Fantasy Faire are Snow White







Ariel







and Cinderella.



She asked me to pose with her the same way, but as you can see the hoodie around my waist doesn't quite look like a gown.

She remembers me from my first visit and asks what I've been up too. "must have been exciting." Yeah, that wait in line wasn't long enough to do any good. I'm still beaming. So Cinderella gets to listen to my tea party story even before JJ.







Back to Pixie Hollow.





When I unpack my drawing a woman in line behind me spots it and tells me she saw me at the artist signing the day before (correct) and she was so glad me and the other artists got to enjoy the parks too. *blushes crimson* Umm... yes, I was at the signing, but I swear to you I am not one of the artists... I've come to accept meanwhile I am good, but I don't work for Disney.

The cast member giving my the heads up about Rosetta is now at the entrance. She smiles when she sees me and nods. Yes, I timed it right.



Rosetta is quite proud that she gets to complete the drawing, but a little mad at her fairy friends cause they didn't really leave her any choice where to sign.







Of course Tink being Tink immediately spots the drawing. "What have you got there?"



She asks how long it took me to draw this and I start explaining about the soccer game.

Tink immediately goes: "Oh, that's the game where you shoot acorns into the spider web, right? We play that in Pixie Hollow too." and starts shooting off questions about our human soccer rules. I admit she had me speechless for a second, and that means something.







Back to the Royal Theater to meet up with JJ.

 

[Vala]

Day 4 part 3: Welcome to the Theater!


JJ has brought me some posters as a gift which security didn't allow to take her to the parks. Ratatouille movie posters are apparently incredibly dangerous items. Or maybe they thought we'd use them to make protest signs or whatever. So it's first off to pick up the posters, then I run them back to the hotel while JJ saves our spots for the Royal Theater.

Sir Samuel of Morocco:



Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones:



Our lovely heroine:



And said heroine along with the not so lovely villain...



He's dead, Jim! (Well not quite, but she knocked him out really good. )













I tink I like Rapunzel's style a bit better there... that fist shaking makes the difference.





JJ takes off for the Firehouse for the Dapper Dan set. I decide to wait for a picture with Flynn.

The handmaidens (assistants? Do they have an official title?) dancing.

 

[Vala]

Day 4 part 4: What remained of Sunday


I didn't have breakfast, so I figured I deserved a snack.



You don't see it in the picture that well, but the CM tried to make a Mickey head with the foam.

Going to the Firehouse...





The Dapper Dans.













Shortly after the set Stuart arrives. JJ and I unpack our goodies he brought us before she departs on her Sunday round to see Newsboys etc. We're planning to catch up at the Mad T Party later.

Stuart and I head for Rancho del Zocalo which is where the pin traders hang out now on weekends. On the way he gets a text... nope, they have been relocated to Aladdin's Oasis. Restaurant got too busy, tables were needed.

Aladdin's Oasis is actually a pretty ideal meeting spot. The only problem I had was a not so nice smell coming from the Jungle Cruise River. But hey, that was giving me Mad T Party deja vus cause there's smell coming from a sewer right at the stage too. Also some others had problems with cell phone reception. But otherwise... as long as you're not sidetracked... which of course happened in the glimpse of a second once I saw something blue up the stairs. "Stuart can you watch my bags please????"

Hey, I asked before running off. That was the maximum my brain was willing to do.





Not the best pictures, I know. Unfortunately that trip was the last one of my beloved DSLR. She did some weird things including slight bluriness out of the blue and a friend diagnosed a problem that's way too expensive to repair for an almost 8 year old camera. Farewell my dear camera. /OT

We trade until around 5 PM. For those who posted they were sorry about us missing the pins on Friday: I'm happy to report that we at least managed to get one of those Soda Fountain Princess pins for all of our friends, and we even managed to get everyone the one they wanted most. I'll never publically admit what we had to trade, but at least everyone got something. And the smile Sabrina gave me when I presented her with Ariel later that night was worth giving up what I gave up.

I quickly run over to DCA to check on JJ. However, Pluto has different plans... he hugs me and won't let me go. Impromptu photo session.



JJ tells me to go and stay with Stuart if I can live without seeing Dormouse that day. I'd have to run off early anyway to save the Fantasmic spots for Markus and Sabrina - who have meanwhile texted that their flight is delayed. Fun - not.

It's getting a bit cold and when another trader signals Zocalo has open tables again we decide to move back to Zocalo. Meanwhile Stuart has realized that I hadn't eaten anything all day.

Though I am sure that burrito he gets me made up for at least two meals.



This is called a Burrito Sonora.

We trade until the first Fantasmic is about to start. Then Stuart and most others depart to beat the fireworks crowd.

I'm trying to figure out a good position where to wait for Fantasmic. The fireworks view from the Fantasy Faire area is way better than I expected.

Then off to the Rivers of America. They are holding everyone back behind ropes now until the area has cleared. Then everyone rushes to the river. I make it to the center area pretty much to the front and thanks to the pin bag there's also space for Markus and Sabrina. Unfortunately once they finally make it to the parks the crowds are too thick and they can't get through to me anymore. They told me they got okay spots on the bridge though. I was a bit "huh?" about this day's show anyway. I knew the characters would come out on the island due to the Mark Twain being in refurb. However, the dragon didn't appear. That was unexpected and left me slightly disappointed. I love Murphy.

After the show Markus, Sabrina and I catch up at French Market. Sabrina is very happy about her Arielle pin, but can't help asking: "What did you trade for it?" Well don't ask me again and I won't have to lie. *flutters eyelashes*

I help Sabrina and Markus getting their castle shot, then we go back to our respective hotels. It's almost the next morning for those two anyway.

 

[Vala]

Day 5 part 1: A Trip to Disney Studios


Thanks to the generosity of some incredibly sweet people I've had the chance to go to Walt Disney Imagineering a couple of times in the past view years. This basically means you get access to a store where only employees of the Walt Disney company can shop. They have a lot of cool exclusive merchandise there. Apparel, pins and so on.

This year Sabrina, Markus and me were invited for another trip, and this time we got to go to Walt Disney Studios too.

So in the morning my first way is to the Grand Californian where our friends would pick us up.



No photography allowed on the WDI grounds, but truth to be told... you pretty much go straight from the entrance to the store, so there's not much to see.

We are lucky though and even manage to get some of the Rapunzel pins that came out the week before. Sabrina was very delighted - you may remember she loves Ariel and Rapunzel.

With very heavy shopping bags we set off to the Studios.









Some shots from the Archives.





So I went to Walt Disney Studios and the thing I was most fascinated with was this soccer ball...



We just make it back in Anaheim for a quick detour to Company D. Again this is a cast member only store. Imagine one of the outlet stores, but you can't get in if you don't have a cast member coming with you. They have a number of discounted items from the parks there and again some nice exclusive ones like t-shirts and pins. They have a very nice villains series there called "be on the lookout" in the style of Wanted posters for example. I did manage to get Big Bad Wold for myself and could trade for a Queen of Hearts for JJ, so I was very happy too. Aaron kindly gave me his Scar because he's one of my favorite villains and I sacrificed a pin from my box to get JJ's Queen.

After that we are running quite late for our Ariel's Grotto reservation. Aaron drops us of at the Grand Californian again and we put stuff away in Sabrina's and Markus' room. I just have enough time to open my Marvel Vinylmation box.

This is what I find.



Why did I get a Green Goblin with violet feet and Jonah Jameson's face?

I text Jackie while we run off for Ariel's Grotto. Thank god Markus and Sabrina are there to guide me, I would have walked into walls constantly.

 

[Vala]

Day 5 part 2: Ariel's Grotto


We've barely made it through the entrance gate when Jackie replies to my "clueless pin trader needs vinyl help!" message. "OMG you got a variant." So that's where they're hiding those, WDI? Nick is a huge vinyl collector. When Jackie told him what I got he really thought she was pulling his leg.

We arrive at Ariel's Grotto slightly late, but they still seat us no problem.






We're being seated in the single booth close to the entrance of the princesses. It's actually a pretty neat spot though you're at the end of the rotation.

The issue we have is more with the long table close by. Seems like a family reunion of some kind, and they have a particular fussy baby. Again I feel kind of horrible that I'm even thinking this... but really, if your baby is screeching constantly and throwing that much food and other items around that we actually had difficulties getting out of the booth without stepping into something there's eventually a point where you should consider other patrons and take the baby out of the restaurant. I realize your meal was expensive, but frankly... so was mine. A fully booked restaurant really isn't the place where you should give your baby a lesson in "you can't always get what you want" by ignoring it.

Sorry, rant over now. Back to the regular scheduled trip report.

The food.





I think the soup was pumpkin soup which certainly would make sense considering the season.

I went for the salad, which was really nice and refreshing.



The mains:

Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp



and my favorite, Barbecue Tri Tip. This is probably my favorite dish at the the non buffet barbecue meals. It was just as delicious as I remembered.



We're all completely floored when Rapunzel is announced first. Rapunzel at Ariel's Grotto? Needless to say Sabrina is over the moon.





Belle is the second princess to visit (in the end she got to our table third, but I figured I'd keep the order).





A couple of bites later it's my turn to be completely over the moon... "Going down the Bayou" comes on over the speaker. Seriously? Sabrina swears I literally started bouncing in my seat.





The last visiting princess is Cinderella.





The dessert:



Again slightly changed since last year, but no complaints.

I had been aiming to run over to New Orleans Square and am running slightly late. Sabrina and Markus stay behind to pay while I run off.

On the way to New Orleans Square I pass two adorable older ladies who had caught my eye in the restaurant already. They were singing along to Tiana's music just as I was. One of them is on a scooter and completely Frozened out, including a balloon. She's also wearing a birthday button. I stop, say hi and "please don't think I'm weird." Smart move, now they'll do that for sure. >< I tell them I noticed them in the restaurant. Seeing it was birthday I wanted to give something that I thought would match the outfit. "Happy Birthday!" *holds out Dreams pin with Olaf on it from Paris* Two stunned looks. "I don't have anything to trade." No trading necessary, birthday gift. I brought some of these for special people, and you're special cause you really made me smile when I saw you with Tiana and the others. Again stunned looks and the lady in the scooter insists on getting up to hug me as a thank you at least.

I really hope that in 20 years from now I'll be enjoying Disney like those two did that day.

 

[Vala]

Day 5 part 3: New Orleans Square


My mission at New Orleans Square was to find the Bootstrappers, one of Disneyland's original entertainment groups. I eventually spot them near the former Court of Angels.

This... I almost wrote "charming young gentleman" which doesn't quite cut it... is Syd.



He does have some.... interesting habits sometimes.

Here we have Grieving Tim:



The female Pirate is Mean Jean.



Unfortunately I never caught the names of the other two, although I've been seeing them for years now.











I really like those guys. Plus I love to enjoy the attractions which are special to a park when I get the chance.

Going on Haunted Mansion:







I swear I really did do a couple of rides. But as it was mostly the Astroblasters, Haunted Mansion or Toy Story I figured I'd spare you that part.

 

[Vala]

Day 5 part 4: The Halloween Carnival

Trying to be artsy at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.



It's pretty late in the afternoon. The characters have already retired, but there's still tons of things to see at the Carnival.











The pumpkin carvers are working a lot more with colors this year.









After that I'm meeting with Markus and Sabrina again to watch the parade. We're kind of stunned that all spots seem to be taken rather early. We're almost up to Small World and have already decided we may as well ride when a front row spot suddenly opens up.

 

[Vala]

Day 5 part 5: The Evening

Not even two minutes after we plopped down comes the announcement about the Frozen preparade, which all three of us had completely forgotten about.

Not many parade pictures this time. It was a quite spontaneous decision to watch, we didn't have the best spot and I had left the external flash in the hotel.









We nip onto Small World to beat the post parade crowds. That ride gets an add on entertainment factor cause the CMs load the boat completely wrong... we seriously hit ground twice on one side. It was that odd that Markus saved my backpack with the camera, just to be sure.

Afterwards we take the monorail for our dinner destination... Tangaroa Terrace.



Big Island Flatbread - not in the mood for a large dinner.



It was okay. I prefer the flatbreads at PCH Grill though.

Sabrina and Markus had Big Island Burger, one with Sweet Potato Fries and one with Tropical Slaw.





They both liked their burgers. The sweet potato fries were kind of unusual for us, but we all found them tasty. The Tropical Slaw was a big disappointment though. Markus let me try and I couldn't find anything tropical about that one either.

After that it's back to the Grand Californian to get my stuff. I decide to splurge and get a cab back to my hotel. I am so not hauling these shopping bags through bag check.

Up next... our Halloween Party Day!

 

[Vala]

Day 6 part 1: A Disney Morning

This time I'm actually awake before the plumbing strikes.

Another nice and quiet morning... I even get my munkies all for myself.



Trying for another selfie.



Saved by a nice dad.



Saying hi to Goofy.







At Starbucks there's a young CM with a lanyard who mentions upon seeing my Rapunzel Dreams pin that she had been looking for a Rapunzel pin to make it a mystery one for a while. Well look no further... *gets pin off lanyard* "You don't have to do that." I know, but I want to.

I decide to go and check out Pixie Hollow again. I know Terence doesn't normally fly in anymore - but last time we saw him he was visiting cause some of the other fairies had gotten sick, and with this heat... better safe than Terence-less.

On the way I bump into two friends.



As you can see Alice really liked her drawing and started digging through my other ones to check which one of her friends I had drawn too. In the end I had to dish out the huge folder cause she wanted to see everything. Some of you have already seen how huge that folder is.



No Terence in Pixie Hollow - it's Fawn. Again no one in line behind me, so we play for a little while.









Tink.



Breakfast... Chocolate Twist from Maurice's Treats this time, along with an Apple Freeze. They should really do a buy 5 get 1 free promotion there.



I go on Buzz and am again cheated out of my picture. Whenever I scored over 700,000 my picture disappeared. Not nice.

Off to New Orleans Square. The actual idea was to go on Haunted Mansion and maybe the Winnie the Pooh ride. However, a huge line near the New Orleans Square train station distracts me.



Jack Skellington is out. Oh my god, how could I forget about the Pumpkin King! *runs in line*

Two groups in front of me Jack goes on a break. Could I really be so lucky...? Yes, he comes back with Sally! :dawave:



Considering I hadn't even planned this that went pretty well.

Jack asks about my Halloween costume. I tell him I'll be a bunny. Well actually the White Rabbit Tokyo style, but let's not get into that too much. (There'll be plenty of pictures later. ) Of course this prompts Jack to explain about Easter Town and he asks if I can draw him as King of Easter Town. Jack with bunny ears? Deal, and I even have the sketch pad with me this time.



Now where could I find a little peace and quiet... Halloween Carnival has seating. *toddles off over there*

Pictures from the Dia de los Muertos display at Rancho De Zocalo.

 

[Vala]

Day 6 part 2: Back at the Carnival




And Big Thunder Railroad again... I think I am slightly obsessed with that shot.





You know when that happens when you really should be doing something and you find yourself distracted?



The line at the Villains tent is also short, soooo....

The Carnival's Fortune Teller, Ivana Mystic.



The set up is still largely the same as last year.



"I see a dungeon... a book of spells..."





Yay!!! I knew we wouldn't get Maleficent, but the Queen is way too cool.



But now I really have to draw. At least I get the pad out this time.







Sabrina messages. "Where are you?" At the Carnival, trying to draw. "Why are you drawing at the Carnival?" Because it's nice and empty there, there's barely anyone in line at the villains tent. "oh okay, you convinced me, we're coming."

I do manage to finish up Jack's gift before distraction arrives.



We still get to meet the Queen again, that might give you an idea of how empty it was. Usually the villains appear for 2, maximum 3 sets before a switch.

 

[Vala]

Day 6 part 3: Prelude to the Party

Coming out of the tent Jessie is out and about.



There's a little show with a magician going on now. It matches the theme, kind of what you'd expect at a Sideshow Carnival.



I will admit I missed Billy Hill and the Hillbillies a lot. The show's okay, but the Billies were much better.



I decide to try the tent again... Cruella!



Cruella who is more than excited about her drawing. "I can do another one for you if you like it." I knew there was a reason why I brought that sketchpad. Cruella looks at me like she expects me to start drawing there and then, but I am granted a few more hours.



I go for a stroll to see if I can find out if the promised location in the park where they're handing out wristbands materialized. It is near Small World, but they're still setting up.

Tangled is being shown at the Royal Theater today (the last days had seen a couple of Beauty and the Beast only), so I decide I may as well rest there a little. The weather was getting more and more hot, I was beginning to have Epcot deja vus.

At the castle drawbridge I spot something blue. The Fairy Godmother?!?! I thought she had been banished to Minnie's Breakfast only.

When it's my turn I burst out with exactly that question and she tells me that she was going to meet here again in the afternoons. Yay! Not that I wasn't planning on doing the Breakfast. But it's always nice to see a character back in the parks.





I get a really good spot in front row at the Royal Theater. Quite unexpectedly an announcement... "performance delayed." Okay, I figured that something was up when the girls didn't come out for the cheering instructions. Waiting a little longer... another announcement. "Due to unforeseen circumstances this performance has been cancelled." Oh.

A couple of CMs with lanyards are in the area, so I hang out there a little.

Suddenly Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones show up and enter the little makeshift stage by the tower. They announce Miss Rapunzel has been taken sick, so they had to cancel the performance. Understandable... I'm almost dying in that heat. Even Dug has decided to hide at the groomer, he's never been out when I checked at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Poor Rapunzel with all that hair must feel ten times worse than me.

Mr. Smythe asks: "Does anybody want to take pictures with us?" I literally stop mid step. Wait. DID YOU JUST SAY...? Me, me, me, me!!!! *does Tigger bounce*



Me = happy. Nope, that is an understatement. You may have noticed if you read my report from last year that I really liked the Royal Theater performances. A photo with Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones was something I really wanted, but never expected to get. My friends had told me those chances come up very rarely only. And now I happened to stumble into one!



I'm still listening to Mr. Smythe's and Mr. Jones' antics when suddenly a male voice next to me says: "You have beautiful eyes." Honey, I know we're at Disneyland and it's somehow tempting to get out the cheesy pick up lines, but really...

Thank god I turn around before saying that. I find myself looking into a very familar pair of eyes. Flynn Rider. And he's smiling at me. *turns into instant puddle*

Oh my god, I almost told off Flynn Rider!!! *faints*





Flynn is trying to get closer to Smythe and Jones when the handmaidens show up and tell him off for trying to jump the line. "He's Flynn Rider, he can do anything he wants to." That gets me a smolder and a couple of laughing handmaidens. Someone mop up the puddle at Rapunzel's Tower please! *melts*

It was really, really cool. They sent out the complete cast for photos and autographs instead of doing the play. I even catch up with Sir Samuel.



I text Jackie and tell her what just happened. Her response? "That's it, next time you are here I am taking vacation and I am not leaving your side!"

 

[Vala]

Day 6 part 4: Big Thunder Mountain Barbecue


I go to Westward Ho to check the trade board there. Turns out it's not out, they're short on staff. A kid asks and is visibly disappointed. I offer: "I'll trade with you if the lovely ladies here are okay with it." The CM at register nods, so we step to the side and I dig out my trade satchel. It doesn't really matter to me what I put on lanyards, and hey, if I make the kid smile...

When we finish another boy is stepping up and asks "can we trade?" I look at the CMs - the trading tables at Westward Ho were removed because some people who really are give trading a bad name were ripping people off there, and I really don't want to get in trouble. They signal "it's okay", so I trade the second boy too.

Out of the blue a CM comes out from behind the register, tells me "Thank you for sharing the Disney magic!" and hands me one of the new Hidden Mickeys, Ursula from the sketch series. Which happens to be one of the most coveted ones of the set. I... I just did what any decent trader would have done. Or maybe I better say should have done in the current stated of things.

Tiana is meeting at New Orleans Square.



Now I just have enough time to get my Party wristband before my late lunch/early dinner at Big Thunder Barbecue.

Or so I thought. There's an enormous line stretching from the Kodak kiosk at Small World up the Hill to the Fantasyland Theater and back down to the train station again. Umm... at that rate it may be easier to go to the park entrance again.

A CM catches my confusion and kindly gets me in front after checking my handicapped pass. So I do make it to my Big Thunder reservation after all.

Big Thunder Barbecue. One of my favorite places to eat in Disneyland.



The girls are nice and try to seat me in the shade. While generally I appreciate that can I please have a seat closer to the stage if that's possible at all? *tries puppy dog eyes approach* The table they had offered me was pretty much at the end of the area at the fence.

They look a little confused because that area is pretty much in full sun and with that weather no one would want to sit in the sun without a very good reason. I repeat that I'd really like to sit closer to the stage and that sun is okay. Finally they seat me at the middle table directly at the front, although I really think I left the poor girls very confused.

The Barbecue is a "all you can eat" or "all you care to enjoy" or whatever the official term is nowadays.

That's the set up you're presented with for lunch.



Besides the cornbread you get chicken and ribs. If you're vegetarian there's also a tofu option. If you come during dinner time there's also some sausages and I think corn on the cob.



A coleslaw to die for.



Also they have a totally heavenly barbecue sauce. Seriously, that stuff is addicting.

This brings us to the entertainment at the Ranch.

I hereby present to you Mr. Tex Tumbleweed, aka "the very good reason."







Miss Chris, the Ranch's proprietor, later joins Tex for a couple of duets.





As usual she later goes around the tables checking on her guests. When she starts chatting with me she asks if I got all photos I wanted. Oops. Seems I was enthusiastic enough to notice.

Sabrina and Markus had a reservation at Cafe Orleans. I decide to wander in the Critter Country area. Our main goal for the night is to get Sabrina her picture with Rabbit. Maybe one of the CMs there knows if he's coming out this year.

Past Big Thunder Mountain Railroad someone taps on my shoulder. It's one of the character handlers who picked up over the years that I am a character fan who's travelling from Germany for Halloween. "Why aren't you at Toontown?" Why should I be at Toontown? "Because there's a pre-party event there with characters."

If you were in that area that day and heard a woman yelling bl**dy murder in a language you didn't recognize I sincerely apologize. My brain did just kick in enough to start cursing in German, but that was about it. I had specifically asked about a Toontown Pre-Party when I picked up my Handicapped Pass at City Hall seeing nothing had been advertised. I was told there was none. Also there were no signs whatsoever - the pass pickup was pretty close to Toontown too and nothing was to be seen there. Aarrgh!!

So I take off running from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to Toontown. Something I always wanted to do in 40 degrees centigrade weather.

Even worse, Sabrina and Markus have gone back to the hotel to get their costumes. Their phones had been acting up, and of course just when I need to get hold of them badly... mailbox.

 

[Vala]

Day 6 part 5: Toontown Pre-Party

Coming into Toontown most people seem to head for the candy lines. I'm trying to find the characters and finally spot brown fur with sailor hats near City Hall. Munks - works for me.

My phone rings. It's Sabrina. "Where are you?" In Toontown, there's a pre-party going on after all. "WHAT?!?!?" Yeah, I know, I know. Just try to get here as fast as you can, okay?

When I get closer to the chipmunks I spot someone else near the icecream place who works even better - Clarabelle and Horace!!! I actually squeal his name and run off. The CM with them is impressed: "You know his name!"



Yes, I know who Horace is and I am also the idiot who didn't bring a picture for Clarabelle to sign because nothing was confirmed about a Toontown pre-party. >< I do have a drawing for Horace, but she has to sign my book in the end. May have been for the better cause she was with Goofy on the picture from last year, and I am really not sure how Horace might have taken that.

She is sweet enough to forgive me, I guess she can tell I am really upset.







Besides these two and the munks Goofy is meeting.

I'm in line for the munks when Sabrina and Markus come running. They're just as unimpressed as me. "How did you find out?" Kudos to a wonderful Disneyland CM.

When it's my turn Dale tries to claim me back...



but Chip is not hearing anything of it.





Talk to the paw, maybe the paw will listen.



Trying to coax Dale into a picture... I love him too, but Chip asked first.



Should I or shouldn't I?



Boyfriend so does not approve of this.



Thanks to Sabrina's artistic skills... kind of a picture with Dale.



While Sabrina and Markus are getting their pictures I quietly ask the CM what other characters are coming out. The munks are switching with Mickey and Minnie. Pluto and Donald are switching with the other two. No Roger Rabbit. She doesn't know what characters are at Big Thunder Mountain Barbecue though. WHAT?!?! There's another pre-party in the Carnival area. Aaargh!!! Seriously guys, are you trying to give me a heart attack?

I get in line for Mickey and Minnie and send Markus and Sabrina for Horace and Clarabelle, but the characters switch out before they make it. When they join me again I quietly inform them about the new info. Ugh. Problem. It's getting tight to party opening. We decide after Mickey and Minnie they'll get the photos they need at Toontown and I run over to Big Thunder - it seems the phones are working right now.





Before someone says something... I asked Minnie if she was okay with us doing this and pointed out that my munk boyfriend would be back shortly.



*dashes to Big Thunder Mountain area*

The Carnival area has a sign saying "pre party" now and is much more quiet than Toontown. Pluto is out with the outfit he wore during daytime last year and also Woody is visiting.



A CM tells me the Cadaver Dans have been singing and also Duffy would be switching with Pluto shortly. As much as I love Duffy... it's getting close to regular party start time. I really have to rush to the Pirates photo stop before the line explodes.

 

[Vala]

Day 6 part 6: The party starts


The pirate stop is still empty. But there's movement near the Piratepalooza trick or treat trail. When I walk over there the trail is still closed, they're waiting for candy. Really? Guess that party really came as a surprise I still decide to hang out... I spotted a photo stop. AND... pirate Donald is making his way over!

We wait. And wait some more. I swear I don't want candy, I just want to a picture with Donald!

10 minutes later the candy finally arrives and a CM actually walks us through the trail. Are you afraid of the big candy riot?

When we're at the last candy stop the candy hand out is to the left, the entrance to the photo spot to the right. The CM tries to wave me to the left when she sees me moving out of the line. I shake my head and tell her: "Don't want candy, want the duck!" Donald overhears, jumps up in excitement, comes running and tackles me so hard that we almost end up in the candy bin together.

The last thing I see before being buried under a mountain of feathers is brown fur walking in. Oh dear god, the chipmunks. Has there ever been a case of worse timing?

So of course we get into a "she's mine!" discussion again, this time with an extra participant.





I really appreciated the efforts of the CM to get me any pictures of this... it was really total mayhem with all three fighting for my attention. We made a fine furry chaos.

If I get an eyepatch can I just stay with you guys? *looks pleadingly*





Meanwhile the pirate stop is open. Peter Pan and Wendy. Oh cool, I missed these two last year. Sabrina texts. Rabbit is coming out, they're waiting at Pooh's Corner. I text back I'll come running as soon as I can.

Those of you who have been to the DLR Halloween parties know that the pirates line is probably the line to move most slow because the characters interact so much with the guests. This time is no exception.

A female visitor totally freaks because of that and accuses people of jumping the line. Yeah, there's always going to be the one or the other joining a group. And your problem is? Even the CM tells her that this is acceptable, Disney won't do anything against it. Suddenly she starts accusing me of jumping the line. The father of a family behind me comes to my aid and tells her: "Lady, my son has been fascinated with those bunny ears since we stand here. That lady did not jump the line!" She keeps yelling at the CM, finally even a scuffle breaks out. Waaaay to set a bad example lady. And you didn't exactly make the line move faster either.

Peter and Wendy. To my horror I discover I have left my Wendy drawing in the hotel! Eeek. I hate it when that happens.





Wendy decides she'll just sign my Peter drawing, I could add her to that. Good idea - plus she tricks Peter into signing "Wendy (heart)s Peter with that move.

 

[Vala]

Day 6 part 7: Pooh's Corner


After that little drama of course I ask the people around if I can join Markus and Sabrina. Needless to say I get a number of weird looks, and even more weird looks when I explain what happened. Definitely not something you'd expect at Disneyland.

The timing has been right... a trio is coming out from backstage. Pooh, Tigger and Rabbit. Finally.







The bunny family.







After that I head off for the Villains line while Markus and Sabrina check out Innovations for Agent P and Captain America. The Villains line will take ages anyway.

When we have made it through by 2/3 a CM comes along and warns us a switch is coming. Granted Maleficent is out now and I'd like another photo with her. But a switch could possibly mean Facilier and Hades - I haven't met Facilier in two years and Sabrina never met Hades. I could live with that.

Suddenly we spot someone walking. The Queen of Hearts! I had promised JJ that I'd try to get a picture with her. Hey, I was the White Rabbit that night. Markus keeps the spot in line while Sabrina and I give chase.

Thing is, if the Queen doesn't want pictures you're in for a long, long chase. So are we. Help comes from a completely unexpected side. Cruella is yelling out to the Queen! "Don't you see the White Rabbit is following you?"



That gets her to stop. Still temperamental as always though....





Entrance new group.







Jafar, the Evil Queen and Hook. Not who we had been hoping for, but still cool to meet.











I ask a CM about Hades and Facilier - I'd have been happy to jump in line again. Unfortunately he tells me that they're not coming out today. *sniffles* He does tell me the Tremaines are coming out though in a bit. I decide to stay in the area and go and find a parade spot on Main Street. I'm lucky and can squeeze in just at the rope near the pumpkin where the parade is coming towards me.

 

[Vala]

Day 6 part 8: The first Parade

 

[Vala]

Day 6 part 9: Trick or Treat!


The Tremaines show up, and they're not roaming. They and the Queen of Hearts take over the Villains stop. Line way too long.

There's another new thing at the parties this year - a Treat Trail which is exclusive for AP holders. I decide to do that before heading over to Small World for the fireworks.











These are the passholder goodies...

a rice crispy treat



and a very cool Big Hero 6 drawstring bag.







Entrance villains again...



Cruella sees the ears and starts to pose. Does that make me dead fur walking?



I do another treat trail in Fantasyland and reach Small World just when the fireworks go off. I had forgotten how nice that spot is. If you can live without the low level fireworks at the castle it's pretty much perfect, and almost deserted.

Sabrina and Markus have secured a spot for the second parade at the Hub. Now getting to them is a little adventure... fireworks fallout zone in Fantasyland.

Trick or Treat Trail in Village Haus.



Scarecrows in Frontierland.

 

[Vala]

Day 6 part 10: The second parade

 

[Vala]

Day 6 part 11: A Royal Closure of the Day


After the parade Sabrina and Markus say their good byes, they want to hit the AP trail and then head back for the hotel. I figure if I rush I may just make it to the princess line... technically I had hoped to get a picture at the Aladdin photo stop, but that had been deserted whenever I walked past through the night. But I'm not in the mood to risk it. Royal Theater it is.

And I even get two princesses I hadn't met yet on this trip.

Belle's particularly lovely despite the late hour.



Second is Aurora.





And the last character for today is one of my special favorites... Princess Tiana.





Night time photos on the way out.